Genghis
| country: | Mongolia |
| departures: | This trip is no longer running |
| price: | From £1365 (9 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation, meals, activitities, English-speaking guide throughout, transport and transfers. Group size 2-12 We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Genghis
Until the end of 12th century, the Mongols were a loose confederation of rival clans. A Mongol named Temuujin was born in 1162; at the age of 20 he emerged from a power struggle to become the leader of Borjigin Mongol clan, and later managed to unite most of the Mongol tribes. In 1189 he was given the name of Genghis Khan.
By the time of his death in 1227, the Mongol empire of Genghis Khan extended from Beijing to the Caspian Sea. For most, the site of his grave has still not been found, although it is believed to be somewhere in the Khentii mountains.
Ride on horseback through the boundless steppes, visit nomadic families and share a day of the lifestyle that has not changed for centuries. Taste the renowned fermented mares' milk and drink Mongolian milk vodka. Learn about Mongol weaponry, equipment, and battle tactics. Discover the reasons that made the Mongol empire such a great power...
By the time of his death in 1227, the Mongol empire of Genghis Khan extended from Beijing to the Caspian Sea. For most, the site of his grave has still not been found, although it is believed to be somewhere in the Khentii mountains.
Ride on horseback through the boundless steppes, visit nomadic families and share a day of the lifestyle that has not changed for centuries. Taste the renowned fermented mares' milk and drink Mongolian milk vodka. Learn about Mongol weaponry, equipment, and battle tactics. Discover the reasons that made the Mongol empire such a great power...
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the Chinggis Khaan Hotel for overnight accommodation. In the afternoon enjoy sightseeing of Ulaanbaatar, including a visit to the National History Museum and the Mongolian Military Museum. Collect your traditional Mongolian robes or ‘del’, which will have been tailor-made to fit your body shape prior to your arrival. A welcome dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel. |
| Day 2: | Before departing Ulaanbaatar you will visit a bow & arrow workshop and meet your archery trainer. You will then travel by 4WD to the training camp, located 3 hours outside of Ulaanbaatar. Here you will begin your warrior training with introductory lessons in archery and horse riding. After dinner at your ger camp you will mount your horse and ride to a guarding post, maintaining the camp’s security and protecting the horses from wolves, enemies and thieves in the same way as Khan’s soldiers would have done 800 years ago. Overnight at ger camp. |
| Day 3: | After breakfast, collect your horses and learn how to cook a meal fit for a true Mongol warrior (this will then become your lunch later in the day). You will also learn how to make Mongolian milk products, including some special recipes which are still common. Later in the day you will master your riding skills and learn traditional Mongolian techniques for lassoing horses. Further archery lessons, learning to shoot from a standing position and on horseback before returning to the ger camp for dinner. Overnight at ger camp. |
| Day 4: | After breakfast there are several battle tactics classes for you to participate in, designed to give you a good general knowledge of Khan’s most successful battle methods. This will include a lesson on Mongolian wrestling tricks, and a tactics performance. Later in the afternoon there is a chance to learn an ancient Mongolian song to sing during the farewell festival and arts performance. Before setting off for war, Genghis Khan would invite a shaman to call the spirit of war victory, followed by a festival of food and arts. Overnight at ger camp. |
| Day 5: | Begin a day of riding from Maikhan Tolgoi to Terelj (35km). Overnight in a tented camp. |
| Day 6: | Another day of riding, from Terelj to Dund Bayan (35km). Overnight in a tented camp. |
| Day 7: | Final ride from Dund Bayan to Gunjin Temple, a scenic and rewarding ride, with an evening return to Gunjin camp area (30km). Overnight in a tented camp. |
| Day 8: | After a relaxed morning you will be driven to Ulaanbaatar and checked into your hotel. After lunch you will have ample time for souvenir shopping at your leisure. A farewell dinner will be organised in a local restaurant where you will receive your certificate of achievement. Overnight in hotel. |
| Day 9: | Transfer to the airport for your international departure. |
traveller reviews for Genghis
There were several highlights - going to visit the monastery and being shown around by the head monk. Seeing our 'ger' for the first time as it was so different to what I had been expecting. Having musicians visit and play for us in our ger. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 We use an outstandingly professional local ground handling company based in Ulaanbator. The majority of employees are Mongolian who are very proud of their rich and varied culture. They are firm believers in facilitating trips in and about Mongolia in a fashion that benefits them and the local communities that are visited without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Arising from this both the forms of travel and payments to facilitators are made fairly and responsibly. The company believes in "Fair Travel Trading" and adheres to the principles of Green Globe 21 for which Nigel Gifford, OBE, FRGS and our founder, is the advisor on adventure travel, worldwide. As a company, we support a variety of charities that strive for better conditions for porters and trekking staff in the Indian sub continent and South America, and the protection of indigenous peoples in remote and fragile places such as rainforests and the sub polar regions. All our trips are operated and planned in line with PATA and Green Globe 21 principles, we expect our clients to be committed to sustainable tourism. We offer you the chance to contribute to Climate Care, from £12 per person. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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