Golf and tourism in Mongolia: so this is what Andre Tolme was preparing

Remember that guy who played golf across Mongolia? (Andre Tolme, for those of you scoring at home.) I put him in my blogroll cause I thought the whole thing was interesting.

Now comes word he's selling tours of Mongolia to tother where you hike across the same trail as him for ten days. They are at Golf Mongolia tours and they look interesting.

Here's last years dates and prices:

June 10, 2005	Golf and Culture Tour	10 days		$2,600
June 17, 2005	Golf and Culture Tour	10 days		$2,600
June 24, 2005	Golf and Culture Tour	10 days		$2,600
July 1, 2005	Golf, Culture and Naadam	14 days		$3,700
July 8, 2005	Golf, Culture and Naadam	14 days		$3,700
July 22, 2005	Andrews Expedition Tour	10 days		$2,600

Here is a sample itinerary:

	Tour Description On this tour, you will gain an intimate knowledge of Mongolia's history, culture and geography as you travel around the country visiting local families, exploring ancient ruins, and golfing the greatest golf course ever created. The itinerary is maximized to include some of the most breathtaking geography and important cultural sites in central Mongolia. Rather than see the country out the window of a tour bus, you will see, smell, and feel the country under your feet as you walk a few hours each day in remote locations. We believe this is the only way to truly gain an understanding of why Mongolia is so special. The families we visit are not accustomed to seeing tourists and you will have an opportunity to teach them about yourself as well as learn from them about their culture. And because you love golf, you'll have an opportunity to play "natural golf", and see first-hand what Andre saw when he golfed across this country. Adventure Golf Golf was invented in Scotland but there is no country in the world with better golf conditions than Mongolia. We've prepared nine challenging holes of golf, some up to three miles long, in the remote valleys of Mongolia's countryside where ideal golfing conditions exist. Four-wheel drive vehicles will carry your gear while golfing and visiting historical sites and cooks will prepare all the meals along the course. An open bar, sometimes in a yurt or campsite, awaits the conclusion of play at the end of each day. We provide you with a three-iron and all the golf balls you need for five days of competition on the world's longest course. Tiger Woods has never played here, and neither have your friends. But you can.
	Itinerary DAY 1 - Arrival at Ulaan Baatar's airport and transfer to your Four-Star Hotel. An introduction to the city and sightseeing around the capital. DAY 2 - A round of golf at the UB Golf Club, the capital city's only real golf course which features nine challenging holes and "ball boys" who ride horses down the fairways and spot each ball after it's driven from the tee. Additional sightseeing in Ulaan Baatar (UB) as time permits. DAY 3 – Depart UB and drive south into the wilderness of Dundgov province. An introductory lecture on "natural golf" and practice sessions for the following day's competition. DAY 4 - An early-morning tee-off on the first hole, a 5,400-yard, par-30 called "Chinggis". Golfers will start out in two foursomes, and try to best Andre's score on this scenic hole which demonstrates the vastness of Central Asia's steppe. After a lunch together, we'll play the 5,100-yard 2nd hole, "Kubalai". Competition will be stroke play. Visit the Gazarin Chuluu rock formations at sunset and then drive to the campsite where an open bar has been set up. DAY 5 - We continue south golfing through the outskirts of the Gobi Desert with the 5,700-yard third hole, "Xanadu" and the 5,400-yard fourth hole, "Khavtgai". Competition is in a team format. This area is known for its camel herders and we'll visit local families to sample camel milk cheese and go for a ride on the twin-humped beasts before settling down at the mobile clubhouse campsite. DAY 6 - Heading west, we leave the camels behind and enter a flat plain with abundant wildlife, including gazelle, and stroll along the grasslands playing the 5,900-yard fifth hole "Dalai Lama" which culminates near the Gimpil Darjaalan Khiid, an active monastery built in the 18th century to commemorate the Dalai Lama's visit to Mongolia. The current Dalai Lama also visited here in 1992. The 5,500-yard sixth hole, "Ogedei" lets us contemplate the monastic life in the remote solitude of quintessential Mongolia. We stay the night in a ger camp near the Ongii River and have a refreshing dip into the cool waters. DAY 7 - After a morning visit to the ruins of two ancient monasteries we begin play with the 6,100-yard seventh hole, "Zanabazar" and the short 4,200-yard eighth hole, "Wooden Saddle". In the afternoon, we drive into Ovorkhangai Province in the direction of Kharkhorin and stay the night at a ger encampment where we'll have the opportunity to do some horse riding. Best of all, we'll sample the fermented horse milk that this region is famous for. DAY 8 – After breakfast, drive to the site of Genghis Khan's imperial ancient capital, Karakorum. Visit the ruins of the city and the Erdene Zuu monastery, which was built in 1586 and was once home to more than a thousand monks. Spend the night at a ger camp on Khogno Khan Mountain and finish the round of golf by playing a short hole across the Mongol Els sand dunes, the largest sand trap you've ever been in. "Ernie Els never played the Mongol Els." DAY 9 - Morning drive to Ulaan Baatar. Free afternoon to relax, bathe or stock up on Mongolian souvenirs. A farewell dinner and drinks in the evening. DAY 10 - Departure transfer from hotel to airport. Tour ends.

I hope to hear form them soon about details for this year and will post soon.