Tsam Religious Festival and Golden Gobi-2023 Tour (Date to be announced later)

12 days from $1890

Explore beautiful Tsam, one of the Buddhist rituals, and its origination and development are inevitably connected with Buddhist devotees and nations. Tsam dances are truly awe-inspiring events. Tsam dancers meditate, pray, and softly chant while performing. Their dancing is a "meditation in action," creating sacred space with a particular felt mood or vibration, and is also an active prayer with a particular target. The word 'Tsam' means dance of the Buddha (deva) and elements of this dance show as if protectors and deities have physically descended on the Jambudtiva (Southern continent). In Mongolia, the tsam was introduced at the beginning of the 18th century from India through Tibet. For instance, the first tsam in Mongolia was performed in Erdene Zuu Monastery in 1786.

Highlights

  •  Religious event - Tsam dance 
  •  Khongor Sand Dunes
  •  Bayanzag - Flaming cliffs
  •  Yol Valley of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
  •  Orkhon Valley and Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol empire

Key Info

Physical level: Moderate Physical level: Moderate
Overlanding & Discovering Overlanding & Discovering

Tour Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1.

Arrival 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)

in the hotel

Day 2.

Amarbayasgalant Monastery

This morning, we leave early to the famous Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Excursion through the monastery, located at the foot of Burenkhaan mountain, Amarbayasgalant or "Monastery of Tranquil Felicity”, is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Mongolia. Built between 1727 and 1736 with more than 40 temples in honor of Zanabazar, the first Bogd Gegeen (Spiritual leader of Mongolian Buddhism), it is one of the very few monasteries to have partly escaped the destruction of 1937, after which only the buildings of the central section remained. The entire contents: the Tankas, statues, and manuscripts were looted by the Communists or hidden until more fortunate times. Restoration work began in 1988 and now the Amarbayasgalant monastery shows great stylistic unity. (B/L/D)

in the camp

Day 3.

Tsam Festival Day

Tsam festival day in Amarbayasgalant monastery. Tsam is one of the Buddhist rituals and its origination and development are inevitably connected with Buddhist devotees and nations. Tsam dances are truly awe-inspiring events and 108 dancers meditate, pray, and softly chant while performing. (B/L/D)

in the camp

Day 4.

Drive to Bulgan Province

On the way, we will pass Erdenet city, the third-largest city in Mongolia, which is located in the northern part of the country. The city was built in 1975 to exploit Asia's largest deposit of copper ore and has the fourth largest copper mine in the world. The "Erdenet Mining Corporation" is a joint Mongolian-Russian venture. Stay overnight with a nomadic family in the countryside of Bulgan province. (B/L/D)

in the family

Day 5.

Lake Ugii

Head to Ugii Lake in the morning. The road is smoothly paved, and for the last 90 km, we drive on a dirt road, which leads to the lake. Ugii Lake is a wonderful place to have to relax after long driving. The lake has an abundant birdlife of more than 150 bird species. Bird watching, fishing is parts of the available entertainment. We will visit a local family, exploring their nomadic lifestyle and livestock farming. Getting the first experience of a Mongolian ger. (B/L/D)

in the camp 2 hours

Day 6.

Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin

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)

in the camp

Day 7.

Mysterious Ongi Monastery

Drive to the south towards the Gobi Desert. Overnight stop at Ongi River and Saikhan ovoo area of Middle Gobi province. Ongi Monastery, a small mountainous area with the sites of remains of ruined old monasteries. Once the monastery has served as a midway point for Buddhist pilgrimages going to holy Tibet. Enjoy the sunset from the top of the mountain. (B/L/D)

in the camp

Day 8.

Bayanzag - Flaming Cliffs

Drive towards Bayanzag, red stone cliffs and canyons- the classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, sun and, unbelievable emptiness has become known to the world as "Cemetery of Dinosaurs”. The red sandstone cliffs and canyons of Bayanzag are where the fossil beds of dinosaur bones and first-ever recorded dinosaur eggs in 1922 - discoveries which made world headlines by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews first time. Nowadays there is a local museum which displays important facts and some exhibits of this famous area. (B/L/D)

in the camp 2 hours

Day 9.

Climb Up Khongor Sand Dunes

Drive to Khongor Sand Dunes - the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. The sand dunes of Khongor are known as the « singing dunes » and they extend for 180 km and at some places they are 80m high. These spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by a small river Khongor. Walking and Sliding at the dunes before the sunset and meditate in the middle of nowhere. Visit camel breeding family and get some experience with camel riding. (B/L/D)

in the camp 1 hour

Day 10.

Explore Yol Valley in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park

Discover beautiful Yoliin Am Valley or Yol Valley (translates to Lammergeier Valley), which is formatted by two high rock walls a big glacier on the ground kept frozen during hot summer days. It has breathtaking dramatic scenery and without a doubt is one of the beautiful places in the country. 

The Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park is rich in fauna. There are mountain sheep, goats, leopards, black-tailed marten of cliffs, lynx, wildcats, squirrels, white gazelles, and other mammal animals. Hiking around the national park to explore its beauty. Visit the natural museum of localities. (B/L/D)

in the camp 2-3 hours

Day 11.

Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

Take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Visit the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan Museum, where the last monarch of Mongolia lived in the first half of the 20th century. Amazing performance of traditional dance and folk in the evening. After that, farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)

in the hotel

Day 12.

Departure Day

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

Prices & Inclusions

Prices & Inclusions
Group size Price/Per person
2 PAX 2350$
3-4 pax 2150$
5-8 PAX 2050$
9-12 PAX 1950$
13-15 PAX 1890$

Includes

Accommodation: Hotel****,* ger camp
Guiding and interpreting service
Full board meals
Transport: 4x4 vehicle or minivan
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance
Camping Equipments
Camel riding

Not Includes

International airfare 
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost 
Excess baggage charges
Single room supplement 
Alcoholic drinks 
Travel Insurance
The extra cost for photography in museums
Tip for a tour guide, driver, etc

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