The Great Mongolian Balloon Adventure Great Mongolian Balloon Adventure 2017.pdf · Standard Twin...

The Great Mongolian Balloon Adventure

goyotravel.com - +44 (0) 1869 866520 - +976 9959 8468 – [email protected]

Duration: 15 Days Group Size: 16- 24 Pax

Accomm. Type Name

Sun 20 Aug Hotel UB Hotel

Mon 21 Aug Ger Camp Gobi Mirage

Tue 22 Aug Ger Camp Gobi Mirage

Wed 23 Aug Ger Camp Ongiin Nuuts

Thu 24 Aug Ongiin Khiid Monastery - FLIGHT DAY 3 Ger Camp Ongiin Nuuts

Fri 25 Aug Ger Camp Ursa Major

Sat 26 Aug Ger Camp Ursa Major

Sun 27 Aug Ger Camp Monkh Tenger

Mon 28 Aug Ger Camp Altan Nutag

Tue 29 Aug Ger Camp Altan Nutag

Wed 30 Aug Ger Camp Sweet Gobi

Thu 31 Aug Khogno Khaan; Uvguun Monastery - FLIGHT DAY 8 Ger Camp Sweet Gobi

Fri 1 Sep Hotel Shangri-La

Sat 2 Sep Hotel Shangri-La

Sun 3 Sep - -

Fly to South Gobi 07:00/08:20; Gurvan Saikhan National Park; Yolyn

Am (Lammergeier Gorge) - FLIGHT DAY 1

Moltsog Els Sand Dunes; Camel Riding; Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs;

Nomadic Family Visit; Mongolian Barbecue - FLIGHT DAY 2

Depart

Drive to Ongiin Khiid

Ongiin Khiid; Orkhon Valley; Orkhon River

20-Aug-17

Orkhon Valley; Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon; Temeen Chuluu Burial Stones -

FLIGHT DAY 5

Kharkhorin; Erdene Zuu Monastery - FLIGHT DAY 6

Drive to Tsenkher Hot Springs

Tsenkher Hot Springs; Horse Riding - FLIGHT DAY 7

Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai

Drive to Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar; Gandan Monastery; Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan

Overview

Departure:

Arr. Ulaanbaatar; National History Museum; Tumen Ekh

The Great Mongolian Balloon Adventure


THE EXPERTS

The tour is led by balloon operation experts Gone

with the Wind, run by Phil and Allie Dunnington -

world-renowned balloonists with extensive

experience of operating in some of the globe's

remotest environments. Phil is one of the most

widely experienced commercial balloon pilots.

Allie is not only a pilot, she is also a professional

tour manager and has lived or worked in Asia

since 1986. This will be their 4th expedition to

Mongolia.

www.gonewiththewind.uk.com

LOCAL TOUR SPECIALISTS

During your journey you will be

staying at some of our favourite

characterful ger camps in the countryside

& at two of the best-located hotels in UB.

Gers are equipped with beds, linen, stove,

table and chairs and have electric lighting.

Some gers may have powerpoints. Loos

and showers are in separate female and

male blocks. There is a restaurant

ger/building where meals are served.

THE ROUTE


At Goyo Travel we believe that a good

guide is essential to the enjoyment of any

trip. Knowledge, enthusiasm, good

humour, pro-activity, language and

communication skills need to combine with

responsibility and a sensitivity to guests'

needs. Your guides will be handpicked by

us to suit the itinerary and details will be

sent out a week prior to travel.

Our vehicle of choice is the UAZ. These

beasts of the east were born for the wilds

of Mongolia. Fun, functional & practical,

with a high wheel base, large surround

windows, ample luggage space, and a

flexible sociable layout.

We provide each car with a first aid kit,

water, tea & coffee-making facilities, and a

selection of snacks for guests to enjoy. The

balloons will travel in separate trucks with

fully sealed rear compartments, whilst

another specially-equipped van will carry

the gas.

Travel Details Arrival time tbc; 45mins/14km Airport-Hotel

Accommodation

Meals Included Dinner

Travel Details

Accommodation Standard Ger, Gobi Mirage Ger Camp

Meals Included

TRIP DETAIL

ULAANBAATAR - SOUTH GOBI - YOLYN AM - FLIGHT DAY 1

You will be picked up at 4:50 from your hotel for the transfer to the airport. Fly

south to Dalanzadgad where your vehicles will be waiting.

Then drive 45mins or so to Yolyn Am in the Gurvan Saikhan hills. En route to the

gorge, stop at the small museum and craft gers at the park entrance, before

continuing to the head of the valley where you will leave the cars and continue on

foot. Keep a look out for birds of prey and ibex on top of the rocky outcrops above

you as you wander down the lush valley.

The walk here typically lasts around 1-2hrs depending on distance ventured and

one's individual pace. Although there is scope for a longer foray. As you walk

further down the valley into the gorge the steep rock faces close in and the stream

that criss-crosses the path disappears under sheets of ice - there is not likely to be

much ice at this time of year but there should be some.

Afterwards drive to the ger camp where you will be staying tonight. Arrive in time

for lunch, and then unpack the balloons which will have travelled down by truck

over the past 2 days. Today's first flight will be from close by the camp across the

vast plains that stretch out for miles in this wilderness section of the Gobi desert.

In the evening enjoy dinner at the camp and your first night sleeping in a ger.

The Gobi Desert covers much of southern

Mongolia, and about 40% of the country as a

whole. It is characterised by barren expanses

of gravel plains and rocky outcrops - with only

a few areas of dune. The climate in the Gobi is

extreme. Temperatures reach +40°c in

summer, and as low as -40°c in winter, with

strong winds in spring and autumn.

Precipitation averages less than 100 mm per

year.

Yolyn Am is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of southern Mongolia.

In English, the name translates as Lammergeier Valley. The Lammergeier is an Old World

vulture, hence the name is often translated to Valley of the Vultures or Valley of the Eagles.

Wildlife abounds in this area - ground squirrels, marmots, ibex and argali roam the land, whilst

birds of prey soar overhead.

Although the area sees little precipitation, Yolyn Am is notable for a deep ice field. The ice field

reaches several metres thick by the end of winter, and is several kilometres long. In past years

it remained year round, but now the ice often disappears by late August.

ULAANBAATAR - NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM - TUMEN EKH

Your guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals hall at Ulaanbaatar Chinggis

Khan Airport. Transfer to the hotel and check into your room. The plan for today is

quite flexible, as arrival times may differ between group members, and you will

probably want some downtime to relax and catch up on sleep. You may also need

to sort out exchanging money and other practical things.

We suggest meeting your guide in the hotel reception at 14:00 for a leisurely walk

across the impressive Sukhbaatar Square, where the group shall commemorate the

start of the trip with a photo in front of the statue of Chinggis Khaan. Then visit the

National History Museum with its well-laid out informative displays showcasing the

country's fascinating past.

Afterwards, walk south towards the city's main park, and enjoy an intimate

performance of music and dance by the Tumen Ekh ensemble at a small theatre. A

welcome dinner at one of our favourite Mongolian restaurants rounds off your first

day in Mongolia.

Standard Twin Room, Ulaanbaatar Hotel

Ulaanbaatar , meaning "Red Hero", was so

named in 1924, following the creation of the

Mongolian People's Republic. The city was

founded in 1639 as a moveable Buddhist

monastic centre but in 1778 it settled

permanently at its present location on the Tuul

River in north-eastern central Mongolia. The

city lies at an elevation of about 1,310 metres

(4,300 ft) and is home to almost half of the

country's 2.7m population.

30 mins/14km Hotel to Airport; Flight Dep. 07:00/Arr. 08:20; Up to an hour/40km to Yoln Am; 1hr/50km to

Ger Camp

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Travel Details

Accommodation

Meals Included

Travel Details

Accommodation Standard Ger, Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp

Meals Included

Bayanzag is one of the most famous

paleontological sites in the world. Huge

shelves of rock and sand descend into many

canyons that meander down to the desert

floor. Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the

world's first nest of dinosaur eggs here in 1922

and unearthed over 100 dinosaurs. Other finds

in the area include specimens of Velociraptor,

and eutherian mammals.

MOLTSOG ELS SAND DUNES - NOMADIC VISIT - CAMEL RIDING - BAYANZAG

(FLAMING CLIFFS) - MONGOLIAN BARBECUE - FLIGHT DAY 2

In the morning drive to Moltsog Els sand dunes. Here you will have the opportunity

to visit a local family of camel herders - enjoy the hospitality in their ger where you

will be able to try camel milk and other traditional Mongolian fare. Then head off

for an hour's camel ride through the dunes, or those who prefer to walk may do so.

Head back to camp for lunch and in the afternoon drive to Bayanzag for a an

exploratory walk around the spectacular sandstone formations, known as the

Flaming Cliffs due to their deep red hue. Prepare the balloons for an aerial view of

the area at sunset over this paleontological goldmine.

For dinner you will dine on a traditional Mongolian nomadic feast of goat

'khorkhog', which is steamed, along with root vegetables, in a pot using red hot

stones from the fire. In a specially-erected ger next to a nearby nomadic family,

you will have a this private meal followed by a special performance of music and

dance by local musicians. Afterwards drive back to the ger camp.

Camels - About 285,000 Bactrian camels - 30% of the world’s population - live in Mongolia,

mainly in the Gobi desert. Camels are powerful animals, standing over 2 metres tall at the

hump and weighing 720-820kg. A camel can haul loads of nearly 300kg at a rate of 50km per

day. Although averaging 4km/h, they have been clocked at over 65km/h.

Well adapted to harsh climates, camels are famous for their ability to travel as many as

160kms without water. They retain their body moisture efficiently, and have a large capacity

for storage. A thirsty camel can drink as many as 135litres at a 10minute sitting. They don't

store water in their humps - these conserve up to 36kg of fat, which allows the camels to

survive when food is scarce. The humps shrink as fat is consumed for energy.

ONGIIN KHIID - FLIGHT DAY 3

Start the journey north towards the heartland of Mongolia. The temple complex of

Ongiin Khiid is a noteworthy and convenient stop-off point en route. After a few

hours drive, with the usual photographic and picnic stops en route, settle into your

ger camp before taking a stroll around the temple complex. Enter the

reconstructed temple, see the stupa engraved with the names of the victims of the

purges, and see the monks who run the monastery.

There will also be time to see the monastery the following day if you prefer -

including from the air. You will have 2 nights here to be able to enjoy the area, and

more importantly get another flight in.

Ongiin Khiid is a ruined and partially rebuilt monastery founded in 1760 to commemorate

the first ever visit of Dalai Lama to Mongolia. It originally consisted of two temple complexes

on the North and South of the Ongi River and was one of the largest monasteries in

Mongolia. It was completely destroyed in 1939 under Khorloogiin Choibalsan, the then

president and leader of the Communist Party of Mongolia. Over 200 monks were killed, and

many surviving monks were imprisoned or forced to join the army. Re-construction work

started a few years ago, and first temple was inaugurated in 2004. One of the stupas has

also been reconstructed as well. There is also a small museum and around 15 monks who are

guardians of the site.

1hr/50km to Moltsog Els; 1hr/50km to Bayanzag; 15mins/7km to local family

4.5hrs/170km drive Bayanzag - Ongiin Khiid


Private ger alongside local family



Travel Details

Accommodation Standard Ger, Ursa Major Ger Camp

Meals Included

5.5hrs/250km Ongiin Khiid to Orkhon Valley


KHUJIRT - KHANGAI HILLS - ORKHON VALLEY - TEMEEN CHULUU -UURTIIN

TOKHOI CANYON - KAYAKING - FLIGHT DAY 4

After breakfast, continue your north. As you drive you will see the open flat plains

give way to greener undulating countryside, with more families and livestock. Pass

through the village of Khujirt where you may stop for a pit stop, supplies and

maybe lunch - depending on what time you have set off in the morning.

Arrive at the ger camp by around 3pm. There will be an opportunity in the

afternoon to go for a walk or a horse ride. Or, the conditions may be right for a

flight, although currently this would be planned for the next day.

The following morning and/or evening is planned for a flight over the Orkhon River

and the Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon. These can also be explored during the day by kayak

and on foot respectively. We will pack 2 or 3 of our inflatable double kayaks for the

trip. There will also be an opportunity to drive the short distance to see the

Temeen Chuluu - ancient Bronze Age burial stones.

Kayaking is a great way to experience the wild

natural landscapes of Mongolia, whilst also

being exhilarating and active. Our kayaks are

robust, and of top commercial outfitter quality.

We also provide lifejackets, dry bags to keep

your personal equipment in - cameras etc. - and

water shoes.


Travel Details

Accommodation Standard Ger, Monkh Tenger Ger Camp

Meals Included

Travel Details

Accommodation

Meals Included

Standard Ger, Altan Nutag Resort


1.5hrs/70km drive to Kharkhorin


Kharkhorin is located at the lower end of the

upper valley of the Orkhon River where the

eastern foothills of the Khangai Mountains

meet the rolling steppe of central Mongolia.

The town marks the site of the ancient town of

Karakorum, which served as the capital of the

Mongol Empire under Ogedei Khan. Only a few

relics, such as the stone turtles, remain.

Erdene Zuu Monastery was founded in 1586 by Altai Khaan, Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It

is enclosed by an imposing wall with 108 stupas. In its prime it boasted around 100 temples, plus many gers, and up to 1000 monks in

residence. Although many of the temples were destroyed during the purges of the 1930s, and artefacts stolen, enough remains to make this

monastery the most important in Mongolia.

KHARKHORIN - ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY - FLIGHT DAY 5

After breakfast drive the short distance to Erdene Zuu Monastery in time to hear

the monks chanting, which takes place mid-morning. Take a guided tour around

the main temples, and walk around the grounds.

Afterwards visit the Monument of the 3 Kings overlooking the Orkhon River, and

the fertility stone on the edge of town. The small museum is also worth a look. You

can do some or all of these things before or after lunch.

In the afternoon prepare the balloons for a sunset launch from inside the walled

compound of the monastery. No doubt there will be much curiosity, and also help

offered, from the monks. As this is a town, there will be much local interest in

today's flight!

TSETSERLEG - TSENKHER VALLEYS - HOT SPRINGS - FLIGHT DAY 6

Today you head to Tsenkher, perhaps taking the route via Tsetserleg where there

will be a fuel pitstop, an opportunity to visit the local market, and the charming

Byandelgeruulekh Monastery in the foothills overlooking the town. Alternatively

you may take the short cut across country via the village of Tuvshruuleh. On arrival

at your camp at Tsenkher Hot Springs, settle into your gers before enjoying a

welcome thermal bath - and perhaps a massage (not included).

The next day you will take a morning and/or evening flight in the Tsenkher Valleys

above the rolling forested hills. There will also be time to relax, hike or ride in the

area, and visit nomadic a nomadic family. On one of the evenings you will enjoy a

meal with a local family.

The tree-lined hills and valleys of Tsenkher

are home to many nomadic families and their

livestock. The area is a perfect backdrop for

exploratory hikes and horse rides. A great

place to relax - especially at the hot springs!

3.5hrs/190km to Tsenkher


Travel Details

Accommodation

Meals Included

Standard Ger, Sweet Gobi Ger Camp


ELSEN TASARKHAI - KHOGNO KHAAN - UVGUN KHIID - ELSEN TASARKHAI -

FLIGHT DAY 8

Today you head to the Bat Khan hills which are surrounding by outcrops of dunes

of the northernmost edge of the Gobi. The variety of landscapes and the rocky

backdrop makes for stunning scenery and a great place to fly. Settle into your ger

camp at Elsen Tasarkhai - a beautiful secluded eco-camp near a small lake that

attracts indigenous and migratory birdlife. Have lunch and afternoon preparing for

an evening flight, depending in the weather. With just today and tomorrow left,

you'll be wanting to get in as much flying as possible with the gas that is left.

The following day drive to the nature reserve of Khogno Khaan, perhaps an early

morning flight before a packed breakfast and a visit to explore the lower temple

complex of Uvguun Khiid. See the reconstructed temples, prayer-wheel and look

around the ruins. Then take the 1.5hr round-trip hike up to the older ruined temple

complex in the hills - the scenery is fantastic, and there should still be some

wildflowers. Head back down to the valley floor and back to camp. Afternoon at

leisure - perhaps a horse ride or walk in the surrounding area. You'll also have a

last chance for a spot of archery - we will have sent a couple of our bows on the

trip so you should all be expert shooters by now. A final dinner in the camp's

atmospheric restaurant ger rounds off your countryside odyssey.

Khogno Khaan Natural Reserve covers 46,990 hectares of land. The granite mountain

originally known as Bat Khan Uul extends 12 miles north-south , and 6 miles east-west, and at

6453ft it rises over 2000ft above the surrounding steppe. Taiga and steppe plants grow in this

area and represent two or three different natural zones. The scenery is a combination of

desert, mountains, forest, streams and green grassland.

In the hills lie the sites of the lower and upper Uvgun monastery which was built in 17th

century by Zanabazar. In 1688, during the fighting between Western and Eastern Mongolians

(Dzungaria and Khalkh Mongolia) after the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Dzungarian

chieftain Galdan Bolshigt destroyed the temples at both the lower and upper sites. The lower

site was rebuilt but destroyed again in the 1930's. After democratic revolution in 1990 the

monastery was re-opened and some temples restored, and are looked after by the

granddaughter of the monks who originally lived at the monastery during the time of the

persecution.

4.5hrs/250km to Elsen Tasarkhai; 30mins/15km to Khogno Khaan; 45mins/1.8km walk each way to ruins

45mins/1.8km walk each way to ruins; 5hrs/280km to UB


Travel Details

Accommodation Deluxe Room, Shangri-La Hotel

Meals Included

Travel Details

Accommodation Deluxe Room, Shangri-La Hotel

Meals Included

Travel Details

Accommodation

Meals Included

DEPART

Pick up for the transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Up to an hour/14km Hotel-Airport; Departure time tbc

-

Breakfast; Lunch

GANDAN MONASTERY - WINTER PALACE OF THE BOGD KHAN

After breakfast, meet your guide in reception at 09:30 and jump in the vehicles for

the short trip across town to Gandan Monastery. Enter the ancient walled temple

complex, where monks chant every morning - you can walk around inside during

these daily ceremonies. Then visit the revered Midjig Janraisig temple with its huge

gold Buddhist statue inside.

Then drive south over Peace Bridge to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, and

explore the residence of the last king of Mongolia. A short journey south then

brings you to the Zaisan Memorial commemorating Russian-Mongolian solidarity

and friendship during the soviet era - this hilltop viewpoint looks out over the

Ulaanbaatar skyline and the mountains beyond.

In the afternoon you may want to do some shopping - perhaps at the Gobi

Cashmere outlet store, and then also at any of the decent craft outlets (Tsagaan Alt

felt shop, Quilters, Mary and Martha) or the State Department Store. Your guide

will be on hand to assist.

Return to the hotel to relax and freshen up before heading out for a farewell meal

at one of our favourite restaurants.

Gandantegchinlen Monastery , meaning

"Great Place of Complete Joy", is a Tibetan-

style monastery situated on the edge of the

city's ger district. The monastery was

constructed by the order of Yongzheng

Emperor in 1727. It was one of the few

monasteries to escape the soviet purges of the

1930's, being spared as an example of

Mongolia's feudal past. Since the fall of

communism in 1990 it has been renovated and

restored into a working monastery and

currently has over 150 monks in residence.

The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan was built between 1893 and 1903.The palace is the only

one left from originally four residences of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, the Bogd Khan.

The palace was spared destruction by the Russians and turned into a museum.

The complex includes six temples. On display are many of the Bogd Khan's possessions, such as

his throne and bed, his collection of art and stuffed animals, his ornate ceremonial ger lined

with the skins of 150 snow leopards, and a pair of ceremonial boots given to the Khan by

Russian Tsar Nicholas II.

No long drives today, just short distances around town no longer than 3kms/20mins each

Breakfast


ULAANBAATAR

Head back to Ulaanbaatar. Rest of day and evening at leisure. This afternoon will be 'packing up time' for the balloon owners. The

trucks will be parked in front of the hotel this afternoon and tonight, ready to take the balloons to the airport for customs clearance

the following morning. If time suits, they might be sent to the airport this afternoon for storage overnight.

4-5hrs/320km drive to Ulaanbaatar



USD GBP

Cost Per Person $6,920 £5,495

Single Supplement $490 £390

Euro

€ 6,210

€ 440

Currencies - All trip costs are priced in USD. The GBP and Euro rates above are indicative only - if paying in these currencies the amount will be

calculated according to the exchange rate on xe.com at the time of booking.

Included

Balloon Team participation & flights subject to weather (incl. share of int’l shipping costs and gas for the balloons) - Co-ordination and logistics management by Gone with the Wind directors Phil and Allie Dunnington - Domestic Flights - Airport transfers -Surface transportation - Road taxes - Accommodation as specified - Local English-speaking guide - Sightseeing and activities as specified - Museum & park entrance fees -Meals as specified above - Water & snacks in the vehicle

Excluded

International flights - Tips - Laundry - Bar bills -Items of a personal nature - Visas -Photography/filming charges at e.g. museums and monasteries

Booking - To confirm your booking we require a 25% non-refundable deposit, with balance due 8 weeks prior. Payment methods, bank details and further information can be found on our Booking Form & Conditions.


Travel Advice - We provide all our guests with a copy of our Mongolia Travel Advice. If you have not received this, please request a copy from us.

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