TRIP DURATION: 14 days

TRIP DATES:  Jun 14 - 27, 2024

TRIP COST:  $5400/person Early Bird Price before May 1st, $5900 following May 1st ($600 single supplement) 

TRIP CAPACITY: 8-12 pax

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TRIP INFORMATION:

What does it mean to “ReWild”? 

 

Through experience, we hope to dive deep into Mongolian wilderness, and into breath and our own being to find our natural state. Refresh, reboot, rewild. Shake off the dullness of too much computer time, the stresses of modern living to re-discover and re-align with deeper rhythms, found in nature and in your body.  

 

We are taking ReWilding to the next level with this incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to accompany us into the outback of Mongolia. Take a step out of time to immerse in ancient ways, learn from the nomadic lifestyle of those who still roam the land, breathe in raw nature, absorb the stunning scenery from horseback, and walk  amongst the ruins of ancient civilizations that date back to the 6-7th century. 

 

ReWilding Mongolia is open to both women and men, all ages and life stages. It is a chance to learn from another culture, listen to the stories of the mountains and the rivers and provides a rare chance for you to encounter traditional shamans, female priestesses and nomadic herdsmen. We will camp and hike in the vastness of the Mongolian outback. Meet camels, yaks, horses  and follow the flight path of the Sakar  Amar falcons and  Steppe Eagles.  

 

Wake up each day after camping in the traditional yurts, bathing in the rivers and practicing outside. Dive deep into daily yoga and qi gong practices with Bex Tyrer and Jordi Jules, who frame the days with practices for optimum vitality and a return to a deep appreciation of the wisdom and life force inherent within your body. The practices support your immersion into the wilderness as we explore cycles and rhythms and the innate power beyond conventional standards of attainment, perceived limitations, or socially dictated norms of specific life stages. 

 

Taking inspiration from the Hatha Yogis of the past, we recognise the microcosm within and symbiosis with our environment. A trip such as this holds the potential to reorientate priorities and seed a deep appreciation of our one wild and precious life and connection with the natural world. 

 

Epics and great tales of old alike, speak of sages and kings, queens and yoginis who at some point step out of the mundanity of life, on a quest for deeper insight and shifts in consciousness. For the practitioners this would come in the form of liberating insight, and for those with duties in the world, it was a way to bestow different perspectives and ultimately make them better leaders - imbued with both wisdom and compassion.

 

We believe this trip holds a similar magic, which happens when we take one step into Wild Nature and in return receive fresh eyes. We have no doubt that trips such as this can be life changing and life affirming in the best possible ways. 

 

Let your wildest dreams come true. 

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Reconnect with yourself and your spirit through breath and wilderness

• Reconnecting with vast wild spaces, nomadic civilization, profound connections with the horse, yak and other animals. 

• Connecting internal and external winds: connecting to the land, our bodies, and spirit combining yoga, chi gong, horse riding and exploration.  

• Meaningful encounters with people of the land including traditional shamans, nomadic herders and female Chodpa practitioners who embrace married life within the folds of the priestess temple

• Visit Hustai Nuur National Park, viewing the remarkable 6-7th century Neolithic graves of Öngut.

• Encounter free roaming herds of the Takhi wild horses, walks along the Tuul River and its willows for some birding

• Bird watching including Amar/Sakar Falcons/ Steppe Eagles.

• Listen to a traditional morin khuur, or horse-head fiddle concert and imbibe the magical sound of khoomii, or throat singing. Learn a Mongolian song. 

• Cook with nomad women and learn Mongolian delicacies

• Experience the Naadam festival, horse races, wrestling and archery

• Explore Kharkhorin Erdene Zuu monastery, 16th century and meet its head lama (his schedule permitting)

• Meet the Camels of the “Little Gobi”! 

• Horse riding/camping pilgrimage  to Mandal mountain to imbibe in ancestor worship…Buddhist/Shaman power spot.

 

 

ITINERARY:

 

Day 1— ARRIVE IN MONGOLIA

Welcome to the energetic Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar! Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, meet a Wild Earth Journeys representative and transfer to the hotel. In the late afternoon, gather for orientation and a trip briefing. Followed by an authentic concert and a welcome Mongolian feast at a traditional restaurant. 

Meals: D

 

Day 2— SEE WILD HORSES IN HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK

Visit the beautifully restored 19th-century Gandan (Gandantegchinlen) Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. After a ceremonial butter lamp offering, set off for Hustai National Park and settle into your comfortable ger camp with sweeping views. Visit the Neolithic graves of Ongut, take in the Tuul River with its willows and red-footed falcons, and look out for roaming herds of wild Przewalski's horses, locally called takhi.

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 3— EXPLORE KHOGNO KHAN RESERVE & ARRIVE IN KARAKORUM

Today journey west across vast grasslands, stopping for lunch at Eden Camp nestled into the sacred Khogno Khan Mountain. The arid terrain and rocky landscape of this remote, 46,900-hectare nature reserve is almost surreal. Continue on to Karakorum, a 4-hour drive from Hustai. With a little luck, ride a camel in Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune, also known as " The Little Gobi." In late afternoon, arrive in Karakorum, once the legendary capital of the Mongolian Empire, established by Genghis Khan and his son in the 13th century.

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 4 --VISIT ERDENE ZUU KHIID MONASTERY & ARRIVE IN THE BHUKHAN VALLEY

Today explore Karakorum, once a vibrant place that served as the political, cultural and economic capital of Mongolia for 400 years. Little of the original Karakorum remains, except Erdene Zuu Khiid, a Tibetan style monastery built in 1586. Wander around the monastery grounds and, schedule permitting, meet with Khambo Lama to learn about the concept of Hiimur (windhorse). After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to Tsetserleg, "the Garden City," ringed by stone mountains. Stop here for tea and move on to Lapis Sky Camp in the Bhukhan Valley.

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 5— DO YOGA, TAKE A PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS & GO HORSEBACK RIDING

Today choose to join an (optional) yoga/ qi gong session or join a photography class by professional photographer, Thomas Kelly, with a visit to a nearby nomad camp. Witness nomad neighbors milk yaks and horse mares, brush up on your horseback riding skills, and head out for a warm-up ride in the spectacular Bhukhan Valley. This evening, enjoy dinner and wonderful storytelling by local nomads. 

Activity: Yoga session, photography class, 3.5-4 hours horseback riding.

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 6— EXPLORE BHUKHAN VALLEY

Take an (optional) yoga/ qi gong session, and then join professional photographer Thomas Kelly for a photo walk , to heighten photographic skills and capture images of the dazzling countryside and nomadic way of life. Go fishing for grayling and lenok trout or practice your aim with a bow and arrow. In the afternoon, mount a horse and pay a visit to nomads camped nearby, to spend time in their gers and learn about their everyday life. In the evening, gather for a feast of traditional Mongolian barbecue.

Activity: Yoga session, photography class, fly-fishing, archery

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 7— TREK TO VULTURE MOUNTAIN ON HORSEBACK

This morning head out for a birdwatching walk, a fishing activity, or a yoga session - choose what suits you. After lunch at the camp, saddle up and set out on a horseback riding adventure across the sweeping steppes. Ride for 3 hours to Vulture Mountain and camp in a lovely meadow setting.

Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 8— JOURNEY TO MANDAL MOUNTAIN BY HORSEBACK

Today set out on horseback for an invigorating 5-hour ride over majestic mountain passes, along the way circling Buddhist ovoos, ceremonial cairns set in high places. In the afternoon, camp at the base of Mandal Mountain, a sacred ancestral place for Mongolians.

Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 9— ATTEND A BUDDHIST CEREMONY ATOP MANDAL MOUNTAIN

This morning set out for a silent walk up to Mandal Mountain and attend a Buddhist ceremony at a sacred ovoo at the mountaintop. Spend the rest of the day exploring Bhukhan Valley - head out for a walk, go fishing, or take an optional horseback ride to a nearby nomad settlement. In the evening, enjoy a feast of traditional Mongolian barbecue and singing around a bonfire. 

Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding (optional) or 1.5 – 2 hour RT hike/600’ elevation gain/loss (optional)

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 10— RETURN ON HORSEBACK TO LAPIS SKY CAMP

Today ride back across the steppe to Bhukhan Valley ; alternatively, return by jeep. Settle into your ger at Lapis Sky Camp and enjoy free time to unwind before gathering for a shaman performance, followed by a hearty dinner in the camp's dining ger.

Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 11— EXPERIENCE A LOCAL NAADAM FESTIVAL

Today take part in an exciting local Naadam festival. Naadam (short for Eriyn Gurvan Naadam) means "Three Manly Games" — bareback horse racing, wrestling, and archery. These festivals take place every summer, and young men train all year to compete. Watch the races, mingle with locals, meet the winners, take photos, and sample delicious local food.

Activity: Cultural festival

Meals: L, D

 

Day 12— ENJOY A DAY OF LEISURE AT LAPIS SKY CAMP

Today enjoy a day of leisure to soak up the serene surroundings of Lapis Sky Camp. Choose among several activities. Set out on horseback to visit the nomads' winter camp, head out for a hike, go on a fishing expedition to the Tamir River, practice yoga or archery, or just relax at the camp. This evening, listen to a traditional morin khuur, a horse-head fiddle concert, as you sit around the camp's bonfire and bid farewell to the nomad horsemen and hosts.

Activity: Horseback riding, fishing, hiking, yoga, archery (all optional)

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 13– JOURNEY BACK TO ULAANBAATAR

After breakfast, journey back to Ulaanbaatar by bus, while enjoying a movie about the history of the Mongol Empire. Stop along the way for lunch at Altan Tul. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group at Namaste restaurant. 

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 14– DEPART FROM ULAANBAATAR

Bid farewell to Mongolia and transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound or onward flight.

Meals: B

 

Price Includes:

• Expert leadership from experienced adventure guides

• Accommodations as noted in the itinerary

• Meals as noted in the daily itinerary

• Potable water and snacks throughout

• All necessary horseback riding gear

• All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation

• Arrival and departure day airport transfers

 

Price Does Not Include:

• International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges

• Optional tips 

• Personal expenses such as, laundry & alcohol

• Airport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1 or departing outside of the Day 14

• Optional travel protection

 

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