Flight: CA955 Beijing - Ulaanbaatar 15.15 - 17.30

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Ulaanbaatar airport, you will be welcomed to Mongolia by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tuushin Hotel (Standard Room)

Guided tour of Ulaanbaatar: After breakfast this morning, set out with your guide to explore more of the Mongolian capital. Start with a visit to the Natural History Museum which gives an overview of Mongolia's landscape and geology, although its highlight by far is the collection of dinosaur exhibits. Here you can see 2 whole dinosaur skeletons, with the Tarbosaurus reaching 15 metres tall. Another amazing exhibit is the reptiles that were fossilized mid-fight. Continue to Ulaan Bataar's National History Museum, which has extensive exhibits on Mongolian history as well as its folklore and traditions, including an interesting display on Mongolian dress. The highlights are artefacts from the age of Chinngis Khan including weapons and letters from Pope Innocent IV to Guyuk Khan dated 1246. There is also information on communism in Mongolia and the recent move towards democracy. 

Welcome Dinner:  This evening, you will be taken for a welcome dinner at one of our favourite Mongolian restaurants.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tuushin Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Overland journey to Terelj National Park: After breakfast this morning, head east to the Terelj National Park, a journey of around 2.5 hours. There will be a top en route at the sacred Turtle Rock which you can climb up, and then visit the Aryabal Temple.  Head through the main valley, which is popular with day trippers from Ulaan Baatar, and cross over the river until reaching the family you will be staying with this evening.  Step inside their ger and experience local hospitality and homecooked traditional food for lunch. Tonight you will be staying in a separate guest ger.

Afternoon / evening activities: In the afternoon, saddle up on their horses for an afternoon ride up into the valley towards Jalman Mountain and along the east side of the Saikhan Saridag range of hills. Return to your ger and in the evening to enjoy a nomadic feast of khorkhog or similar country fare - you can even help with food preparation if you wish.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at a Family Homestay (Simple Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Kayaking on the Tuul River:  After breakfast say farewell to your hosts, and drive around 2 hours to the near the confluence of the Terelj and Tuul Rivers for some kayaking. The river is wide, shallow and obstacle-free, but is fairly fast flowing with plenty of twists and turns which makes for ideal conditions. The kayaking lasts around 4 hours, with a picnic lunch on the river banks around half way. All equipment is provided including top quality kayaks, lifejackets and dry bags to store all your personal equipment during the experience.

Overland journey to Khustai Nuruu National Park: After this morning's activity set off on the 3 hour drive to Khustai Nuruu National Park. En route there will be a stop at the remarkable Chinggis statue near Erdene. Climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj National Park and hills of Khan Khentii. Upon arrival at your ger camp there may the chance to visit a nomadic family and do some riding.

Evening safari to see Takhi Horses: At dusk set off for the National Park on a driving safari to spot the Takhi prehistoric horses. This is the time when they gather to drink at streams so you have a better chance of seeing them up close, and in accessible areas. The takhii is distinct with it long nose and heavy skull and sandy colour with black legs. You may also spot deer, ibex, marmots - and if you're lucky, a wolf. If you want to combine the trip with a longer walk in the park you can start the excursion earlier.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at a Khustai NP Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland Journey to Elsen Tasarkhai: After breakfast, set off on the 3.5 hour drive for the nature reserve of Khogno Khaan, where you can explore over to the lower temple complex of Uvguun Khiid, see the reconstructed temples, prayer-wheel and look around the ruins. It is recommended to take the 45minute hike up to the older ruined temple complex in the hills - the scenery is fantastic, and depending on time of year, wildflowers are in abundance. Head back down to the valley floor, and onto the sand dunes at Elsen Tasarkhai, a 30 minute drive away. You will also have a chance to visit a family of camel herders and head off on a Bactrian ride across the dunes for an hour, before settling in to your nearby ger camp.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Sweet Gobi Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey to the Orkhon Valley:  After breakfast, continue your journey west and then south to the Orkhon Valley, a journey of around 3 hours.

Afternoon activities: After lunch at your ger camp you will have the opportunity for horse riding in the surrounding countryside. You will also have time to visit a nomadic family, and be welcomed inside a family ger to experience traditional nomadic hospitality. Other places of interest in the area include the ancient Bronze Age burial stones of Temeen Chuluu, and the Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon, which is a steep cliff bordering a right angled bend of the river with marvellous view over Orkhon Valley.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Talbiun Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey to Karakorum: After this morning's breakfast, head to Karakorum, a drive of around 4.5 hours. At about the halfway point there will be the opportunity to visit Tovkhon Monastery. Leave your vehicle in the valley, and ascend to the temple through picturesque forest-clad hills, a walk of around an hour and a half. This beautiful spot was chosen carefully by the 14yr old first Bogd Zanabazar, a prominent representative of red sect Buddhism. The first temple dedicated to meditation was established in 1651. In this monastery Zanabazar devised the Soyombo script in 1686 and created his most famous works. The monastery had 14 temples, of which 4 survive today. After some time to explore the sight and enjoy a picnic lunch, take the quicker route back down to your vehicle to continue your journey to Karakorum.

Afternoon / evening activities: This afternoon there may be time to visit the Monument of the 3 Kings overlooking the Orkhon River, and the fertility stone on the edge of town. In the evening enjoy a performance of traditional music and dance - either at the ger camp where you are staying or at a nearby camp.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Munkh Tenger Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning tour of Erdene Zuu Monastery: Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery this morning, in time to hear the young monks calling the other monks to prayer. Enter and watch the proceedings and hear the chanting in the beautifully decorated Tibetan Style temple. Erdene Zuu monastery was built with bricks from the ruins of the ancient city of Karakorum in 1586. There even stands a stone from the ancient city with Arabic script and turtle statues, which are said to be the guardians of the ancient city. The monastery was destroyed in the 1930s but the outer walls and large temples remain and it is now a functioning monastery.

Overland journey to Ulaanbaatar: After this morning's tour, set off on the drive back to Ulaanbaatar, a drive of around 5 hours.

Afternoon / evening activities: You may want to do some shopping - perhaps at the Gobi Cashmere outlet store on your way back into town, and then also at any of the decent craft outlets (Tsagaan Alt felt shop, Quilters, Mary and Martha) or the State Department Store. Your guide will be on hand to assist. After freshening up at the hotel, enjoy a farewell meal at one of our favourite restaurants.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tuushin Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner