Shamanism in the steppe - Nomadays

Mongolia

Shamanism in the steppe

Go for an uncommun adventure with a shaman and his assistant. All along your stay, discover high places of spirituality, learn shamanic teaching and meditate with them.

Day 1Arrival and visit of Ulan Bator

Day 1Arrival and visit of Ulan Bator

  • Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

  • Appointment at 12 o'clock at your hotel with your guide. He will take you to the restaurant of your choice.

  • Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history, in the wonderful National History Museum. Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan.

  • Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator. Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

  • At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh: folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi, the overtone singing.

4h 30m-280km

Day 2Trip in the Mini-Gobi

Day 2Trip in the Mini-Gobi

  • We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometre (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".

  • Walk until Erdene Khambiin Monastery. "Monk Erdene's Monastery" dates from 17th century and was built in the mountain. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, monk Erdene.

Also
  • Day 2

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Hotel Nine
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Eden camp
Accommodation: Eden camp

Day 3-4Meditating in Orkhon Valley

Day 3-4Meditating in Orkhon Valley

Khogno Khan - Orkhon valley

  • Journey to Orkhon Valley. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the valley is a land of nomadism and many breeders set their summer camp there.

Day 4

  • Stay among breeders in the valley. During your stay, you will discover their way of life and you will be proposed many activities, such as milking, making traditional dairy products, or rounding up the animals with a horse.

    You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue that you will enjoy with your hosts.

  • Those who wish will go pony trekking along Orkhon Valley, from the camp until Orkhon waterfalls.

  • Visit of Ulan Tsutgalaan falls, white flood flowing on the black stone, transformed in rainbow by a short sunray… These 16-metres (52,49 feet) falls are just magic ! They were formed 20.000 years ago, as a result of a unique combination of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Also
  • Day 3Day 4

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Eden camp (3)
Breakfast: Made by your team (4)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (3)
Lunch: Countryside home stay (4)
Dinner: Yurt for guests with a family (4)

Day 5Relaxing in the hot waters of Tsenkher

Day 5Relaxing in the hot waters of Tsenkher

Orkhon valley - Tsenkher hot springs

  • Visit of Tovkhon Monastery. Vehicles can't go until the top of Öndör Ulaan Hill and we will walk until there to discover Tovkhon Ermitage, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view of the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

Also
  • Day 5

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Local restaurant
Accommodation: Shiveet Mankhan

Day 6Visit of the oldest monastery of Mongolia

Day 6Visit of the oldest monastery of Mongolia

Tsenkher hot springs - Kharkhorin

  • Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

  • Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas.

Also
  • Day 6

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Shiveet Mankhan
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Anja camp
Accommodation: Anja camp

Day 7Observing Przewalski horses

Day 7Observing Przewalski horses

  • Journey to Khustai Reserve that houses the Przewalski horses (takh). Twilight is the best moment to observe them. We'll walk until the river where they drink, and observe them with no fear to bother.

Also
  • Day 7

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Anja camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Dinner: Khustai camp
Accommodation: Khustai camp
2h 30m-130km
10h 40m-450km

Day 8Welcome on board!

Day 8Welcome on board!

Khustai national park - Ulan Bator

Ulan Bator - Sainshand

  • Early in the evening, we board on the Transmongolian until Sainshand. In the train, Mongolians are the great majority of the travellers, so a "local atmosphere" is guaranteed !

Also
  • Day 8

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Khustai camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: Sleeper train

Day 9-10Mystic stay in the surroundings of the Shambala

Day 9-10Mystic stay in the surroundings of the Shambala

Day 9

  • Early arrival in Sainshand, where our driver awaits us. Visit of Khamar Monastery. The famous Mongolian teacher and man of letters Danzanravjaa created this monastery in the 1820's. It was an important centre of the Buddhist "red sect".

    North of the monastery, we will see some meditation caves.

  • We continue our journey with a stopover at the one of the most sacred places in the Buddhist belief, the Shambala, entrance of an utopian world ruled by joy and harmony. This energetic centre has become a popular place of pilgrimage in Mongolia.

Day 10

  • Visit of a camel herders' family where we'll discover the Mongolian hospitality.

  • Camelback trip among the desertic landscapes of Sainshand area.

  • Visit of the Museum of Danzanravjaa in Sainshand.

  • In the evening, we embark on the night train towards Ulan Bator. We spend the night on the train, in comfortable berths (one cabin for four persons). Arrival at the capital the day after.

Also
  • Day 9Day 10

    Each day, with a shaman, you'll discover important thematics bound to Shamanism: history, practices, and symbolism. Meditation and Shamanic ceremony.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team (9)
Breakfast: Tavan doxio (10)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (9)
Lunch: made by the family (10)
Dinner: Tavan doxio (9)
Dinner: Own (10)
Accommodation: Tavan doxio (9)
Accommodation: Sleeper train (10)
10h 40m-450km

Day 11Arrival at Ulan Bator

Day 11Arrival at Ulan Bator

  • Transfer from the international station to your hotel, located in the centre of Ulan Bator. (*early check-in not included. We drop our luggage off).

  • Rest of the day free. With our guide, you can go shopping in the centre of the city.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Accommodation: Hotel Nine
Flight back

Day 12See you soon !

Day 12See you soon !

  • Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.