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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
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 on foot, by bike and canoe. 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. Trekking and riding days will involve 5-6 hours of walking/riding, and although there is no technical parts to either activity, a medium to high level of fitness and a love of remote wilderness locations is required. This is a unique adventure to a far-off land which will challenge and amaze you. Come along and join in the adventure!
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Ulaanbaatar
Activities:
Grading:Introductory
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Day 1
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.
Meals: D
Day 2
Depart Ulaanbaatar, Mountain Biking Day
The journey starts with an hour and a half long car transfer to a vast open grassland of the type that is most commonly associated with Mongolia. Although just outside of the capital city it’s pristine and untouched with rolling hills and rugged mountains as the backdrop. We first check in at a cozy holiday resort comprised of traditional Mongolian felt tents also known as the “ger” and start by cycling across grassland alternated by gentle hills. The day’s distance can be adapted to suit the group’s cycling ability. Except for short rocky and loose sections that lie in immediate vicinity of mountain passes the riding track is dominated by smooth packed soils. Nearly 60 milllon animals make the bulk of Mongolia’s rural economy. While cycling you will see vast herds of horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Mushroom like dwellings of nomadic Mongols can be seen here and there offering a glimpse of a way of life which hasn’t seemingly changed in centuries. If a chance allows we will stop at one of them to learn about the traditional way of life. A snack break and a picnic lunch will be served in the course of the day before we return to our overnight place where you will be accommodated in twin or triple gers. Riding Distance: 8 - 20 km (5 - 13 mi) Overnight: Ger Camp
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
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 in 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
Day 4
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
Day 5
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.
Day 6
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.
Day 7
Departure Transfer
You will be transferred to Ulaanbaatar airport for your journey home.
Meals: B
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel 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.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
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.
Per Person, Twin Share
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.
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.
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.
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.
Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.
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Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.