DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Mongolia
Depart for Mongolia

DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's spiritual and economic center. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar

DAY 3, Wednesday - Gandantegchinlen Monastery
Visit the revered Gandantegchinlen Monastery. This Tibetan-style monastery is home to more than 150 monks. Communist rule closed its doors through the 20th century and it was lucky to have escaped the destruction most other monasteries suffered. Have lunch at a local restaurant and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Thursday - Flight to Moron
This morning, fly from Ulaanbaatar to Moron near the northern border with Russia. From here, drive to Lake Khovsgol, the largest freshwater lake by volume in the country. Remarkably, it holds 70% of Mongolia's fresh water. Here, stand amidst a magnificent tableau, a national park area of soaring peaks and pristine forest. After a scenic drive, settle into your simple camp accommodations. Tonight, dinner is at the camp's restaurant
Overnight: Lake Khovsgol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday - Explore Khovsgol Province, Meet Yak Family, Discover the Tsaatan Reindeer People
You're in one of the world's most remote areas and just above the northern border over the Ulaan Taiga range. A highlight of the day is your visit with a local Yak family in their ger, where you learn about their nomadic life. In the afternoon, perhaps join the optional boat trip to Lake Khovsgol, surrounded by the Khoridol Saridag and Bayan Mountain Ranges. Your boat tour will take you to the shore on the other side of the lake and the entire excursion will offer beautiful views and wonderful photo opportunities. This afternoon, meet the Tsaatan known as Reindeer people, one of the last groups of nomadic reindeer herders in the world. Back at the camp, there will be free time to explore the grounds. After dinner tonight, enjoy drinks by a lakeside campfire
Optional: Lake Khovsgol Boat Trip (PM)
Overnight: Lake Khovsgol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday - Flight to Ulaanbaatar, Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum
Drive to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, tour the fascinating Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, a sky-blue gem of Russian architecture featuring a collection of paintings and sculptures by Zanabazar, considered the "Michelangelo of Asia." After lunch, visit the local market, then check into the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, dinner is at local restaurant
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Travel to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Golden Eagle Hunter
This morning, journey to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, known for its stunning landscapes and unique rock formations. Immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to a Kazakh family. Have the opportunity to learn about the life of local semi-nomadic people in Mongolia while enjoying a homemade lunch. Meet a Golden Eagle hunter and gain insight into their fascinating culture and ancient traditions. Afterward, drive to your camp and spend free time before dinner tonight
Overnight: Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Hike to Aryabal Meditation Temple, Meet a Horse Breeding Family, Khuushurr Cooking Lesson
Start the day with a short drive to a trailhead. Embark on a scenic hike to Aryabal Meditation Temple, admiring breathtaking views along the way. After exploring the temple's intricate architecture and spiritual significance, hike back down and return to camp. En route, stop at the park's famous Turtle Rock, a fascinating natural rock formation resembling a giant turtle. Visit a local horse breeding family and learn about the deep cultural significance of horses. Take part in a hands-on cooking lesson to prepare khuushuur (fried dumplings) before having dinner at the camp
Overnight: Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Genghis Khan Complex, Explore Ulaanbaatar
Depart for the Genghis Khan Complex. Visit the museum and see exhibits relating to the Bronze Age and Xiongnu archaeological cultures in Mongolia. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, embark on a city tour. View Sukhbaatar Square in the heart of the city. Its centerpiece is the statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar astride his horse, the heroic leader who led the 1921 revolution against the Russians and founded the Mongolian People's Republic. Several important buildings line the square, including the Government Palace, the National Theater of Opera and Ballet, and the Palace of Culture. You'll also see a statue of Genghis Khan, the 12th century founder of the great Mongol Empire. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday - Flight to Gobi, Hike the Eagle Valley
Fly to the Gobi Desert today. Its landscape and legends truly are the stuff of dreams. This is where the double-humped Bactrian camel roams and where many famed cities along the ancient Silk Road prospered. After landing in Dalanzadgad, head to Yolyn Am, also known as Eagle Valley. Experience its starkly beautiful setting up-close during a hike down into the deep and narrow gorge, habitat of the lammergeier, an Old World vulture. You might also see wild goats and sheep high on the cliff walls. Afterward, continue to your camp. Tonight, have dinner at the camp's restaurant
Overnight: Gobi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday - Molstog Els Sand Dunes, Camel Ride and Dune Climb, Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs
Today take a drive to the Molstog Els Sand Dunes. From the grass-green steppe, the golden dunes are a wonder to behold as they roll to the horizon. During the visit to this spectacular site, board some Bactrian camels for a thrilling ride, and later climb the sand dunes. Following lunch depart for the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, a treasure trove among paleontologists. Here, in the 1920s, American naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews led expeditions that uncovered specimens of Velociraptors, Tyrannosaurids, and dinosaur egg fossils at the foot of these red bluffs. The Flaming Cliffs, which stand-alone amidst this vast landscape, got their name from their red-orange hues, especially prominent at sunset. Transfer to your lodge located right near these impressive dunes and spend the evening at leisure
Overnight: Gobi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Friday - Flight to Ulaanbaatar, National History Museum, Folklore Show
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Begin with a visit to the National History Museum. Here, view exhibits featuring Mongolia's geography, flora, and fauna. You will see an outstanding collection of costumes, hats, and jewelry, representing Mongolia's ethnic groups. After lunch, check into the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, attend a Mongolian cultural show with folk dances and traditional music, featuring morin khuur (horse head fiddle) and throat-singing, the two-toned music locally known as "hoomii." You'll also enjoy some traditional "long song," in which each note is drawn out, and experience an authentic tribal shaman dance and contortion. Afterward, savor dinner at a local restaurant and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Saturday - Depart Mongolia
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast