Taste of Mongolia Tour (8 days)

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to 4* hotel. Take a city tour to Gandan Monastery where you will see a huge gold plated Buddha, the symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival. And there are other highlights - Sukhbaatar Square and National Museum of Mongolia where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to present time. Excursion to Zaisan Hill Memorial to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city. Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)

Take a tour of the Chinggis Khaan Statue, the biggest equestrian statue in the world - 40 meters tall stainless steel statue symbolically pointed east towards his birthplace, on the bank of the Tuul River at Tsonjin Boldog. Drive to Terelj national park to visit the Temple of Ariyapala and enjoy a stunning view. Explore the famous Turtle Rock and the extraordinary frock formations on horseback riding. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D) (Distance approx 100 km, 2-3 hours drive on dirt/paved road)

Drive to the west side of UB. Hustai national park is rich with wildlife and historical monuments. Ungut monuments - famous for its large number of man-like figures, sepultures and rectangular tombs which dates back to the 6-8 th century AD. But the most important highlight of the day is Takhi, The Przewalski horses. Takhi is the only true wild horse that once nearly went extinct in the wild. If you have a chance, you can see other wildlife such as wolves, marmots and deers. Enjoy short hiking over the mountains and photograph the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Hustai NP’s information center and souvenir shop. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D) (Distance approx 200 km, 3-4 hours drive on dirt/paved road)

After breakfast, drive to Ugii Lake (altitude 1387 m; surface area—25 sq. km). When you visit the lake, you will have an opportunity to take a boat tour and do some bird watching. On the way, you will see the Khusuu Tsaidam museum full of artifacts collected from nearby city ruins of the Turkic State (6th – 8th Centuries A.D). Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D) (Distance approx 230 km, 3-4 hours drive on dirt/paved road)

Drive to the south, to the Orkhon valley, a World Cultural Heritage Site. Kharkhorin was the capital of the Great Mongolian Empire, dates back to the 13th century. Now, the ruin lies low confronting against time and hiding Chinggis khan’s secrets beneath its name – “black soil”. Visit Kharkhorin museum and see the artifacts collected from the ruins. Next place Magnificent Erdene Zuu - the oldest monastery in Mongolia and the artwork of the Mongol architects – is located near the ruins. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D) (Distance approx 50 km, 2 hours drive on dirt/paved road)

After breakfast, drive to Tarna Mountain and Petite Gobi. Visit a local nomad family and ride 2 humped camels. Get involved in their daily life, take a class on milking livestocks and play ankle bone games. In the evening, cook a traditional Mongolian barbecue under the instruction of the hostess. This is a real experience and will be an unforgettable highlight of this tour. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D) (Distance approx 70 km, 2 hours drive on dirt/paved road)

Today is your chance to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmere in Ulaanbaatar. Later in the evening, you will attend a live Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. A perfect ending for a perfect journey. Overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D) (Distance approx 300 km, 5 hour drive on paved road)

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B) B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner