MONGOLIAN LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION TOUR /4 DAYS/

SHORT DESCRIPTION

All of Mongolians celebrate the Lunar New Year, which is called in Mongolia “Tsagaan Sar” or the “White Moon”. It is widely celebrated throughout the country around January or February according to the combination of Solar-Lunar calendar that Mongolians use. It is a celebration of passing long harsh winter and welcoming a spring as well as welcoming new year. Furthermore, Tsagaan Sar is a family celebration as all relatives gather at the elders’ home to greet and wish all the best to each other for the following year. The festival lasts for 3-14 days depending on the region. During this festive tour you will celebrate Tsagaan Sar like Mongolians, staying with locals in their Gers and it will give you the best cultural experience about Mongolians.

CATEGORY: WINTER TOUR, EVENT TOUR
AVAILABLE: FEBRARY
DURATION: 4 DAYS, 3 NIGTHS
DESTINATION: CENTRAL MONGOLIA

ESSENTIALS

GUIDE
A Chinese, English or Russian speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

TRANSPORT
This trip you have a two choice. First one is a highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. And second choice is Russian 4x4 Van. Also with 20 years’ experience drives.

MEALS
In Mongolia, you will be dining at fine American, European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from our cook.

PERSONAL THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a rain jacket, gloves and hiking booth. Don’t forgot first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you). All your camera equipment.

TOUR PACKAGE PRICE

Group size	Price/Per person
1 pax	830USD
2-3 pax	780USD
4-6 pax	650USD
7-9 pax	580USD
10-12 pax	480USD
13-15 pax	380USD
16< pax	350USD

No	Include service	Exclude service	Include service of Meals
1	Vehicle with a driver.	Items of personal nature	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2	Fuel for the trip whole time	Beverages, alcoholic drinks, bar bills, laundry	Per day 3 bottle water for per person /1,5 liter/
3	English speaking guide	Travel and insurance	One time Mongolian traditional food /lamb with vegetables/
4	Accommodation/Ger camps and Hotel/	International transportation
5	All food, during the trip and at restaurants /Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner/	Excess baggage fee in the flight /15kg includes handbag is free of charge/
6	All cooking and camping gears.	Optional activities
7	National park and border office permits (area you will go is close to China and Russia border)	Single supplement /For hotel or Ger camp/
8	Airport shuffle	Gratuity for the tour team
9	Other small administration fees Basically, includes everything.	Taxi

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 - Ulaanbaatar capital city of Mongolia

Pick you up our driver and guide from Chinggis Khan international airport. Drive to Your hotel. Visit local outdoor market /bazaar/, Gandan Monastery and Mongolia national museum. Evening Leisure day in Ulaanbaatar city. Over night at Hotel

Distance	n/a
Route	n/a
Drive time	n/a
Accommodation	Grand Hill Hotel
Food	Dinner

Day 2 - Khustai Nuruu national park and Tsagaan sar Eve

Our guide and driver will pick you up from your accommodation and start our tour driving to Hustai National Park, site of re-introduction scheme of Przewalski’s horse, by Mongolian’s called Tahki. It became extinct in the wild in the 1960’s, and since 1992 has been successfully re – introduced to Hustai and other parts of Mongolia, from zoos around the world. Arrive at the Hustai National Park, visit Takhi’s small museum and leisure hiking in the surrounding mountains while you searching to see wild horse Tahki. There is chance to other wild animals such as deers, foxes etc… Tour will continue to our hosting family, which they live just outside of the National Park. Arrive at nomad family, meet the family members, and you will be welcomed traditional lunch and tea. Then rest of the day you will spend and learn traditions based on Tsagaan Sar celebration, which include cooking dishes with hostess and preparing tables etc.. Actual Tsagaan Sar Eve – Bituun will start at the evening, the main dish is buuz and meat loafs. Milk tea and airag are served to customers. The white color is important so that Tsagaan sar dishes are airag and dairy products.

Distance	70km
Route	Asphalt
Drive time	1 hours
Accommodation	Ger camp
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Gorkhi-Terelj national park and first day of Tsagaan Sar

Today is most important day and you will witness ancient Mongolian traditions and hospitality which served until today. The morning of Tsagaan Sar, the hostess offers the first cup of tea with milk to the gods, throwing out the content in all directions. Then they will have to go out in front of their house to perform the ritual prayers. These are published in the newspaper and are determined according to Chinese zodiac. It will be followed by greetings, which called Zolgokh : guests come one after the other near the householder. The Khadag (blue silk) on the arms, the guest puts his forearm on those of his host, while uttering the phrase “ Amar baina uu, Sar shindee saikhan shinelj baina uu”which means “do you live in peace ? Are you celebrating New Year in a good way ?”. Mongolians attach great importance to the first day of the new year, because they think it affects the rest of the year. Thus, Mongolians have a religious ritual called “ Khiimorio sergeex” to call good fortune. During Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolians also follow the ritual of ovoo to thank gods and nature.

Distance	150km
Route	Asphalt
Drive time	2 hours
Accommodation	Ger camp
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Ulaanbaatar city via Chinggis Khan statue complex

Explore Terelj National Park – you’ll take a tour to the Turtle rock and enjoy beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Hiking tour to Ariyabal meditation temple – surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations and sits at top of the mountain. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking overlooking view of Terelj NP. Camel riding through the snow-covered valley gives you unforgettable experience. After lunch at camp, continue travel to Chinngis Khaan Statue Monument and 40 m tall statue of Great king is highest equestrian statue in the world. You can visit there 13th century museum of Great Mongol Empire and Bronze Age Museum respectively. In the late afternoon drive back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your accommodation. End of the tour.