Living a Nomad Life in Orkhon Valley Tour

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and relax. City tour including the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, which represents Mongolian Culture starting from the Stone Age to the 21st century, and Buddhism, Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chingis Khaan Square). In Gandan Monastery, you can take local prayers, monks, the biggest standing indoor Buddha statue, and temples' own figure. (L/D)

Today we will leave early in the morning to stay with a nomadic family in Orkhon Valley near Lake Ugii. We advise you to get small gifts for children of the nomadic family and the family as well.

When we arrive at the location of nomads, you will be acquainted with the host and hostess, talk about their life and interest in everything you want to know from their common but interesting lifestyle. Following 3 days are spent with this family being a member of it. Mongolian spiritually prefer the number “3”, and it is widely used in their common life such as A man should win “three rounds” in wrestling and have “three songs” for the celebrations. That’s why we suggest you have 3 nights in herder’s family. The family will also respect this number. 

You can either spend nights with the family in their own ger or have a separate tent for overnights. Days are spent at their settlement watching after or being involved in their routine life. You will have meals with the family: milk tea, typical Mongolian soup with noodles and meat, buuz (steamed dumplings), homemade biscuits, and a lot of dairy products like milk, yogurt, cream, aaruul (dried curd), fermented milk, etc. If you are a good rider, you can accompany the herder to the pasture site. In the evening females will milk the cows and process it while men collect the animals, set it close to the settlement overnight to protect it from predators like wolves.

Get up early morning, have breakfast with the family. After breakfast, every member of the family starts to carry on their duties and then gathers for the lunch. The hostess or family children will collect animal dung (usually from cows and horses) which is used to make a fire in germ-stove. You will be offered to try to do it. On the other hand, you can help them to carry water from the lake. Nevertheless, do not worry if you cannot. Photographing is welcomed. Warm talking and jokes and games are good ideas when people finish their jobs. (B/L/D)

Today is the day to leave our generous host and stay in a ger camp, where you can freshen up by Lake Ugii, which has an abundant birdlife of more than 150 bird species. This day is scheduled for your individual activity such as go for fishing, bird watching, walk along the lakeshore, swim, or just have time for writing about your 3-day with a nomadic family. (B/L/D)

Drive to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia at the time of the Mongol Empire. There’s almost nothing left from this great capital of the world, but in 1586, under the rule of King Avtai Sain, the Erdene-Zuu Monastery was built at the site of the ruins of ancient Kharkhorin. The Erdene-Zuu – means Hundred of Treasures was again destroyed during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, but there are still various Buddhist statues, works of art, religious instruments, and even Tsam religious dance masks at the monastery. There are an amazing 108 stupas surrounding the monastery. (B/L/D)

Head back to Ulaanbaatar after breakfast. Lunch at the roadside restaurant on the way. When we arrive in Ulaanbaatar, have a farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)

Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)