ICE FESTIVAL & 3rd INTERNATIONAL SKATING MARATHON 2010 - OPTION 1

• Category: Event journey

• Places to visit: Ulaanbaatar – Murun – Khuvsgul lake - Murun - Ulaanbaatar

 
• Activities: Ice festival and skating event, visit to nomads and trekking

• Duration: 3nights/4 days

• Covering distance: 1950km

• Number of participants: Min-20

• Season: February

• Date of departures (ex. Ulaanbaatar):
2010: IS01 21Feb

The 21st of Feb 2010, On Sunday
In the morning group will meet at the Chinggis Khaan airport. Take a flight to Murun, the center of Khuvsgul province. Pick up and continue travel (3-3.5hours by Russian minivan) to Ger camps located at the south east shore of the lake near Khatgal village. Skaters are invited to prepare for skating and warming up skate on the thick black ice of the lake. Stay overnight in Ger camp. D

The 22nd of Feb 2010, On Monday
10.00 Grand Opening Ceremony of the Ice Festival and 3rd International Skating Marathon will take place. We will attend sacrificing shamanic ceremony for Mother Sea-Khuvsgul and King of Mountains-Khoridol Saridag.
10.30 Skaters will start the race for the first 100km.
11.00-13.00 Non skating spectators can enjoy competition of horses' sleighs for 12kms, driven by local nomads and traditional game "Ice-Shagai". Before the start, horses will exhibit in front of tourists and guests, so you can have an opportunity to bet on a winner. Organizers will gather betting money, and will deliver accordingly after the result of the race. 50% of the bet will be given to the winner of the horse sleigh competition and rest amount of 50% will be awarded to the winner of the bet.
13.30 Lunch
14.30-15.30 Skaters will complete first 100km of round race.
15.00 Competition of skilled drivers on the ice will be held and other optional activities, enjoying horse sleigh or dog sled, horse riding, a trip to visit nomadic or Tsaatan family are available.
19.00 Dinner at camp restaurant.
20.00 Evening you will attend a traditional art performance by local singers and dancers.
The 23rd of Feb 2010, On Tuesday

 
10.00 The skaters will start the second 100 km's part of the round race
10.30-11.30 & 12.00-13.00 Skating competition for short distances /2km/
13.30 Lunch
14.30 Sumo wrestling on the ice and rope pulling competition
14.30-15.30 The second part of round race will be completed by the skaters.
16.00 Closing Ceremony will take place and winners of the competitions will be announced and awarded.
19.00 Dinner at the camp restaurant
20.00 Evening we will enjoy exciting Shamanic ceremony
22.00 Enjoy bonfire at the night.
 

The 24th of Feb 2010, On Wednesday
Travel back to Murun town, take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. End of the service. B

 
Note: since temperature in winter can drop down to -20 degree Celsius, be prepared for rude weather and windy condition.
If you are skater for the marathon, please bring your own ice-skates.
There will be 3 service spots along the 5km round track of the race in order to provide warm tea, juice & coca-cola, pieces of dried fruits, banana, and chocolate and so on. Medical service spot- Ger will operate next to the start/finish point of the marathon.

Excluded: International transportation to and from Mongolia, travel insurance, hotel stay in Ulaanbaatar, mineral (bottled) water and alcoholic drinks, tips and gratuities, laundry and items of a personal nature.

Optional horse riding trek: USD 10p.p (2hours)
Optional horse sleighing trek: USD 10p.p (2hours)
Optional dog sledding trek: USD 20p.p per hour

ICE FESTIVAL & 3rd INTERNATIONAL SKATING MARATHON 2010 - OPTION 2

• Category: Event journeys

• Places to visit: Ulaanbaatar – Bulgan - Murun – Khuvsgul lake - Murun – Bulgan - Ulaanbaatar

• Activities: Ice festival and skating event, visit to nomads and trekking

• Duration: 5nights/6 days

• Covering distance: 2200km

• Number of participants: Min-20

• Season: February

• Date of departures (ex. Ulaanbaatar):
2010: IS01 20Feb

The 20th of Feb 2010, On Saturday
09.30 Group will gather in front of the Stock Exchange House, located right side of the Sukhbaatar square. Departure to Khuvsgul. Overnight stay in local hotel at Bulgan town.

The 21st of Feb 2010, On Sunday
08.00 – 20.00 Travel to the lake Khuvsgul. Arrive in the evening at tourist Ger camp. Stay overnight in Ger. D

The 22nd of Feb 2010, On Monday

10.00 Grand Opening Ceremony of the Ice Festival and 3rd International Skating Marathon will take place. We will attend sacrificing shamanic ceremony for Mother Sea-Khuvsgul and King of Mountains-Khoridol Saridag.

10.30 Skaters will start the race for the first 100km 11.00-13.00 Non skating spectators can enjoy competition of horses' sleighs for 12kms, driven by local nomads and traditional game "Ice-Shagai". Before the start, horses will exhibit in front of tourists and guests, so you can have an opportunity to bet on a winner. Organizers will gather betting money, and will deliver accordingly after the result of the race. 50% of the bet will be given to the winner of the horse sleigh competition and rest amount of 50% will be awarded to the winner of the bet.
13.30 Lunch
14.30-15.30 Most skaters will complete for first 100 km of round race.
15.00 Competition of skilled drivers on the ice will be held and other optional activities, enjoying horse sleigh or dog sled, horse riding, a trip to visit nomadic or Tsaatan family are available.
19.00 Dinner at camp restaurant.
20.00 Evening you will attend a traditional art performance by local singers and dancers.
 

The 23rd of Feb 2010, On Tuesday
10.00 The skaters will start the second 100 km's part of the round race
10.30-11.30 & 12.00-13.00 Skating competition for short distances /2km/
13.30 Lunch
14.30 Sumo wrestling on the ice and rope pulling competition
14.30-15.30 The second part of round race will be completed by the skaters.
16.00 Closing Ceremony will take place and winners of the competitions will be announced and awarded.
19.00 Dinner at the camp restaurant
20.00 Evening we will enjoy exciting Shamanic ceremony
22.00 Enjoy bonfire at the night.
Clients who have mandates can enjoy in the cars participating for skilled drivers' competition. Reservation is required in advance. The rope pulling competition will be organized on the field of Ice Festival.

The 24th of Feb 2010, On Wednesday
Travel back to Murun town. Overnight stay in local hotel at Bulgan town.

The 25th of Feb 2010, On Thursday
Continue on travel to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the city center. End of the service. B

Note: since temperature in winter can drop down to -20 degree Celsius, be prepared for rude weather and windy condition.
If you are skater for the marathon, please bring your own ice-skates.
There will be 3 service spots along the 5km round track of the race in order to provide warm tea, juice & coca-cola, pieces of dried fruits, banana, and chocolate and so on. Medical service spot- Ger will operate next to the start/finish point of the marathon.

Included: All activities described in the itinerary, stay Ger camp (3 nights)and local hotel stay (2 nights) in countryside,  assistance service by English speaking team (in the Khuvsgul), sightseeing cost and entrance fee to Protected Area, attending fee of the event and fee of the protected area, all transfers by 4WD Russian minivan in the countryside. Meals of breakfast, lunch /special meal during the skating event days/ and dinner as mentioned per day itinerary.
Excluded: International transportation to and from Mongolia, travel insurance, hotel stay in Ulaanbaatar, mineral (bottled) water and alcoholic drinks, tips and gratuities, laundry and items of a personal nature.

Optional horse riding trek: USD 10p.p (2hours)
Optional horse sleighing trek: USD 10p.p (2hours)
Optional dog sledding trek: USD 20p.p per hour

Note:
• We are happy to arrange your hotel and transfers in Ulaanbaatar, private car transportation to our destinations at discounted rate.
• International and domestic flight and train tickets would be arranged due to the clients' requests and wishes with our pleasures.
• City sightseeing tours are offered as optional.
• Private departures are available on request.

Please see here more information about our skating trip