Mongolia Ethnic Tours | Cultural tours of Mongolia: Khalkha Mongols, Darkhad, Buriyat, Kazakh, Torguud, Bayad, Oold, Tsaatan

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Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Sightseeing, including: Gandan Monastery; Sukhbaatar Square; and the National History Museum. In the evening enjoy a folklore show. Lunch, dinner at local restaurants. Overnight in the hotel. L+D

Flight to Ulgii - We will take a morning flight to Ulgii. On arrival we will drive to Namarjin Valley for 110km. There we will set up our tented camp. Dinner and the night in the camp. B+L+D

Meeting Oold and Kazakh families and enjoying horse riding, wildlife etc. The Oold are famous for their braveness among the other Mongolian ethnic groups. There are many Oold heroes in Mongolian History. And the Kazakh are from the Turkish origin and well-known for their trained hunter eagles and wonderful embroideries. Tented camping at the most beautiful spots. B+L+D

Visit Khokh Serkh National Park. We will meet the Uriankhai people here. The Uriankhai is also from Turkish origin and well-known for their gorgeous costumes. A day with Uriankhai families - spend a day with local nomadic families. Uriankhai people have rich traditions of hunting. We will visit Monkh Khairkhan - is the second highest mountain in Mongolia. Tented camping. B+L+D

We will visit the Tsenkher Cave rock paintings - drive to Chandmani soum, famous for its bi-phonic, or so-called, throat singers. Tsenkher Caves with 15,000 year-old rock paintings. We will make our camp for the next two days close to Chandmani soum. The road takes us along the Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain, overlooking Khar Us Lake, a huge freshwater lake - a birds' paradise. Tonight we will camp by the Buyant River. B+L+D

We will drive to Khovd for some sightseeing. We will catch the flight to Ulaanbaatar in the later afternoon. On arrival in Ulaanbaatar transfer to hotel. Dinner at a Restaurant. B+L+D

This morning we will drive to the amazing Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve for 2 hours. On the way we will admire the wonderful White Cranes, Hooded Cranes, Whooper Swans, and many other species of birds. Transfer to Steppe Nomads ger camp. Hiking to Mt. Baits to view the Argali sheep. Visit a local Khalkha family and see their lifestyle. Optional kayaking/hiking/fishing. B+L+D

After breakfast drive back to Ulaanbaatar, transfer to hotel. Visit the Palace Museum of the Mongolian Last King, Buddha International park and Zaisan Memorial. Shopping for souvenirs. Meals at local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport after breakfast.

The Mongols: There are 29 ethnic groups in Mongolia, all of whom are the descendants of either Mongolian nomadic tribes or groups of Turkic origin who have become Mongolized over time. Khalkh Mongols constitute 86% of the population. The other significant ethnic groups are Kazakhs , Oolds, Torguuds in the western part of the country. Ethnic distinctions among the Mongol subgroups are relatively minor. They speak Mongolian and they have their own dialects. Tribal differences are not a political or social issue. The Mongols are a peaceful nation. However, there are more Mongols living outside the borders of Mongolia than inside. 3.5 millions of Mongola live in China called as "Inner Mongolia" and 1 million in Russia called "Buriyats, Kalimags, Tuvas etc" without counting the descendants of the conquered hordes who are in Central Asia (Yunnan, Nepal, Afghanistan) and as far as Turkey.

The majestic western Mongolia is definetely the most beautiful part of the country. The mountainous area climate is extreme with very little vegetation, giving the surrounding landscape a barren appearance. The stunning mountains of Altai are home to wild animals such as the globally endangered Snow Leopard, Argali and Ibex, as well as wolves and many bird species.

Ethnic groups: Altai area is a place where many ethnic groups inhabit. you will meet the Kazak, Tuva, Torguud and many other small groups and enjoy their distinctive traditions and lives.The Kazakh is a small ethnic group of Turkic origin that was one of Genghis Khaan's tribes. They are Muslims and now live peacefully keeping their completely different customs, strict traditions, religion and inhabit the Altai Mountains. Not like their realtives in Kazakhstan, they speak in their own Kazakh language as Mongolian government gave them the rights to keep and conserve their native language and religion.