STEP 1 - ULAANBATAR, 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 AIRPORT LUNCH IN A RESTAURANT, DINNER NOT INCLUDED, OVERNIGHT IN A HOTEL.

STEP 2 - ULAANBAATAR - KHOGNO KHAN NATIONAL PARK : By jeep, you will leave the hectic city and head into the infinite space of the western steppes. We arrive in the national park of Khogno Khan. With its splendid rocks, semi-arid steppes and sand dunes, Khogno Khan is also referred to as the ‘mini Gobi’. We settle in our teepees for a stay in an exceptional place. We start to explore the park: semi-desert steppe, taiga, impressive rock formations, and the sand dunes, which characterize this arid region called the "mini Gobi". We walk to the monastery of Erdene Khambiin Khiid. Then we have a 2 hours horse-riding to the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai. BREAKFAST IN HOTEL, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN A TEEPEE CAMP JEEP : 5 HOURS HORSE RIDING : 2 HOURS

STEP 3 - KHOGNO KHAN - KHARKHORIN - ORKHON VALLEY : By jeep, you will arrive at Kharkhorin, the old capital city in the afternoon. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was established in 1220 along the Ancient Silk Road. It remained Mongolia’s capital city until Kubilai Khan later 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. The monastery has been built with inspiration from China and Tibet and is surrounded by 108 sacred stupas. Then you will be driven to Orkhon in the Khangai mountain range which offers beautiful landscapes of gorges and green steppes. We drive to our host family settled in the Orkhon Valley. BREAKFAST IN CAMP, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5H30

STEP 4 - ORKHON VALLEY, TOVKHON MONASTERY : Today you will then leave for a small mountainous trail which leads to Tovkhon monastery. Perched on top of the mountain, the monastery is only reachable on foot. Zanabazar, the first religious leader in Mongolia, composed the Soyombo script here. The Soyombo symbol from the script is the national symbol of Mongolia and can be seen on the Mongolian flag. At 2312 meters high, the monastery offers stupendous views of the Khangai mountain range. You will have a snack while taking in the panoramic view of Orkhon valley. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 1 HOUR HIKE : 2 HOURS

STEP 5 - ORKHON VALLEY, THE WATERFALLS : This will be a day of rest and reflection by the beautiful Orkhon waterfalls while experiencing the simple Nomadic life. After herding cattle with the family, you will proceed to the Ulan Tsutgalaan waterfalls by horse or by foot. Formed more than 20,000 years ago by a rare combination of earthquakes and volcanic activity, these 16 meters high waterfalls are simply magical. Spend time taking in the white shimmering mass of water crashing on black stone and splashing a rainbow of colors with the sun. In the evening, pitch in to help prepare and feast on ‘Horhog', also called mongol barbecue, a traditional Mongolian stewed meat dish. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, MONGOLIAN BARBECUE AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS HORSE RIDING : 4 HOURS

STEP 6 - ORKHON VALLEY - NAIMAN NUUR NATIONAL PARK : We leave this oasis to go deeply into the Khangai Mountains. We reach Naiman Nuur National Park - "the eight lakes”. We settle in a family of local herders before leaving for a small walk in the neighborhood. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5 HOURS

STEP 7 - NAIMAN NUUR, SHIREET LAKE : Peaceful day spent in the fresh air of this region of altitude. We go for a walk or horse riding, to discover the wonders of the park. Our hike drives us to the great Shireet Lake, which is undoubtedly the most beautiful in the area. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS HIKE/HORSE RIDING : 4 HOURS

STEP 8 - NAIMAN NUUR - ONGII MONASTERY : Today will be a transit from the green mountains of Khangai into the Gobi landscape. You will stop at Saikhan Ovoo, a medium altitude mountain along the Ongiin Gol river and a place of quiet solitude. The ruins of two monasteries Barlim and Khutagt still remain on the north and south shores of the river. You will visit this site commonly called Ongii lamasery and its little museum. Around a thousand monks used to live there until the destruction in 1937 by the Soviet army. In 2002, some monks came back and began restoration work with a small budget, making up for what they lacked monetarily with inspiring spiritual fervour. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 6 HOURS

STEP 9 - ONGII MONASTERY - CLIFFS OF BAYANZAG : This will be the last stretch before the Great Gobi desert and its “Three Beauties”, a name derived from the three subranges, the East ‘Zuun Saikhan’ the highest at 2815 meters, the Middle ‘Dund Saikhan’ and the Beauty to the West ‘Baruun Saikhan’. On this day you will be driven to the “Flaming Cliffs” of Bayanzag. The rocks radiate a glowing orange colour with the sunset and so the rightfully earned name. The area is also famous for its fabulous fossil finds. In 1922 Roy Chapman Andrews, the famous paleontologist was the first to discover dinosaur eggs and bones in this area, many of which you can now see in the Natural History Museum of Ulaanbaatar as well as in numerous museums throughout the world. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5 HOURS

STEP 10 - CLIFFS OF BAYANZAG - SAND DUNES OF KHONGOR : You will be driven today to the western end of the park towards Khongoriin Els - the most spectacular sand dunes of Mongolia. In places they rise 200 meters above a lush, spring-fed wetland at their base. At 180km long and 20km wide, the summit of the dunes offer a fabulous view on the vast desert and steppes around. You will also hear for yourself the song of the desert sung by shifting sands and dunes that collapse into sand avalanches in a phenomenon commonly called ‘Singing Dunes’. As sand is constantly moving due to Gobi strong winds, few plants grow among the shifting dunes; the sandy ridges are therefore pure, finely sifted, dun coloured sand. You will then experience Mongolian hospitality with a nomadic family who will host you for two nights. This is the time to discover their authentic lifestyle and cultural quirks like passing the snuffbox while tasting ‘suu tai tsai’ (Mongolian salted milk tea) and camel dairy products. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5 HOURS

STEP 11 - SAND DUNES OF KHONGOR, CAMEL RIDING : A camel ride in the Gobi is an unforgettable experience. After breakfast, you ride to a Saxaul forest on camel back. Saxaul is a plant with very tiny leaves and ranges in size from a large shrub to a small tree. Saxaul barks may be pressed for drinking water. In the Gobi desert, it is often the only kind of wood that nomads can use for heating and cooking. This plant is also a camel’s favorite meal. The Gobi is also home to diverse wildlife species. If lucky you can spot Ibex, Argalis, wild Mouflon and Antelopes. On foot, you will trudge up to the summit of the dunes to admire the astounding vista of desert land, and on a good day, catch the chant of the singing dunes. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS CAMEL RIDING : 3 OR 6 HOURS

STEP 12 - SAND DUNES OF KHONGOR - ICED CANYON OF YOLIIN AM : Going towards the East this time, today’s adventure involves a hike in Yoliin Am (Eagles Canyon), a mountain valley that conceals the natural wonder of a large ice field that remains frozen most of the year. You will stop at Dungdene Canyon to leave the jeep behind and discover the astounding gorge on foot. The gorge is so deep that sunrays are unable to melt the ice field before August, after which temperatures quickly drop with the coming of autumn, leaving much of the ice field frozen all year round. Yoliin Am or Eagles Canyon is also a favourable place to spot and observe wildlife such as mouflon, wild sheep or argali, snow leopards and black-tailed antelopes. A its name suggests, you will also find eagles, hawks and vultures. You will spend the night with a local herder family. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5 HOURS HIKE : 15 KM

STEP 13 - ICED CANYON OF YOLIIN AM - ULAANBAATAR : You will be driven to Dalandzadgad, the provincial capital city where you will board your flight back to Ulaanbaatar where you can spend time with your guide and driver in the afternoon. You can take this chance to visit Naraan Tuul black market, one of Asia’s largest outdoor markets, for the last bit of shopping. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER NOT INCLUDED AND OVERNIGHT IN A HOTEL LOCAL FLIGHT : 1 HOUR

STEP 14 - DEPARTURE : Breakfast at the hotel. Return transfer can take place at the desired time, depending on your flight time.