Day 1 | Ulaanbaatar

Our crew will greet you at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport for transfer to hotel. After freshening up from your trip, we will spend the day touring some of the capital's most noteworthy sites starting out at the capital of Mongolian Buddhism, Gandan Monastery. The monastery was one of the few preserved through the 20^th century and features a spectacular 25 meter, 20 ton statue of the Megjjd Janraysig Buddha. From here, we will go to the Natural History Museum which holds the skeletons of several of the unique dinosaurs discovered in Mongolia. We will explore the Sukhbaatar Squar, the heart of Ulaanbaatar. Afterwards we'll visit Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city. Overnight in hotel. (L, D)

Day 2 | South Gobi

Flight to the South Gobi Desert, a dramatic landscape of mountains, rock and sand, dotted with grazing camels and herders' gers. We'll visit the remarkable "Vulture's Gorge" within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, an exotic setting of green meadows and dense glaciers situated deep within the arid Gobi. If we're lucky, we might see some of this area's abundant wildlife, including the rare argali sheep and mountain goat. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 3 | Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) / Ongi Monastery

One of Mongolia's more noteworthy sites is the ancient rock formations at Bayanzag, made famous by American scientist Roy Chapman Andrews's discovery here of complete dinosaur skeletons and eggs in the 1920s. From here we travel to the site of Ongi Monastery - formerly home to a community of more than 500 Buddhist monks - whose ruined structures testify to the devastating religious purges of the 1930s. On the way to Ongi Monastery you will have the opportunity to visit a local camelbreeding family and learn about their unique nomadic lifestyle. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 4 | Karakorum (Khogno Khan Mountain)

Our next stop is Karakorum, the former capital of the world's greatest land empire, established by Chinggis Khaan. Here we will tour the fascinating Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, a religious complex. It was first established on the ruins of Karakorum in 1586 by Abtai Sain Khan the grandfather of Saint Zanabazar, as the first architectural example of a new style of Buddhism he founded called "Yellow" Buddhism. Continuing on through a beautiful landscape of high mountains, grassy steppe and sand dunes, we arrive at majestic Khogno Khaan Mountain. The panoramic views from the mountain will give an unforgettable impression of Mongolia's size, extending out for 200 kilometres on a clear day. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 5 | Ulaanbaatar

The journey concludes back in Ulaanbaatar, with the remainder of the day free for rest or shopping. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing). Overnight in hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6 | Departure

Our adventure together ends with your transfer back to Airport for your departure. (B)