MONGOLIA WILDERNESS ADVENTURE SCHOOL TOUR
A land of the grassy steppe, high mountains and the vast Gobi Desert, everything about Mongolia is on a grand scale, apart from its population. Mongolia ranks as one of the most remote destinations in the world, makes for an incredibly exciting school visit. A broad range of activities and educational experiences await Mongolia School Tours - students can take part in lasting community service projects, and travel by train across one of the least explored regions of central Asia. This school trip will uncover a country with few roads, where nomadic herders are still part of the cultural fabric, where camels are used for transport, and tribesmen hunt with eagles. Challenge your group to trekking in the mountain ranges to fully appreciate the vast wilderness of the country - your class will benefit from unspoiled landscapes and exposure to an unchanged culture on this student tour in Mongolia.
Trip code : MG397SC
Duration : 15 days
Destination : Mongolia
Travel Dates : As required
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Learn about the history, culture and traditions of Mongolia
- Discover the incredible landscapes and wildlife of Mongolia
- Engage in studies of society and environment
- Participate in team building exercise and group-trekking
- Enhance perspectives, develop appreciation for diversity and differences
- Develop communication skills within peers and in a foreign environment
- Discover a world more beautiful, diverse and colorful than any textbook could ever portray
- Develop skills for students through a meaningful overseas experience
HIGHLIGHT
- Explore Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar
- Take an overnight train to Erdenet
- Visit the extinct Tulga Volcano
- Spend time in a traditional village on the southern tip of Lake Khövsgöl.
- Volunteer in a community service project in Khatgal
- Trek through Mongolia’s vast mountain ranges
- Explore Mongolia home to the diverse landscapes and distinctive wildlife habitats
- Experience nomadic culture and vast, untouched landscapes
- Immerse yourself in a nomadic lifestyle far from traditional creature comforts
- Stay at a Ger Camp, offering spectacular views and a taste of rural nomadic life
- Discover a lifestyle, arts and history that reflect the true national identity and culture of Mongolian people
DAY 1
On arrival in Ulaanbaatar your group will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, our guide will do a tour briefing and then your group will enjoy a welcome dinner.
Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.
Today we set off to explore the nation’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. Our tour guide will take your group to visit Sukhbaatar square, Parliament House, National Opera Theatre, Cultural Palace, and House of City Council. We finish our city tour at the top of Zaisan Hill for a bird-eye view over Ulaanbaatar.
This afternoon we visit the Natural History Museum which is world famous for its discovery and display of dinosaur eggs and bones.
Tonight, we take an overnight train to Erdenet on the Trans-Mongolian railway. Once on the train, students will ride through wooded hills and the magnificent Mongolian countryside until dusk. Overnight in a cabin on the sleeper train.
On arrival to Erdenet early this morning, you will be welcomed at the train station and then enjoy breakfast at local restaurant.
After breakfast, we depart for the picturesque Tulga Volcano. This area is considered to be one of the most stunning parts in North Mongolia, and is beautiful, utterly wild, and unspoilt.
Students can hike the steep, but walkable trails and immerse themselves in the rolling grasslands and forests and observe the abundant wildlife that live in the mountains.
Overnight in Erdenet.
Today students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the daily lives of the local nomadic people at Khatgal Village. At the village students can horse ride along the lake, visit a reindeer herding family, go inside their tepees, taste reindeer milk, and take pictures with the reindeers. This unique experience will provide students with a first hand experience of the local peoples history, culture and everyday life.
Overnight in Khatgal.
The aim of our community service program is to provide students with the opportunity to engage with local communities and to make a real difference and improve the daily lives of the local communities they visit.
Our programs include:
- Working with organisations and local communities to raise awareness of the impact of tourism on nature and local daily life
- Programs to reduce littering, and encourage recycling
- Installing a water tank or clean water facilities
Overnight in Khatgal.
Today we continue with the community project from the previous day.
Overnight in Khatgal.
Today after breakfast students will trek from Khatgal towards Jankhai, a part of the stunning Khoridol Saridag Mountains. Students will hike through the wooded mountain valley and the Jankhai mountain pass, for breathtaking views of Lake Khovsgol.
Overnight in Khoridol Saridag.
Today will be spent exploring as students hike around Lake Khovsgol and discover the abundant wildlife. Students will encounter a variety of wetland bird species which flourish in this pristine wilderness. The trekking route follows the lake and through the foothills and wooded areas. There may also be a small river crossing, depending on the weather conditions.
Overnight in Uran Dosh.
Today, students will trek to the top of Mt Uran Dosh (2,792 metres). From the summit of the mountain, your group will be treated to a breathtaking view of Lake Khovsgol from the west. Throughout the trek our guide will explain the geological history of the area and they unique flora and fauna in this region.
Overnight in Uran Dosh.
DAY 10
Today we drive through Oliin Davaa, a legendary mountain pass where students can witness the local worshipping of ovoo - a sacred site for Mongolians to make offerings to mother earth and father sky as a part of Shamanic beliefs and Buddhist rituals as well.
We arrive in Rashaant in the afternoon, where your group will check into your hotel.
Overnight in Rashaant.
Today after breakfast, students will spend the day trekking in Arkhangai province. This part of Mongolia is famous for the battle between the Oirat and Khalkh Mongols in the 17th century for the throne of Mongols. There are remaining Oirat Mongols today who speak in different dialect in the area. This region is also famous for its airag, a fermented mare’s milk which is a national drink of Mongolia.
Overnight in Khairkhan.
DAY 12
Today we depart Khairkhan and drive through Arkhangai aimag’s territory. Enjoy the picturesque, wooded mountains, wide river basins, which offer incredible views of the Eurasian Steppes.
We arrive in Lake Ugil in the evening. Lake Ugil is a freshwater lake which has abundant wildlife and is a part of the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
Overnight in Lake Uggii.
This morning after breakfast we travel to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival your group will check into your hotel.
Later in the day students will attend a fascinating performance of traditional folk songs, throat singing, beautiful melody of horse-headed fiddle, ethnic dances, and arty contortion.
Overnight in Ulannbaatar.
DAY 14
Today after breakfast your group will be transferred to the airport. End of our services.
INCLUSIONS:
- Visa fees
- Professional tour director
- Local Government taxes and fees
- All entrance fees at the monument
- All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
- All airport transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Local host experience
- Comprehensive sightseeing as per itinerary
- Locally based professional drivers
- English-speaking tour guides
- Meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
- A Unique & Varied Dining Experience
- We hand-pick the high-quality resorts and hotels
Please contact us on +61 8 7226-1898 or 1300 739 652 for the price.
Price depends on the below:
- Projects your group would like to participate
- Desired outcome/Learning objectives for students
- Accommodation level
- Travel date
- Group Size
- Duration of the tour
- Sightseeing
Your Mongolia visa is included in our package and we act on your behalf to apply for the visas, all necessary documents relating to your visa application will have to be provided to us at least 90 days before your departure. If you fail to provide the necessary documents before 90 days prior to your departure, we will not be held liable for your visa application.
The visa fee included in our package is not refundable in any circumstances.
Important Note:
- All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and most countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine‐readable passport.
- If you provide all necessary documents relating to your visa application in less than 90 day before departure, an additional fee of $120 per person will incur.
- It is your sole responsibility for any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not satisfying the requirements of those authorities
- Travellers might need to present the visas at multiple checkpoints and may be refused to fly out of their countries, if the visa documents cannot be presented. If such an event occurs, we won’t be liable and the travellers will be deemed as “no-show”. Please check our term and condition for a ‘’No-show” penalty.
MONGOLIA
You need a visa to enter Mongolia.
All visitors to Mongolia for tourism purposes require a visa unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries that can obtain a visa on arrival. A Mongolia visa can be applied at your nearest Mongolian embassy or consulate.
Mongolia grants visa-free access to citizens of 24 countries and territories including, but not limited to the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Visa on arrival is available to citizens of selected countries including Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Greece and United Arab Emirates.
Check out the below link for countries exempted from Visa to enter Mongolia:
http://consul.mn/eng/index.php?moduls=23
By law, you must carry your passport at all times when travelling in Mongolia. If you're staying in Mongolia for longer than 30 days, you need to register with the Office of Immigration in Ulaanbaatar within 7 days of arrival.
