STEP 1 - ULAANBAATAR, CITY TOUR : Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia (called UB). You will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to Dream hotel, a 2 star establishment that’s conveniently located in downtown UB within walking distance from major attractions in the city. Depending on your arrival time, your guide will accompany you around this ‘soviet-esque’ city that offers some rich cultural attractions and museums. You will first head for Gandantegchinlen, a Tibetan-style monastery with 150 monks in residence. This is one of the very few monasteries which escaped the massive destruction during the communist period in the 1930s. The monks in residence usually pray in the morning, a ceremony open to visitors. The Buddhist Centre will be also ready to answer any of your questions. You will then visit a cashmere factory, one of Mongolia’s best known exports. This will be followed by lunch in a local restaurant to work your taste buds on Mongolian cuisine. In the afternoon, you will visit the National History Museum where three floors Mongolia’s rich and glorious past await you - from pre-historical ages to the soviet era without forgetting the glories of Genghis Khan’s period of reign. You will then head for our office to collect details of your trip: the itinerary, advice and to address any doubts or questions. At 6 pm, the Tumen Ekh traditional show will provide an exposé on traditional Mongolian folk arts including folklore dances, contortionism and Khoomi - the famous overtone singing style. PICK UP AT THE AIPORT LUNCH IN A RESTAURANT, DINNER NOT INCLUDED, OVERNIGHT IN AN HOTEL.

STEP 2 - ULAANBAATAR - KHARKHORIN : By jeep, you will leave the hectic city and head into the infinite space of the western steppes. You will arrive at Kharhorin, the old capital city in the afternoon. This legendary city of Genghis Khan was established in 1220 along the Ancient Silk Road. It remained Mongolia’s capital city until Kubilai Khan moved it to Beijing, though the ruins of the great city still remain today. After this you will visit Erdene Zuu monastery which was built in 1586 by a nomad prince. You will spend your first night in ger BREAKFAST IN HOTEL, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN A GER CAMP JEEP : 6H30

STEP 3 - KHARKHORIN - ORKHON VALLEY- URAGT : We leave the paved roads to taste the enjoyments of the Mongol tracks. We follow the beautiful landscapes formed by the canyons of the Orkhon river valley and the green steppe. We turn off of the main track for a torturous mountain road. At the summit, which we can reach only by foot, we find the monastery of Tovkhon where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, composed the Soyombo alphabet. This monastery is situated at an altitude of 2312 meters; here we shall have a magnificent panorama of the Khangai mountain chain. We will have our lunch in the Orkhon valley. After lunch, we come down again into the valley and arrive at our breeder family, who will welcome us for the night. On the way we shall visit the Orkhon waterfall. BREAKFAST IN THE CAMP, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5 HOURS HIKE : 2 HOURS

STEP 4 - NAIMAN NUUR NATIONAL PARK : This is the first day that we go hiking in the valley surrounded by the Khangai mountain chain and with Deed Khurd. We reach two small mountainlakes, where we will set up our camp for the night. We continue our walk along the valley of the Khangai. We cross an elevated area, which rises in the direction of the Khangai Nuuru pass and then comes down again towards the lake of Tsagaan Azarga. We go back up the gorges of the Khokh Davaanii River before reaching the national park of Naiman Nuur (8 Lakes); a mountainous region strewed with numerous beautifull lakes. First, we visit the Lake of Shanaga before setting our camp on the banks of the Khuis lake. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN TENTE HIKE : 5 HOURS A DAY

STEP 5 - NAIMAN NUUR, VISIT OF THE LAKES : We shall dedicate the first day of our walk to visiting the numerous lakes of the region; Shanaa, Bugat, Khaya, Doroo, Khaliut and finally the lake of Shireet, where we will set up our camp. The next day we go hiking in the hills of Shireet and visit the stones of Shurangiin Tsokhoi. Then we will visit a herder’s family where we can rest for the rest of the day. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN TENT (NIGHT1) AND IN A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS (NIGHT 2) HIKE : 5 HOURS A DAY

STEP 6 - MOUNTAINS OF KHANGAI : The first day, we continue the descent from mount Shireet and then follow the mountains of Ulziitiin Am before setting up our camp on the banks of the river Shurangiin. The next day we go hiking in the mountains of Ulziitiin Am. We have lunch at a nomadic family before continuing along two streams in the mountains which will lead us to the springs of Uvur Khytruunii. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH WITH A FAMILY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN TENT HIKE : 5 HOURS A DAY

STEP 7 - HOT SPRINGS OF KHYTRUUNII AND WAY BACK TO THE FAMILY : The first day, we cross the hills of Khytruunii (2,200 meters) to reach the hot springs of Ar Khytruunii. Finally, during our last day of hiking we follow the river Khytruunii to the Orkhon River. Our vehicle waits for us there. Then we return to the family where we stayed during our first night in the valley. This evening you will enjoy a Mongolian barbecue with your guides to celebrate the end of your hiking trip. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN TENT (NIGHT 1) AND IN THE FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS (NIGHT 2) HIKE : 5 HOURS A DAY

STEP 8 - ORKHON VALLEY- KHOGNO KHAN NATIONAL PARK : Today, you will go by jeep to the Khogno Khan natural reserve about 200 km/125 miles east. On the way, you will make a stop at the Shankh Monastery; one of the very few monasteries that has escaped the 1930’s massive destruction by the soviets. Shankh Khiid was renowned for its connection with Zanabazar; the great religious leader, and is said to have once housed Chinggis Khaan’s black military banner. More than 1500 monks used to live here at one time. You will then hike in the Khogno Khan natural reserve: semi-arid steppes, taiga and amazing rocks. You might spot ibex, wolves and many varieties of hawks. You will visit the Erdene Khambiin; the ‘Erdene monk’s Monastery’. It has been built in the 17th century by Zanabazar in honour of its teacher Erdene. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN A TEEPEE CAMP JEEP : 4 HOURS

STEP 9 - KHOGNO KHAN - ULAANBAATAR : You will depart for Ulaanbaatar. This will be last chance to bid farewell to the Mongolian countryside as you catch your last glimpse of gers, horses and sheep grazing in the steppe. BREAKFAST IN THE CAMP, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER NOT INCLUDED AND OVERNIGHT IN A HOTEL JEEP : 5 HOURS

STEP 10 - DEPARTURE : Breakfast at the hotel. Return transfer can take place at the desired time, depending on your flight time.