Activities in Ulaanbaatar
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Federation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition
The Federation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition is involved in the regeneration of Buddhist culture in Mongolia. The centre offers free lectures and courses on various aspects of Buddhist tradition and meditation. Lectures are given in English (at the time of writing, Monday to Thursday, 18:30); look for the pink-tiled building west of the Mormon Church.
reviewed
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Samar Magic Tours
Based at El Latino restaurant, this company runs fishing expeditions and a ger camp near Terelj. Contact Spanish- and English-speaking Christo Camilo Gavilla Gomez.
reviewed
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Asral & Kunchab Jampa Ling Buddhist Centre
A new NGO and Buddhist social centre that supports impoverished families. Its main aim is to stop disadvantaged youths from becoming street children. It also provides skills and jobs for unemployed women; an on-site felt-making cooperative turns out some lovely products.
The Buddhist arm of the organisation has classes on Buddhism and meditation although for now these are only offered in Mongolian. In summer, a high Tibetan Lama, Panchen Otrul Rinpoche, visits the centre and provides religious teachings.
Asral encourages travellers to visit the centre. You can meet the felt-makers and buy their products or even volunteer your time. The centre is always looking for English …
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National University of Mongolia
The National University of Mongolia is northeast of Sükhbaatar Sq. The school offers specialised classes on Mongolian culture and language, and has a foreign-student department. The office is in the main building, room 213. Response to these programmes by students is quite mixed particularly when it comes to teaching Mongolian (the general consensus is that the language schools do a much better job at this).
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Rinky Dink Travel Mongolia
As the name indicates, this is a small tour company that keeps its trips simple, safe and fun. It has homestays in ger districts and takes you out of Ulaanbaatar to meet nomad families. It is involved in social development programmes in poor neighbourhoods and invites tourists to volunteer for its projects. There is no actual 'office' to drop into - you just contact them and they will pick you up.
reviewed
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Bridge Mongolian Language Center
Receiving consistently positive reviews, this language centre offers an intensive two-week survival course, as well as longer courses and individual tuition. Costs are US$5 to US$7 per hour for a private lesson or US$4 per person for a group lesson. Note that the directions it gives on its website are obsolete; it's on the eastern side of the city past the Khan Palace hotel.
reviewed
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Nomadic Journeys
A Mongolian-Swedish joint venture concentrating on low-impact tourism. It runs fixed-departure yak, camel and horse treks and can also arrange rafting trips on the Tuul Gol. Its trip in Terelj is unique - you walk while yaks haul your own portable ger on a cart. This is a great outfit for the eco-conscious traveller. Contact Jan Wigsten or Manduhai.
reviewed
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Wrestling Palace
For wrestling check out the schedule at the Wrestling Palace , which is the ger-shaped building south of the Chinggis Khaan Hotel. In the lead-up to Naadam, you should be able to catch some informal, but still competitive, wrestling at the Naadam Stadium. The annual Naadam (11 and 12 July) features wrestling, horse racing and archery.
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UB Golf Club
The UB Golf Club is a wild place where balls tend to get swallowed up even on the fairways - down marmot holes or in the high grass. It's located 20km west of the city, about 3km before the Nairamdal Zulsan International Children's Centre. Additionally, there are two golf courses in Terelj National Park.
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Nomads
Offers a wide range of fixed-departure tours, including popular horse treks in Khentii and through Terelj, visiting Günjiin Süm. Nomads also offers fabulous jeep trips to more remote areas in the far west and camel treks in the Gobi. Its office location will change in 2009; check the website.
reviewed
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Mongolia Expeditions
Specialises in adventure travel, including cycle touring, mountaineering, caving and rafting trips, as well as more sedentary options such as flower-watching tours. It is particularly experienced in tours to western Mongolia. It's located on the west side of the Choijin Lama Temple Museum.
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Karakorum Expeditions
The leader in bike and hiking tours in western Mongolia, it also offers trips to China. The company has a good philosophy: a big plus is that it runs snow-leopard research trips and wildlife tours. The office is behind the State Circus in the Gangaryn Gurav building. Contact Graham Taylor.
reviewed
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Active Mongolia
This reliable Scottish-German operation specialises in rugged hiking, rafting and horseback trips, plus mountain biking. Most of the trips are to Khövsgöl, Arkhangai and Khentii aimags. It's based at Seven Summits, opposite the CPO. Contact Sylvia Hay.
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Khövsgöl Lodge Company
This experienced outfitter is part of the US-based Boojum Expeditions. It is in an apartment block behind the Drama Theatre, but you are better off calling first to get someone to meet you. Contact Bobo or Anya.
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Mongolian Football League
On weekends during the short summer (but not around the time of the Naadam), the Mongolian Football League plays football (soccer) matches at a football pitch just south of the Naadam Stadium.
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Zaluus Youth & Cultural Centre
For a swim, try the heated indoor pool at the Zaluus Youth & Cultural Centre. When it's closed in summer you can join the locals and jump in the Tuul near the bridge by Zaisan Memorial.
reviewed
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Radiant Sky
Long-time Mongolian-run outfit that does reasonably priced tours across the country. They specialise in small-group horseback and jeep adventures in western and northern Mongolia.
reviewed
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Wind Of Mongolia
French-run tour operator offering creative and off-beat trips, including rock climbing, dog sledding (in winter) and tours that focus on Buddhism. Contact Joel Rauzy.
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Central Sports Palace
Wrestling and basketball are held at the Central Sports Palace during the year. Also check out the Wrestling Palace and the Naadam Stadium.
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Institute of International Studies
Flexible group and private Mongolian-language lessons are available at the Institute of International Studies, opposite the university
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International Language Center
Mongolian-language courses for a reasonable price of around Tug40000 per month or Tug5000 per hour. Convenient central location.
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Tseren Tours
Dutch- and Mongolian-run outfit that does countrywide tours, biking trips and stays with nomad families.
reviewed
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Friends School
Short-term-survival Mongolian classes are available. Located just northeast of the Bridge School.
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Hovsgol Travel Company
Specialises in boat and horse trips around Khövsgöl. Runs the popular Camp Toilogt.
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Tsolmon Travel
Countrywide tours and the operator of Buveit ger camp in Terelj.
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