Collection from the airport and head directly to the countryside with your guide and driver. Admire the wide vistas and wonderful fresh mountain air. Spend the first evening deep in the mountains surrounded by forest. Try some evening mediation and tranquil walks to start off a your personal journey. Enjoy an evening ensconced in a lodge to prepare for your trip.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Luxury Ger Camp

Depart for the Middle Gobi in the early morning, heading towards the stunning Tsagaan Suvarga natural rock formation, around 390km. Enjoy a BBQ lunch and some hiking on the way. See the landscape change as you near the impressive Tsagaan Suvarga, or "white stupa". This magnificent natural rock formation is an unusual canyon that from a distance looks like a ruined city. The rainbow striped sedimentary rock, with a sheer 60m cliff face, lights up beautifully in the evening sun. Perhaps visit Del uul petroglyphs, the location of the largest site of rock paintings in Central Asia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Arrive in the South Gobi in the morning, the best time for wildlife. Arrive before lunch at the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain range and the Yolin Am (Eagle Gorge) National Park. This surprisingly green valley, carved by an ancient river in the heart of the desert, shelters ice formations that can still be seen as late as July. A hike through the valley leads to the home of indigenous vulture-like Lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yak, and Argali mountain sheep. Enjoy a visit to the small quirky natural history museum at the entrance to the valley for an overview of the wildlife in this unusual habitat. Relax this evening after a long day with a glass of wine or nice cool beer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Set out across the desert towards the distant mountains. Pass through a surprisingly lush valley and descend into towering sand dunes. You have arrived at the Khongor sand dunes, known as the Singing Sands. During the heat of the day visit the Seruun Bulag spring. This oasis is pleasant and cool even during the hottest part of the day. Once the day has cooled, climb to the top of the tallest dunes, (if you can!) to observe a spectacular sunset; please prepare your cameras.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

This morning try camel trekking before the heat of the day sets in. Meet the camel herding family over a cup of camel milk tea (optional!). Have an exclusive opportunity to learn a traditional wool craft that is dying out, even in Mongolia. You may like to try your hand at some felting and make your own souvenir to take home. Free time this afternoon. In the evening join a competition of traditional games. Who will win?

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

After breakfast drive through the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains to Khavtsgait, the site of ancient petroglyphs. Scramble to the top of the site to find the unique petroglyphs and be rewarded with great views over the Gobi plateau. Continue on to visit the Flaming Cliffs, locally known as Bayanzag. Hike in the area and explore the sandstone cliffs. Stay to view the spectacular sunset over the red sandstone rocks. You may also have time to visit a saxaul forest, a unique environment found only in the Gobi desert.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Luxury Ger Camp

See the terrain change from arid desert to lush green pastures. This afternoon you will arrive in Saikhan-ovoo (Beautiful temple) in the Northern Gobi. Situated on the bend of a lively river, Saikhan-ovoo is the home of 2 buddhist temples, collectively known as Ongiin khiid. Spend the night here, and explore the ruins to learn about the tragic history of these once busy Buddhist temples. It is a great place for evening or early morning forays to see the more elusive wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Leave the desert behind and travel further north to the UNESCO registered Orkhon valley. This lush and lively river plain is known as the heartland of Mongolia. Feel the atmosphere change as the gentle rolling hills and forested mountains welcome you to the birthplace of the Mongol Empire. The Orkhon Valley has high levels of spiritual energy, and a stay here will revitalise and re-energise. Here stay in a Geolodge and enjoy some pampering after the harsh desert air. Hair cocoons and aromatherapy are a must.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Luxury Geolodge

A full day to enjoy the beautiful Orkhon valley. Try a gentle horse trek meandering along the river and up into the green hills. Stop in the most scenic of places for a picnic. Pick up the pace on the way back if you like, or continue at a gentle walk to spot wildlife in the beautiful valley. Or perhaps spend time fishing on the bountiful river. Tonight experience the vast night sky like never before. Lose yourself in the moon and stars and learn about local astronomical practises that has helped nomads across the centuries.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Luxury Geolodge

Today drive towards Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia. There is a small local town there now. Visit Erdene Zuu, the first Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia. The Monastery was built in 1586 on the ruin of Kharkhorin. Only a few temples remain standing after the communist purges in the 1930s. By the beginning of the 20th century the monastery consisted of 60 temples with 10,000 lamas holding religious ceremonies. Now it is the home to many Monks and students and makes a vibrant and lively visit. The town is nestled in a rich valley, with a wide, slow flowing river. This is the perfect place to meet horse herders and be invited into their family ger for a cup of tea. Continue to Tsenkher hot springs. Tsenkher Spring’s naturally warm waters bubble up from the ground all year-round and are hot even in the depths of winter. Stay in a rustic resort tonight. Relax and absorb the tranquillity in the outdoor hot spring pools deep in the mountainous valleys, surrounded by pine trees.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Spa Ger Camp

Today’s scenery will change drastically as you continue further West past the Chuulut gorge to the dormant Khorgo Volcano and the Great White Lake. Explore the Chuluut Gorge, a dramatic ravine with the clear flowing Chuluut river cutting a path through the steppe. Continue towards the Khorgo Mountain and extinct volcano that gives this area it’s distinctive landscape and black pumice rock outcroppings. The Great White Lake itself is crystal clear and excellent for swimming if you are brave enough! Today you will stay on the shore of the lake where many yak graze and rare birds such as swans, pallas’s fish eagle and cranes roost.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Hike to the crater of the extinct Khorgo volcano keeping a watch on the volcanic landscape for caves and large hidden potholes. With your guide, find the famous “cave of the yellow dog” where ice clings to the rock all year round, except during the hottest summers. This area is very wild and remote. It’s possible to see wild boar, ibex and even the elusive “argali” wild sheep. Keep your binoculars to hand. Visit a yak herding family and sample dairy products from these gorgeous fluffy beasts. The smell is a bit ripe, but we can guarantee the cream made from yak milk is divine. See how yak wool can be treated, and made into felt, rope and many other ingenious products. Learn about nomadic life here, so far away from civilization. Discover the joys and challenges of this endangered way of life.

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Large stretches of Mongolia are sparsely populated and truly wild. Travel through one such area today, passing through the mountainous region north of the Great White Lake. This is a long day of off-road driving, but today you will see some of the most spectacular views so far on your trip.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

A long drive on scenic roads to the shores of Khovsgol Lake. The pearl of Mongolia, is world famous for its clear, deep waters, mountain walks and alpine-like tranquil vistas. Take a short speedboat ride to the wild and remote Eastern shore and meet your hosts for the next few nights. This family is so closely linked to their home that they act as rangers, protecting the eastern lake shore from poachers and unscrupulous development projects. Their eco ger camp reflects their love of the land, and is full of quirky finds and interesting books. You can watch the resident marmots on the neighbouring hill, and hares often nest under the raised lodge. Time to relax and explore. Hike and search for tracks in the forest; you might see deer or even wild boar! Time to unwind in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Rustic Eco Community Camp

Enjoy a gentle hike through the mountains and forest this morning with one of the local community. They will help you identify tracks and tell-tale signs of the peninsula’s wildlife. After which your horses will be ready. Horse-ride or hike through wildflower meadows and forest to a local sacred spot. This is one of the most scenic places to look out onto the pristine lake. Enjoy a picnic lunch with this beautiful view. In the afternoon fire up the sauna and prepare to take a refreshing dip in the freezing lake waters. Or you can hike and search for more wildlife in the forest; you might see deer or even wild boar! Perhaps you can borrow the camp’s telescope to watch the marmots that live on the cliff overlooking the camp. Move to the lake shore with drinks and nibbles and toast marshmallows over the campfire in the evening.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Rustic Eco Community Camp

Today, venture out with one of the family members to forage for the plentiful fruits, herbs and mushrooms that grow wild in Northern Mongolia (depending on the season). Collect wild onion, strawberries or mushrooms. Make a delicious lunch with your bounty. Spend the afternoon in peace, dozing in the sunshine or head out again to walk the forest and lake shore. As this is your last night here, enjoy a campfire in the open air and fire up the sauna.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Rustic Eco Community Camp

Cross the lake by boat to meet your driver. Pass over the mountains leaving the lake and forest behind. Once again travel over the vast steppe, arriving at a beautiful viewpoint. Uran Togoo is an extinct volcano and it was designated a Natural Monument in 1995. Hike to the top to enjoy the unobstructed, panoramic view of volcanic fields. In this very remote area you can hear owls and cuckoos clearly, as well as spot sparrows roe deer, wild boar, rabbits and marmot in their natural habitat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Continue onto Ugii Lake, a haven for migratory birds. This 25 square kilometre shallow lake is well known for its perch, pike and bird life. This quiet lake is the perfect spot for bird watching or fishing and you can catch wonderful reflections of the sunlight on the clear water. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to relax doing your choice of activity. There is a nearby information centre with an observatory deck for watching the birds.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Nice 'n' Simple Ger Camp

Travel past Khoshoo Tsaidam to see the Turkic Steele and visit the small museum. Continue on to explore the 80km long sand dunes and beautiful surrounding marshland area. Visit the nearby lake, rich in wildlife, especially migratory birds for some bird spotting. You might see the demoiselle crane or Eurasian black vulture. Hike the path from the quaint Erdene Khamba Temple nestled in the mountain. This is the perfect place for meditative hiking with a surprisingly deep history. A 4 hour round trail leads deep into the mountains up to the ruins of the original 17th century monastery, well worth the scramble. Spend the evening with your host family. Learn how to make a favourite Mongolian food with your guide and hosts, steamed dumplings, and share stories together.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: Refined Rustic Homestay

Enter Khustai National Park to start your ranger led off-road safari to find the Przewalski's Horse. The world’s only remaining truly wild horses, these are thought to be the ancestors of the modern day horse. You are welcome to hike in the area, to explore the diverse environment the National Park has to offer. Spot the steppe eagle, marmot and perhaps even the elusive herds of red deer. In the late afternoon arrive in Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Check into your hotel and freshen up before joining us for your farewell dinner. Opportunities for other activities, such as shopping, cultural theatre visits or crafting co-operative visits,

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Our Standard Price: 3-4* Hotel