Trip for 2 people, flight tickets included
English-speaking guide
Transfer by Land Cruiser with private driver
6 nights in a yurt of the Out Of NowHere lodges
3 nights at the Shangri-La 5* Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
A member of our crew will welcome you directly after your arrival. Transfer by Land Cruiser to the city centre.
Genghis Khan Square, previously known as SĂĽkhbaatar Square, is the central square of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar. The official name was changed in 2013 in honour of the founding father of the Mongolian nation. A large colonnade monument to Genghis Khan dominates the square’s north side directly in front of the Government Palace…The centre of the square features an equestrian statue of Damdin SĂĽkhbaatar, one of the leaders of Mongolia’s 1921 revolution.
This tour is an introduction to travel in the old nomadic empire. Mongolian history from prehistory to nowadays.
A traditional Mongolian bowed stringed instrument. Singers will perform “Long song” in which each syllable of text is extended for a long duration. A four-minute song may only consist of ten words! They often use horses as a symbol or theme repeated throughout the sing.
Gandan is a tibetan-style monastery that was spared during the communist time. It literally means “Great Place of Complete Joy”. Gandan monastery is one of the most astonishing places in the capital with its 26-metre-high statue of AvalokiteĹ›vara. The monastery has over 150 monks in residence that pray every day making their sacred singing resonate in the many temples of the place. Private visit of the library.
Out of Nowhere’s Geolodge, Sweet Gobi, is located at 4 hours’ drive from Ulaanbaatar, only a few kilometres away from the geographic centre of Mongolia, at the edge of Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune.
Arrival at the ger camp: Sweet Gobi (managed by Out of NowHere), settled in the magnificent Bayan Gobi. Ideally located in central Mongolia region, close to Khangaï Nuruu nature reserve boundary, Sweet Gobi géolodge introduces you to the wide diversity of Mongolian landscapes, all within easy access: golden sand dunes, huge meadows and stony steppes where ancient granite mountains suddenly emerge wait for you. Central region is a must see thanks to its history but also because it registers the highest density of nomadic herders in Mongolia! A true cradle of the nomadic civilization!
Out of Nowhere team gives you the keys of your room and a personalized map to help you to find your own ger. A geolodge explanation (about Step & Spa service, dry toilets, wood-burner, breakfast schedule…) allows everyone to make themselves at home. This natural and felted camp, at the edge of the Khanghai Nurru national park allows you to experience the nomadic life in the ger.
Double King size bed, duvets, spacious gers decorated with Mongolian warm-coloured furniture, felt carpets, each ger doorstep lies down on the infinite open-spaces of Central Asia.
Warm welcome and discovering of the pastoral activities (lighting of the wood-burner, buuz cooking in the ger; milking of the animals with woman and children, herds’ management with the man). You will visit one of the numerous nomadic families around Sweet Gobi geolodge (at 5 to 10 min maximum by car).
Before leaving the camp, guides explain the common customs to observe in the ger.
Each ger has a mini bar. Furthermore, the bar of the restaurant ger welcomes you all day long.
Buffet dinner in the ger restaurant. On the menu, yak steak with pink salt from Mongolia and wild berries. Casserole lamb and pinion pine scented with herbs from the steppe. Possibility to define the menu with the customer. Allergies and special diets are taken into account up to a month before the trip.
The camel will be equipped with comfortable saddles and the ride will be led by experienced riders, owners of the animals. The ride starts from Sweet Gobi. You will be equipped with riding hat, gloves and gaiters
Behind a dune, discover a greenery oasis and a tent decorated with Olzii patterns where refreshments wait for you.The Olzii pattern is a masterpiece of the Mongolian culture. This endless knot represents the eternal movement of the universe and is supposed to bring happiness and longevity.
In the middle of the afternoon, departure by Land Cruiser to Khogno Khan sacred mount. You will walk to the Khogno Khan sacred moutain and discover its lunar landscape made of granite rocks.Â
This monastery was rebuilt during the 90’s after its destruction during the soviet purges. The ruins of Ovgon Hiid monastery lie at the foot of the mountain. It was devastated during a great battle bewteen Khalkha and Oirad tribes.
According to the rites of the silver bowl ceremony, you will be welcomed with hot shaman herbs tea in a beautiful lunar landscape at sunset.
The 121,967-ha Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape encompasses an extensive area of pastureland on both banks of the Orkhon River and includes numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century. This valley is considered as a paradise for the yak herders and has been designated as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2004.
One of Mongolia’s oldest and most historically significant monasteries originally founded in 1647 by Zanabazar.
Option: Blessing of the trip by the Lama
Participation in a ceremony with the monks, giving of prayer scarves and blessed incense
This blessing is made with donations for the conservation of cultural heritage
Warm welcome and discovering of the pastoral activities (lighting of the wood-burner, buuz cooking in the ger; milking of the animals with women and children, herd management with the men).
You will taste khuushuur, one of the typical Mongolian dishes. It is a kind of meat pastry or dumpling. The meat, either beef or mutton is ground up and mixed with onion, garlic, salt and other spices. Once the pockets are made, the cook fries it. The Khuushuur is then served hot, and can be eaten by hand.
You will taste aĂŻrak, the national beverage made of mare fermented milk. Mongolian process the milk of the animals they are raising (sheep, goats, cows, yaks, camels and mares) in many products which can be stored and thus sustain them during the long and cold Mongolian winter.
An opportunity to learn more about the lifestyle of Genghis Khan’s inheritors.
By late afternoon, departure to Ursa MajorÂ
Settled in the majestic valley of the Orkhon and located about 30 minutes from the yak herders.
Out of Nowhere team gives you the keys of your room and a personalized map to help you find your own ger. A geolodge explanation (about Step & Spa service, dry toilets, wood-burner, breakfast schedule…) allows everyone to make themselves at home.
This natural and felted camp allows you to experience the nomadic life in the ger.
Double king size bed, duvets, spacious gers decorated with Mongolian warm-coloured furniture, felt carpets, each ger doorstep lies down on the infinite open-spaces of Central Asia.
Reach the stars under one of the starriest skies in the world. A unique experience, lost in the outer space.
Zanabazar is an important figure of the history of Buddhism in Mongolia. In 1640 he was recognized by the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama as being a “reincarnated lama”, and he received his seat at Ă–rgöö, 400 miles from the present site of Ulaanbaatar, as head of the Gelug tradition in Mongolia. He was the first Buddhism leader in Mongolia.
Tovkhon Khiid Monastery lies at 2.300m. It was built in 1654, and had 14 temples. It was in this monastery that Zanabazar created the Soyombo alphabet to write Mongolian. It can also be used to write Tibetan and Sanskrit. A special character of the script, the Soyombo symbol, became a national symbol of Mongolia, and has appeared on the national flag since 1921, and on the Emblem of Mongolia since 1960, as well as money, stamps, etc.
This hike requires a normal physical condition. 1:30 Rise
A high place of spirituality.
Reach the stars under one of the starriest skies in the world. A unique experience, lost in outer space.
Escorted by the best riders in the world, you will discover the best friend of the nomadic herders for an unforgettable ride in the Orkhon Valley, home to the graves of thousands of ancient warriors and nomadic ancestors. At gallop or not, depending on experience, they know these animals that have always been at the heart of Mongolian history
The horses will be equipped with comfortable saddles and the ride will be led by experienced riders, owners of the animals. You will be equipped with a riding hat, gloves and gaiters. For those who do not wish to ride, the vehicles are available.
There are numerous famous steles with deer carving that mark the location of the burial of the ancestors of the Huns!
During the ride, you will stumble across an archer who will introduce teach  you to tick the parabolic arch! The archery is one of the three manly games with Mongolian wrestling and horse racing. This sport is in the spotlight during the Naadam games every July all around the country.
In the restaurant ger, introduction to Mongolian games: ossicles, Mongolian cards .. A pleasant evening after dinner!
This stop directly brings you to the greatest part of the Mongolian history: Karakorum, former capital of the biggest empire the world has ever known. Twice bigger than the Roman Empire at its apogee.Â
These turtle-shaped statues were guarding the entrances of the city. Symbol of longevity for Mongolian people, they represented the great future which had been destined to Karakorum. The monument meanwhile, is much more recent. It was erected in 2006 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Mongolian Empire. It also celebrates Genghis Khan, the Mongolian hero of the whole country.
Following the transfer of the capital to Beijing and the fall of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum was abandoned and destroyed by hordes of Manchurian soldiers. All that remained of the town was used to build the monastery of Erdene Zuu during the sixteenth century. It was itself destroyed during the purges of the late 1930s. Today, the museum allows you to see a reconstituted city model, exactly as it was at the time of Genghis Khan. This visit to the museum is also an opportunity to learn more about the tribes of the Orkhon Valley.
The monastery is surrounded by a wall of 108 stupas, symbol of Buddha, with a circumference of 1,600 meters. Among the 60 temples built during the 16th and 17th century, only twenty remained.
Located in the central region of Mongolia (Bayan Gobi). 1:30 drive.
Option: free morning then departure to Ulaanbaatar after a last lunch at the restaurant ger. Possibility to observe the fauna and flora at the Tara Lake located at only 15min from the camp.
Departure for the nature reserve of the Przewalski horses, only ancestors of the modern horse and rediscovered during an expedition in Central Asia in the late 19th century. They can also be observed on the cave paintings! This species is now protected and has been reintroduced in Mongolia through several European conservation programs.
Departure for a safari with a ranger to observe the wild horses.
Night at the Shangri-La
One of the essentials of Ulaanbaatar. Perfect place to immerse in the heart of the popular culture of Mongolia. Founded in 1966, the museum has a fine collection of paintings and sculptures from the 18th to the 20th century.
Small watercolors depicting the nomadic life, clothes made of felt or silk (del, khantas) traditional boots (gutal), painted furniture like in the ger, ornate saddles with silver cabochons: the choice is yours! Furthermore, Mongolia is the second largest producer of raw cashmere in the world after China so there’s no better place to buy this extraordinary soft wool!
In order to express our gratitude, Out of NowHere has teamed up with our generous local partners to offer you 5 outstanding trips to Mongolia for two people, worth 5000 Euros each (flight tickets included).
For every 20,000 euros reached, a winner will be selected in a lucky draw made by our team during a live broadcast from Ulaanbaatar. The names of the winners will be announced on the Out of NowHere website, our Facebook page and the Leetchi campaign page.
Each winner will be granted an unforgettable trip to Mongolia for two people for a duration of 10 days including 2 economy class air tickets, English-speaking guide service, a vehicle with a private driver, 9 nights’ full board including 6 nights in our lodges (Sweet Gobi and Ursa Major) and 3 nights at the Shangri-La 5* hotel in Ulaanbaatar – The trip has a three-year validity period and can be taken at a time of your choice between May and September.
Anybody who has placed an order on the GOBI Cashmere online store using the code 1000CACHEMIRES AND all the contributors to the Leetchi campaign will be participating in at least one draw.
Starting from a 30 euro pledge on Leetchi, the contributor will participate in 2 draws.
Starting from a 60 euro pledge on Leetchi, the contributor will participate in 3 draws.
Starting from a 100 euro pledge on Leetchi, the contributor will participate in 5 draws.
Good luck to all of you!
1Â 000 thanks!
The Out of NowHere team
Ulaanbaatar, 20 november 2020