Nomad Centered Cultural Eco Adventures Travel Mongolia from family to family along nomadic routes across vast epic landscapes by horses, camels, ox carts, trekking, etc. issue - august 2010
GeoTourism Mongolia mobilizing culture, heritage and natural resources to benefit rural Mongolia
About Ger to Ger The Agency
Our private sector Approach the Social Enterprise Over 90% of Ger to Ger human resources, procured services and supplies are rurally based and outsourced. The Ger to Ger Agency was established to carryout the business works for the rural communities that include: market promotion, industry linkages, logistics and travel operations, contracting, etc. Direct revenues generated by the agency finances the rural nomadic families, single service suppliers in rural areas, rural facilitators as well as the Ulaanbaatar office and all related business costs. Additional revenues go to the Foundation to support the social economic development works that are being carried out by its Ulaanbaatar office and rural facilitators. Our Methodology Generate revenues via the Agency (private sector) to supplement the Foundation’s social and economic development initiatives (public sector). It’s the responsibility of the Agency as it matures, in cooperation with the greater industry, to find new and creative ways to tap the “global” market and use this massive social economic power responsibly to systematically materialize the vision of GeoTourism development in Mongolia.
The Foundation
Our public sector Approach Social Enterprise Development via GeoTourism Responsible mobilization of community assets via field assessments, analysis and vocational
trainings of rural human resources for sustainable livelihoods and conservation of natural and cultural resources. Ger to Ger systematically enables rural communities to responsibly and sustainably tap the tourism industry to generate sustainable livelihoods through vocational training (Foundation) and market linkage development (Agency). Rural communities, particularly herder groups in league with rural single service suppliers (rural drivers, guides, other human resources and businesses), provide travel services and products to the travel industry. Ger to Ger productively utilizes herders and their existing assets to develop cultural eco travel products that results in increased incomes for rural families and their communities. Our Methodology Fostering sustainable social economic growth through geotourism development. Ger to Ger aims at strengthening the appreciation for rural communities to conserve and protect their natural resources through vocational trainings (GeoTourism Development). Tangible social and economic incentives that are being generated via Ger to Ger creates an environment that enables nomadic families and communities deepen their understanding of the relationships that exist between tourism, environment and greater industry demands through vocational trainings, monitor and evaluation, etc. Our inclusive, non-discriminative approach, allows us to systematically train and mobilize nomadic families and communities into productive economic activity. Rural families participate in seasonal workshops and assist in establishment and maintenance of travel routes and products. Public-private sector partnerships are fostered towards small and medium enterprise support that creates business enabling environments to encourage economic diversification, labor market creation, promotion of community services that are in line with greater industry demands to ensure sustainability.
Ger to Ger Agency and s Zanjan Fromer Founder & Executive Director Brief experience
Over 20 years tourism related industry exp. (Alaska & Mongolia) over 10 years mass media & film productions over 10 years social economic development related projects
Bayarsuren Yalalt Managing Director Brief experience
Graduate of Institute of Tourism and Geography Mastered in Tourism Over 8 years tourism related experience Over 5 years working & managing Ger to ger
UNURSAIKHAN ULZIIDUUREN Marketing & Office Admin Brief experience
Graduate of the State of Eduction Majored in Economic Statistics Over 2 years of field & contracting experience in minerals
some of our communities Tulga Tsoodol Logistics Manager Brief experience
Graduate of Military Academy Majored in military administration Over 10 years of military experience over 3 years tourism related experiece
Enksaihanaa Sandagsuren General Accountant Brief experience
Graduate of Institute of Finance Majored in Financial Accounting Over 8 years of accounting
Uyanga Zolbayar Travelers’ Trainer & Office Admin Brief experience
Graduate of National Univisty of Mongolia Majored in Mongolian History Over 3 years of translation services
Travel Mentality - Minimal Impact Every day is an adventure, full of challenges and new areas of exploration - around the cities, rural villages or deep in the outback! The northeastern region of Asia where Mongolia is located is extraordinarily different from its southern tourism counterparts. Where southern destinations are well known for its soft and easy going travel, beaches, resorts, diversity of Asian foods, diving and etc., Mongolia is a country of extremes - from the northern river and lake regions where Tsaatan reindeer herders live the ancient way, to the western mountainous regions where Kazakhs hunt with their eagles, to the southern Gobi regions where nomadic herders struggle to survive in vast and epic desert landscapes, to the eastern regions where open steppe’s Buriat cowboys herd their livestock not far from the largest gazelle herders of Central Asia, to the central mountainous pasture regions where nomadic life is easy going and families enjoy making homemade dairy products from Yak and Mare’s milk near scenic rivers valleys. Most of traditional Mongolia is explored either nomadically by making use of horses, camels, ox-carts, horse-carts or even camel carts! But now it is very common to see nomadic families using the ‘Iron Horse’ (motorcycles) to assist in their herding of livestock as its easier on the horses that they care for as using a horses to herd can weaken them during times of drought or bad pasture seasons. When there are so many different types of landscapes, cultures and climatic influences that directly impact nomadic families and the way they live it is important that our travel is fun and adventurous but also responsible, sustainable and minimal impact. Ger to Ger has designed a framework of travel and pre-travel orientation lesson for travelers in order to lessen our cultural footprint when traveling rurally: * Understanding nomadism and its social cultural frameworks * Mongolian mentality about rural travel * Understanding and respecting local travel culture * How to travel by rural public bus and other transportation * What to do when arriving at nomadic families * Understanding the nomadic families’ lifestyles * How to immerse oneself into nomadic culture when staying with nomadic families * Back country camping * Leave no trace travel * How to travel from Ger to Ger via animals * Rural health and safety * Learning the basics of Mongolian language and more!
Responsbile Tourism Approach Commitment to Social Economic Development Since 2009, Ger to Ger’s geographic range has expanded to new 6 Provinces and regions that are now covering nearly 10 Provinces (Province in USA terms is State) throughout Mongolia the June 2005 pilot project launch of 1 route with 8 nomadic families. The 2009-10 expansion included the establishment of well over 40 nomadic routes, fusion travel routes as well as cultural home stay programs and festivals. Ger to Ger advances the appreciation of rural resources (nature, environment, cultural heritage sites, etc.) via tourism’s economic incentives – this is evident as over 90% of Ger to Ger’s human resources and services are rurally supplied, outsourced and/or based: 1. Nomadic families (human resource, cultural resource, horses, camels, livestock, etc.) 2. Rural community human resources (drivers, guides, facilitators, etc.) 3. Rural accommodations (guesthouses, hotels, etc.) 4. Food and drink (rural guesthouses, shops, hotels, nomadic families, etc.) 5. Rural transportation (buses, jeeps, cars, etc.) Commitment to Environmental Conservation Before this initiative began in June 2005, consideration towards environmental conservation had been taken into serious consideration and incorporated into its original design. By incorporating public transportation, limiting rural vehicle usage, and mainly relying on nomadic forms of transportation between nomadic families over wide geographic ranges makes our travel and carbon footprint almost undetectable as our form of travel can not be distinguished of that of Nomadic Lifestyle and Nomadic Means of Travel. 1. Over 90% of Ger to Ger’s travel products and services make use of public transportation. 2. Over 90% of Ger to Ger’s most traveled routes only use rural vehicles for drop off and pick up from points on a travel route – not traveling every day with groups. 3. Over 95% time traveling from Ger to Ger (from family to family) over wide geographic ranges are environmentally friendly and incorporate the best eco travel practices such as walking, trekking, horses, ox carts, etc. 4. Over 95% of Ger to Ger’s nomadic families use either fallen wood and/or animal dung for heating their Yurt and making food. 5. Over 95% of all Ger to Ger’s nomadic families that have access to electricity generate it via solar panel instead of fuel burning generators.
nomadic travel routes
Travel Mongolia’s great outdoors independently or in small groups (never exceeding 6 persons) with Mongolian nomads that will guide you along their nomadic trails with their horses, camels, ox carts, etc. You even have travel routes for the serious trekkers from one nomadic family to the next over vast and epic Mongolian landscapes. Along Ger to Ger’s travel networks (point to point) you will visit, overnight and homestay with genuine Mongolian nomadic families (non-discrimative of lifestyle, status, belief, etc.) in the mountains, along lush river valleys or deep in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Ger to Ger even has winter travel routes for those that are looking for a great way to experience winter in Mongolia.
Fusion travel (pre-arranged packages)
Fusion packages - are a brilliantly mixed fused packages that allow travelers to experience classic Ger to Ger Nomadic Travel Routes as well as visiting and exploring Mongolia’s highlight locations with a driver and guide.
Cultural home stay programmes
Ger to Ger is excited to announce that Nomadic herder families and local communities are offering special cultural home stay and travel programmes that focus on intimate learning with Mongolian nomads and inhabitants of rural communities!
Rural naadam festivals
Ger to Ger is excited to announce that Nomadic herder families and local communities are now offering rural Naadam event services for both travelers and tour operators. This is a unique opportunity to have an intimate and festive experience with locals that without all the red tape!! Take photos from where you wish, try on a wrestling costume and even wrestle or participate in the archery competitions with locals if you wish!
Winter travel routes
Ger to Ger is excited to announce that Nomadic herder families of Terelj National Park, Khogon Khan National Park and Amarbayasgalant Monastery are offering winter travel opportunities that show-off their winter lifestyle - other locations are being planned, so be sure to check out our website for new winter cultural adventures!
MONGOLIA - THE COUNTRY BROAD DIVERSITY OF GEOGRPAHICAL locations and cultural eco adventures
“Just wanted to thank you for helping me have an amazing and memorable trip to Mongolia! I spent five days on your Terelj National Park trip at the end of July, and I can easily say that it was five of the best days of my life. Thanks so much. I’m telling all of my friends about your organization, and I am already looking at the chance to come next year and explore another part of beautiful Mongolia. Thanks again” Steven Morphy, USA
Dear Ger to Ger team, In summer 2008, we did the Noble rock desert route. An unforgettable experience! Thank you again for this amazing trip and forward the best wishes to the families!! -Andreas, Florian, Lukas, Adrian - Switzerland
NOMADIC TRAVEL ROUTES
travel from nomadic family to nomadic family covering vast geograpic distances through epic landscapes
Arhangai Province • Blue Lake Trekking • Nomadic Ranchers Lifestyle • White Lake Bayan Olgii Province • Kazakh Lifestyle
Bulgan Province • Trek to Desert Oasis • Quest for the Last Emperor Darhan Ull Province • Community Life Dornogovi Province • Shangrila
Dundgovi Province • Great Gobi Nomadic Quest • Noble Rock Palace • Uush Sand Dune • Pilgrim’s Route Khuvsgul Province • Khuvsgul Lake Culture
Selenge Province • A Monk’s Life Terelj Naitonal Park • Nomadic Lifestyle • Nomadic Naadam
FUSION TRAVEL: GER TO GER & HIGHLIGHTS OF MONGOLIA Every day is an adventure, full of challenges and new areas of exploration - around the cities, rural villages or deep in the outback! The northeastern region of Asia where Mongolia is located is extraordinarily different from its southern tourism counterparts. Where southern destinations are well known for its soft and easy going travel, beaches, resorts, diversity of Asian foods, diving and etc., Mongolia is a country of extremes - from the northern river and lake regions where Tsaatan reindeer herders live the ancient way, to the western mountainous regions where Kazakhs hunt with their eagles, to the southern Gobi regions where nomadic herders struggle to survive in vast and epic desert landscapes, to the eastern regions where open steppe’s Buriat cowboys herd their livestock not far from the largest gazelle herders of Central Asia, to the central mountainous pasture regions where nomadic life is easy going and families enjoy making homemade dairy products from Yak and Mare’s milk near scenic rivers valleys. Most of traditional Mongolia is explored either nomadically by making use of horses, camels, ox-carts, horse-carts or even camel carts! But now it is very common to see nomadic families
using the ‘Iron Horse’ to assist in their herding of livestock as its easier on the horses that they care for as using a horses to herd can weaken them during times of drought or bad pasture seasons.
FUSION TRAVEL: GER TO GER & HIGHLIGHTS OF MONGOLIA experience the holistic fusion of ger to ger and pre-arranged travel
White Lake, Khuvsgul Lake and Amarbayasgalant Monastery Horseback riding around White Lake and Journey onwards to Amarbayasgalant Monastery via Khuvsgul Lake Region
Emperial Route The Emperial Route - Sand Dunes, Karakorum and Natural Hot Springs
Noble Palace & Shangrila From the Desert Noble Rock Palace to its neighboring Desert Shangerla known as Hamriin Khiid Gobi overland expedition From the Gobi’s largest Ancient Monastery Ruins to Wind Blown Canyons via Southern Gobi Desert Region - Khongor Sand Dunes, Bayanzag and Yoliin Canyon
cultural home stay programs live and learn with mongolian nomadic families and communities
Arhangai Province • Mongolian Langauge • Archery and ankle bone shooting Bayan Olgii Province • Kazakh Embroidery • Learn How to Train Kazakh Eagles
Bulgan Province • Nomadic Dairy Products • Nomadic Wool and Felt Darhan Ull Province • Community Life Dundgovi Province • Mongolian Horse-Head Fiddle
Terelj Naitonal Park • White Moon (Lunar New Years) Celebration with Nomadic Families • Sew Traditional Clothing with Nomadic Families • Fall and Spring Nomadic Migration
Uvurkhangai • Learn the basics of horse training General Nomadic Home stays (at one family)
book a rural nomadic naadam for your clients that they can participate in
traditional wrestling archery
horse racing
Responsible Tourism Information, Policies & other useful links
Online Multimedia
Ger to Ger Way of Travel - Travel Mentality Click here to read online article
Ger to Ger Photogallery Visit online gallery
Ger to Ger Way of Travel - Travel Methodology Click here to read online article
Mongolian Language Learning Podcasts Visit our online podcast area and start your learning now
Ger to Ger’s Travel Terms, Conditions and Policies Click here to read online article Ger to Ger Foundation and Agency Blog (latest info and updates) Click here to read online article Ger to Ger Foundation Portfolio Click here to read online article Ger to Ger Communities & Nomadic Families Click here to read online article Pre-Mongolia Travel Preparation Click here to read online article Arrival in Mongolia Click here to read online article
Online Articles National Geographic Society and Ashoka Changemakers 2009 GeoTourism Challenge Click here to read the online article Natinal Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations Click here to read the online article WHL Travel Blog Click here to read the online article Tour Dust Click here to read the online article National Geographic Society’s Blog Wild Click here to read the online article National Geographic Soceity’s Weekend Radio Broadcast Click here to hear the online interview National Geographic Society’s GeoTourism Challenge “Power of Place” Travel Guide Click here to view the Travel Guide National Geographic Society’s ActionAtlas.org - Sponsor or donate to a social economic development initiave in Mongolia Click here to read and donate to Ger to Ger Initiatives
ger to ger partnerships Contracting Referrals (Single Travelers) Travel Groups (Nomadic Travel Routes & Fusion Packages) Festivals (Single and/or Groups)
Joint Marketing Referrals (Online, Email, etc.) Email (Direct Marketing via own networks) Web Links (Company Badges) Brochure (Print) Brochure (PDF) Film & Other Mass Media
Ger to Ger Foundation & Agency
Arizona Plaza, 1st Floor, Chingeltei District, Baruun Selbe 5/3, 1st Khoroo, Ulaanbaatar - Mongolia Phone: 976.11.313336 Fax: 976.11.313336 E-Mail: info@gertoger.org