Discovering the Land of Nomads

Arriving in the Mongolian capital early today, you'll transfer to your hotel for a rest before enjoying a sightseeing tour of the city. A visit to the Gandan Monastery affords you the opportunity to see one of the most complete temples in Mongolia, whilst a tour around the National Museum provides a good introduction to the historical traditions and geographical make-up of the country. This evening you'll watch a traditional folk show, before dinner in a local restaurant. Stay: Novotel Ulaanbaatar or similar (L/D)

Depart this morning to drive across the open steppe to the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex (56km, 1hr driving). Standing at 40 metres high, the statue towers over the surrounding landscape and includes an exhibition hall and museum at its base. Once inside the statue, climb to the horse's head to stand on a viewing platform that offers superb views of the steppe.

Continue to Terelj National Park (24km, 30 min), part of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park system, covering more than 2,800 square kilometres of alpine meadow and forested hills. The park's location, some 1,600 metres above sea level, means that the air is cool and the alpine scenery spectacular. Check into your ger camp and have lunch.

At 2pm, depart for a gentle river rafting experience on a local river. You will be rafting for 45 minutes to an hour through a beautiful gorge (easy grading, suitable for beginners). Experience the surrounding wilderness from the water. At the conclusion, return to your ger camp for dinner. Stay: – Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

This morning, enjoy an exclusive encounter with a golden eagle hunter. Meet their majestic eagle up close and gain insight into the ancient tradition of eagle hunting – a practice recognised by UNESCO for its cultural significance.

Next is a chance for a horse ride through the beautiful, forested mountains. The park's location, some 1,600 metres above sea level, means that the air is cool and the alpine scenery spectacular and you'll find a number of interesting rock formations dotted across the landscape including Turtle Rock and the Praying Lama Rock. Anyone who prefers not to ride can explore by vehicle instead. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

Enjoy a relaxed morning before departing for Hustai National Park (120km, approx. 2.5hrs), home to the only truly wild horses on earth: the Takhi horse (Przewalksi's horse). Decades ago, wild horses disappeared from Mongolia due to habitat loss and poaching, though small populations survived in European zoos. Through careful breeding and international cooperation, the wild population has been restored. Hustai now hosts around 250 wild horses, with 130 born in the wild.

In the late afternoon, take a wildlife drive through the park to search for the Takhi as they descend across the steppe to graze in the cooler evening light. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

Today, head to Kharkhorin (260km, approx. 4hrs), the ancient capital of Genghis Khan's Mongolia in the 13th century. Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, constructed in the 16th century using remnants from the ruins of Kharkhorin. Though many parts were destroyed during a communist purge, several main monasteries and Tibetan-style structures remain active today, making it a significant cultural and religious site. Explore the monastery, interact with the monks, and learn about their lifestyle in this remote region. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

Passing herds of grazing goats, sheep and horses, your destination today is the sacred landscapes of the Orkhon Valley (130km, approx 4hrs), once the seat of imperial power on the steppes and today a UNESCO-listed heritage region.

Visit a local horse herding family to learn about the deep connection between Mongolians and their horses. Horses remain essential to daily life across the steppe, used for transport, herding livestock, and cultural traditions. During your visit, observe aspects of rural life including horse breeding and the seasonal practice of mare milking, which produces airag, Mongolia's traditional fermented mare's milk. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

A drive this morning brings you to the beautiful Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan). After heavy rains this is one of the most spectacular sights in the country, especially around late July, and August. Just downstream from the falls, a short walk will bring you to a 22-metre-deep gorge. After a stop for a swim in the natural pools, you'll then head back to your ger camp in time for dinner. (B,Packed Lunch,D) Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities

Today, you will drive to Ongi Monastery (320km, approx 6hrs) and your next ger camp. Ongi Monastery encompasses the ruins of two monasteries located on opposite banks of the Ongi River in the Saikhan-Ovoo district of Dundgovi Province. The Barlim Monastery is situated on the north bank, while the Khutagt Monastery is on the south bank. Both complexes were completely destroyed in 1939 during anti-religious purges, resulting in the deaths of over 200 monks, with many survivors imprisoned or conscripted into the Communist army. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

Depart Ongii Monastery and travel south toward the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert. The Gobi, one of the world's largest deserts, offers a landscape of stark beauty that goes beyond rolling sand dunes.

Arrive in the afternoon to Bayanzag (150km, approx 3hrs), also known as the Flaming Cliffs, a site famous for its significant paleontological discoveries. Named by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews during his 1922 expedition, this area became renowned when he uncovered the first dinosaur fossils and eggs, measuring 10-15 cm, ever found on such a scale in the world. These discoveries cemented the Flaming Cliffs as one of the most important fossil sites globally.

In the late afternoon, embark on a scenic walk around the stunning Flaming Cliffs. The sunsets over the Gobi are particularly spectacular in this area and you will witness this before returning to your ger camp for a relaxing dinner. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

This morning, travel to Moltsog Sand Dunes (45km, approx 1.5hrs), a striking system of sand dunes rising from the desert steppe. Visit a local camel herding family, where you will get an insight into daily life in the Gobi Desert. Camel herding remains an important livelihood in this region, and meeting a local family provides insight into how nomadic communities adapt to the desert environment.

Camels are the traditional form of transport used across the desert trade routes, and camel herding remains an important livelihood to this day. Enjoy a camel ride across the dunes, experiencing the slow, swaying rhythm of the camels offers a peaceful way to take in the surrounding landscape. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

This morning, travel to Moltsog Sand Dunes (45km, approx 1.5hrs), a striking system of sand dunes rising from the desert steppe. Visit a local camel herding family, where you will get an insight into daily life in the Gobi Desert. Camel herding remains an important livelihood in this region, and meeting a local family provides insight into how nomadic communities adapt to the desert environment.

Camels are the traditional form of transport used across the desert trade routes, and camel herding remains an important livelihood to this day. Enjoy a camel ride across the dunes, experiencing the slow, swaying rhythm of the camels offers a peaceful way to take in the surrounding landscape. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities (B/L/D)

Depart this morning to drive to Tsagaan Suvarga (250km, 4-5 hrs driving). Also known as White Stupa, Tsagaan Suvarga is a prominent stretch of cliffs rising up to 50 metres off the steppe, whose distinctive shape almost resembles the ruins of a fortress. Exposed layers of various colours chart the origins of these dramatic cliffs that were once part of a prehistoric seabed. The shapes and colours change throughout the day as light moves across the landscape, making this a particularly photogenic part of the Gobi Desert.

Enjoy a final night in the Gobi at your ger camp. Stay: Standard Ger Camp with shared bathroom facilities

This morning, continue driving north as you make your way back to Ulaanbaatar (440km, 6-7 hours driving)

Arrive at Ulaanbaatar and have the remainder of the day at leisure. Your may wish to spend a little more time exploring at your own pace or enjoy some last-minute shopping. Stay: Novotel Ulaanbaatar or similar (B)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)