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Go Mongolia
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Nomads, Agriculture & Mining: A Mongolia STEAM Expedition
2025-02-22
Location: Ulaanbaatar -- Selenge -- Erdenet
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Best Time to Visit: June – September
Tour Highlights
- Exploring Mongolia’s Traditional Livestock Economy – Visit nomadic families and modern animal farms to see firsthand how Mongolia’s economy is shaped by centuries-old pastoral practices.
- Visit to Erdenet Copper Mine & Enrichment Plant – Get an in-depth understanding of one of Mongolia’s largest mines, exploring the mining process from extraction to industrial production.
- STEAM Exchange with Local Students – Engage in a hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) exchange program with students from Erdenet town, fostering cross-cultural learning and friendship.
- Insight into Mongolia’s Economic Transformation – Learn how Mongolia transitioned from a communist-controlled economy to a rapidly growing free-market economy driven by mining and exports.
- Nomadic Lifestyle Experience – Stay in a traditional ger, interact with herders, and participate in daily nomadic activities like dairy processing and wool crafting.
Itineraries
01
Ulaanbaatar city tour day
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar - Introduction to Mongolia
- • Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel.
- • Begin the program with an introduction to Mongolia's history, geography, economy, and cultural heritage.
- • Visit Sükhbaatar Square, the political and historical center of modern Mongolia.
- • Explore the National Museum of Mongolia to gain an understanding of the country's nomadic civilizations, empires, and economic development through the centuries.
- • Continue to the Chinggis Khaan Museum, one of Mongolia's premier cultural institutions, showcasing the rise of the Mongol Empire and its lasting global influence.
- • In the evening, enjoy a traditional folklore performance featuring throat singing, long song, contortion, and morin khuur music.
- • Visit Zaisan Hill for panoramic views of the capital and a discussion on Mongolia's rapid urbanization and development.
- • Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.
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Day 2: Nomadic Life and Traditional Knowledge Systems
- • Travel to a nomadic family camp outside Ulaanbaatar and spend the day learning how herding families adapt to Mongolia's challenging environment.
- • Participate in daily activities alongside local herders and gain insight into the practical knowledge required to manage livestock on the steppe.
- • Learn about seasonal migration, pasture management, weather forecasting, and sustainable grazing practices that have supported nomadic life for centuries.
- • Assist with livestock care, milking, water collection, and other household activities depending on the season.
- • Try on the traditional Mongolian outfit, the deel.
- • Enjoy a home-cooked meal with the family and learn about Mongolian hospitality and social customs.
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Day 3: Journey to Selenge Province – Mongolia's Agricultural Region
- • Depart for northern Mongolia and travel to Selenge Province, the country's most important agricultural region.
- • Learn how Mongolia balances traditional livestock production with modern agriculture.
- • Arrive at a working farm and meet local farmers who play a key role in supplying vegetables, fruits, and grain to communities across the country.
- • Tour the farm facilities and gain an introduction to crop cultivation, irrigation, machinery, and seasonal agricultural planning.
- • Enjoy fresh locally grown produce and farm-to-table cuisine.
- • Overnight at a farm stay.
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Day 4: Agriculture, Food Production, and Rural Innovation
- • Spend a full day exploring modern farming practices in Mongolia.
- • Learn about greenhouse cultivation, soil management, crop rotation, and food security challenges in Mongolia's climate.
- • Participate in hands-on farming activities depending on the season, such as harvesting, planting, greenhouse work, or livestock management.
- • Overnight at the farm.
05
Day 5: Journey to Erdenet – Mongolia's Industrial Heart
- • Drive to Erdenet, Mongolia's second-largest city and one of the country's most important economic centers.
- • Explore Erdenet and learn how the city was developed around one of the world's largest copper mining operations.
- • Visit local markets and observe daily urban life outside the capital.
- • Tour the Erdenet Carpet Factory and learn about Mongolia's manufacturing sector, wool production, design processes, and export industries.
- • Overnight in Erdenet.
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Day 6: Erdenet Copper Mine & Enrichment Plant
- • Visit the Erdenet Copper Mine and Concentrator Plant, one of Mongolia's largest industrial operations.
- • Learn about geology, mineral exploration, extraction methods, engineering systems, processing technology, and international commodity markets.
- • Observe how raw ore is transformed into exportable concentrate through a complex industrial process.
- • Overnight in Erdenet.
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Day 7: Return to Ulaanbaatar
- • Travel back to Ulaanbaatar.
- • Visit Gandan Monastery, Mongolia's largest and most important Buddhist monastery. Learn about the role of Buddhism in Mongolian history, culture, and identity.
- • Enjoy free time for shopping, exploration, or reflection on the experiences of the past week.
- • Farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar.
- • Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.
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Day 8: Departure
- • Transfer to the airport or train station for onward travel.
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Why Choose This Tour?
- • A Living Classroom: Learn through direct experience, field visits, discussions, and hands-on activities rather than traditional lectures.
- • From Nomads to Industry: Explore the complete spectrum of Mongolia's economy, from traditional herding and agriculture to modern mining and manufacturing.
- • Meaningful Student Exchange: Connect with Mongolian students through collaborative STEAM activities and cross-cultural learning.
- • Economics, Science, and Sustainability: Examine real-world challenges related to development, environmental stewardship, and resource management.
- • Authentic Cultural Experiences: Spend time with nomadic families, farmers, educators, and local communities across Mongolia.
- • Educational Travel with Purpose: Designed for schools, universities, youth groups, and students interested in global development, economics, engineering, environmental studies, and cultural exchange.
- • This immersive educational journey combines Mongolia's nomadic heritage, agricultural innovation, industrial development, and cultural traditions into a comprehensive STEAM learning experience. Students leave with a deeper understanding of how societies adapt, innovate, and balance tradition with modernization in one of the world's most fascinating countries.
What's in the package
What's Included:
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- Detailed pre-departure summary & briefing
- Full financial failure protection
- Health & safety risk assessment
- All accommodation costs
- Full board meals for the entire trip
- All transportation costs, airport pick-up & drop-off
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- English speaking local guides
What's Excluded:
- Mongolian Tourist visa.
- International flights.
- Meals not included in the itinerary and alcohol.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Expenses of a personal nature (e.g., mini bar, personal telecommunications, laundry, etc.).
- Any activities not included in the itinerary.