Mount Kelly Hong Kong: Mongolia Multi-Activity Challenge 2020

A Camel being used for transport in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Mongolia | Alan and Julie Marshall

Archers at Naadam Festival, Mongolia | Caroline Mongrain

Happy Mongolian men | Cam Cope

Nomadic ger, Mongolia | Loren Winstanley

A local girl prepares food, Mongolia | Cam Cope

Gandan Khiid Monastery, Ulaanbaatar | Caroline Mongrain

Local herders with their camels on the Mongolian steppe | Cam Cope

Code: SOG6232

Overview

Highlights

Explore the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar
Visit a nomadic family and learn of their unique way of life
Spend a day working on a local community project
Hike in Terelj National Park
Learn the skill of Archery, a traditional Mongolian past-time
Follow the migratory routes of ancient nomads
Camp in the Mongolian steppe and sleep in a ger
Canoe down the Tuul River

Travel to Mongolia for a unique adventure among nomads and the wilderness of central Mongolia. The focus of this trip is spending less time crossing the vast landscape of Mongolia by jeep, and more time experiencing it with immersive experiences and activities. All activities will immerse you in the landscape and culture of the legendary horsemen and women of the steppes. We will then spend a day working alongside the local students on an innovative Community Service Project in Ulaanbaatar. This combination of activities and experiences is the best possible way to learn about the nomadic way of life and the history of the Mongolian people whose ancestors were among the first in history to tame the horse. The area we travel through is famous for its natural beauty, rich in lakes and rivers but relatively remote and inaccessible, even by Mongolian standards. Along the way we will pass evidence of ancient nomadic people, and hear from our Mongolian guides of the many legends and stories that tell much about the Mongolian connection to their animals and the land. This is a unique adventure to a far off land which will challenge and amaze you. Come along and join in the adventure!

Countries:

Starting Point:

Ulaanbaatar. From 10 + Participants

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Sat, 13 June 2020: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, welcome dinner and tour briefing

On arrival to Ulaanbaatar airport you will be transferred to a 2* hotel in the city center. Rest and a welcome dinner during which you will be given an informal introduction to the tour ahead of you. Overnight: UB Hotel or similar

Meals: D

Day 2
Sun, 14 June 2020: Depart Ulaanbaatar, archery lessons and nomadic life experience

We first check in at a cozy holiday resort comprised of traditional Mongolian felt tents also known as the “ger” and have an archery lesson and shooting practice. An interesting presentation on the history of composite bows and the secrets of its unique design will offered before everybody gets a chance to try their hands on. After lunch we will head to a nomadic family where we spend the rest of the day learning about the way of life which hasn’t changed for many hundreds or even thousands of years. You can help hosts to herd sheep and goats, milk cows, process or make dairies or collect dry dung for fuel. In the evening we return to our overnight place where you will be accommodated in twin, triple or quad gers. Overnight: Ger Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Mon, 15 June 2020: Visit the statue of Genghis Khan and XIII century Mongolia complex

After breakfast take a short car transfer to a giant mounted statue of Genghis Khan. The creator of the Great Mongol Empire is depicted looking the direction of his birth place and resting his right hand on a golden whip he found here as legend suggests. An observation deck on the horses head allows panoramic views of vast steppe and rolling hills. We then continue to the historic complex called "XIII century Mongolia". As the name suggests it is a stylized demonstration of Mongolia’s medieval life. You can have your photos taken posing in medieval style Mongolian costumes, have a calligraphist write your name in traditional Mongolian vertical script and learn Mongolian games. At the end of the excursion a Mongolian lunch will be served in a lavishly decorated “Khan’s ger”. After lunch you try your hand on traditional archery. Continue to Terelj National park for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Ger Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Tue, 16 June 2020: Hiking in Terelj National park

Terelj, meaning rhododendron is a spectacular mountain bowl dotted with rock formations of weird shapes, quite often named after things they resemble. Having packed our lunch boxes we undertake a full day hike along the bowl brim. A trail of varied difficulty takes us along high mountain ridge covered in mixed forests of pine, birch and cedar. Throughout the day you can enjoy spectacular views of Siberian wooded mountains. By the end of the hike we visit a charming Buddhist temple on a cliff top and the Turtle rock, a granite monolith, the area’s popular landmark. Return to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. When the pitch dark celestial canvas illuminates with myriads of stars you can stargaze. Overnight: Ger Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Wed, 17 June 2020: Canoeing day

A short car transfer brings you to a riverside where canoeing guides will be ready to take you on boats. We put life vests on and day packs in dry sacks and start paddling down the river enjoying views of the broad steppes with animals but also steep mountainsides and primeval poplar forests right beside the river. You may as well observe nomadic chores as the life in the countryside of Mongolia during brief summers concentrates on riverbanks. The journey finishes where the river valley broadens unto the Ulaanbaatar plain. Pick up from the river and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. Overnight: UB Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Thur, 18 June 2020: Community work

We will spend the day at the “Green Eye” of Ulaanbaatar children’s recreation and learning center watering trees, cleaning row boats and helping with other tasks. You will be taken to the place in the morning and brought back to your hotel at the end of the day. The dinner tonight will be in the Mongolian BBQ buffet restaurant. Although not quite an authentic Mongolian BBQ it offers a good selection of both Asian and western cuisine which suites well for children. Enjoy your last hotel night in Ulaanbaatar. Overnight: UB Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Optional Ulaanbaatar Sightseeing day

Today we have a full day planned to see some of the highlights of Mongolia’s capital will first take in the main Buddhist center of the city, the Gandan where the main object of worship is a 26 meter tall gold plated statue of Lord Buddha, the National Museum of Mongolia, the Museum of traditional puzzles and toys and a folklore performance of throat singing and contortion.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Fri, 19 June 2020: Departure transfer

You will be transferred to Ulaanbaatar airport for your journey home.

Meals: B

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.

Inclusions

What's included

All meals. 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
Expert Mongolian bilingual guides.
Use of private vehicle with driver for all airport transfers, sightseeing, & required vehicle transportation.
Medical kit carried at all times.
Comfortable well located hotel in Ulaan Baatar & fully supported ger camps.
All sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary.
National Park fees.
Organisation of Community Service Project.
Detailed Pre Departure Information Kit with all you need to know to prepare.

What's not included

International flights from to Mongolia.
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, aerated drinks etc.
Tips and gratuities - discretionary. (approx US$35 should you wish to contribute)
Visa costs
Travel Insurance - (travel insurance is compulsory)

Grading

Introductory

This adventure is graded Introductory. These trips involve trekking or walking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. (Note: These are not easy trips). Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. Remember the fitter you are the more enjoyable your experience will be.

Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.

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Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

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Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

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