Tour Code: SMT-TSAATAN-18D

Tour Highlights: 18 days including 10 horse riding days. This will be adventurous, and will give the opportunity to travel in some remote areas and be immersed in the local culture with opportunities to hike, birdwatching, ecotourism, and fishing. This is an incredible horse trek journeys from the Great Khovsgol Lake National Park through some of Mongolia's most impressive scenery, in the far Northwest to the remote village of Renchinlkhumbe onto the plains of Darhad valley for visiting the Tsaatan people. Although often rains here in the summer, this only adds to the lushness of the scenery, which consists of crystal-clear lakes and rivers, Taiga Siberian forest of larch and pine, and rich, green meadows. 30-35 kms horse riding a day. We provide European saddles. Three guides will make fire, boil water, make tea and serve with dairy products and home made bread. This is the best option for Eco friendly tourism. Nine-day on horseback ride into the pristine Mongolian wilderness from Khovsgol Lake National Park to Tsagaan Nuur Lake.

The Tsagaan Nuur and the region is not part of Khovsgol lake National park. The Tsaatan are part of a Tuvan ethnic group, which inhabits the Tuvan Republic of Russia. There are only 60 Tsaatan families, spread over of 100,000 sq km of northern mongolia. They are truly nomadic, often moving from one place to another looking for special types of grass and most loved by the reindeer. They do not use gers, but prefer tents made from reindeer skin. The Tsaatan practise shamanism. During the ceremony of ovoo worship, shamans offer fire and food to the spirits of the mountains and the waters. Once a year shamans perform a special deed to abuse the bad heavens. According to Shamanism, after a death of someone his spirit goes to the heavens and his body stays under the ground. Today there are number of ethnic groups-Shamanists live in the north western part of the country.

Tour grade: Difficult.
Gateway: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Group Size: Minimum 4-9adults or more participants.
Riding Per Day: 4-6 hours
Weight Limit: 12-15 kgs (25-30 lbs)
Tack: Mongolian-Russian Saddles
Horses: Mongolian
Minimum Group: 4-9 adults
Price from: 1299.00 Euro or $ US 1,949.00 per person at Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Minimum Group: +10 adults or more participants
Price from: 1209.00 Euro or $ US 1,809.00 per person at Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day	Itinerary	Schedule	Food
1	Ulaanbaatar	Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB). On arrival, you are welcomed by Samar Magic Tours's representative and are transferred to your hotel. Today is spent on a guided city tour of Ulaanbataar, highlights include Sukhbataar Main Square, 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. 18:00-See Mongolian traditional folk songs and dance concert. Have welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the Hotel.	D:Rest.
2	Nomad's Tuul River Valley	Today, we will drive head out to the east of Ulaanbaatar and reach the "Sacred Tuul river Nomad's Valley" (55kms). This is a beautiful valley of streams. There are national gers in beautiful natural locations, so it's easy to meet with locals and see their daily lives, interact with them, explore, take water adventures, go trekking, swimming in the Tuul river. In route, we will stop, to observe and to take some amazing photos to the 40 meter (~133,3 feet) Statue of "Genghis or Chinggis" Khan on a big horse on Tsonjin Boldog Hill is located just ~3kms (~1,5miles) to "Chinggis" Tourist Traditional Ger Camp. Arrive at the "Chinggis" tratidional Camp and free time. Welcome dinner with traditional Mongolian meal (khorkhog), which is mutton cooked with hot rock and with vegetables, water, potatoes.	B:Camp L:Camp D:Camp
3	Nomads People	After a good breakfast, we will meet the horsemen and will saddle our horses and prepare for the ride, while the packhorses are being loaded. As we start, we will ride along the Tuul river, into the foothills to witness this amazing landscapes and wild lifeand. Meet with Nomadic families and see their daily lives, interact with them, to show you theirs animal training, feeding, milking, food preparation, etc. Enjoy this amazing scenery of wide-open steppe with rolling hills in the background and river. Back late to overnight at the comfortable "Chinggis" tourist camp.	B:Camp L:Camp D:Camp
4	Flight to Moron	Drive to Ulaanbaatar airport for a short flight to Moron (1hr 40 min). Arrive and meet our transport, and the Samar Magic Tours's staff. Drive to the Hovsgol Lake. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure on the lake. Lake Hovsgol is a 100 mile long pristine alpine lake located in the north of Mongolia, close to the Siberian border. The lake lies at an altitude of 1645m and is a rift valley some 262m deep. The Lake is a protected as a National Park and is sacred to Mongolians who call it "Dalai Ej" the "Mother Sea". Overnight in traditional ger dwellings by the Khovsgol lake These Gers are the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders and you will share life experience with the Mongols.	B:Camp L:Camp D:Camp
5-7	Start horseriding	Leaving the tourist gers camp. As the terrain doesn't allow the vehicles to drive we will have the support of packhorses to transport all the trekking equipment and food. Start horseriding from the ger camp along the great Hovsgol lake shore through Horidal Saridag mountains. On the way we will see the nature of Hovsgol lake region and high mountains Uran Dosh and Ikh-Uul. If we will have some time we can climb the Ikh-Uul (2961m). Camping days in tents in route.	B:Camp L:Picnic D:Camp
8-10	Horse Trek to the remote village of Renchinlhumbe	Ride out of the mountains through the remote village of Renchinlhumbe and onto the plains of Darhad valley. There are numerous rivers and marshes in the valley, so be prepared to get your feet wet crossing some of the streams. To cross those rivers and marshes we will use local wooden raft. Camping days in tents in route (close to rendeer family).	B:Camp L:Picnic D:Camp
11-13	HorseTrek to Tsaatan's camp.	Ride throug the Taiga-thick coniferous forest to Tsaatan 's camp. 6-8 hours riding a day. In some places we have to walk because the road is very rocky. Last day we will arrive back to Tsagaa Nuur village. Camp near Tsagaan Nuur village (close to rendeer family). The Tsaatan practise shamanism.	B:Camp L:Picnic D:Camp
14-15	Drive back to Moron	Depart by Russian vans (minivan) 4WD or Jeep back to Moron via Eastern side of Tsagaan Nuur Lake. This is a long drive (about 12hrs driving). One night camping in tent or in ger in route to Moron. Arrive and to be transferred to the local hotel in Moron.	B:Camp L:Picnic D:Local rest.
16	Flight UB	Flight back to UB. Arrive and be transferrred to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.	B:Camp L:Camp
17	Ulaanbaatar	Today, we will visit the Gandan Monastery-the largest of Mongolia and Buddhist ceremony. Afterwards, we will visit the Bogd Khan Palace, which is a series of beautiful traditional buildings in which the last religious King of Mongolia resided, the Zaisan Hill monument and the Fine Arts Museum. Lunch in local restaurant "El Latino". Some shopping for Mongolian cashmere products and souvenirs. Overnight at hotel.	B:Hotel L:Rest.local
18	Departure	Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for departure Mongolia.	B:Hotel

Price to include the following: Internal Air fares UB-Moron-UB+domestic tax . 3 nights at hotel in double room . 1 night at local hotel in Moron. 4 nights at tourist Ger camp. Specified nights camping in tent. Board as specified. Private vehicle as specified. One Mongolian traditional folk songs concert in UB. Trekking support staff and pack horses , including a cook and kitchen staff. Riding horses on European-style saddles as per itinerary. Fully Escorted by Samar Magic Tours' Tour Leader for big groups , services of local translator of an English-speaking guide. Park entrance and permit fees. Border Permits.	Prices not to include: International Flight or Train. Travel and medical insurance Visas Drinks Excess of baggage. Sleeping bags. Items for personal nature. Any circumstances beyond of our control, such as the imposition of quarantine restrictions, weather conditions, delay of the internal or international flights, etc. top
NOTES:*All you have to do is to make necessary International air arrangements. Advance booking is required a 180 days before the trip!. *YOU NEED TO SEND TO US THE COPY OF TOURIST'S PASSPORT WITH MONGOLIAN VISA / PHOTO PAGE, AND PAGE WITH VISA/; SO WE CAN APPLY FOR THE BORDER PERMITS. *It is the responsibility of the client to be fully covered with travel and medical insurance while traveling in Mongolia. *Fishing trip is not included. We can not rent the fishing equipments. *Excess baggage: the max. weight of your luggage is 15kg (30lbs). *Our tours are fully supported with horses, horses's guide, tents, cook, a good food and friendly staff. * Prices and dates may be subject to change. *Please, be fully prepared with mosquito net and repellent in The Tsagaan Nuur and the region. * Do not include a Walky-Talky or the communication equipments, binoculars, lantern, etc. Accommodation in the countryside of Mongolia: Most tourists will stay in specially constructed gers camps or camping in test.These gers camps provide accommodation in the round felt houses used by nomads and usually have separate toilet, washing and restaurant facilities. Travel Information about Hovsgol Lake National Park and Tsagaan Nuur (White lake): The northernmost aimag in the country, Hovsgol is dominated by the magnificent Hovsgol Lake, the highlight of the province and one of the most scenic spots in Mongolia. This is a land of huge pine trees and crystal-clear lakes, with water so pure you can drink it, icy streams, lush grass, open meadows and an abundance of wild flowers. Hovsgol Lake is surrounded by several peaks near 3000 m high. In surface area, this is the second-largest lake in Mongolia and the deepest lake (up to 262 m) in Central Asia. Tsagaan Nuur (White lake) and the Tsaatan: It is about 60kms west of Khovsgol Nuur (Lake), in Renchinlkhumbe suum (district), is a large depression called Darhadyn Khotgor, often referred to as Tsagaannuur, after the main village in the area. Darhadyn depression is roughly the same size as Khovsgol lake. The Tsagaan Nuur and the region is not part of Khovsgol lake National park. The Tsaatan are part of a Tuvan ethnic group, which inhabits the Tuvan Republic of Russia. There are only 60 Tsaatan families, spread over of 100,000 sq kms of northern Mongolia. They are truly nomadic, often moving from one place to another. They do not use gers, but prefer tents made from reindeer skin. the Tsaatan practise shamanism. Travel seasons: July and August gives you the best weather for the northern part of the country - usually dry and sunny with short spells of rain. The alpine climate of the northernmost province Hovsgol can change from one extreme to another. In summer, temperatures are mild but weather can change quickly (rain showers are to be expected) and temperatures will range between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius during the day. At night they may drop to 10 to 5 degrees Celsius. In autumn (August), temperatures may drop to 0 degrees Celsius at night. Altitude at camp is 1650 m above sea level. Tour code: SMT-TSAATAN-18D / 2008-2009 Tour Calendar Departure
June 12-30 July 13-31 August 12-30 Group Size: Minimum 4-9 adults or more participants.
Tel: 976-11-311051; Fax: 976-11-327503 USA Voice Mails/Fax: (1-206-888-4286)	On Line Request Form

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