DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN MONGOLIA

• Dinner

Arrival at Ulaanbaatar airport, just out of the Mongolian capital city. After immigration formalities, meet the local guide and head to a camp just out of the capital city for a first encounter with the Mongolian countryside. After lunch, and some time to recuperate from the long flight, take a leisurely afternoon hike to enjoy and take in the serene landscape of the semi-arid steppe. If possible, visit a nomadic family for a first encounter with the ancient customs and traditions of the Mongol nomads. Late in the evening, set in a ger camp- the cozy yet simple Mongolian version of a lodge, consisting of traditional felt-made dwellings the nomads of Central Asia often refer to as yurt.

DAY 2. MONGOL NOMADIC – KHARKHORIN

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Today take a journey back in time to a place that recreates the lives of Mongolian nomads during the beginning of the 20th century. This was when Mongolia gained its independence from the Qing Dynasty and established itself as a reemerging nation under a living god-king. Attend a demonstration illustrating the daily life of Mongol nomads during this era and learn about some traditions that are carried on to these very days. After lunch in the camp, drive to Kharkhorin. Built by Chinggis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin, better known as Karakorum, was famed throughout Asia as the capital of the Mongol Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city kings were chosen, laws made, and the fate of the next city to be conquered was determined. In the afternoon, visit the Karakorum Museum. This museum holds a permanent display of various archeological findings and compiles a picture of how the city looked like during the reign of the Mongol empire. Then ascend to a hill overlooking the small town to the Monument of Empires, erected to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the coronation of Chinggis Khan as the king of all kings of the steppes. Explore the site, portraying the history of three of the largest steppe empires that were first formed here, and enjoy the marvelous view of the sun setting over the sacred Orkhon valley before setting in the camp for the night.

DAY 3. KHARKHORIN – TSENKHER HOT SPRING

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, take a walk through Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the country’s oldest Buddhist monasteries, in time for the morning puje – the chanting of Tibetan prayers while playing traditional musical instruments. Leave Kharkhorin and head towards the region the Mongolians often refer to as the 'horse herders' paradise' for its lush grasses and open valleys. Drive through thick pine forests to the Tsenkher hot springs, where water flows out of the ground at about 80°C (176°F). After setting in the camp for the night, enjoy a relaxing soak at the open hot-water pools under the Mongolian million-star sky!

DAY 4. TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS – THE WHITE LAKE

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Drive out of the hot springs and pass through Tsetserleg, the provincial capital. Here, take an easy walk to the seven-meter-tall statue of Lord Buddha, and enjoy the view over the town, commonly known as the most charming of all cities throughout the country. In the afternoon, arrive at the hundred-branches-tree. Although this strange-looking tree has been burnt in recent years during a shamanic ceremony, the site is still considered holy and is worshiped by local people. The thousands of Khatag, silk-made pray scarves hanging on the trees in the forest, are a vivid testimony to the site's religious significance. From here, take a short walk to a good observation point for the Chuluut Canyon before taking another short drive to the camp for the night.

DAY 5. THE WHITE LAKE – ULIASTAI

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Leave Arkhangai, and continue to Zavkhan province, following the course of the Ider, one of Mongolia’s mightiest rivers, which flows into the Selenge River, and on, to Lake Baikal in Siberia. In the afternoon, reach Zavkhan, the gateway to western Mongolia. Of all Mongolia’s provinces, Zavkhan has the most varied landscapes – from towering Otgontenger Peak rising 4,008 meters (13,150 feet), marking the westmost fringes of the Khangai Mountains, through beautiful lakes and vast sand dunes. Reach Uliastai, the administrative center for the province, and after checking-in the simple local hotel, climb atop Javkhalan Hill to visit the impressive stupa and for a look over the town.

DAY 6. ULIASTAI – MUKHART – ULAAGCHIIN KHAR NUUR

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Drive out of Uliastai and west to the semi-arid famous Mongolian steppes. Around noontime, arrive at a vast sand dune, and drive through the sea of sands to an amazing natural phenomenon – a river flowing from a foot of a towering sand dune and runs for several kilometers through the dry desert only to vanish back into the sands, as it never appeared. After a picnic lunch by Mukhart River, drive to Senjit Kahd – a naturally formed stone arch. From here, slowly glide towards Ulaagchiin Black Lake, locked within a mighty beautiful sand dune. Arrive by late afternoon, and spend the rest of the evening exploring the dune and its surroundings.

DAY 7. ULAAGCHIN BLACK LAKE – ULAANGOM

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

For the early birds, an amazing sunrise awaits over the lake. After breakfast, leave the camp and drive to the sand dunes by Ulaagchiin Khar Nuur, Stop by Baga (small) Lake, and continue driving past vast sands to Ulaangom, the provincial administrative center for Uvs Province.

DAY 8. ULAANGOM – ULGII

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Leave Ulaangom, and drive to the Red Mountain Pass, on the northern edge of the mighty Kharkhira-Turgen ridge. From here glide to the shores of Uureg Lake, and continue on a rather rough road driving past the beautiful Achit lake all the way to Ölgii town, the administrative center for Bayan Ölgii province, which Muslim Kazakh ma. Arrive rather late in the evening for a late dinner before checking in the simple but cozy little hotel.

DAY 9. TO ALTAI TAVAN BOGD

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Leave the city early in the morning to embark on a long drive, crossing Bayan Ölgii province from east to west. The semi-arid plains that surround the provincial center slowly change into a mountainous landscape as the Altai Mountains – Mongolia’s largest mountain range – are nearing. Follow the course of the White River, and drive along Shiveet Khairkhan, a mountain sacred to the Tuvan people that inhabit this corner of Mongolia. Late in the evening, arrive at the entrance to the Tavan Bogd National Park, and meet the welcoming Tuvan hosts that would receive us in their homes for the coming two days.

DAY 10. HORSE RIDING TO POTANIN GLACIER

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, mount the horses and begin ascending towards Potanin Glacier. Stretching for some 14 km in length, the glacier is surrounded by a cluster of rising peaks that form the entire massif's namesake. Loosely translated from Mongolian, "the five sacred ones," its name refers to the five peaks of the Altai Tavan Bogd- Khuiten Peak (4,374 meters/14,350 feet), Nairamdal (4,180 meters/13,714 feet), Burged (4,068 meter/13,346 feet), and Malchin and Ölgii peaks, both of 4,050 meter/13,287 feet. Arrive in time for a slightly late picnic lunch in a magnificent vantage point over the entire massif, and after some time to rest and enjoy this marvelous sight, hop back into the saddle and ride all the way down via a different route to spend a second night by the entrance to the park.

DAY 11. BACK TO ULGII

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Say farewell to the kind Tuvan hosts, board the vehicles, and head back to Ulgii town. The road takes through typical landscapes, along wide rivers, and over steep mountain passes. Before arriving back in Ulgii, pause by Sagsai Village to meet a local Golden Eagle trainer. The tradition of hunting with eagles was kept secret during the communist era, as the central government referred to it as an act of national separatism. As the communists strived to strip down every national symbol and form a new brave communist man, all religious, traditional, and cultural ceremonies and practices were abolished. Hence, here, at probably the farthest corner of the former communist bloc, the Kazakh eagle trainers secretly managed to keep this ancient tradition alive. After meeting the trainer and hearing from him about life with the eagle, continue driving to the provincial center, arriving there in time for a late dinner.

DAY 12. FLIGHT TO ULAANBAATAR

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

In the morning, visit the town’s largest mosque. Continue for a walk through the main bazaar before driving to the airportand boarding the flight to Ulaanbaatar. Once in the Mongolian capital, head to the city center, where modern high-rises are quickly built amid soviet-era blocks. Check-in at the hotel and take a tour of the city. Begin with the National History Museum, which holds a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have ruled the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present, including a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. Then take a walk through the central square. Right at the heart of it, see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of the 1920s, boldly raising his arm towards the statue of Chinggis Khan, the nation's forefather whose name was not allowed to be mentioned during the 70-year communist reign. In a very apt fashion, the square is surrounded by buildings of distinctively different architectural styles. Some are clear evidence of the city’s socialist past, while others serve as a striking testimony to the country’s path to development. After touring the square and its surroundings, head to the hotel for the night.

DAY 13. EXPLORING THE MONGOLIAN CAPITAL CITY

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Leave the hotel on foot and head to the city center, where modern high-rises are quickly built amid Soviet-era blocks. Begin with a visit to the National History Museum, which holds a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have inhabited the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present. This exhibition includes a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. Then, take a walk through the central square. Right at the heart of the square, see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of the 1920s, boldly raising his arm towards the statue of Chinggis Khan, the nation's forefather whose name was not allowed to be mentioned during the 70-year communist reign. In a very apt fashion, the square is surrounded by buildings of distinctively different architectural styles. Some are clear evidence of the city’s socialist past, while others serve as a striking testimony to the country’s path to development. After lunch, visit the Choijin Lama Temple. Once the private temple of the Mongolian king, it is today one of the most beautiful Tibetan-Buddhist museums worldwide. The museum holds a well-curated collection of rare Buddhist artifacts that can be seen nowhere else, all displayed in a beautiful early 20th-century temple locked amid modern skyscrapers. In the evening, attend a traditional folk concert featuring unique Mongolian art forms before enjoying a farewell dinner in one of the city’s finest restaurants before reverting to the hotel for the night.

DAY 14. DEPARTURE FROM ULAANBAATAR

• Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Chinggis Khan Airport for the international flight out of Mongolia.