Camping Under the Eternal Blue Sky
Camping, Shamanism, and Horse-riding. A true Mongolian experience in the wild, untamed countryside!
Camping Under the Eternal Blue Sky
Join us on a unique adventure as we explore the history and culture of Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, before striking out into the wilderness of the vast Mongol Steppe in search of peaceful winding rivers, eclectic and eccentric shamans, and picturesque horse riding. Above all, we’ll spend our nights in a mixture of traditional Mongolian gers, as well as our own riverside campsite, a chance to truly take in the wonders of the natural Mongolian landscape.
During our time in Ulaanbaatar, the Red Hero City, we’ll visit great Buddhist monasteries, delve into the local Mongolian cuisine, venture into forgotten palaces of once-great rulers, and so much more!
Our time in the city is designed to be flexible, with many optional activities to give you time to shop for cashmere, find local curiosities in the market, or just enjoy the hustle and bustle of the capital city at your own speed.
Following our time in the city, we’ll head out east, crossing the famed Mongolian Steppe to the great Equestrian Statue of Chinggis Khan. Finally, we’ll turn off-road as we make our way into the true wilderness of this beautiful country, stopping for a night in a traditional Mongolian ger camp before riding horses further down the valley to our campsite.
After two nights at our camp, experiencing everything from mystic shamanism to traditional archery, we’ll return to Ulaanbaatar via the ever-popular Gorki-Terelj National Park and for a final farewell before your departure from Mongolia.
This adventure combines many of the key elements which make Mongolia a must-visit destination – a mixture of local culture, modern life, and stunning scenery!
Our adventure begins with your arrival into Chinggis Khan International Airport, the gateway to Mongolia and to its capital, Ulaanbaatar.
No matter your time of arrival, we’ll have an airport transfer driver ready to whisk you into the heart of the city to our group hotel.
You’ll have some time to rest before we begin our adventure in the afternoon with an exploration of Ulaanbaatar – beginning with a trip to Gandan Monastery, the heart of Buddhism in Mongolia, and the home of some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful buildings. We’ll spend our time observing the monks in prayer, and standing in awe of the great 26.5-meter-high statue of Migjid Janraisig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
After our monastery visit, we’ll return to the city centre to explore Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar’s main city square home to the grand statues of Damdin Sukhbaatar, Chinggis Khan, Ogdei Khan, and Kublai Khan, surrounded by many important, and Soviet-style government and cultural buildings.
Finally, for those who wish to join, we’ll head for an optional welcome dinner – a chance to experience a bit of Mongolian cuisine, featuring traditional dishes like buuz (steamed dumplings), khorkhog (Mongolian barbecue stew), or airag (fermented mare’s milk).
As the day draws to a close, it’s back to the hotel for a rest and preparing for the day ahead!
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: None
Today we have a full day to explore downtown Ulaanbaatar, home to many museums, historical sites, monuments, and much more!
Our first stop today is the National Museum of Mongolia, a chance to learn about the culture, traditions, and vast history of this country – from the first ancient peoples who populated the vast open steppe of Mongolia, to the expansion and power of the great Mongol Empire and the legacy of Chinggis Khan.
As we leave the museum, we’ll head south from the city centre towards the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, part of the rich tapestry of Mongolian history and once home to the ruler of Mongolia, the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, the Buddhist leader responsible for Mongolia, who also led the country as a political leader known as the Bogd Khan.
After enjoying the religious tapestries, intricate idols, and intriguing stuffed animal collection of the museum, we’ll head for lunch.
After lunch, we’ll switch things up – for those who wish, the afternoon is free for you to browse local markets for traditional cashmere, leather goods, or handcrafts, or simply relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle of downtown Ulaanbaatar.
Alternatively, you’re welcome to join your tour leader to visit Zaisan Hill, home to the Soviet-era Zaisan Monument, a grand monument home to a great communist-style mosaic and commanding incredible views over the entire city and the surrounding mountains and steppe.
Following this, we’ll attend a live cultural performance with traditional Mongolian throat singing, horsehead fiddle music (morin khuur), and folk dance.
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we’ll bid farewell to the city as we hit the open road and make our way into the vast wilderness of Mongolia.
As we travel, we’ll pass through the eastern part of Ulaanbaatar where many locals still live in traditional gers or self-built houses. However, the further we drive, the fewer and fewer buildings we’ll pass until we’re truly in the countryside, surrounded by nothing but rolling green hills and distant mountains.
Our first destination for today is the famous, and unmissable Equestrian Statue of Chinggis Khan. This grand silver statue of the founder of the Mongol Empire stands proudly overlooking the Mongolian steppe, facing the east, the birthplace of Chinggis Khan himself. The largest equestrian statue on earth, we’ll head inside to visit the museum in the base, and climb inside the statue to emerge on the head of Chinggis Khan’s horse for some spectacular views of the surrounding region.
After lunch, we’ll turn off the road and head into the true wilderness. As we travel, we’ll stop to visit a local nomadic herding family, a chance to experience traditional nomadic life as it has existed in Mongolia for centuries.
Finally, we’ll arrive at our home for tonight – a traditional local ger camp nestled in the heart of the Jalman Meadows region. We’ll learn about the lifestyle of our hosts, help prepare suutei tsai (traditional salty milk tea) or try airag, a fermented mare’s milk beverage, if in season.
As the evening draws near, we’ll relax around the fire and enjoy the vast, starry sky far from city lights.
Accommodation: Traditional Mongolian Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, it’s time to meet our horse-wranglers. These local nomads will be lending us their horses for the trek up the valley and along the river towards our countryside campsite.
The ride to the camp will take approximately 3-4 hours. If you’ve never ridden a horse before, don’t worry. We’ll be trekking at a leisurely pace, and your tour leader will give you a full briefing on how to ride and control and Mongolian horse. For those with more experience, take note of the briefing as Mongolian horses are controlled differently from those in the west.
The ride follows trails through colorful meadows dotted with wildflowers, forested hills, and open steppe – a chance to enjoy the surrounding nature, and get a feel for how nomadic locals have traversed these far-flung regions for centuries.
After our ride, we’ll arrive at our campsite on the banks of the Tuul river – a crystal-clear mountain river which flows from the Khentii mountains, through this beautiful valley, past Ulaanbaatar and out into the steppe.
Your luggage will be transported to the camp ahead of time, and by the time you arrive, the campsite will be set up and ready for you. You can spend the afternoon swimming, enjoying nature walks, or spending some quiet time reading and photographing the landscape.
In the evening, we’ll start a campfire and spend our first night in camp beneath the eternal blue sky as it turns into a ceiling filled with stars.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our second day at our campsite, and today we have a day filled with tradition and culture. After breakfast, we’ll be graced by a visit from a local shaman. Shamanism and shamanic rituals are prevalent across the entirety of Mongolia, with many believing that shamans channel the energy of traditional spirits.
Once our Shaman arrives, we’ll all participate in a traditional ritual ceremony invoking natural spirits and blessings – the rituals stretch back centuries, and local shamans are revered in their local regions, often serving as both spiritual figures, and quasi-doctors. As our experience continues, we’ll learn about shamanic beliefs and practices, which blend ancient animism with Buddhist influences.
Finally, we’ll receive a personal blessing and have the chance to ask questions about Mongolian spirituality.
In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy some more free time. You’re welcome to explore nearby valleys, head out hiking, try some fishing, experiment with traditional Mongolian archery, or simply rest and soak in the peaceful environment.
Once again, as the day draws to a close, we’ll enjoy another evening of stories and discussion around the campfire.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today it’s time to bid farewell to our campsite as we make out way back to the capital, Ulaanbaatar. We’ll begin our journey with an optional horse-ride back down the valley – for those who prefer, you can join the vehicles as they trundle back along the riverside.
Eventually, we’ll say goodbye to our horses and board our vehicles for the journey back. On our drive, we’ll stop in the locally famous Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. It is said that this area was declared a national park by Chinggis Khan to protect its natural beauty, and indeed, the area is beautiful.
As we pass through, we’ll make a stop at Turtle Rock, a large rock formation said to be reminiscent of a huge turtle. Then, we’ll head to the medicine temple – a Buddhist temple with some stunning views over the surrounding park.
Finally, we’ll make the long drive back to the city and check in to the hotel for a shower and a rest.
As the final day of our adventure ends, we’ll head out to enjoy an optional farewell dinner featuring modern Mongolian fusion cuisine, or your favorite traditional dishes. This dinner will be a chance to reflect on your unforgettable journey across Mongolia’s wild landscapes and culture.
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we’ll transfer you to the airport, whatever time your flight, and bid you goodbye as you leave Mongolia, hopefully leaving with a head full of memories and a bag full of souvenirs!
END OF TOUR
Included Meals: Breakfast
Ger Camps & Campsites
Aside from the start and end of the tour, which we’ll spend in the nation’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, we’ll spend each night out our tour camping in Mongolia’s rugged wilderness. From local Ger Camps to wild camping, all along the banks of the crystal-clear Tuul river. This adventure is a rare chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and head into the greatest wilderness on earth, sleeping beneath the starts, and waking beneath the eternal blue sky.
As with all our tours, the accommodation is included with the tour and we’ll provide tents and sleeping equipment upon arrival in Mongolia.
Accommodation on the Eternal Blue Sky Tour
Ger Camp The best way to picture a tourist ger camp is to replace a hotel room with a traditional Mongolian Ger (tented dwelling); these are dotted around a set area and offer comfortable beds and shelter. The local camp we’ll be staying in is a real home away from home, offering beautiful Gers with gorgeous views across the Jalman Meadows.
Riverside Campsite Set up in a picturesque shady spot alongside the banks of the Tuul river, our camp will be set up for you in advance of your arrival. The remote nature of the region we’ll be visiting is why we’ve chosen to spend two nights under canvas. The other, is the serene nature of the area and a chance to get in touch with nature and the blissful peace of the Mongolian countryside.
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