Steppe Heritage

Day 1. Kharakhorum - Erdene Zuu Monastery After meeting your guide at 08:30 am in your location of your choice board the vehicle and head west to the Orkhon Valley. The drive is mostly on a paved road and should take 4 hours. We will have lunch at the local eatery on our way. Upon arrival, first visit Erdene Zuu Monastery in time to hear the monks chanting, which takes place from 2 pm. Take a walk around the main temples, and stroll around the grounds. Afterwards, take a guided tour of the interesting local museum, and visit the local felt workshop or Art Gallery. In the late afternoon, monument of the 3 Kings overlooking the Orkhon River, and the fertility stone on the edge of town.

Travel details: 5-6hr/370km to Kharakhorum; Accommodation: Hostel/Ger camp

Day 2. Khogno Khan - Uvgun Temple - Elsen Tasarkhai Dunes - Camel Riding After a leisurely breakfast drive to Khogno Khan nature reserve – the site of the Uvgun temple complex. Khogno Khan is an area where taiga meets rolling steppes and north Gobi’s dunes. Hike a short distance to the Uvgun temples which were built in the 17th century by Zanabazar but destroyed in the 1930s during communist purges. After coming down to the vehicle drive 25km to the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, where you will stay next to a family of camel herders. Settle into your ger and once your camels are ready, mount up for a 1-hour Bactrian ride into the dunes, taking time for photographs from the camelback. In the evening return to your settlement and enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner with the host family. ­ Travel details: 1.5hr/90km Khogno Khan; 45 min / 25km to Elsen Tasarkhai Accommodation: Guest ger alongside camel herder nomadic family

Day 3. Hustai National Park - Wild Takhi Horses - Hiking After a leisurely breakfast, board the vehicle for the journey back east to Hustai. The drive will take 3 hours and on arrival visit first the park’s information centre where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Have lunch in the ger camp, located right at the park’s entrance, then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. Your guide will be in contact with the park rangers who will relay the animals’ location, and you have a high chance of seeing them close. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track wild deer or foxes – Hustai offers wonderful wilderness hiking opportunities. Afterwards, a short drive to the Nomadic settlement and enjoy a home-cooked hearty dinner. ­ Travel details: 3hr/240km drive to Hustai National Park; 1hr/40km drive to Nomad family Accommodation: Guest ger alongside Nomad family

Day 4. Chinggis Khaan Statue complex - Ulaanbaatar After breakfast set off for the remarkable Chinggis Khaan Statue complex, once you arrive, climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of the Khan Khentii and visits the museum of horse culture in the complex. Then a short drive to the complex restaurant will have lunch. After lunch, return to Ulaanbaatar. There you will be dropped at a location to suit you (we can do multiple drop-offs if required).

Travel details: 2-3hrs/170km to Equestrian statue; 1hr/60km to UB. Accommodation: -