Discover the history and culture of Mongolia | Small group tour

Upon arrival at the Ulaanbaatar airport, we make our own way to the hotel. In the afternoon we drive to Zaisan Memorial, built by the Russians to commemorate the fallen soldiers of World War II. This memorial features a painting depicting scenes of friendship between the Soviet people and Mongolia. Situated on one of the hills south of the city, the area provides excellent views of the capital and the surrounding countryside. There is an opportunity to walk higher up the stairs to see the mural itself and get a view of the back of the mountain, overlooking the new district of Zaisan with a backdrop of Bogd Khan National Park. In the evening, a pre-trip briefing will be provided, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

We begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery (Gandantegchinlen Monastery), the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. The Tibetan name translates to the "Great Place of Complete Joy". Walking through the monastery grounds, we will hear the low tones of horns used to call the lamas (monks) to the temple and observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha. We visit the recently-renovated Chenrezig and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Megjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This statue standing 26.5 metres (about 87 feet), gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples. After lunch we walk through the central square which attracts hundreds of people to take pictures in front of the parliament house and enjoy the sunshine. We walk to the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia’s history and culture. Here, we visit the dinosaur halls, showcasing the spectacular fossils unearthed in the Gobi. In the evening, we sample local dishes while dining in a traditional Mongolian restaurant. (B,L,D)

From Ulaanbaatar we travel to the beautiful Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, located about 300 kilometres southeast from the city in the eastern Gobi grassland region. Consisting of networks of granite rock mountains and hills, this area is a habitat of the elusive wild sheep where scientific research has been taking place recently. Projects taking place in the park are administered by a number of organisations including the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Denver Zoological Foundation, and the University of Vermont. The projects study the argali sheep the Siberian Ibex. We will have an opportunity to visit these project sites and acquire first-hand knowledge about their behaviour and ecology. Accommodation will be in a rustic ger camp. (B, L, D)

Today, we continue our journey deeper into the Gobi desert and head towards Ikh Gazryn Chuluu Nature Reserve. It is known as one of the most beautiful natural settings with granite rock formations which are unmatched in beauty in the country. (B,L,D)

Today, we drive through some of the most amazing Gobi terrains, stopping for a picnic lunch at the wonderful Tsagaan Suvraga gorge made out of white sandstone cliffs, from where a fantastic view of the Gobi basin could be seen, with colours ranging from white and yellow to pink and deep red. We will stay overnight at a local ger camp. (B,L,D)

After an early morning breakfast, we will drive to the great wide basins of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan ("three beauties") National Park of the southern Gobi province. We will drive through the valley where the provincial capital Dalanzadgad (“Seventy Springs”) is located. After a refuelling stop there, we will continue driving to our ger camp, where we will be staying for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

In the morning, we will visit Yol Valley. This is a narrow gorge found within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan and where, due to lack of direct sunlight, sheets of ice have built up by a small stream which stays frozen until as late as July. Here we will look for the elusive "yol," or Bearded Vulture. In the afternoon, we will drive to the legendary Flaming Cliffs, where the first dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen were discovered during the third Central Asiatic Expeditions of the American Museum of Natural History in 1923. (The expedition leader was the energetic Roy Chapman Andrews, who is often thought to have inspired Hollywood's Indiana Jones character!) (B,L,D)

This morning, we drive to the towering sand dunes of Hongoryn Els (Khongoryn Els), stretching over some 160 kilometres from east to west. After climbing the sand dunes and camel riding, we stay overnight in a ger camp. (B,L,D)

Turning north on our expedition, we drive north to the Bayandun province of the Bayanhongor province, visiting one of the most significant caves in the country named Tsagaan Agui (White Cave) en-route. The dolomitic limestone solution cavity shapes the narrow, inclining entryway which leads to a rotunda-like main chamber, followed by at least two smaller chambers beyond. It was a dwelling during the Stone Age, and was once a Buddhist pilgrimage site. (B,L,D)

We will steer our wheels to the Altai city, stopping at Bon Tsagaan Lake, a scenic lake at the end of Baidrag Gol (Baidrag River). It is a site for swimming and bird-watching, as the lake is a popular stop for shore birds. We stay overnight at a local hotel, with time to explore the town market. (B,L,D)

We will continue on to the town of Darvi, located some 1,200 kilometres from the capital Ulaanbaatar. If we are lucky, we might have a chance to spot the Saiga antelopes. One of the little-known monuments of the 3rd century BC Hunnu Empire can be found in this area as well. We will travel under the serene view of the majestic Sutai Khairkhan (Sutai Mountain) this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Continuing our journey, we will go to more remote parts of southwestern Mongolia, known as the Gobi – Trans-Altai region. We will have opportunities to visit authentic nomadic families today and enjoy their hospitality. We will drive to the scenic Durgin Lake, staying in a small encampment set up with a local cooperative of herders. We learn about the projects they are involved in, including the preservation of saiga antelopes and snow leopards. (B,L,D)

Making a day trip, we will explore one of the Jargalant mountain valleys and visit Mongolia’s best-known cave, the Tsenkher, literally translated as “blue”, and study its famed petroglyphs from the early Stone Age period. (B,L,D)

We will enter the western-most lands of Mongolia proper and reach the breathtaking Tsambagarav Mountain, one of Mongolia’s landmark peaks. Its green valley is a popular summer camping ground for the local nomads with whom we will meet and spend the night with, singing and hearing their stories. (B,L,D)

We are entering the ethnic Kazakhs land today as we drive to the magnificent Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain – another popular summer camp for local Kazakh nomads. We will visit an eagle hunter family and learn how eagles are trained for hunting. (B,L,D)

From Tsengel Khairkhan, we push on to visit some of western Mongolia's most secluded and beautifully preserved lakes. Located within the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park near the Mongolian border with China are the stunning lakes of Khoton, Hurgan (Khurgan) and Dayan, creating scenery that is both rewarding and humbling. We will drive to Syrgal to move closer to the Dayan and Hurgan Lakes.

We will spend one full day exploring the local sights and sounds and spend the day leisurely. We visit some ancient Turkik stones and petroglyphs of life-size horses. (B,L,D)

We will drive back to the town of Ulgii for our final night in western Mongolia. We will visit a local mosque and the town market.

In the morning, we will transfer to the airport for our flight (around 3 hours) back to Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Our tour ends today after breakfast. (B)