ANTICIPATED ITINERARY, ACTUAL ROUTE MAY VARY SLIGHTLY
Day 1 § Ulaan Baatar / train
On arrival in Ulaan Baatar, you will be met at the airport or train station and accompanied to the apartment that you will be staying in. You will stay initially with a family in a soviet block apartment. In the evening, meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 § Ulaan Baatar
Ulaan Baatar is the capital of Mongolia and the largest city in this country, containing about 1/3 of its population. The city is a great contrast of Russian and Nomadic cultures. You will enjoy a city tour which takes you to many famous sights in the capital city. You will visit Sukhbaatar Square, the central square in town; the magnificent Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important in the country (please note that no photography is permitted inside the temples);. The History Museum which gives a good understanding of Mongolia's rich past. In the evening, there may be a chance to enjoy a performance of the National Folk and Dance Concert.
Day 3 § Ulaan Baatar/ Ger District
You will move from your apartment to the Ger District. About half of Ulaan Baatar's city dwellers live in apartments, the other half live in what is called the Ger District. Traditional Mongolian housing is a well fortified tent/yurt called a Ger. The folks that live in the Ger District are typically from a lower class than those living in apartments. (be advised that there is no running water in a Ger District) Rinky Dink is the only travel agency that provides this unique urban experience. After you settle into your ger, you will enjoy a tour of one of UB's Ger Districts and visit the Zaisan Monument where you can get a view of the entire city. You will have the opportunity to hike or horseback ride on the outskirts of town.
Day 4 § 5 Volunteer Work
In the morning or the 4th day, you will have a chance to visit a local body of worship. There are many worship centers in UB: Protestant, Catholic, Islamic, and Buddhist. On the 4th and 5th day, while you stay among the less advantaged, Rinky Dink gives you the opportunity to work alongside the people there. There are many volunteer opportunities, that range from building a fence, repairing a house, building a house, digging a toilet, to doing arts and crafts with street children, and teaching English. We will find volunteer opportunities that best suit you as well as challenge you to see/do something completely different. During your time in the Ger District you will stay with typical Mongolian families. They will cook for you and you will eat your evening meals with the families. We will do all that we can for you to experience what life in Mongolia is truly like.
Day 6 § Terelj National Park
You will travel out of the city to Terelj National Park. This Park contains some of Mongolia's most beautiful scenery. You will stay in a hotel located in the park on your first night out of the city. You will enjoy a picnic next to the Tuul river at noon. In the afternoon, you are free to enjoy roaming on foot, horseback, or just simply sitting alongside the river. Most of the day is spent appreciating the beauty of this area.
Day 7 § Countryside Family
You will travel from your hotel to a remote countryside family. You will have the opportunity to help milk the animals, herd and round up the animals. This is your chance to experience real nomadic life. You will stay in tents alongside a countryside family. You will taste a Mongolian specialty called, "Horhog". Extremely hot stones are used to cook meat and veggies to perfection inside a special canister.
Day 8 § Terelj
You will travel back to Terelj for lunch and a horseback tour of the area. You will visit some geological wonders including Turtle Rock. There will be an opportunity to be evaluated by a Mongolian Doctor, trained in traditional folk medicine at a local health spa. This is a good day for relaxation and reflection. In the evening you will head back to the city and return to the apartment that you stayed in at the beginning of your tour.
Day 9 § Ulaan Baatar/ Shopping
You will spend your last full day enjoying real Mongolian shopping. In the morning, we will go two major department stores so that you will get the top choice of souvenirs for your return home. In the afternoon, we will go to the Black Market where there is a variety of souvenirs, clothing, and household items. You will see what everyday life is like for the Mongolians. You can spend a final evening enjoying the long Mongolian summer twilight in one of the several cafes or outdoor beer gardens, located near the center of town.
Day 10 § Ulaan Baatar/Onward
Your tour ends after breakfast where you are transferred to the airport or train station for your departure.
