Buddhism Tour

TRAVEL DESCRIPTION

Embark on a transformative Buddhism tour in Mongolia, a land where ancient spiritual traditions intertwine with breathtaking landscapes. This immersive journey takes you through the heart of Mongolian Buddhism, rooted in the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition, offering a unique blend of sacred sites, vibrant monasteries, and cultural encounters. Visit the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin, one of Mongolia’s oldest, with its 108 stupas and rich history dating back to the 16th century. Explore the serene Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, the spiritual hub where monks chant daily amidst golden Buddha statues. Journey to remote temples like Amarbayasgalant Monastery, nestled in the tranquil Iven Valley, and experience authentic rituals and meditation sessions guided by local lamas. Engage with nomadic communities to understand their deep connection to Buddhist practices, and witness colorful festivals like Tsam, featuring masked dances. Set against Mongolia’s vast steppes, rugged mountains, and nomadic heritage, this tour offers spiritual enrichment, cultural immersion, and unforgettable encounters with a living Buddhist legacy.

BRIEF ITINERARY

 

Day 1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Day 2 Ulaanbaatar City Tour

Day 3 Hugnu Khan Mt. National park & Erdene Khamba temple

Day 4 Orkhon valley & Orkhon Waterfall, Shankh Monastery

Day 5 Tuvkhun temple & Experience Nomadic life

Day 6 Kharkhorin & Erdene Zuu Monastery – Ugii Lake

Day 7 Bulgan province

Day 8 Erdenet city – Amarbayasgalant Monastery Complex

Day 9 Amarbayasgalant – Mongolian Secret History camp

Day 10 Aglag temple – Ulaanbaatar

TOUR OVERVIEW

  • Duration: 9 nights, 10 days
  • Start/End: Ulaanbaatar city
  • Highlights: Elsen Tasarkhai, Kharkhorum, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Shankh Monastery, Tuvkhun Monastery, Amarbayasgalant Monastery Complex, Orkhon Valley
  • Inclusions: Comfortable transportation, professional guide and interpreter, ger camp accommodation (8 nights), Ulaanbaatar hotel (1 night).
  • Transportation: Air-conditioned minivan (depending on route conditions)

PAX PRICE​

                PAX                  PER DAY

            

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Ulaanbaatar. Meet your guide and transfer to a 3-4 star hotel (e.g., Bayangol Hotel) for check-in. Rest to recover from jet lag. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring Mongolian cuisine (e.g., grilled meats or buuz dumplings). Brief orientation about the tour.

Day 2

Ulaanbaatar City

After breakfast, Visit Gandantegchinlen Monastery (Gandan), the largest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded in 1809. Explore its temples, including the one housing the 26-meter Janraisag statue, and attend morning chanting. Learn about its role as a center for Buddhist philosophy and its survival during communist purges. Tour the National Museum of Mongolia, showcasing Mongolian culture from the Stone Age to the present, with a focus on Buddhist history. Visit Sukhbaatar Square (Chinggis Khaan Square) and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts to see Buddhist art by Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first spiritual leader. Free time for shopping (e.g., cashmere shops) or optional folklore concert.

Day 3

Hugnu Khan Mt. National Park & Erdene Khamba Temple

After breakfast, Drive (~4 hours, 280 km) to Hugnu Khan Mountain National Park, a scenic area with granite rock formations and sand dunes (Elsen Tasarkhai). Stop for a picnic lunch en route. Visit Erdene Khamba Temple (also called Khugnukhaan Monastery), a small but serene Buddhist site nestled in the mountains, offering insight into Mongolia’s spiritual heritage. Enjoy a short hike to explore the surrounding dunes and rock formations. Check into a ger camp near the park. Relax and enjoy the steppe landscape.

Day 4

Orkhon Valley & Orkhon Waterfall, Shankh Monastery

07:00 AM: Breakfast. Explore Shankh Monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest, founded in 1647 by Zanabazar. Learn about its historical significance, including its rumored role in hiding Chinggis Khaan’s black sulde (spirit banner) during communist purges. Drive (~2 hours) to the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inhabited for 62,000 years, known for its nomadic culture and historical significance. Visit Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan), a 20-meter cascade, and enjoy a packed lunch by the river. Overnight in an eco-ger camp in the Orkhon Valley. Optional meditation or discussion session against the stunning steppe backdrop.

Day 5

Tuvkhun Temple & Experience Nomadic Life

After breakfast, Drive to Tuvkhun Monastery, a mountaintop retreat founded by Zanabazar in the 17th century. Hike (~1 hour) to the temple, where Zanabazar created the Soyombo script for translating Buddhist texts. Explore symbolic rock formations and meditation caves. Visit a nomadic family in the Orkhon Valley. Participate in daily activities like milking yaks, making dairy products (e.g., aaruul, airag), or learning traditional games like shagai (played with sheep ankle bones). Enjoy a home-cooked meal with the family. Return to the ger camp for a peaceful night under the stars.

Day 6

Kharkhorin & Erdene Zuu Monastery – Ugii Lake

07:00 AM: Breakfast. Drive (~1 hour) to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, established in 1585 by Abtai Sain Khan using stones from Karakorum’s ruins. Explore its 108 stupa-lined walls, three surviving temples (West, Middle, East Zuu), and museum with Buddhist artifacts. Attend a monk chanting session if available. Visit the Kharkhorin Museum for insights into the Mongol Empire and local crafts market. Drive (~1.5 hours) to Ugii Lake, a serene spot with over 150 bird species. Check into a ger camp by Ugii Lake. Optional birdwatching or fishing.

Day 7

Bulgan Province

Breakfast. Drive (~4-5 hours) through the steppes to Bulgan Province, known for its rolling grasslands and nomadic herders. Stop at a roadside restaurant for lunch. Visit a local nomadic family to learn about livestock farming and traditional ger life. Optional horse riding or dairy-making session (e.g., fermented mare’s milk). Overnight in a ger camp in Bulgan, surrounded by scenic landscapes.

Day 8

Erdenet City – Amarbayasgalant Monastery Complex

Morning: Drive (~2 hours) to Erdenet, Mongolia’s third-largest city, known for its copper mine. Brief stop to explore the city’s market or central square. Continue (~2 hours) to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, the “Monastery of Tranquil Felicity,” built in 1727-1736 to honor Zanabazar. Located in the Orkhon’s Valley, this Chinese-style monastery survived partial destruction in the 1930s and was restored by UNESCO in 1988. Explore its 28 remaining temples, intricate artwork, and serene surroundings. Hike to a nearby ridge for a sunset view of the monastery and steppe. Overnight in a ger camp near the monastery.

Day 9

Amarbayasgalant – Mongolian Secret History Camp

Morning: Return to Amarbayasgalant for a guided tour, focusing on its Chinese architectural elements (e.g., red color scheme, roof guardians) and Zanabazar’s legacy. Leave an auspicious blue scarf at a hilltop shrine for good luck. Drive (~4 hours) to the Mongolian Secret History Camp, a cultural site inspired by the historical text The Secret History of the Mongols. Participate in activities like traditional archery or learning about Mongol history. Enjoy a cultural performance (e.g., throat singing) at the camp. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 10

Aglag Temple – Ulaanbaatar & Departure

After breakfast, Drive (~5-6 hours) back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping at Aglag Buteelyn Khiid, a unique Buddhist temple with rock carvings created by students of a Buddhist college. Explore its artistic and spiritual significance. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Optional time for souvenir shopping (e.g., State Department Store, cashmere shops) or a visit to the Bogd Khan Winter Palace if time permits. Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for departure.

Note: This itinerary can be customized to suit your preferences. If you wish to include additional sites, activities (e.g., other Ulaanbaatar attractions), or adjust the schedule, please let me know, and I’ll refine it further!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN PRICE

      • Tourist GER camp in countryside for 5 nights
      • All transportation during whole trip
      • Korean, English speaking guide
      • Sightseeing and National park entrance fee as mentioned in the program
      • 0.5L bottled mineral water per person per day

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

      • International transport
      • Beverages
      • Any additional program which is not mentioned above
      • Camping goods and sleeping bags
      • Tip

WHY CHOOSE THIS TOUR?

      • Historical Heritage: Explore Kharkhorin, Erdene Zuu, and Amarbayasgalant Monastery’s cultural riches.
      • Natural Wonders: Khorgo Volcano, Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Khuvsgul Lake in Jankhai, and Terelj’s greenery.
      • Cultural Experience: Connect with nomadic life and the unique Tsaatan culture.
      • Comfortable Service: Professional guides (fluent in English, Russian, Chinese, etc.), comfortable transportation, ger camps, and a Ulaanbaatar hotel.
      • Hassle-Free: All transportation, accommodation, meals, and entrance fees are arranged.

WHAT TO BRING

      • Comfortable clothing and hiking shoes.
      • layered clothing (nights can be cold)
      • a reusable water bottle, and a translation app like Papago for rural areas.
      • Camera or smartphone for photos.
      • Personal items (medication, toiletries).
      • Small amount of cash for optional activities or souvenirs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    • After making a reservation by email and phone, we will send a travel confirmation and invoice to your email . After confirming the invoice, you will transfer 50% of the travel fee to our Mongolian bank account. After confirming payment, it will be an official reservation. The 50% balance will be transferred to our bank account before the start of your trip.
    • The above process and time may change locally depending on the weather and road congestion on the day. In that case, please be aware of this in advance and follow the instructions of the local staff.
    • Meals may change for box lunch or hotel / restaurant / ger.
    • The above charges are for one person. Depending on the number of participants, you can participate with a great rate plan.
    • You will be stay in a standard 3-4 star hotels in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp , shower and other useful services (2-4 people per ger) in the countryside.
    • A professional Korean, English speaking guideand a professional driver will guide you!
    • The vehicle will be a dedicated vehicle that applies to the number of people.
    • Meal conditions: As stated in the itinerary (standard 3 courses) .
    • The contents of sightseeing and meals to be provided may change due to local circumstances such as the weather and the postponement of airplane.
    • We also accept requests for additional stays, private guides, private cars, etc., as well as hotel designation and upgrades.
    • Based on the dates of this tour, you can make arrangements such as extending your stay or adding more places to visit. Please feel free to contact us.
    • You will spend your evenings in a traditional Mongolian ger, skillfully crafted by authentic nomadic artisans. The night will be embraced by the cozy interior of the ger, providing a genuine experience of the nomadic lifestyle. In summary, the tour will spend night with genuine nomadic people.