One day? What can you hope to experience in one day? Ditch the guidebook and the recommended highlights and come along and see. All our one-
* Prices below are for non-
Urban Explorations – Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar (UB –
Planning may not have been one of Ulaanbaatar’s strengths but it doesn’t mean that this is a city to quickly dismiss as not worth spending time in.
Our trip provides a way of getting in touch with the unique atmosphere and character of UB and with the local community. This day is not about museums or shopping or a list of temples – it’s about getting out and about and exploring and discovering –
Travel by local transport, walk through some of UB’s typical neighbourhoods, see panoramic views of UB that put the city into perspective and enjoy eating with the locals in standard Mongolian eateries.
Spend a relaxed and informal day in the company of a resident of the city. We keep the itinerary fluid depending on the time of year and the weather but in essence it encompasses locations and activities of a typical UB citizen.
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 110 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 70 pp
• 3-
• 5-
Arranged through local organisation NomadInk whose mission is to share and educate the culture of urban art in Mongolia, you’ll spend roughly 3 hours exploring the street art scene in UB with some of Mongolia’s top street artists.
You’ll experience UB as a dynamic canvas –
You’ll even get to leave your own ‘tag.’
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 245 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 135 pp
• 3-
• 5-
* You’ll be accompanied by two of UB’s leading street artists and it include lunch in one of NomadInk’s favourite local eateries.
Night Time Experiences – Ulaanbaatar
Star Gazing –
Wrap up warm, stay up late and visit the Khurel Togoot Astronomical Observatory with its wonderful Russian architecture. The observatory is located at 1,620 metres above sea level –
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 155 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 95 pp
• 3-
• 5-
* Weather dependent!
As suggested to us by some of our solo travellers.
Ditch the guidebook and come and enjoy a drink or two in a couple of our favourite places. This is not about sitting down to a formal dinner or a first night welcome drink. Instead, experience the vibrancy of Ulaanbaatar through the eyes of EL team members that live in UB. This (approximate) 3 hour experience is informal, relaxed will allow you to connect with the local atmosphere.
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 100 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 55 pp
• 3-
• 5-
* Includes one free drink. None of the payment is profit. But, you might think ‘really? This must just for a drink?!’ … I make sure my team get home safely at the end of the evening and are paid for their time.
National Park Experiences
Khustain Nuruu & Gorkhi Terelj
Roughly 17% of Mongolia’s landmass has some form of environmental protection. A short drive of under 100km outside of Ulaanbaatar will give vast landscapes and an opportunity to discover the wild essence of two of Mongolia’s protected areas. Head west to Khustain Nuruu and learn more about the Takhi horses. Alternatively, head east to Gorkhi-
Read a guidebook and you will see it recommends visiting Khustain at sunrise and sunset. Why? This is the key time to see the wild horses. However, it’s also peak visiting time and you compete with large tour groups and vehicle dust.
So. We approach things a little differently.
Depart UB early and spend the day experiencing panoramic views, sand dunes, archaeology, wildlife and a great picnic lunch.
Takhi horse (Przewalski horse –
Khustain is one of Mongolia’s conservation success stories and this brief day may help to provide you with a better understanding of the biodiversity of Khustain –
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 210 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 145 pp
• 3-
• 5-
‘We were able to have a genuine experience in a very short time. I didn’t think we would be able to see so much and experience so much culture in literally a day.’ Joe.
Gorkhi-
We use the home of Naraa and Bujee –
We keep the day flexible as everyone is different in their requests but come and enjoy the freedom of the open road, rejuvenate your spirit of adventure and escape the pressures of the western world as well as experiencing a typical ‘day in the life of’ a modern-
And to round off the day, visit the impressive Tsonjin Boldog (Chinggis Khan Statue) for it’s spectacular views
out over the Tuul River Valley.
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 265 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 150 pp
• 3-
• 5-
Does not include horse trekking as not everyone wants to trek. However, it’s easy for us to arrange and costs
from 15,000 MNT per hour. Option also for bike hire –
Get Creative
So. You’re a nomad. By nature of your lifestyle, you can’t own too many possessions. Instead, the ones you do own you decorate.
Traditional skills such as embroidery and felt making are still prevalent in 21st Century Mongolia and for those interested, offer a very enjoyable way to spend a day.
‘My personal highlight was working with Erdenetsetseg. So friendly and passionate about what she does…a fantastic teacher! It was lovely to be welcomed into her home and to learn all about Mongolian felting as well as get to try out some of the methods myself. Absolutely loved doing the workshop with her. Hopefully I can come back to UB and spend some time with her again as I feel she has so much to teach.’ Emma
Our felt workshops are with B. Erdenetsetseg –
Held at her home here in UB, these workshops are informal and relaxed and designed to give you an insight into someone’s way of life in UB as well as a chance to practise this traditional art form.
The price includes lunch at Erdenetsetseg’s home and can include a cookery lesson for those interested.
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 130 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 90 pp
• 3-
• 5-
For all day but shorter half-
Includes a payment of US$40 per person to Erdenetsetseg. Also, lunch and the services one of the EL team to help with translation!
‘It was amazing to meet Selenge and all of the women at the quilting centre. It was a really inspiring experience to get to see the wonderful work they are doing there and learn all about the projects they are doing! They were incredibly welcoming and it was really great to spend some time there with them.’ Emma
The Mongolian Quilting Centre is known more formally as the New Way Life NGO –
As well as making everyday items such as tote bags and tablecloths, the central also create individual pieces of fabric artwork made from discarded and recycled material such as their stunning wall hangings. And this is what you will be making.
You’ll spend the day at the centre and workshop working alongside some of the women supported by the NGO. It will be an informal insight into the workings of a small NGO as well as a way to meet local people and be part of their ideas and fears. You’ll also come away with a fantastic Mongolian style wall hanging.
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 155 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 115 pp
• 3-
• 5-
For all day but shorter half-
Includes a donation of 100,000 MNT per person to the centre. Also, lunch and the services one of the EL team to help with translation!
Visit the home of Tomorkhuu Batmonkh a specialist bow and arrow maker in Ulaanbaatar. Batmonkh’s home is also his workshop and every surface of his home is dedicated to his skill. As soon as you enter his 3-
As a visitor, not only do you get to see Batmonkh’s craftsmanship, you’ll also get an informal history lesson as he tells you about the development of the bow and arrow in Mongolia. So enthusiastic is he about his profession that it has become a family affair –
Group Size –
• 1 Guest US$ 65 pp
• 2 Guests US$ 40 pp
• 3-
• 5-
