Mongolia - Land of Genghis Khan

Arrive into Ulaanbaatar where you will be met and taken to your hotel for an overnight stay. Translated as ‘Red Hero’, Ulaanbaatar was named following the establishment of the Mongolian People’s Republic however there has been a settlement on the site since the mid-17th century. Today Ulaanbaatar is home to almost half the Mongolian population and later this afternoon meet your guide for a leisurely walk to Sukhbaatar Square to visit the National History Museum. Later enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian music and dance followed by dinner at a popular Mongolian restaurant. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar: Shangri-La Hotel

This morning leave Ulaanbaatar and drive to the 40m high Genghis Khan Statue which symbolically points east towards the Mongolian leader’s homeland. Continue towards Terelj with stops at sacred Turtle Rock and the Aryabal Meditation Temple. With unusual rock formations, rolling hills and meandering streams and rivers, Terelj National Park is a perfect introduction to wild Mongolia. Home to a number of nomadic families, this afternoon settle into your ger then enjoy a hike or horse ride in the nearby hills. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Terelj National Park: Terelj Lodge (Deluxe Ger)

After breakfast drive south to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve for a two night stay at the Red Rock Ger Camp which is located in a remote part of East Gobi Desert. Covering a vast area of predominately scrub and rocky outcrops, Ikh Nart is best known for its population of rare Argali sheep, ibex mountain goat and black vulture. There are also natural mineral springs at Khalzan Uul and Burgasan Amny Rashaan. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve: Red Rock Ger Camp

Today explore Ikh Nart with your guide. Take a walk, or drive, in search of wildlife or explore the reserve with bikes from the camp. It will also be possible to visit a local nomadic family for a chance to experience the renowned Mongolian hospitality. On arrival at the family ger you are likely to be offered snuff and tea – an everyday custom for all guests and one instilled with history and tradition. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve: Red Rock Ger Camp

This morning drive to the craggy rock formations of Ikh Gazriin Chuluu – a mountainous area in the Gobi desert that rises, at its highest point, to 1700 metres. Many of the caves, springs and canyons here hold deep significance to Mongolians and you will visit a number of shrines and learn about the area’s flora and fauna. After a traditional Mongolian lunch of khorkhog, a dish cooked with hot stones, continue to Mandalgobi and stay overnight at the Gobi Oasis homestay. The home of Byamba Tseyn, Gobi Oasis is also a small tree planting project that was established in 1975 to protect native Gobi trees, reduce desertification and provide wildlife habitats. This evening enjoy a Mongolian cookery lesson where Byamba will demonstrate how to make traditional nomadic dishes. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Mandalgobi: Gobi Oasis

 After breakfast drive south to Omngobi province stopping en-route at the impressive wind-sculpted rocks of Tsagaan Suvarga. Eroded over thousands of years, locals believe the cliffs resemble the ruins of an ancient city. Continuing on, arrive at the Gobi Mirage Ger Camp for an overnight stay. Covering much of southern Mongolia, the barren Gobi Desert is a vast expanse of rock, scrub, gravel and sand dune. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in South Gobi: Gobi Mirage Ger Camp

Early this morning travel to Yolyn Am. A deep mountain gorge, for much of the year Yolyn Am is thick with ice often only thawing by mid-summer. Yolyn Am is also known for it is wildlife including the Lammergeier vulture, marmot, ibex and argali. Explore the gorge on foot then continue through the desert to the sand dunes of Khongoryn Els where you will stay for two nights in a private guest ger owned by a family of camel herders. Rising to a height of 200 metres, the sand dunes of Khongoryn Els are some of the largest and dramatic in the country. In the late afternoon drive to the Singing Dunes, named for the eerie ‘music’ when the wind blows over the sand, and climb up a spectacular sunset view. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Khongoryn Els: Private Guest Ger

At dawn you may wish to climb the dunes for sunrise then, after breakfast, take a camel ride through the desert to learn more about the Gobi and its unique ecosystem. Mongolia is home to 30% of the world’s population of Bactrian camels which are perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions found throughout much of the country. Later return to your ger and relax with the family as they go about their everyday life. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Khongoryn Els: Private Guest Ger

This morning leave Khongoryn Els and drive to Bayanzag making stops along the way to see the petroglyphs of Khavtsgait and the small village of Bulgan. Once in Bayanzag, take a walk around the stunning sandstone formations, known as the ‘Flaming Cliffs’, and learn how this region became one of the most important paleontological sites in the world with the discovery of the world's first nest of dinosaur eggs here in 1922. Since then well over a hundred dinosaur remains have been unearthed here including those belonging to Velociraptor, Oviraptor and Pinacosaurus. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Bayanzag: Gobi Naran Ger Camp

Today drive to the temple complex of Ongiin Khiid, staying overnight at a nearby ger camp. The monastery of Ongiin Khiid was constructed in 1760 to celebrate the first visit of the Dalai Lama to Mongolia but was completely destroyed in 1939 when the country was under communist rule. Partially rebuilt, today the see a stupa engraved with the names of the victims of the purges and meet the resident monks. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Ongiin Khiid: Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp

Drive north through pretty countryside towards the Orkhon Valley with a stop en-route in the village of Khujirt. Arrive at the ger camp mid-afternoon where there will be opportunities to either walk the Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon or go kayaking on the river. This is one of the best places in Mongolia to experience the river and the inflatable kayaks are robust and lifejackets are provided. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in the Orkhon Valley: Talbiun Ger Camp

This morning visit the ancient Bronze Age burial stones of Temeen Chuluu then continue up the Orkhon valley to the Orkhon Waterfall. The roads encountered today are particularly rough and although only a short distance is to be covered, the journey will take over three hours. On arrival, meet the local family where you will be staying for the next two nights and settle in to your private guest ger. After lunch walk to see the falls and, in the evening, enjoy a nomadic feast of slow-cooked mutton and vegetables. (B/L/D)
Accommodation at the Orkhon Waterfall: Private Guest Ger

The plan today is flexible so you can get fully involved in the day to day life of the family. Learn how to erect a ger, maybe help with milking the Yaks, hike in the hills or learn to make a variety of different Mongolian dishes. (B/L/D)
Accommodation at the Orkhon Waterfall: Private Guest Ger

After breakfast leave your hosts and drive to the hilltop temples of the Tovkhon Monastery. The complex, which dates to 1651, is reached on foot through beautiful forested scenery. Spend time at the monastery then return to the vehicle and continue on to Kharkhorin where you will stay overnight. Located in the valley of the Orkhon River, in ancient times Kharkhorin served as a capital of the Mongol Empire under Ogedei Khan and later this afternoon visit the Monument of the Three Kings and a fertility stone on the outskirts of town. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kharkhorin: Monkh Tenger Ger Camp

This morning visit Erdene Zuu Monastery which is the most important in Mongolia and thought to be the earliest surviving Buddhist centre in the country. Here, listen to the monks chanting then take a tour of the main temples of the complex. Leave Erdene Zuu, visit the nearby 8th century Turkic-era Orkhon Monuments then continue on to the nature reserve of Khogno Khaan and the monastery of Uvgun Khiid where you will stay overnight. Later, visit the 17th century monastery then hike up to an older ruined temple complex in the hills. The scenery here is fabulous and encompasses everything from desert and forest to mountain and grassland. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Uvgun Khiid: Sweet Gobi Ger Camp

Today drive to Khustai National Park where you will stay overnight with a nomadic family in one of their guest gers. Your host is Sanjaa who is also a park ranger and is a font of knowledge on Khustai, its history and wildlife. In the afternoon visit the 8th century Ungut standing stone sculptures and, at dusk, head in to the park to see the Takhi horses which were reintroduced here just over twenty years ago. Khustai National Park is also home to red deer, gazelle, roe deer, wild boar, Argali, Ibex, wolf, lynx and badger. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Khustai National Park: Private Guest Ger

After breakfast drive back to Ulaanbaatar for a final overnight stay. Once back in the Mongolian capital the remainder of the day will be at leisure before a farewell meal at a popular restaurant. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar: Shangri-La Hotel