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The True Story of the Weeping Camel
offered by supplier M06027 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 12
people
Destination(s):
Mongolia
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Film/Film History
Season: March - April
Airfare Included: Yes
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 1233 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1813 US Dollar (USD)
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A tour is guaranteed to run with minimum of 2 participants.
Preamble:
Springtime in the Gobi Desert, South Mongolia. A family of nomadic shepherds assists the births of their camel herd. One of the camels has an excruciatingly difficult delivery but, with help from the family, out comes a rare white colt. Despite the efforts of the shepherds, the mother rejects the newborn, refusing it her milk and her motherly love. When any hope for the little one seems to have vanished, the nomads send their two young boys on a journey through the desert, to a backwater town in search of a musician who is their only hope for saving the colt's life.
Tour Introduction:
Have you ever seen The Story of the Weeping Camel or heard of it? It is an enchanting film that follows adventures of herders in Mongolia’s Gobi desert who face a crisis when the mother camel rejects her newborn calf. Shot by a Mongolian and an Italian and nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature the film has brought unique traditions of Mongolia’s nomads to the world audience.
Mongolia Expeditions invites you to experience this unique combination of reality, drama and magic on our new project named “The True Story of the Weeping Camel” and a deep insight into a different way of life and the universal terrain of the heart.
This live “re-enactment” of the film’s story is organized during March-May, just after the birth giving season of camels.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival to Ulaanbaator
Mongolia’s sprawling capital that houses over a million inhabitants. In March and May temperatures will still be well below freezing and the city gives a distinct feeling of resistance and survival against the harsh climate of Central Asia. Nevertheless, atmosphere of vibrant changes and springing towards modernization is dominating.
Transfer to a 4 star hotel in central city. First in the program is a guided city tour around its highlights: Gandan – city’s main Buddhist temple with an 80 feet statue of the Lord Buddha – an image of its compassionate state, the museum of National History with its collection of traditional costumes. A unique show of traditional throat singing will then precede a farewell dinner. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 2: Flight to Gobi Desert and travel to Herders’ Camp.
Morning transfer for a 1.5 hour flight to Gobi Desert. You guide and translator will accompany you on board. Gobi in winter is a particularly pretty but rough place. Its vast plains/spaces are pleasantly warm during daytime when there is still. With winds rising temperatures plummet to extremely freezing levels. Upon landing we drive to a camel herders’ camp in the middle of nowhere. A felt covered traditional tent/yurt will be your accommodation for the next few days.
Your first question would certainly be: “And where is the poor baby camel?” By nature camels happen to reject their babies quite often due to various reasons so you would definitely see a poor youngster tethered nearby grieving for his mother. Traditional lunch will be offered to those curious; a more common to your taste meal will also be available. We explore the surroundings and learn about the living and survival in desert. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Camel Journey to Fetch a Musician
There are no other means of effective communication but to physically travel if distances allow. Today you will be assigned a role of a messenger to fetch a fiddler from a tiny village in a day’s travel distance from the camp. A camel will be selected for you and comprehensive instructions on riding given. You will ride across empty spaces heading towards distant mountain ranges. The oddly clear air shimmers with thousands of minute particles of frost. We stop few times during our challenging journey for hot drinks and leg stretching. Tonight we will spend the only overnight of your lifetime in a winter desert. A warm tent will be set up during the night and a simple but nutritious dinner served. This will be one in a lifetime experience, without doubt. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Meet the Musician and Overnight in the Village
Very early in the morning we ride for another hour to reach the village. Upon arrival we meet the fiddler in his home. A blue silken scarf, known as ‘khadag’ will be delivered to him together with the message. It symbolizes the clarity of your intentions and heart. The remaining day we leisurely stroll around the village: possibly visit the local market, school etc. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Return Motorbike Ride to the Camp and the Re-adoption Ceremony
After some rest and lunch together with the fiddler we travel back to the camp on Russian motorbikes or sidecars that serve as taxis among villagers. This will be another unique experience of your lifetime. Local riders will safely deliver you to the herders’ camp.
On arrival in the early afternoon we take and everybody gathers near the mother camel and her baby to witness a touching scene. The fiddler plays a sad melody to the mother camel as if persuading her to re-adopt the poor baby and give her love and milk. The final is classical: the mother camel cries with real tears and lets the baby drink her nutritional milk. We all gather to celebrate the happy end of our story of the weeping camel. Overnight in yurts. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Visit to Flaming Red Cliffs, Overnight in the Three Camel Lodge
After breakfast we say goodbye to the hosts and drive to the Flaming Red Cliffs. The Gobi desert is famous for its paleontology riches. In the early 1920-ies an American scientific expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews who later became director of the Museum of the Natural History of America and a prototype of “Indiana Jones” discovered the first ever dinosaur egg nest and unearthed a dozen of new dinosaur species remains. We spend some time walking the rock hard sandy cliffs before heading to the Three Camel Lodge – an island of luxury amidst desert. There we take hot showers and a solid dinner. Overnight in yurts. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Return Flight to Ulaanbaatar, Optional Shopping
Today we take a return flight to Ulaanbaatar from the Gobi airstrip in an hours driving distance from the Three Camel Lodge. In the afternoon you may go shopping for souvenirs and gifts. The guide will accompany you and offer his recommendation and assistance. Farewell dinner will be served in one of the multi-national restaurants of the city. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Departure Transfer
This morning you will be transferred for your journey home. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price PP:
2 pax: 1813 USD
4 pax: 1539 USD
6 pax: 1401 USD
Single supplement: 60 USD
Price Includes:
- all itinerary related transfers
- domestic flight tickets
- an English speaking guide
- 2 nights of twin share hotel accommodation in Ulaanbataar
- 1 tented overnight
- 4 nights in a yurt
- qualified cook
- all visits and activity fees
- meals are as indicated (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner).
Price Excludes:
- departure taxes
- travel insurance
- items of personal nature
- excess baggage fees on internal flights
- drinks
- gratuities
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Mongolia
Cultural Journey
Film/Film History
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