Day 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

• Dinner

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital city. At 14:00 we meet our guide at the airport, and head to the city center. The short drive passes through the shanty town inhabited by those who were once nomads, but have neglected their traditional lifestyle in the hope of finding a little fortune in the city, which not too long ago has seen some rapid development. The urban landscape quickly changes into expansive shopping malls and brand new residential complexes, shifting again to the scenes of the city center, where modern high-rises are quickly built amidst soviet-era buildings. After checking into our hotel, and if time permits, we will have an orientation tour of the city center through the central square. Right at the heart of the square we see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of 1920’s, boldly raising his arm towards the statue of Chinggis Khan, the nation’s forefather whose name wasn’t allowed to be mentioned during the 70 year communist reign. We then visit 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. From here we take a short walk to the drama theater where we attend an impressive folk concert, featuring some traditional Mongolian art forms. After a welcome dinner, we drive back to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Day 2. Ulaanbaatar – Amarbayasgalant monastery

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Meeting our guide and driver at the hotel in the morning, we will embark on a drive to north. In the afternoon we arrive at Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Built between 1727 and 1736 by the Manchu Emperor Enkh Amgalan, Amarbayasgalant is among the largest monasteries in Mongolia to have survived the purges of the 1930s. With about 60 monks living and studying there, the monastery functions today as one of Mongolia’s central religious institutes, and consists of 29 different temples, all built in the classic Tibetan style. Overnight monastery facility.

Days 3-4. Deep dive to the secrets of Buddhism

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

For the coming two days, we shall spend our time with the monks at the monastery, getting some insight into Buddhism and monastic life. Amarbayasgalant is not only a site of spiritual greatness, the temple is located by a site of great natural beauty. In between the teachings, we would take the time to explore the natural marvels of the surrounding forests. We spend the nights at simple pilgrims’ house in the monastery’s vicinity and share our meals with the monks.

Day 5. Amarbayasgalant Monastery – Ugii Lake

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

We leave Amarbayasgalant monastery and continue our journey south as we arrive at Khar Bukh Balgas. Built during the Kitan Period, at about 1000 AD, this was a part of a chain of fortresses that were used to govern and control the northern region and borders of the Khitan (Kidan) State. Upon arrival to the site, we will explore the ruins, and learn about the various kingdoms that dominated Mongolia at that era. In the afternoon we arrive at the shores of Ugii Lake, where many nomadic families spend the summer. Overnight in ger camp.

Day 6. Ugii Lake – Tsenkher Hot Springs

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Leaving the lake’s shores, we drive to Kultigen monument. The massive stone tomb was built in honor of a Turkic prince and warrior killed in a battle that took place not far away. The stone is engraved in both Chinese and Runic scripts. From here we continue to Khar Balgas. Built at about 744 AD, Ordu Baliq has flourished as the capital of the Uyghur Empire until 840 AD, when it was destroyed by the Yenisei Kyrgyz. Though not much is left to date, this city has spread over 25 sq. km, and ruled an area that spread over the majority of now days Mongolia, the Chinese Xingjian Province, and Manchuria, at total of 5,500,000 sq. km. Late in the afternoon we reach the region the Mongolians call the ‘paradise of the horse herders’ for its lush grasses and open valleys. We drive through thick pine forests to the Tsenkher hot springs, where water flows out of the ground at 82° C, and where we can enjoy a relaxing soak. Overnight in ger camp.

Day 7. Tsenkher Hot Springs – Red Waterfall – Orkhon valley

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

We leave the hot springs, and drive through thick pine forests to the Red Waterfall, at the foot of the Khangai Nuruu mountain range, where many nomadic families break camp for the summer, grazing their herds in the fertile vast grassland of Orkhon valley. UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape, the valley has served as the center of several kingdoms and empires that ruled much of Central Asia for centuries. The UNESCO committee states: “Collectively the remains in the site reflect the symbiotic links between nomadic, pastoral societies and their administrative and religious centres, and the importance of the Orkhon valley in the history of central Asia.” (UNESCO website). Late in the afternoon we arrive at the camp of our host family. We will make an introduction with the family members over traditional dinner, and then set for the night in a local ger nestled by the family’s ger, which will make our home for the coming 2 nights.

Day 8. Nomads for a day

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Today we will take an active part in the daily life of our host family, joining them as they graze their herds, milk the animals, produce dairy products and carry out any number of other day to day chores. We may arrive as the family is making felt for their ger covering, or gathering fuel for winter, or engaged in some other special project, in which case extra hands are always very welcome. We will join the family for very traditional meals, and after dinner together we again go to our ger for the night.

Day 9. Orkhon valley – Tuvkhun Monastery – Kharkhorin

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Leaving our camp, we take an hour's drive to the beautiful volcanic canyon through which the Orkhon River flows. Here we take an easy hike along the canyon floor and end up at the pool at the bottom of the Red Waterfall. For the brave at heart, a cool swim awaits! We hop back to our vehicle, and drive to one of Mongolia’s most impressive monasteries, where we take a three and a half hours’ hike (of which, one-hour uphill). Located at the top of a high hill with a view of seemingly endless pine forests, Tuvkhon Monastery was established during the 1650s by Zanbazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. Fleeing the Manchu Emperor, the Zanbazar built a monastery in this hidden place, using a natural system of caves and adding small wooden buildings. In the afternoon we keep on driving up the river to Kharkhorin. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 10. Kharkhorin – Ulaanbaatar

• Breakfast

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 were determined. We will visit the ruins of the old city, the Erden Zuu monastery and other historical monuments in the area. After lunch we take the five to six hours’ drive back to Ulaanbaatar. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a visit to the Zaisan Hill, for a view over the city at night. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 11. DEPARTURE FROM ULAANBAATAR

• Breakfast

After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the airport for our international departing flight.