Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Mongolia Dance, Drama & Costume Tour

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Detailed Trip Description

This tour takes you into the amazing world of the Mongols. The Mongolian dances are some of the most unique dances in the world. The costumes, jewelry, hair styles and accessories of the Mongol culture has inspired many costume designers including the Star Wars films. In addition to their own traditional music, dance, contortionism and theatre, the Mongols have also developed Western-style Opera and Ballet. UlaanBaatar, the capital city is an interesting combination of Mongolian tradition, Russian influence and modern Western influence. By contrast, the Nomads in the countryside are living essentially as they have for 2,000 years. Mongolia also has many unique sites and georgeous countryside. From the Gobi desert (where you can possibly see and touch dinosaur fossils), Karakhorum (the ancient site of the capital of Chingis Khan and the ErDenn Zuu monastery), Lake Huvsgal (unsurpassed beauty and the home of the Tsaatan people, the reindeer people) and the various treks into the Hanghai and Altai mountains, Mongolia is truly a land of wonders. We will provide you many opportunities to experience the people, wonders, sites and culture of Mongolia on this unique trip to this unique land.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
Commercial Flight

You will leave the US for China. The adventure begins!


Day 2 - Beijing

 
Welcome to Beijing.
Airport Transfer

You will arrive in Beijing and then transfer to your hotel.

Sightseeing

Beijing - The capital of China, where many miraculous structures have been built for the glory of the Emperor! This city is rich in history and culture. It has also been the capital of China at various times in history.


Day 3 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

You will start the day touring a Chinese Hutong. This is the traditional housing in old Beijing that generally included four small houses surrounding a court area. This has been home to both rich and poor. These quaint dwellings are disappearing in the continual modernization of China. Then we will take you to Yong He Gong Lamasery. This is the only active Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Beijing. There are many interesting exhibits in the four small buildings which are in the four corners of the property surrounding the temple.

Shopping

After lunch you will be taken to the 2nd Hand Street Market, which is where the Beijingers shop. Here, you can find many incredible deals, if you know what you are looking for and you know how to bargain.

Performing Arts

Then we will take you to the Beijing Opera theatre. You can meet the performers and the director and see the costume lab backstage, as well as watch them put on some of their makeup before the show. Evening performance: Beijing Opera


Day 4 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

Today we will take you to the Great Wall at Simitai. This is the most dramatic and least restored site to see the Great Wall. This is a full day excursion. This experience provides a unique look at the wall and opportunities for some spectacular photos!


Day 5 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Commercial Flight

Today you will fly to Beijing and into Mongolia!

Sightseeing

When you arrive at the airport of UlaanBaatar, your guide will pick us at the airport and take you to the Chingiis Khan campground on the way into Ulaanbaatar. This interesting ger hotel has replicas of the old platform gers, heroes totems, ancient weapons and costume (from a movie the Mongols made about Chinggiis Khan).

Ulaanbaatar Sightseeing picture
Horseback Riding

You may also have an opportunity to take a short horse ride end enjoy the area. Then we will go to UlaanBaatar.

Hotel

After a brief orientation of the center of town (including Sukhbaatar Square and the surrounding buildings), we will transfer you to the hotel.


Day 6 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Sightseeing

In the morning we will take you to the Zanabazar Art Museum. Then you will visit the Choijin Lama Buddhist Museum, which was once an active monastery. This site has interesting Buddhist art and architecture and a gift shop with some very nice costumes and artifacts. After lunch we will take you to the National Theatre and the Opera House. At these two venues, the Mongols perform their operas, ballets, orchestras (both traditional Mongol and Western orchestras), and even modern popular concerts. You can meet the directors of the theatres (subject to their availability - as the opera and ballet break begins in the summer), see the stages, backstages, costume labs, lighting, etc.

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

Go to a performance of an opera, ballet or other concert (as available).


Day 7 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Sightseeing

In the morning you will meet some professors of the Mongolia University Dramatic Arts deptartment. You can see the University and its facilities and learn about Mongolia's approach to the Arts, both traditional style and Western-style. Then you will visit the Gandan Monastery (80 foot tall statue of Buddha, practicing Tibetan Buddhist Lamas). There is a gift shop which sells not only the normal souvenirs, but also various clothing, including the Buddhist yellow hats, robes, etc. Then we will take you to the Bogd Khan Summer and Winter Palace. This site has many wonderful exhibits including a royal ger covered in snow leopard pelts and an empress' dress which is covered with over 11,000 pearls (forming numerous Shou signs on the dress).

Performing Arts

Evening: In the early evening we will take you to the theatre where the Tumen Ekh perform. You can meet the director and the performers, see the costumes and ask questions about the production. Evening performance: Tumen Enkh National Performers (concert which includes the Tsam dance, traditional Mongolian singers, dancers, Tuvan throat singing and contortionists.)


Day 8 - Dalanzadgad

 
Gobi Desert.
Commercial Flight

Fly to Dalanzadgad area in the morning.

Camping

Then you will be taken to your ger camp.

Sightseeing

Once settled in the camp we will take you on a tour of the area, including Yol Am. This incredibly beautiful valley features one of the anomalies of nature found in Mongolia - here in the midst of the Gobi Desert is a glacier coming out of the mouth of a cave that is still frozen even throughout the summer.


Day 9 - Dalanzadgad

 
Gobi Desert.
Sightseeing

Full day tour, including the Flaming Cliffs (where dinosaur fossils were discovered in Mongolia), a camel herder, and the large dunes and varied countryside sites. If there is time we can take a brief tour of Dalanzadgad.


Day 10 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Sightseeing

Enjoy the ger campsite and the beautiful scenery in the area.

Commercial Flight

Fly back to UlaanBaatar.

Hotel

Then transfer to your hotel.


Day 11 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Sightseeing

In the morning we will set up a meeting with a Costume maker. In the afternoon we will take you to the Costume Lab of the Moonstone Cultural Show to see the many costumes which they have reflecting much of Mongolia's history. You can meet the director.

Evening performance:
Performing Arts

The Moonstone Cultural Show.


Day 12 - Mongolia

 
Sightseeing

Leave in the morning to go on a jeep trek to Karakhorum. See the beautiful Mongolian Steppe and the Shoestring Gobi patch. Visit Nomads along the way and enjoy Nomad hospitality.

Camping

Arrive at the ger camp. Go to the 9th century stone tortoises. Eat and sleep at ger camp.


Day 13 - Mongolia

 
Sightseeing

Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery. You will see several interesting buildings, Buddhist artwork and possibly a Buddhist service. Then we drive you back east to visit the Dutch Horse Ranch (this area is where the only originally wild horses can be found). Sunset is the best chance to see the horses coming close to where you will be. You will spend the night there.


Day 14 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Sightseeing

After breakfast (and a very early morning chance to see the horses for those who are interested), we will return to UB.


Day 15 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Sightseeing

We will take you to the History Museum (which has some wonderful exhibits, especially concerning Chingis Khan, and an ethnic Mongol tribes exhibit that includes the festive clothing, jewelry and artifacts from each Mongol tribe. After lunch we can take you shopping at the Gobi Store, which features fine Mongolian cashmere and camel hair garments.

Ulaanbaatar Sightseeing picture
Evening Option:
Performing Arts

Dinner and show at a ger restaurant, which includes dinner and a private performance of contortionists, Tuvan Throat Singers, dancers, musicians.


Day 16 - Ulaanbaatar

 
Return USA.
Airport Transfer

We will take you on an early flight back to Beijing and continue back home with a lifetime of wonderful memories.


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