Mongolian Nomadic Adventure

Fly into Mongolia's national capital of Ulaanbaatar. You will be greeted at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport and then transferred via private vehicle to your hotel. Get rested up for the adventure ahead.

Travel out of Ulaanbaatar city into the pristine wilderness and head north for the remote 18th-century monastery of Amarbayasgalant, which was nominated by UNESCO as a cultural heritage in 1996. En route, stop at Darkhan for lunch. Early in the evening, you will get into a ger camp near the renowned monastery. Have dinner and spend the night in an accommodating ger.

Set off to the expansive complex of Amarbayasgalant Monastery, with 28 temples that survived through three centuries in the wild setting. You will have the chance to experience the morning chanting ritual by Buddhist monks. Continue your journey to the unspoiled Uran Togoo Mountain, actually an extinct volcano on the western side of Uran Togoo - Tulga Uul Natural Monument. A hike along a footpath through the Siberian larches will lead you to the crater. Have dinner and overnight in a ger camp.

Go for a scenic drive toward Mongolia's largest lake - Lake Khuvsgul, through the mountainous Khangai region, stopping for a lunch break at Moren Town. Later, drive on for around 150 kilometers, across a landscape of green hills studded by rock outcroppings and river valleys with braided channels. Passing the settlement of Khatgal and into the forests surrounding the lake, you will finally arrive at Khuvsgul Lake in the late afternoon. Check into your ger camp, and enjoy another night in your tent under the stars.

Surrounded by mountain ranges, the breathtaking Khuvsgul Lake is the right place to relax after days of driving. Wake up naturally this morning and breathe in deeply the fresh mountain air. After a refreshing breakfast, enjoy 1-hour horseback riding along the lakeshore. Pack the rest of the day with optional activities as you prefer, including boating or walking leisurely around the lake, hiking up to the nearest peak, and visiting the Tsaatan nomads - the "Reindeer People". Or, you may just laze by the blue expanse of the lake.

Today includes a scenic drive southward, passing Moren and continuing into the stunning Khangai Mountains. The mountains vary in character, ranging from stark outcroppings of dun-colored rock to steep green slopes. Every turn on the road presents amazing views as you head for the Jargalant Hot Springs, crossing the Tsagaan Burgas Pass. After settling into a ger camp, relax in the hot springs.

Embark on an excursion today into the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park to explore two jewels of Mongolia - Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (also known as White Lake) and the extinct Khorgo Volcano. The freshwater and volcanogenic lake, featuring its extremely clear water and long sandy beaches, is quietly nestled in the embrace of the Khangai Mountains. Lying near the eastern end of the lake is the Khorgo volcano, revered by the nomads in the region. A short walk will take you to the crater rim, where red-stained rock descends into a deep chasm surrounded by sacred Ovoo mounds. Looking back towards Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, you will enjoy an excellent view over the lake through a small hill pass. Overnight at the ger camp by the lakeshore.

In the morning, depart for your next destination the Karakorum, which served as the capital of the Mongolian Empire at its height. On the way, stop at the Chuluut River Canyon to adore the amazing views and take great pictures. Have a lunch break at Tsetserleg Town where you will also visit the Zay Bandida Monastery, currently operating as a museum of Khalkh Ethnic. Continue with another 3-4 hours drive to reach the Karakorum in the late afternoon. A visit to the Museum of Karakorum afterward offers an immersive dose of Mongolian history. Overnight stay in a ger camp.

Start the day with a morning visit to the UNESCO-protected Erdene Zuu Monastery, a 16th-century Buddhist temple featuring 108 white stupas, together with the surrounding Turtle Rock and Phallic stone. After that, travel onward by a 1.5-hours drive to Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as Bayan Gobi sand dunes or Mini Gobi. Here, reward yourself with an excursion into Hugnu Khaan Mountain to explore such a unique area combining rocky mountains, semi Gobi sand dunes and forests. End the exciting day with a one-hour camel ride along the sand dunes. Camp overnight in an accommodating ger.

A scenic eastbound drive will bring you to the varied wildlife habitats of Hustai National Park, where the world's last remaining Takhi wild horses graze peacefully with a variety of other animals such as red deer, Mongolian gazelle, and grey wolves as well as over 200 species of birds. Upon arrival, settle into your ger camp and enjoy lunch, before visiting the park's information center and a local museum. Later, delve into the park in hopes of spotting these beautiful wild horses and other wildlife, while enjoying a unique landscape of arid steppe, forest, and gentle slopes. You will also have enough opportunities to participate in a wide array of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and flower watching.

Leave nomadic life behind and journey back to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Start your city exploration from the impressive Gandan Monastery, housing a 26-meter high gilded statue of the Buddha. Move forward to the center of the city - Sukhbaatar Square, home to notable landmarks such as parliamentary buildings, historic statues and the wonderful National Museum of Mongolia. Next, a climb to the Zaisan Memorial Hill grants stunning views over the city. Cap off your final night with a traditional folklore concert by the fantastic Tumen Ekh ensemble.

Savor a leisurely morning until your driver arrives to take you to the airport for your homebound flight.