Kalacakra Tour in Mongolia Led by Professor Vesna Wallace University of California, Santa Barbara Position : Professor of Buddhist Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. Research Interests: Indian Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and Mongolian Buddhism This tour offers a uniquely rewarding introduction to Mongolia, including visits to a selection of the country s finest Buddhist related sites. The tour begins in the capital Ulaanbaatar. From here we travel south to the Gobi to the Hamar Monastery and surrounding area, then back to Ulaanbaatar for a day. From there we travel by jeep to the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire, Kharakhorum, a city set in the basin of the Orkhon River. You will tour throughout one of the most beautiful landscaped provinces, Uvurhangai and Arhangai, and complete your journey at the spectacular northern strip of the Gobi desert -Elsen tasarhai. 1 ULAANBAATAR Arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Check- in Hotel Welcoming dinner. Inductory lecture Prof. Vesna Wallace Overnight in the hotel. Friday, 7 August 2015
2 ULAANBAATAR- SAINSHAND Saturday, 8 August 2015 Visit Gandan Monastery Free time to prepare for tour to the Gobi. Lunch Drive to Sainshand, capital of the Dornogobi region. Our route to Dornogobi Aimag (East Gobi) will follow the track of the TransSiberian Railway. Late evening arrival in Tavan Dohio Tourist camp, and settle in a traditional Mongolian dwelling :- a ger. Overnight at the ger camp 3 SAINSHAND TAVAN DOHIO (38km)- HAMAR MONASTERY Sunday, 9 August 2015 Visit Hamar Monastery established in 1821 by the famous 19th century poet, writer, painter, physicist and philosopher Danzanvarjaa (1803 1856). Join Buddhist chanting at the Monastery. Visit to the meditation caves and walk through hills where ancient Buddhist lamas formerly studied and meditated. 4 SHAMBALA LAND Shambala Land: Danzanravjaa let all his disciples gather in the midst of the many coloured hills and created drawings for the Shambala. He also built a meditation practice area with wooden stupas, a door and a heap of stones. This is one of the holiest places for prayers to be born in Shambhala and one of the major pilgrimage sites in Mongolia. Afternoon visit local area including sand dunes Monday, 10 August 2015
5 BAYANZURKH MOUNTAIN 20km Tuesday, 11 August 2015 Drive to the most famous Gobi mountain associated with religious beliefs and rituals Khan Bayanzurkh. This mountain has many other names, such as Wish-fulfilling Mountain, Relic mountain, Black Mountain, wishfulfilling Jewel Mountain. Activity : hiking and mountain ritual Drive to Sainshand town. Visit Danzanravjaa Museum. Overnight at the ger camp 6 TAVAN DOHIO GER CAMPULAANBAATAR Wednesday, 12 August 2015 Early start. Today we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Picnic lunch Arrive early afternoon in Ulaanbaatar Afternoon we will visit Zanabazar Fine Art museum Dinner Overnight in the hotel 7 ULAANBAATAR Free time and make preparations for the countryside tour Lunch Evening folklore performance includes traditional dancing, traditional long song, performance of contortionist, Tsam-religious mask dance. Dinner Overnight in the hotel Thursday, 13 August 2015
8 ULAANBAATARKHARAKORUM 280km Friday, 14 August 2015 After breakfast drive to Kharakhorum. The journey enables you to experience the unbelievable contrast between the Gobi, Steppe, and Mountainous areas. Picnic lunch Kharakhorum is the 13th- century capital of the Mongol Empire, founded by Chinggis himself. Under the reign of the Khaans the cosmopolitan city was known for its religious freedom and its international inhabitants, snatched from Europe and Central Asia by invading Mongols. Visit to Erdenezuu Monastery. On arrival the first and most obvious landmarks are the remains of the Erdenezuu Monastery s vast walls. This monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m x 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. Meeting with monastery s abbot, Venerable Baasaansuren Dinner Overnight in the ger camp 9 KHARAKORUM- SHANH HIID 40 KM - TUVHUN HIID 130km We drive to one of the ancient monasteries of Mongolia, Shanh, which was established on the bank of Harzan river, in Harhorin soum of Uvurhangai province in 1650. Before being named Shanh it was known as Baruun Huree, where religious leader Zanabazar spent his childhood. During the hard times, the monastery was destroyed but rebuilt in 1990. After lunch we continue drive to Tuvhun Hiid. Overnight in a ger which local people provide. There is no hot water and basic rest rooms Saturday, 15 August 2015
10 TUVHUN HIID Sunday, 16 August 2015 We will ride a horse or hike up to the Tuvhun Monastery, one of the 10 stone monasteries from the 17th century. A magnificent building in a wonderful setting. It has to be seen to be believed. Enjoy the views of forest, and mountainous, ranging countryside. Overnight in a ger 11 TUVHUN HIID- ELSEN TASARHAI 230km Monday, 17 August 2015 Drive through the undulating mountains of central Mongolia to the ger camp. Explore the fascinating desert terrain. Option: Camel riding Overnight at the ger camp 12 ELSEN TASARHAIULAANBAATAR 280km Tuesday, 18 August 2015 Drive to Ulaanbaatar, check-in the hotel. Afternoon, visiting Choijin Lama Museum Lunch Enjoy shopping at the one of the finest outlet centre for cashmere goods Farewell dinner Overnight in the hotel 13 DEPARTURE Transfer to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Wednesday, 19 August 2015 Have a safe and pleasant journey
RATES PER PERSON : 3200 USD THE PACKAGE INCLUDES : All the airport, railway station transfers in Ulaanbaatar Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, twin rooms Accommodation in tour camps The transportation service out of Ulaanbaatar according to the itinerary with mini bus English speaking tour organiser Meal charges: breakfast, lunch and dinner in the countryside Entrance fees to the natural protected areas. Entrance fees to the Museums in Ulaanbaatar. THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International flight Mongolian visa fee Horse riding, archery and other optional activities Travel and health insurance Single supplement Bank transfer charges