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. During the day if needed we can go to the black market where you can buy some warm clothes for the freezing Mongolian winter. PICK UP AT THE AIPORT LUNCH IN A RESTAURANT, DINNER NOT INCLUDED, OVERNIGHT IN AN HOTEL.

STEP 2 - ULAANBAATAR - KHUSTAI : You will be driven to Khustai National Park, around 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar, the last bastion of the only undomesticated wild horse species. Prezwalksi’s horses were once hunted to near extinction in the 1920’s by the Russians. Thankfully 15 were captured in 1900 and brought to Netherlands. In 1945, 31 horses were bred in captivity of which 9 were later reintroduced to their native habitat in Khustai. Today 1500 wild horses roam the park. A local guide will accompany you to the horses’ favourite spots within the park. BREAKFAST IN HOTEL, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN A GERS CAMP JEEP : 3 HOURS

STEP 3 - KHUSTAI - KHARKHORIN : 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. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 5 HOURS

STEP 4 - KHARKHORIN - ORKHON VALLEY : After breakfast in the camp, you will be driven to Orkhon in the Khangai mountain range which offers beautiful landscapes of gorges and green steppes. You will then leave the main track 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. You will then go down to the valley by jeep to experience Mongolian hospitality with a nomadic family who will host you . WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 4 HOURS HIKE : 2 HOURS

STEP 5 - ORKHON VALLEY, NOMADIC LIFE : 3 days during which we will stay at our host family’s, and assist them in their daily tasks. Milking mares and yaks, cooking, cutting wood, but also games and folk songs. If you wish, you can learn some mongolian recipes. During these three days we can go on horseback to the waterfalls of Orkhon, which are frozen in winter. 3 MEALS TAKEN WITH THE FAMILY, NIGHT IN YOUR GER HORSE RIDING POSSIBLE ON ONE DAY (AROUND 4 HOURS)

STEP 6 - ORKHON VALLEY - KHOGNO KHAN : Today, you will go by jeep to the Khogno Khan natural reserve about 200 km/125 miles east. You settle in your teepees and 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 by horse 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 WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 4 HOURS HORSE : 2 HOURS

STEP 7 - KHOGNO KHAN - TERELJ NATIONAL PARK : Discovery of the National Park of Terelj located northeast of the capital. You can admire horses and gers in the landscape of steppes and mountains of pine tree. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT WITH A FAMILY, IN A GER FOR GUESTS JEEP : 4 HOURS

STEP 8 - TERELJ, 2 DAYS OF NOMADIC LIFE : Discovery of the Turtle Rock, of a monastery, and hiking along the Tuul river. We spend three days in the company of a family of herders who established their winter camp on the banks of the Tuul River. You will discover a landscape full of contrasts between rivers, steppes and forests. 3 MEALS TAKEN WITH THE FAMILY, NIGHT IN YOUR GER HORSES AVAILABLES FOR RIDES

STEP 9 - TERELJ - ULAANBAATAR : After your breakfast, 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 steppes. WESTERN BREAKFAST, LUNCH ON THE WAY, DINNER NOT INCLUDED AND NIGHT IN A HOTEL JEEP : 2 HOURS

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