A once in a lifetime, 14 day journey in Northern Mongolia. All proceeds benefit FIRE's programs.
Travel to Hovsgol, the Land of the Blue Lake, where the Tsaatan
Reindeer People call home. This is the mysterious heart of Inner Asia
where some ancient Buddhist guidebooks locate the hidden kingdom of
Shambhala. Begin your journey at the Wind Horse tented camp on the
pristine banks of the Hoogii River, where you will can hone up on
your trout fishing and riding skills and go on ethno-botanical walks
with local shamans in search of healing plants and flowers. Heal your
bones with a traditional Mongolia ‘bariachi’ massage or simply choose
to relax in hot baths with a glass of wine.
After a days journey from the camp we reach the summer camping grounds
of the Reindeer People, the guardians of this hidden realm who patrol
this a maze of evergreen forests on the backs of their stocky
reindeer. They earn a meager existence by hunting for furs and antlers.
Experience the unique shamanic culture of the Tsaatan and learn the
secrets of the deer.
Continue your journey by driving across the Darhat Valley, camping at
the base of the spectacular Horidal Pass. Cross the pass the next day
on horseback and ride along the pristine northern shores of the Blue
Lake, where you will transfer from horses to a yacht for a final
cruise.
This journey is organized through Wind Horse. Please contact us for more information.
Dates: (14 days) June 27 to July 10, 2010
Group size: 8-12 guests
Price: $6495 per person
(Includes a 501c.3 tax donation)
Additional days, single supplements and "work your ways" are available.
Itinerary 2 nights at the Puma Imperial Hotel 5 nights in traditional Mongol ger camp 6 nights expedition tents
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaator, Mongolia Overnight at the Puma Imperial Hotel
Day 2: Afternoon Domestic charter to Muren (2 hours) Overnight in Ulan Uul at a Shaman’s Camp featured in the recent book, "Horse Boy" Late dinner
Day 3-4: Drive to Wind Horse Ger Camp Horseback riding along the Hoogi River Visit w/Darhat nomad families & trout fishing Overnight at the Wind Horse Ger Camp Day 5-6: Depart to Reindeer Taiga on horseback expedition Arrive at Mongholuk Plateau: Reindeer nomad’s summer camp
Day-7-8: Return to Wind Horse Camp
Day 9: Drive across Darhat Valley Tented camp at base of Horidal Pass Day 10: Ride over Horidal Pass, reach shores of Hovsgol Lake Tented Camp
Day 11: Ride along shore of Hovsgol Lake Tented Camp
Day 12: Transfer from horses to yacht at docking area. Lake cruise, Picnic lunch on Bird Island Drop off at at Hatgal, Overnight in Ger Camp
Day 13: Early morning departure to airport Afternoon flight to Ulaanbaatar Overnight at Puma Imperial Hotel
Day 14: Depart for home
Your Guide:Hamid Sardar is an American film-maker as well as a scholar of Tibetan and Mongol languages who received his Ph.D. from Harvard University. After moving to Nepal in the late 1980's and exploring Tibet and the Himalayas for more than a decade, he went to live in Outer Mongolia to make a visual record of the nomad's customs and manners of life before they became divorced from their natural and spiritual environment. His journey's so far have produced three award-winning documentary films and numerous articles that draw attention to the spiritual relationship of Mongolia's nomads to their fabulous pantheon of totem-animals. This work ultimatey became the inspiration for Wind Horse, a eco-friendly boutique camp situated in Mongolia's pristine wilderness. Since its creation, the camp has become the center of various projects and explorations, mostly focusing on Mongolia's mysterious northern frontier and the unique culture of the reindeer people.
Fine Dining: Wild Horse chefs are native Mongolians, who have been trained in France. They pay particular attention to detail; from the best local meats and vegetables to the finest seasonings, teas and breakfast jams. Delicious bread is baked daily in our wood oven. Our friendly local nomads provide fresh milk and cream. We have a good stock of fine wines and a selection of Cuban cigars. Evening meals are usually accompanied by scheduled live entertainment drawing on the talents of indigenous Mongolian bards and fiddlers. Whether you dine under the immense sky or inside our cozy dining ger you will find every meal to be a true delight! All of these delights are included in the price.
Spa: Wild Horse Spa packages begin with a traditional Mongolian ‘bariachi' diagnosis based on the reading of the pulse. This allows the healer to feel where the body's circulation is weak or blocked. Your morning mare's milk concoctions milked directly at your doorstep (our mares are veterinary certified every season) are followed by our signature ‘bariachi' massage, designed to improve circulationthroughout the body and restored blood flow to limbs, joints and the brain. Combined with our mare's milk detox program, the massage treatments speed up the elimination of toxins from the body - an ideal way to begin or end your Mongol horse adventure!
Accomodations: While at the Wild Horse ger camp, guests are accommodated in widely spaced traditional Mongol felt gers, well-appointed with firm mattresses and camel-down comforters. Solar panels provide enough power for guests to charge their batteries and laptops. Our eco-friendly furnace uses only driftwood and pipes hot water into bath tubs.