MONGOLIA - NAADAM PHOTO TOUR

NAADAM PHOTOGRAPHERS’ TOUR 9 days / 8 nights DAY 1 ULAAN BAATAR- KHARKHORIN Arrival at Ulaan Baatar Airport. Transfer to the centre of the Capital- Exchange Money- Rest time at a coffee shop. Then, departure to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Chinghis Khaan. After few minutes, you’ll leave the chaotic town plunging in the green steppe. Lunch at a local restaurant on the road. In the afternoon arrival at the ger camp. Dinner and overnight stay. (FB) DAY 2 KHARKHORIN- LOCAL NAADAM FESTIVAL Breakfast. We’ll go the the area where Naadam is played. It’s a full immersion in the Naadam atmosphere and we’ll have the opportunity to photograph the people who gathers here from surrounding areas wearing traditional “del”, watching wrestling competitions, discussing about horse race winner or a horse value, cooking “hushurs” or mutton kebabs.. In the late afternoon, we’ll come back to the ger camp. Dinner and overnight stay at ger camp. (FB) DAY 3 KHARKHORIN-ONGII Breakfast. The morning is dedicated to Kharkhorin. The ancient capital, known in the past as Kharakhorum, was entirely destroyed by the Chinese in the 14th century, but upon its ashes, in 1586, was built one of the most important monastery of the country: Erdene Zuu with its white walls, its 108 stupas, its temples. Then we’ll join again the Naadam festival. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon drive to Ongii Khiid, the “door” of the Gobi Desert. Arrival and lodge at the ger camp. Dinner and overnight stay. (FB) DAY 4 ONGII KHIID - KHONGORIN SAND DUNES After breakfast we move to the Gobi desert, the great and wide desert where in summertime temperature can go above 45°C. Lunch picnic. Arrival at Khongorin Sand Dunes, a wild landscape where the wind accumulated the sand on the slopes of a black mountain chain. Lodging in the ger camp. In the late afternoon a mellow walking on the dunes will give the opportunity to take pictures during the sunset. Return to the ger camp. Dinner and overnight stay. (FB)

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DAY 5 KHONGORIN SAND DUNES - BAYANZAG Breakfast. In the early morning possible excursion on the dunes to shoot at sunrise. Then, drive to Bayanzag. Arrive at the ger camp.

Lunch and time for relax. In the late afternoon trek on the “Flaming Cliffs” where the American naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews found, in 1922, the first dinosaur fossils of Mongolia and the first dinosaur egg nest in the world. We will walk along and through the hills and we’ll stay here until sunset to admire and photograph the rocks that go redder and redder, as if they were on fire. Return to the camp. Dinner and overnight stay. (FB) DAY 6 BAYANZAG - DALANZADGAD- MANDALGOVI Breakfast. Departure toward Dalanzadgad. Stop and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we’ll drive to north direction. Many stops to visit the local families and see how they manage their life. In the late afternoon arrival in Mandalgovi. Lodge at the best local hotel (2**). Dinner at restaurant. Overnight stay (FB) DAY 7 MANDALGOVI - ULAANBAATAR Breakfast. Departure to the Capital. During the day wild and amazing landscapes: steppe, impressive granitic relieves. Eagles that nest on the ground. Lunch picnic or at a local restaurant on the road. In the late afternoon arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Lodge at the hotel.

Dinner at restaurant. Overnight stay. (FB) DAY 8 ULAAN BAATAR Breakfast. All day dedicated to the Capital. In the morning visit Gandan Monastery, the most important Buddhist core for the Mongolian people. Here, before the Soviet purges, there were more than 10.000 monks. You’ll visit the Buddhist schools, the Tibetanstyle temple which contains a 26 mt. high Avalokitesvara’s golden statue, the Buddhist temples where it is possible to attend lamas’ prayers. After that visit the Fine Arts Museum (Zanabazaar Museum) with its ancient rock carvings, Zanabazaar’s magnificent works, Thangka, Mandala, paintings, etc... - Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon visit of Chojin Lama Museum where you can see a wonderful collection of Tsam Masks, original and used in the past by the monks during ceremonies and sacred performances. Rest of day free for shopping and/or for watching a folk songs & dances show. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel. (FB) DAY 9 ULAAN BAATAR - FLIGHT BACK Breakfast. Then transfer to the airport.

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