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)

Overland journey from Ulaan Baatar to Khogno Khaan: Drive west out of Ulaanbaatar to Khogno Khaan, a journey of around 4.5 hours crossing wide open steppe with undulating hills. Arrive in the early afternoon.

Khogno Khaan: The red rocky mountain of Khogno Khaan (1967m) rising from the steppe is part of a 46,500 hectare natural reserve. Nestled in the foothills is the small monastery complex of Uvgun Khiid - the current monastery down on the valley floor was reopened in 1992, 70 years after the purges which had destroyed the previous buildings. The area is a perfect place for walking and horse riding and good for spotting ibex, wolves and many varieties of hawk. The ruins of the older Uvgun monastery, destroyed by the western Oirat Mongols in the 17th century, are hidden in one of its numerous valleys in the southern slope. The buildings are located in a serene bowl shaped valley and a walk up the steep valley sides offers grand views across the plains.

Afternoon tour of Uygun Khiid Monastery: Having settled into the homely ger camp in the foothills of this mountain range, visit the small restored monastery complex of Uvgun Khiid. Enjoy a walk around the later monastery complex perhaps with one of the three generations of Buddhist women who have organized the rebuilding and running of the temples. These wonderful women are the descendents of one of the lamas who suffered here during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. Then take a 45-minute hike up into the mountains to explore the magnificent ruins of the first Uvgun monastery.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey from Khogno Khaan to Karakorum: After breakfast, depart on the drive to Karakorum, a journey of approximately 3 hours. The journey starts in the grasslands of central Mongolia, which eventually give way to scrub and sand dunes, before once again turning a lush green as you approach Karakorum. Along the way you may pass nomadic herders taking their animals to new pastures; horses, cattle, sheep, goats, camels and yaks may be seen grazing by the roadside. A picnic can be arranged on the outskirts of Kharkhorin by one of the ancient turtle rocks with fantastic views overlooking the Orhon Valley.

Karakorum: Karakorum was set up by Chinggis Khan in 1220 as the capital of the Mongolian Empire. In its heyday it was a multi-cultural and cosmopolitan place with traders from all over the world and surrounded by walls with four large gates each with its own market. The centrepiece of the city was the Palace of Worldly Peace which had a huge silver fountain that dispensed airag, wine and rice wine and was designed by a captured Parisian jeweller.

Evening traditional music performance: After dinner this evening, there will be some traditional music at your ger camp, including a performance of the art of Khoomi (throat) singing.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey from Karakorum to Tsenkher Valley: Later this morning, continue north through fertile valleys to a remote countryside spot in the Tsenkher Valley, a journey of around 3.5 hours. This is an area of Mongolia where you may see the most ger camps owned by the nomadic horse breeders. Nestled in the foothills of the Khangai mountains, Tsenkher Valley is some of the lushest countryside in Mongolia with green forested mountains and meandering rivers.

Afternoon / evening activities: The valleys surrounding the camp are filled with nomadic families, who live here due to the lush pasture and water sources. This is a great place to visit a local family in their ger and experience traditional countryside hospitality. This afternoon there will also be the opportunity to saddle up for a 1-2 hour horse ride in the surrounding valleys. Then return to the ger camp where you can have a soak in the pool fed by the hot springs.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to the Orkhon Valley: After breakfast this morning head west to the Orkhon Valley, a scenic drive of around 3 hours on some fairly uneven terrain. En route you will have the chance to visit the ancient Bronze Age burial stones of Temeen Chuluu. 

Afternoon / evening activities: Upon arrival at your local family homestay where you will be living for the next two days, enjoy a home-cooked lunch as you get to know your hosts. This afternoon you can walk to the nearby Orkhon Waterfall. In the evening, enjoy a nomadic feast of khorkhog, a dish of slow-cooked mutton and vegetables braised with red hot stones from the stove.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Exploring the Orkhon Waterfall area: Today you have the option of heading off on a day's horse ride into the hills. Those who prefer to go for a hike instead, or just stay back and relax at camp, can do so. You may also get a chance to erect a ger - with a little help from the locals, of course!  

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey to Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon: This morning drive towards Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon,  a journey of around 4 hours. The scenery is stunning but the drive bumpy as you cross streams, and pass by nomadic yak-herding families. After 2.5 hours driving you will reach the Tovkhon Khiid 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 towards your ger camp in the Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey to Ongiin Khiid: After breakfast drive south to Ongiin Khiid, a journey of around 5 hours. As you head south you will notice the change from rolling hills to the flatter, earthy and more arid landscape of the Gobi. This halfway point is a convenient stopping point en route to the South Gobi.

Ongiin Khiid: The ruined monastery of Ongiin Khiid lies in two halves on the banks of the Ongiin river. It was destroyed by the communist purges of the 1930s and is being restored by a number of monks. It is an amazing site and stretches across the valley in the mountainous area around the river.

Afternoon tour: This afternoon there will be time to take a look around the monastery site which includes a small ger museum and the rebuilt temple.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey to Hongor Els: Today you will have a scenic desert drive west to the sand dunes of Hongor Els, a journey of around 5 hours. En route there will be plenty of stops for photo opportunities, a picnic lunch and the chance of a visit to a a local nomadic family.,

Afternoon / evening activity: This afternoon there is the option of climbing to the top of the dunes for magical sunset views across the dunes and of the surrounding desert.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Gobi Discovery 2 Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning camel riding: After breakfast drive to the camel breeder Yondon's family in Adag Nuur, who spend the summers near the water springs close to the dunes  Enjoy the traditional nomadic hospitality in their ger, try camel milk and other traditional Mongolian fare, and learn more about the life of camel breeders and the camels themselves before heading off for a Bactrian trek across the desert landscape. About 285,000 Bactrian camels - 30% of the world's population - live in Mongolia, mainly in the Gobi desert. Opinions (and camels) vary, but at peak fitness they can go 5 days without water, cover up to 70km a day, carry 100- 200kg of cargo - all before downing up to 100 litres of water at a refuelling stop! A flaccid hump is a sign of poor condition, and when fully watered their humps are erect. Return to the ger camp in time for lunch, and some time to relax.

Afternoon activities: This afternoon you might like to take a desert drive across the arid landscape to a local oasis of saxsaul trees - one of the native species of shrub-like trees which grow in these inhospitable conditions and whose root systems aid against desertification. As you drive, look out for herds of white-tailed gazelles and demoiselle or white-naped cranes. It would also be possible to arrange a cooking lesson to learn how to prepare Mongolian dumplings, known as buuz or huushuur, or simply relax at your ger camp.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Gobi Discovery 2 Ger Camp (Standard Ger)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning walk through Eagle Valley: Early this morning set off by road for Eagle Valley, also known as Yol Valley. Take a leisurelt walk though this narrow river canyon that flows through the Zuun Saikan Mountain at 2,816 metres above sea level. The gorge has sheer rock walls with a height of 200 metres and has been protected since 1965. Walk along the canyon floor to a spring that runs for two to three kilometres until it freezes into a thick corridor of ice that stretches into the distance. You may be able to see ibex and other wild animals here including argali (wild sheep) as well as birds of prey high above.

Overland journey to Bayanzag: After this morning's walk continue your journey towards Bayanzag, a drive of around 3.5 hours.

Exploring Bayanzag: This afternoon you have time for a an exploratory walk around the spectacular sandstone formations, known as the Flaming Cliffs due to their deep red hue. You can either do this en route to the ger camp, or settle into the camp first and go a bit later in time to catch the sunset. We advise spending up to an hour and a half strolling around this paleontological wonder - both atop the cliffs and down on the valley floor - before hopping back in the vehicles and back to camp.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overland journey to South Gobi Airport: Rise early this morning for the drive to the airstrip, a journey of around 1 hour.

Flight: ZY956 Dalanzadgad - Ulaanbaatar 08.05 - 09.30

Private transfer: On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel, with a visit to Gandan Monastery en route.

Guided tour of Gandan Monastery: On the way into town, there will be the chance to visit Gandan Monastery, hopefully in time to watch the ceremonies which take place mid-morning. Gandantegchinlen Khiid (Gandan for short) is the largest and most important monastery in Mongolia. The monastery's main attraction is the magnificent Migjid Janraisig Temple which houses a 25m high, 20 ton guilded statue. It is a working monastery with 150 monks in residence.

Afternoon optional shopping tour: This afternoon is free for shopping. Before you leave Mongolia, you may want to stock up on some of the things that have caught your eye during your stay and other items that can be purchased at very reasonable prices. From cashmere jumpers, Mongolian boots and fur hats to caviar, cheap North Face jackets and traditional music, UB's shops and markets have it all. Your guide will be on hand to show you around the State Department Store, Gobi Cashmere and other shops.

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

Meals: Breakfast