MONGOLIA
The taste of Mongolia riding tour
Guaranteed departure dates for 2008: 09/8
Ref. number: -
(Other dates also possible within the best period if the requirement for min group size is fulfilled)
Last edited by: IS, 04/01/08
Introduction:
Mongolia is one of the last remaining
countries, spread out over huge areas of
unspoiled nature. Beyond a radius of
100 km from the capital, no asphalt
roads can be found. Vultures, antilopes,
foxes and wolves still live here
undisturbed in the wild. Here and there
you will find a few nomad families at
their temporary ger camp. The trail
takes us around the National park Terelj
and includes highlights such as Gunj
Monastery, the Turtle Rock as well as
the overwhelming beauty of the natural
surroundings and the richness of its
flora and fauna. We ride to the famous
river Herlen, visit some fantastic sand
formations by Elstei and sleep in
traditional Mongolian tents - the yurts.
The Mongolian people have strong
traditions in riding. The horse has
always been a vital means of
transportation and for us it is the most
authentic way to get to know the land
and its people. We ride Mongolian
horses, even though we use Russian or
European saddles instead of Mongolian
ones. We usually ride for 5-8 hours (up
to 30 km) per day. In Ulan Bator we visit
the most enchanting sightseeing spotsGandan Hiid, a Buddhist monastery
from 1840 and the Natural History
Museum with dinosaur skeletons.
After the horse riding trail we ride a jeep
to the National Park Hustai , where we
come close to the famous Takhihorses. These wild horses
(representatives of the last wild horses
race in the world, also known as
Przewalski) were close to becoming
extinct a couple of years ago. Today,
thanks to a Dutch project, we can still
witness 200 of the takhi horses with
is an extremely beautiful place,
visited by every tourist who goes to
Gobi.
their characteristic short legs in their
natural surroundings.
Special highlights
- Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar (“red hero”),
is the capital of Mongolia. The city is
situated north and slightly east of the
centre of Mongolia, on the Tuul River.
- Hustai National Park is situated about
100 km west of Ulan Bator. Since 1992 it
has been the home of the last genuine
wild horses – Ta-khi, also known as
Przewalski in the West
- The White Lake and Khorgo Volcano –
Nature in this area is very unique, formed
as a result of the volcanic activities in the
past.
- Kharkhorin (the ancient capital of
Mongolia) is 350 km south-west of Ulan
Bator. It was founded back in 1220 by
the world famous conqueror Chinghis
Khan and was the Imperial capital, for
over 140 years.
- The Hentii (Khentei) mountain
wilderness area is only 40 km from the
capital.
- Ongi Monastery is one of the largest
monasteries in Mongolia. During the 30’s
the monastery was completely ruined but
its remains still attract many visitors.
- The Gobi Desert is a large desert
region in northern China and southern
Mongolia. The Gobi measures over 1600
km from southwest to northeast and 800
km from North to South and is one of the
largest deserts in the world.
- Eagle’s Valley is a mountainous area in
the middle of the desert. Inside you will
find an eternal ice. But over the past
years sometimes this ice melts. This site
- Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in
Siberia and a great place to see the
beautifully carved wooden Siberan
houses.
- Lake Baikal, “The blue eye of
Syberia” - At 1,637 meters, Lake
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world
and with a volume 23,000 km³ it holds
the largest body of fresh water on the
planet.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ulan Bator (very
early in the morning) and transfer to
the hotel. Accommodation and
breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing
tour of the town incl. a folklore show.
/breakfast, lunch/
Day 2: We ride by cars to the Terelj
National Park around 50 km
northeast from Ulan Bator. There we
meet the horses and ride to the Turtle
Rock and on to Gunj Monastery. We
spend the night in tents near Gunj
Monastery (20 km ride).
Notice: You should bring your
personal sleeping bag for the
overnights in tents and yurt camps.
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Day 3: The trail continues to Yoleen
Tschic Uul (1898m a.s.l.). After we
pass Yoliin Davaa, we build a camp
and spend the night in tents near
Yoleen Davaa (25-30 km ride).
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Penguin Travel
Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85.
www.penguintravel.no, [email protected]
1
Day 4: Today’s purpose is the statue of
Chinghis Khan close to the Tuul River.
We ride through some forest areas
before we reach the tent camp. Dinner
today is at a small restaurant (25-30 km
ride). Free time after arriving in the
camp.
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Day 5: We ride to Munkjin, one of the
yurt- camps in the park, and have free
time for relaxation in the afternoon. (15
km ride)
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Day 6: There are smooth changes in the
landscape. The trail takes us to the town
of Erdene, where we spend the night in
tents. (25 km ride).
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Day 7: Today’s target is the famous
Herlen River, where we build our camp
for the night. (30 km ride)
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Accommodation and food: 4 nights in
3*** hotels in Ulan Bator/Irkutsk with
breakfast included (in a shared double
room with WC/shower, 2 overnights in
tourist camps (days 5 & 9) (WC/shower
available), the rest of the days
accommodation in double tents (8 nights
in tents and yurts with fullboard). There is
a possibility for vegetarian meal plan by
preordered request. Important: Iodine
tablets for purifying the drinking water is
a must for all travellers.
Terrain: Most parts of the tour feature
lakes, mountains, rivers and forests.
Horses and saddling: The weight limit
of the riders is 95 kg. You will ride
Mongolian horses (about 150 – 160 cm
high) equipped with wooden tour
saddles.
Season: The best time to travel is from
May till the end of September, especially
July and August.
Day 9: Along the river we ride back to
Terelj, where we spend the night in the
yurt-camp Munkjin (25-30 km ride).
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Difficulty grade: 3
Day 11: A visit to the National Park
Hustai. You will make wild horse viewing
trip through the park. The Mongolian
wild horse Takhi, has become the
symbol of preservation of the country’s
unique wildlife. These horses live in the
steppe area together with red stags,
steppe gazelles, wild boars, wild cats,
marmots and wolves.
/breakfast, lunch/
Day 12: Flight Ulan Bator – Irkutsk. One
– day trip to the beautiful lake Baikal.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel in Irkutsk.
/breakfast/
Day 13: Depending on the flight times,
we take a short sightseeing tour in
Irkutsk or drive directly to the airport for
departure.
/breakfast/
The price does not include:
Lunch and dinner on some of the
days, Mongolian and Russian Visa,
Tips; Alcohol and extra soft drinks;
Personal expenses; Insurance
Luggage transportation: You can leave
an extra luggage at the camp in Terelj.
There is a luggage horse during the tour
but you can not take more than 15 kg per
person.
Day 8: We ride on through the flatlands
to Elstei, an area with amazing sand
formations. We spend the night in tents
not far from there. (25 km ride)
/breakfast, lunch, dinner/
Day 10: We say goodbye to the horses
and travel back to Ulan Bator, where we
spend the night in a hotel. Free time
after arriving in Ulan Bator. Hotel
accommodation for the next 3 nights.
/breakfast /
Sightseeing with folklore show and
lunch in Ulan Bator; One-day trip to
Hustai National Park including lunch;
one-day trip to lake Baikal. Mineral
water with each meal.
Tour type: GT
Equipment & clothing:
Sleeping bag should be brought by
participants. See “General” for the full list
with recommended items.
Weather
Situated at an average altitude of 1500m
a.s.l. Mongolia is high, cold, and dry. It
has an extreme continental climate with
long, cold winters and short summers,
during which most precipitation falls. The
country averages 257 cloudless days a
year, and it is usually at the center of a
region of high atmospheric pressure.
Precipitation is highest in the north,
which averages 20 to 35 centimeters per
year, and lowest in the south, which
receives 10 to 20 centimeters.
Normally in the summer the
temperatures are around 20-25oC (easily
reaching 30-35oC in Gobi) but falling
down to 10oC at night. The rainy season
is in August.
Group size: Min 6 pax
The price includes:
Accommodation and boarding as per
itinerary; Mongolian riding guide and fully
equipped horses; English-speaking guide
throughout the whole tour; All ground
transport according to the program;
Penguin Travel
Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85.
www.penguintravel.no, [email protected]
2
GENERAL
==============================
TOUR TYPES & GRADES
We provide different varieties of tours as
regards to their types and difficulty
grades!
Whether you will choose individual and
group tours with a guide or combined
tours with a guide for some part of the
trip depends on you. We emphasize on
using local experienced guides with
knowledge of the local language,
culture, history, art, etc. The tours are
conducted in the English language.
Guides in other languages are available
upon request.
GT: Group tours
There is a guide accompanying you
throughout the whole trip, meeting you
at the airport upon arrival and leaving
you at the airport again for departure.
We use well-trained and experienced
local people with good knowledge of
English. The group size is normally 6-12
people, if not specially mentioned.
-----------------------------------------------------Difficulty grades
To feel comfortable on this tour you
should have several years of experience
and you should be well-trained in riding
in all paces, on challenging terrains and
you can ride horses with different
characters.
==============================
Equipment and clothing:
Hard-toed boots with a medium heel;
sleeping bag; repellent (for mosquitoes,
flies and ticks); riding pants or jeans;
gloves for hand protection; riding
helmet; rain gear; dayly rucksack;
lightweight windproof riding jacket; hat
or cap for sun protection; sunglasses
with UV protection; sunscreen lotion and
lip balm. Sleeping bag. A torch with
spare batteries is also a good idea. We
recommend that you bring your own first
aid kit ass well.
==============================
Vaccination:
All riders must be in possession of a
health insurance valid for riding in
Mongolia. For vaccinations we
recommend that you check for latest
requirements with your doctor or health
clinic in due course. Most medical
sources recommend vaccine against
hepatitis A+B, diphtheria, typhoid,
tetanus, meningitis.
==============================
Money and personal expenses
Mongolia and Ulan Bator is still a cheap
destination. As you can see from the
itinerary it is possible to participate in
riding expedition with just a few pocket
money. The payments in Mongolia are
usually made in “Tugriks” (MNT), which
is the official currency. The exchange
rate with MNT and EUR approxi-mately
is: 1 EUR = 1.722 MNT (Dec. 2007) / 1
USD = 1.170 MNT (Dec. 2007). Credit
Cards could be used primarily in some
shops and restaurants in Ulan Bator.
Usually it is marked on their front doors if
Credit Cards are accepted. Here are
some examples of comparative costs in
Mongolia (prices in mid-range
restaurants in USD!):
- Coffee – from 1
- Tea – from 1
- Beer (0,5 l) – from 2
- Soft drink (0,5 l) – from 2
- Bottle of water (0,5 l) – from 1,5
- Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) – 5-10
- Three-course lunch - 15
- Lunch pack – 4
===============================
Passport and visa
EU citizens are allowed to entry
Mongolia with visa and stay as tourists
for up to 90 days. It is recommended that
your passport is valid at least up to 6
month longer than you plan to stay in
Mongolia. Other nationalities/ types of
passports: Please contact nearest
Mongolian Consulate. Upon booking we
provide you with all documents need for
visa applying.
===============================
Cell phone coverage
A service provider named “MobiCom”'
provides cellular phone services (GSM
standard) within Ulaan Bator and a 35km range around the Capital as well as
Darxan and Ärdänät. You can take your
mobile phone to Ulaan Batar and get a
service contract (with chip card) there.
===============================
Electricity
In Mongolia two-pin sockets are normal.
Voltage is 220V. If you come from the
U.S. or UK you need to purchase an
adapter. Prepare yourself for brown-outs
(unstable electricity supply) and blackouts (complete electricity
failure) at unregular
intervals for everything
between fractions of a
second and several hours.
Electricity is available in
yurt camps but not in the
tent camps.
====================
Brief about Mongolia
Territory – 1 566 500 sq
km.
Population – 2 951 786.
Capital city – Ulan Bator.
(Population – 1,000,000
people).
Boundaries – South –
China; North - Russia
Major physical features –
highest point: Huyten Peak
(4 374 m), longest river:
Selenga – 1 000 km.
Form of government – Multiparty
constitutional monarchy with two
legislative houses
Political divisions - Mongolia is split
into 21 provinces (aimag), Ulan Bator
(the capital) is a municipality with
provincial status.
Ethnic composition – Khalkha Mongol
– 77,5 %, Kazakh – 5,3 %, Dorbed
Mongol - 2,8 %, Bayad – 2,0 %,
Buryat Mongol – 1,9 %, Dariganga
Mongol – 1,5 %, others – 9 %.
Religion – Shamanist, Buddhist,
Muslims.
Protected areas – 16 National
Conservation Parks, 16 Nature
reserves, 12 Strict Protected Area, 1
Hunting Reserve, 6 Natural
Monument, 2 World Heritage
Convention, 5 UNESCO – MAB
Biosphere Reserve.
============================
Weather
There are four well-defined seasons,
and on average, the sun shines for
well over 200 days a year. The
climate is harsh continental with low
precipitation. The temperature varies
greatly within the year; the same
phenomenon may also occur within a
day (see the table bellow referring to
Ulan Bator).
Mean year temperature - 8.5°C in the
Gobi and -7.8°C in the mountains
(Abs. Min. – between -31.1°C and 52.9°C in January; Abs. Max. –
between + 28°C and 43.1°C in July)
Mean rainfall per year – 200 –
220mm (under 50mm in the Gobi
desert / 400mm in limited areas in the
north)
Most precipitation occurs in June,
July and August, and the driest
months are November to March
Penguin Travel
Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85.
www.penguintravel.no, [email protected]
3