Northern Exposure

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and settle into your luxury hotel before beginning your introduction to Mongolia. Depending on your arrival time, visit the revered Gandan Monastery to witness monks in prayer, or explore the National History Museum for an insight into the country's remarkable past. This evening, enjoy an intimate performance of traditional Mongolian music and dance before a welcome dinner showcasing authentic local cuisine.

Ulaanbaatar, meaning "Red Hero", was so named in 1924, following the creation of the Mongolian People's Republic. The city was founded in 1639 as a moveable Buddhist monastic centre but in 1778 it settled permanently at its present location on the Tuul River in north-eastern central Mongolia. The city lies at an elevation of about 1,310 metres (4,300 ft) and is home to almost half of the country's 2.7m population.

Travel Details: Airport transfer (1hr 15mins / 54km); short sightseeing within Ulaanbaatar.

Accommodation: Tuushin Hotel – Deluxe Twin Room.

Meals Included: Dinner.

Built in 2008, the Chinggis Khan Statue is located at Tsonjin Boldog, 54km east of UB. It is 40m tall and depicts the renowned Mongolian leader on horseback, at the point where - according to legend - he found a golden whip. The statue is symbolically pointed east towards his birthplace.

Continue into the beautiful landscapes of Terelj National Park, visiting Turtle Rock and the peaceful Aryabal Meditation Temple before settling into your traditional ger camp. Terelj National Park covers an area of 2,864 square kilometres, and is characterised by undulating hills, interesting rock formations, a network of streams and rivers, and lush valleys inhabited by nomadic families. Beyond the main valley, first developed for tourism in 1964, the park joins the Khan-Khentii Specially Protected Area which is almost completely uninhabited by humans, but is home to endangered species of moose, brown bear, and weasel, to name but a few, and to over 250 species of birds.

Round off the day with a scenic walk through rolling valleys or an optional horse ride amongst Mongolia's dramatic countryside.

Travel Details: Up to 2hrs (74km) to Chinggis Statue; 1hr (50km) to Terelj.

Accommodation: Terelj Lodge – Standard Ger.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Follow the scenic Tuul River west to Khustai National Park, home to the world's only truly wild population of Takhi horses. Visit a welcoming nomadic family to experience traditional Mongolian hospitality inside their ger before enjoying the opportunity to ride across the steppe. As dusk falls, venture into the park for the best chance to observe the endangered horses gathering at the streams.

Khustai National Park lies in the foothills of the southern Khentii Mountain Range about 100km south west of Ulaanbaatar. It takes its name from the birch trees growing in surrounding mountain areas. The park's area was used in the early 20th Century as a hunting ground for Bogd Khaan, the last king of Mongolia, and afterwards by Mongolian political officials.

Travel Details: Up to 3.5hrs (200km) to Khustai National Park.

Accommodation: Khustai Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Discover the beautiful landscapes of Khogno Khaan Nature Reserve, exploring the restored temples of Uvgun Khiid before hiking to the atmospheric hilltop monastery ruins. Continue to the striking Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, where you'll meet local camel herders and enjoy a Bactrian camel ride across golden sands before spending the evening beneath Mongolia's vast skies.

Travel Details: 3.5hrs (180km) drive; 45-minute walk to Upper Monastery.

Accommodation: Sweet Gobi Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Visit magnificent Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery, arriving in time to hear the monks' morning chanting. Continue with visits to Kharkhorin's museum, riverside monuments and markets before meeting a local sea buckthorn farming family, sampling Mongolia's celebrated superfood and learning about traditional art and calligraphy.

Erdene Zuu monastery, founded in 1586 by Altai Khaan, Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It is enclosed by an imposing wall with 108 stupas. In its prime it boasted around 100 temples, plus many gers, and up to 1000 monks in residence. Although many of the temples were destroyed during the purges of the 1930s, and artefacts stolen, enough remains to
make this monastery the most important in Mongolia.

Travel Details: 1.5hrs (90km) drive.

Accommodation: Anja Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin with a rewarding forest walk to the secluded Tovkhon Monastery, enjoying sweeping views across the Arkhangai Hills. Continue through beautiful mountain scenery into the lush Tsenkher Valley, where nomadic families graze their livestock. Visit a local family before soaking in naturally heated outdoor thermal pools beneath the open sky.

More about Ger's: The design of the Mongolian ger has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. It consists of wooden lattice walls - usually in 4 or 5 sections - which are linked & tied together, with a door facing south. Two large central poles support a round ceiling opening, which is kept in position by many long poles which fan out as a roof and attach to the top of the wall sections. This wooden frame is then covered with felt, tarpaulin and a linen cover, all tied down with animal-hair rope. A stove is then placed in the middle of the ger, with the chimney coming out through the central roof hole.

Travel Details: 25-minute drive; 2-hour walk; 4hrs (160km) to Tsenkher.

Accommodation: Altan Nutag – Superior Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel through the scenic Arkhangai region, stopping at monasteries, Bronze Age deerstones and the dramatic Chuluut River Gorge along the way. Passing nomadic yak-herding families and endless green valleys, arrive at beautiful White Lake, nestled beneath the extinct Khorgo Volcano.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (known as White Lake) was formed when torrents of lava from the Khorgo volcano c.5,000 years ago blocked the north and south Terkh rivers, so forming the dammed lake. Sitting at an altitude of 2,060m above sea level, the lake is 16 kilometres wide, 4 to 10 metres deep and 20 kilometres in length.

Travel Details: 5hrs (220km) drive.

Accommodation: Khorgo Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Climb the Khorgo Volcano for spectacular panoramic views before spending time beside the crystal-clear waters of White Lake. Enjoy opportunities for hiking, horse riding or even a refreshing swim, while those seeking a slower pace can simply relax and absorb the tranquillity of this remarkable landscape.

Khorgo Uul is an extinct volcano which lies on the east of the Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. The volcanic crater is 200 metres wide and 100 metres deep. The northern slope is covered with Siberian Larch, but walkers can approach on a narrow path up the southern approach.

Travel Details: No long drives.

Accommodation: Khorgo Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you start your journey north towards Khovsgol Province. The drive today is one of the more tough remote journeys, but the scenery is fantastic. You'll arrive mid-afternoon at Jargalant, a village built around the timber industry - there is a charming small museum in the village that is worth a look, and it is just a 10minute walk from tonight's ger camp. The camp is fed by a hot spring, so there are thermal pools for guests to bathe in.

Jargalant is a sum of the Arkhangai province and is famous for its timber production and therefore carpentry and joinery, both of which are integral in the production of gers and the traditional everyday furniture inside these gers. The felt to line the gers as well as traditional Mongolian wooden framed saddles are also made in the small town.

Travel Details: 4–5hrs (130km).

Accommodation: Jargal Jiguur Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel north via Muron to the breathtaking shores of Lake Khövsgöl, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes. Weather permitting, continue by boat to the quieter eastern shoreline, where just a handful of ger camps overlook the crystal-clear waters. Relax with home-cooked cuisine and uninterrupted views across one of Mongolia's most pristine natural landscapes.

Lake Khövsgöl is located near the border with Russia, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains. The name Khövsgöl is derived from Tuvan language, meaning 'Blue Water Lake', and is also referred to respectfully by locals as Dalai Eej (Mother Ocean). It is 1,645m above sea level, 136km long and has a maximum depth of around 270m (average 138m).

It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia's fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world. Its watershed is relatively small, and it only has small tributaries. It gets drained at the south end by the Eg River, which connects to the Selenge and ultimately into Lake Baikal. The surface of the lake freezes over completely in winter.

Travel Details: 6hrs (310km) drive.

Accommodation: Ar Davkhar Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Spend a full day at leisure discovering the forests and lakeshores surrounding Lake Khövsgöl. Whether you choose to ride horseback, walk scenic woodland trails, enjoy the camp's sauna or simply relax beside the lake, today offers the perfect opportunity to fully appreciate Mongolia's peaceful northern landscapes.

With wide open spaces as far as the eye can see, Mongolia is a country that really lends itself to exploring on foot. Our guides are very knowledgable and will be able to point out many examples of native flora and fauna along the way. For most, you'll head on a gentle hike for a few hours, perhaps taking in sights such as the Tovkhon Khiid Monastery in the Khangai Hills or to Bogd Khan Mountain, nestled in the worlds oldest national park.

Travel Details: No driving; optional 1–2hr walk or horse ride.

Accommodation: Ar Davkhar Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Visit the remarkable Bronze Age deerstones of Ushigiin Uver, among Mongolia's finest archaeological treasures. Later, choose between horse riding through the surrounding countryside or a relaxing rafting excursion, enjoying another memorable day immersed in Mongolia's untouched wilderness.

More about Nomads: By their very definition Mongolian Nomads move several times a year. This shift is dictated by the seasons and the need to provide constant pasture for their grazing livestock. Today, much of the moving of the gers and family belongings is done by truck however traditional ways, such as a yak drawn cart are still used in some cases. Livestock are still driven from place to place by the men of the family on horseback.

Travel Details: Local excursions only.

Accommodation: Tultiin Tokhoi Ger Camp – Standard Ger

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Head to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. You may want to do some shopping on your return - perhaps at the Gobi Cashmere outlet store on your way back into town, and then also at any of the decent craft outlets. Discuss your preferences with your guide. After freshening up at the hotel, enjoy a farewell meal at one of our favourite restaurants.

Travel Details: 20-minute airport transfer; domestic flight Murun–Ulaanbaatar; 1hr 15mins airport to hotel.

Accommodation: Tuushin Hotel – Deluxe Twin Room

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner