Worldwide Travel

Item Description

About the Trip: Immerse yourself in the life and culture of the region as you visit Mongolia with Nomadic Journeys. Travel with the assistance of yak carts, camel carts, and horses as you experience the lifestyle of traditional herdsmen.

Nomadic Experience: You'll stay at two low-impact “ger” (yurt) camps which are fully collapsible “lodges” built in the nomadic style.

Unique Adventures: Visit the southern fringes of the circumpolar north to see the world’s southernmost population of wolverine. Then journey to the northern fringes of the Gobi steppes where the camels are. Hike, raft the river, and ride a camel.

This package has been generously donated by Nomadic Journeys.

Item Special Note

Please note: This trip is only available from May 20th, 2010 to September 20th, 2010 (exact dates subject to availability). Blackout dates are: July 10th-13th, 2010 (during the Naadam Games).

Included: lodging; meals*; guides (private tour); equipment rental**; transfers to/from airport and local ground transportation; national park entry fee and local taxes; community fund contribution.

*All three meals are included except for the days in Ulan Bator. When in Ulan Bator, breakfast and one dinner is included.
**Saddled horses and camels, rafts with equipment, birding scope in both camps)
 

Not Included: International airfare.

Note: Korean Air (KE) and Air China (CA) fly to Mongolia from the US.

About the Nomadic Communities

The Jalman Meadows community is a relatively recent one, having migrated there from different areas into the protected area, as nomadic pastoralism has doubled over the past decades due to democratization of the country. Jalman Meadows is the only tri-partite concession of a yurt camp in Mongolia, the three levels being ministry, protected area administration and community government - helping to provide alternative livelihoods.

At Arburd Sands, the traditional social fabric is intact. Nomadic Journeys works with the core families that are related to one third of community members. Local community involvement and response is pro-active, where nomadic families have been empowered to own and operate their own tourism enterprise. They have themselves also taken on leadership on environmental issues such as the protection of Argali Sheep and Siberian Ibex.

Nomadic Journeys Sustainability Practices

• Nomadic Journeys works pro-actively with the communities in both destinations: Jalman Meadows and Arburd Sands, making use of resources available locally as much as possible.
  
• The yurt camps are fully collapsible and when disassembled may be moved away with no damage to soils.
  
• Electricity is generated by sun and wind power.
• Nomadic Journeys practices responsible separation of trash. 
• Hire local staff and animals for treks, and purchase meat and milk products locally.
• Nominated for the 2006 Green List of Condé Nast Traveler.

For more information, visit Nomadic Journeys

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If you need assistance with the purchase of this package or any other items on TIES eco-holiday auction: please contact ecoDestinations@ecotourism.org or +1 202-506-5033 x14.

If you are the successful bidder, you will receive an email from TIES with the certificate confirming your purchase within 24 hours of the auction close. All TIES eco-holiday auction items are valid for one year (excluding the blackout dates noted in the item description) unless otherwise stated. The winner will receive contact details of the trip provider(s) to make travel arrangements.

All proceeds raised from your purchase of this trip will go directly to The International Ecotourism Society to support their numerous projects in support of responsible travel worldwide.