Samar Magic Tours-2008-2009 Mongolia Sled Dogs Driving Experience-Winter Tours

Itinerary	December 2008-January-2009 Main Schedule
Day 1	Upon your arrrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB) city, you are welcomed by Samar Magic Tours's representative and are transferred to your hostel. After some rest, today is spent on a guided city tour of Ulaanbataar, highlights include Sukhbataar Main Square, Chinggis Khan's main monument, and the National History Museum where you will see artefacts from Mongolia from the Stone Age to the present, and displays of the development of Mongolian arts and culture. Welcome dinner at "El Latino" restaurant. Overnight at Mr. Gomez Hostel in private deluxe room. (D)
Day 2	After breakfast, visit the "Gandan Lamasery" and the Buddhist ceremony-this the largest Monastery in Mongolia. City tour of Ulaanbataar, highlights include "Bogd Khan" Winter Palace (the last Khaan of Mongolia), the war memorial "Zaisan" Hill and the Statue of Buddha. Some shopping. Overnight at Mr. Gomez Hostel. (B)(L)
Day 3	In the morning, departure to Terelj National Park. You will meet your guides, mushers and dogs in the beginning of the afternoon. Explanation of the activity. Introduction to the dog team and to the specific equipment. Short transfer by vehicles of all dogs, sleds and people to reach the starting point of your adventure. We are following by car the river for 22 km to reach the small Uliin Bulan camp, named after the mountain that surrounds it. This first day will allow you to get used to the sledge, on an easy way. Many nomads live in this valley, but still the area remains very wild and beautiful. Fauna is diversified and the silence intensified by low temperatures creates an unreal atmosphere… The ice of the Tuul River is more unexpectable than the one on Terelj River. It can be blue one day and dark another day, it can crackle a little bit under the sledges and make some strange noises. Sometimes, the water comes up to the surface through little cracks and creates small lagoons over the deep blue ice. In winter, this very wild area is almost not uninhabited by nomads. For some months, only nature reigns over the place. We will reach for the night Bosgiin Guur located just a hundreds meters away from the river, where gers and huts are mixed. Here live Enkhtaivan and Mungoo, with whom we will share the warmth of the ger. (B)(L)(D)
Day 4	In the morning, we go back on the Tuul for 500m and pass under a wooden bridge which gave the name to the camp and marks the limit between Gorki-Terelj Park and Khan-Khentii National Park. The river calms down and divides itself in many small streams. We will stop at the beginning of the afternoon at Bayamba's camp, to enjoy the meal in a warm place. This camp marks more or less the half of our journey. 15 more kilometers and we will reach the ger camp of Khar Us (black water). There, 5 families live the whole winter, gathered to be stronger against the cold. Our hosts will be Tsodoo, his wife and their 2 young children. This camp is the last one of the valley. After that, only wolves, deers, bears, foxes and moose are inhabitant of these marvelous spaces. (B)(L)(D)
Day 5	Day of exploration in the wildest part of the trip: no herders, only wolves foxes, the very rare snow leopard… At the end of the afternoon you come back to Tsodoo's settlement for a warm cup of tea and mongolian dinner. Nomads don't move during the whole winter. They even build some wooden shelters for the animals. They leave these shelters in spring to move closer to rivers and green lands for the summer season, and come back to the first place at the beginning of winter. At the end of the afternoon, you will share some times with our mongolian hosts, and learn the nomadic way of life, peaceful and busy!. Sharing some time in the ger is an unforgettable experience We'll discover a different world, a different culture combining ancient and modern habits in harmony, and a different notion of time. Sharing the ger with a family is a privilege. Night in the ger. (B)(L)(D)
Day 6	In the morning, leaving the camp at " the end of the world", great people and their hospitality. But we still have to leave to make the 33 kilometers to Enkhtaïvan's settlement! Dogs will be champing at the bit… They are used to work hard, in these winter conditions. They run on the ice without any fear, sniffing here and there wolves' prints, always willing to go on. To reach the night camp, we will follow the same way back on the river. It will give us the opportunity to look at prints of wolves, foxes and rabbits that came on the river, once we left, to smell our track. They wonder who are these strangers on their territory. Night at Enkhtaivan's camp. (B)(L)(D)
Day 7	Departure from Bosgiin Guur. Always sledding on the Tuul River, we will reach the junction with the Terelj river, Uliin Bulan. We will make almost 30 kilometers, through wilderness. Wolves are not far away; as we run along side the mountain where the pack used to live. Our hosts for this night will be Bold, nicknamed " Boudoun bold " meaning " the big Bold " & his wife Tsetsegee. Bold was a champion of mongolian wrestling. He had the " Lion " title, when he was younger. He will probably show you his medal on his deel. Night in their ger. (B)(L)(D)
Day 8	The Tuul River will lead us west, where it is divided in 2 main streams. We will have a long day, to make the 35 kilometers through this windy valley. Everyone will appreciate the comfort of "Chinggis" Tourist Ger Camp (The Chinggis Tourist Ger Camp will be closed in this winter 2008/2009, it will open only in next winter 2009/2010), you will overnight at similar ger family, up to the river. We will arrive at the camp around 16 o'clock, when the sunlight adds some orange shade to the ice, creating a magical atmosphere for these last minutes of sledding. Night in a ger. (B)(L)(D)
Day 9	Breakfast. This morning, meet our transport and drive to Ulaanbataar. Transfer to Mr. Gomez Hostel in private deluxe room. Free time for you to explore the city and to do some shopping!. Farewell lunch at "El Latino" restaurant. Overnight at Mr. Gomez Hostel. (B)(L)
Day 10	Departure from Ulaan Baatar to your country destination. (B)
Tour Price	This fascinating 10-day tour for only: $ 1,449.00 (1,209.00 € Euros ) per person (for minimum of 2 pax) $ 1,399.00 (1,169.00 € Euros ) per person (for 3 pax). $ 1,349.00 (1,129.00 € Euros) per person (for 4-5 pax)

Included Services 3 nights at Mr. Gomez Hostel in private deluxe room in UB city/ 6 nights in Nomadic Ger Camps. Specified B-breakfasts, L-lunches and D-dinners/ Specified Private vehicle for your tour, included the patrol and the heating/ Experienced Sleg dog driver French-English speaking guide/ Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees/ Material (led, snowshoes,...)/ Musher, Trineos and dogs/ Second Musher/ Security equipment: radios, GPS, satellite phone/. Important Notes: These Complete Tours include arrival and departure transfer services to/from Airport-Train station. All you have to do is to make necessary International air or train arrangements. The Temperature can go down to -40°C,it is a very dry cold that people can handle easily with good gears and equipment. Weather is quite stable, and sun and blue sky are almost a guaranty From mid December, rivers are totally frozen and become a way to travel by sled. The average distance is 25 to 40 kilometers a day. Prices and dates may be subject to change. Not Included Services International flights or trains. Personal cost. Tips to the guides and the drivers. Visas. Airport taxes. Medical insurance. Drinks. Transfers to and from airports for participant making own arrangements; optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour; personal expenses such as excess or overweight baggage charges, laundry, telephone/cable/fax/email charges, liquor or soft drinks, room service; gratuities for personal services; Any loss arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as Flight delays or Cancellations due to weather or technical problems, etc. top CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS Dear Samar Magic Tours, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my Mongolian vacation. The location of the "Chinggis" tourist ger camp is extremely beautiful. You should put pictures of the surrounding area on your website. I think if foreigners saw how beautiful it was they would like to come and spend a longer time, like I did, not just pass through. Nara was a wonderful translator and a big help all around. She helped me have the best vacation possible. The food was excellent. The horses were better than American horses. I was never bored. If you want to use anything I wrote in advertisement , you have my permission. Sincerely, Mrs. Margaret Keene (USA). top Greetings from London and many thanks for making the September trip so memorable. As you will see from photo links below, I have some amazing photos of the "Chinggis" Ger Tourist Camp in the snow! . I hope I shall see you both next year! With kind regards, Catherine Dixon

Tel: 976-11-311051 Fax: 976-11-327503 USA Voice Mails/Fax: (1-206-888-4286)	On Line Request Form

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