Adventure Train Journey to Khamriin Khiid Monastery
(3 days)

short description

FIRST DAY
Trans-Mongolian Train

DAY 2
Khamriin Khiid Monastery

DAY 3
Train back to Ulaanbaatar

OPTION 3
Family stay in Gobi and Camel Riding

Detailed description

Trans-Mongolian Train

We will embark on the Trans-Mongolian train in the morning at 9:43 AM. We will travel whole day on the famous railroad linking Moscow with Beijing arriving in Sainshand at 19:33 PM. A jeep will be waiting for you at railway station and bring you to the Monastery.

(Ger Camp L, D)

Khamriin Khiid Monastery

Today you will explore the grounds of Khamriin Monastery (Sambala Khiid), you will discover petrified wood, dinosaur’s bones, Sambala energy complex, the cave monasteries. We’ll wander around in the beautiful, red coloured sand dunes.

Khamriin Khiid was founded in 1822 by one of Mongolia’s most accomplished and forward-thinking masters, the mahasiddha Danzan Ravjaa. At its height, the oasis at Khamriin Khiid supported around 500 monks and a substantial lay community.

A poet, songsmith, dramatist, painter and naturopathic doctor, Ravjaa augmented the spiritual activity at Khamriin by instituting Mongolia’s first secular secondary and art schools, museum, library, and theatre. The latter staged elaborate, operatic dramas with Buddhist themes each summer. The actors trained at Khamriin and all of the costumes, sets and props were created in its workshops.

In 1938, the Soviet-led Red Army destroyed and looted almost everything at Khamriin Khiid. It was only through the remarkable foresight and courage of a Mongolian man named Tudev that 64 crates of Danzan Ravjaa’s texts, belongings and valuable gifts were buried in the desert for more than 50 years.

You will take the evening train back to Ulaanbaatar at 21:10 PM.

(Overnight train B, L, D)

Train back to Ulaanbaatar

You will arrive next day at 7:15 AM in Ulaanbaatar. You may enjoy free day to catch up all the places you haven’t visited yet. You might check as well the beautiful cultural show enjoy the colourful and rhythmic Mongolian dance, throat singing and admire & contortionists.

(B)

option 1: Monastery

There is another small monastery at the other side of the railroad. You’ll drive a good hour to reach this little monastery. Man can climb up the top of the mountain worshipped by locals and enjoy a beautiful view from high up in the sky.

OPTION 2: Zuunbayan

You can drive to Zuunbayan and visit this ghost town. It used to be a Russian military base, but since the Russians left this town was abandoned. Now empty buildings are remaining.

OPTION 3: Family stay in Gobi and Camel Riding

The family lives in the East Gobi Desert. We will experience the warm hospitality offered by the Mongolian families. For dinner we will be offered a typical Mongolian barbeque that will be prepared by nomads. Those who want will have the opportunity to try the “Camel airag” or fermented camel milk if your travel dates fall within right season.

Our guide – translator will help us to forge contact with the local population.

Those interested will have the opportunity to do camel riding.