Experience Mongolian Horse Culture and a Great Winter Adventure
Date: 16-21 Feb 2017
6 Days / 5 Nights
The Horse Festival takes place in the heartland of Mongolia, in Khentii Province in North- eastern Mongolia. Its origin are the skills and traditions of the ancient and flourishing local horse culture. The festival location of Batnorov District is known as a center of crafts and culture related to nomadic livestock husbandry of which the horse is a central part.
The competitions and shows are on the “Khokhuurin Steppe”, a historic site tied to the life of Chinggis Khaan. The round trip from Mongolia’s capital city to the festival will take you to several other sites of the “Secret History of Mongolia”.
The Horse Festival is also a great opportunity for photography, and it was a Mongolian photography club that helped get the event off the ground.
You will be staying in heated tent and have snacks while the festival events unfold on the steppe around us.
Remarks:
This trip is based on a minimum of 3 persons before the trip will go. You can form your own group if you have 3 participants. Otherwise, you may need to join the trip with other guests from other countries.
Itinerary (Subject to changes)
Day 1 Ulaanbaatar
Arrive Ulaanbaatar, pickup at airport and check in hotel. Orientation meeting, dinner.
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar – Tsonjin Boldog
Depart Ulaanbaatar for Tsonjin Boldog. A giant statue of Chinggis Khaan on horseback – ascend to the viewing platform and get a first impression of the vast landscapes and winter scenery. Visit the history museum. After lunch, continue towards Chinggis City, capital of Khentii Province. Opportunity to visit local market, temple, museum (dependning on time of arrival). Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3 Horse Festival at “Khokhuurin Steppe”
The colorful events include opening ceremony, competitions and shows of horsemen and trainers, catching and training horses, and a horse song competition. Watch the large herds of horses on the surrounding steppes, or visit cultural center/local museum in the district center. Take photos, or ride a horse yourself. Lunch at the festival site in a local Ger Restaurant offering local food. A cultural performance is provided in the evening. Overnight in traditional Mongolian Ger in District Center, with traditional Mongolian dinner.
Day 4 Horse Festival at “Khokhuurin Steppe” – Chinggis City
Short travel from District Center back to “Khokhuurin Steppe”. Today’s program includes a horse Race, a show of a native dog breed, and a parade anc competition of couple’s in their traditional costumes and showing off the finest horse saddles and tack. Depart for Chinggis City. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5 Chinggis City – Ulaanbaatar
Travel from Chinggis City back to Ulaanbaatar. On the way, travel South in Delgerkhaan Soum to visit historic sites along the Avarga plain and river. It was in the Avarga plain where Chinggis Khaan consolidated his power, where the first major population center and capital of the united Mongolian tribes was located. Archeological sites testify to this are still being studied
here. On the 750th Anniversary of the “Secret History of the Mongols” a monument to Chinggis Khaan was erected here with UNESCO support.
The plain is dotted by lakes, and several mineral springs provided the basis for spas popular in summer. Avarga Toson is an impressive site to see, an Ovoo (stone cairn) draped in blue silk scarfs (hadags), above one of the lakes, overlooking this plain where once Mongol tribes and their warriors camped, and herded their horses and other livestock. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, overnight in hotel.
Day 6 Departure
Transfer to Airport, depart from Mongolia.
6 Days Experience Mongolian Horse Culture and a Great Winter Adventure
Tour Code: MNG-WHF06
LAND Cost per person in SGD : $ 1798
Based on min 3 persons
A deposit of S$1000 per person is required and balance to be paid 1 month prior departure.
Price Includes:
- Transportation
- Accommodation (hotel in Chinggis City, shared Ger at Horse Festival, hotel in Ulaanbaatar city)
- Meals (except in Ulaanbaatar), drinks (except alcoholic), snacks
- Entrance fees.
- Sleeping bags.
- Briefing prior departure
- 15% discount for gears at X-Boundaries
Price does not include:
- Travel insurance
- Air tickets+ taxes
- Personal belongings and expenses
- All personal items, clothing and equipment, (headlamps, camera’s, personal toiletries, etc.)
- Lunch and dinner in the city
- Tipping to the guides
What to Bring
The Horse Festival takes place on the Mongolian steppes. While temperatures often turn milder in mid-February, and we will also set up a heated shelter, you must still bring warm clothing to enjoy the festival. Your outfit should include warm parka/coat or down jacket, insulated pants, warm boots, gloves, hat, scarf, long top and bottom underwear, sweater or other mid layers. Sun glasses. Day pack.
Accommodation
In Ulaanbaatar and Chinggis City in modern hotels. One night at the Horse Festival in traditional Mongolian Ger sharing with several guests. Its cozy and clean in the Ger. But no shower for that night, and no indoor plumbing. That one night will be authentic country side accommodation – part of the adventure!