LEGENDARY ROUTES OF SECRET HISTORY
A cultural tour of Mongolia

This tour is dedicated to the 850th anniversary of the Great Chinggis Khaan’s history, which was deeply related to Khentii province and near Onon River. After Chinggis Khaan’s death Mongols first literature monument The Secret History of the Mongols was written in the 1240 A.D nearby Huduu Aral.

Temujin was born in 1162 in a Mongol tribe Deluun Boldog Mountain and the Onon river in a modern-day Mongolia. The Secret History of the Mongols reports that Temujin was born with blood clot grasped in his fist, a traditional sign that he was destined to become great leader. Temujin’s childhood and early life was spent near Onon river and Kherlen river. As previously arranged by his father, Temujin married Borte when he was around 16 in order to cement alliances between their respective tribes. As a result by 1206 Temujin had manages to unite or subdue the Merkits, Naimans, Mongols, Keriats, Tatars, Uyghurs and disparate other smaller tribes under his rule. It was a monumental feat for the “Mongols” (as they became collectively). At a Khuraltai, a council of Mongol chiefs, he was acknowledged as “Khan” of the consolidated tribes and took the new title “Chinggis Khan”. In 1227, after defeating the Tangut people, Chinggis Khaan died (according to The Secret History of Mongols). The reason for his death is uncertain and speculations abound. Some historians maintain that he felt off his horse during a horseback pursuit due to battle wounds and physical fatigue.  Dying from the injuries, Chinggis Khaan asked to be buried without markings, according to the customs of his tribe. After he died, his body was returned to Mongolia and presumably to his birthplace in Khentii province, where many assume he is buried somewhere close to the Onon River and the Burkhan Khaldun mountain (part of the Khentii mountain range). According to legend, the funeral escort killed anyone and anything crossed their paths to conceal where he was finally buried.  Nowadays, many groups of researchers are undertaking an expedition to locate the lost tomb of one of the world's greatest and most ruthless emperors, Chinggis Khaan. But Chinggis Khaan’s tomb remains a mystery for the World.

Day 01:  Arrive Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.   Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.  
Overnight: Hotel Khan Palace (1 night)

Day 02: Ulaanbaatar / Lake Khukh Nuur
After an early breakfast drive to Lake Khukh Nuur, 215 km away from Ulaanbaatar. Have a lunch and camp in a Khukh Nuur tourist camp, which locates next to Khukh Nuur, which is known as a place that Temujin was made Great Chinggis Khaan. Some researchers say Chinggis Khaan might be buried somewhere in this area. After lunch visit the lake and explore Khar Zurkhen Mountain.  In the evening visit a nomad family and experience their unique lifestyle.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Lake Khukh Nuur / Dadal
In the morning drive to Chinggis Khaan’s birthplace Dadal, which is 290 km away from Lake Khukh Nuur. Stay overnight at the tourist camp at the Dadal nearby Chinggisiin Gurvan Nuur Lake.
Overnight: Ger Camp (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Dadal
Explore Chinggis Khaan’s birthplace Deluun Boldog and Lake Chinggisiin Gurvan Nuur.   Visit includes Chinggis Khaan’s Monument and a Buriad family to find out the difference between the Buriad family and Mongolian nomad family. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Dadal / Undurkhaan
Drive to capital of Khentii province Undurkhaan, 260 km away from Dadal. In the afternoon experience horseback riding in the steppe.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Undurkhaan / Khuduu Aral
Drive to Khuduu Aral, 135 km away from Undurkhaan. Khuduu Aral is the place that The Secret History of the Mongols was written in 1240.   Archaeologist found the ruin ancient city of Aurag near Huduu Aral. After lunch in a Huduu Aral Ger camp, we head out to explore the area, where a visit will be made to a natural mineral spring near the ruin of Aurag city, which is believed by locals that Chinggis Khaan and his warriors drank from.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Khuduu Aral / Ulaanbaatar
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (152 km) with en-route visit Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex.  In the evening have a dinner and enjoy the Mongolian Traditional Folklore show.
Overnight: Hotel Khan Palace (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Departure Ulaanbaatar
This morning we bid farewell to this fascinating land as we are transferred to the airport.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Jun 09 & 30, Jul 28 & Aug 18
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar with hotel taxes International airfares & Departure/airport taxes Ger camp (2 persons or 1 person ger) Insurance / Visas Meals as mentioned B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner Tips / Gratuities All ground transfers & sightseeing mentioned with local English speaking guide   Entrance fees
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 2660 US $ 495
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 04 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
The only hotels in Mongolia are in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Throughout the countryside accommodation is offered in the form of traditional Mongolian ‘gers.’ These ger camps are slightly modified for foreign tourists but in effect offer a traditional experience and the opportunity to experience Mongolia’s wilderness. Most ger camps are situated in attractive areas:  on the shores of small rivers, nestled under rocky hills or on vast open plains and all under amazing night skies. The gers are made from wooden frames with layers of canvas and felt. Interior wood is usually carved or brightly painted and they are equipped with 2 beds and a small table and stools. There is a central stove for wood-fire heating at night. Communal bathroom facilities are in basic but clean blocks nearby and with hot water (an impressive feat in the middle of the Gobi desert!).  There are also restaurants and bars in a separate concrete building, or sometimes in large gers. Whilst visiting Mongolia is hugely rewarding, it is a wilderness destination and the accommodation is basic; however, we do use the best gers available in each area and the itinerary above has been put together to enable stays in the best camps at the most attractive locations.
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.