The Lands of Genghis Khan

Fly overnight from London Heathrow, via Istanbul, to Ulan Bator, Mongolia’s capital.

On arrival, transfer to the 4-star Holiday Inn Ulan Bator for an overnight stay. A tour of the city includes visits to the Genghis Khan Monument in central Sükhbaatar Square; the newly established Genghis Khan Museum, which exhibits a large number of historical artefacts; and the restored Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s largest Buddhist site, its name translating as ‘Great Palace of Complete Joy’. At the ger complex of Dashchoilin Monastery, enjoy a talk by one of the monks.
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Travel westward (6 hrs) to a peaceful place for Mongol nomad camps, one of which we visit today. Travel on to Karakorum. Spend two nights at the Secret of the Silk Road camp.
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Visit the temples of 16th-century Erdene Zuu Buddhist monastery, twice destroyed and restored; and continue to the contemporary city to visit Karakorum Museum, revealing the historic glory days with displays in a spacious stupa-studded compound. We will also visit the Erdenesiin Khuree calligraphy centre. 
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Drive (6hrs) to the Elsen Tasarkhai & Khogno Khan Nature Reserve. Hike on the sacred Khogno Khan mountain to visit the ruins of the 17th-century Erdene Khamba monastery. Continue to Ulan Bator for overnight at the 4-star Holiday Inn Ulan Bator.
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Fly to the Gobi Desert for an overnight stay at the Gobi Nomad Lodge in South Gobi. Tour to Boginiin Khyar ridge (4-5 hrs) to view the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs, created between 8000 and 3000BC; continue to the ‘Flaming Cliffs’ of Byanzag which, millions of years ago, framed a sea; and learn the construction of Mongolian gers, the nomad’s felt dwellings noted by Herodotus 2,500 years ago. 
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Travel (3-4hrs) to the vast Khongor Dunes, where oases are formed by the Khongoryn River, and wind whips through the ‘Singing Sands’ to create a magical soundtrack. Visit the ger of a camel-breeder family, and take a brief ride on a camel. Overnight at the simply styled Gobi Erdene camp.
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Return (5-6hrs) to Gobi Nomad Lodge for overnight stay. Drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, created to protect the ecosystems of the desert and mountains, the habitats of snow leopards, Siberian ibex, and wild Argali sheep. Hike in the pristine wilderness of its terrain.
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Take a morning flight to Ulan Bator and travel to Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, where unspoilt nature is matched by the timeless customs and peaceful simplicity of the local Mongol nomads. Visit the Genghis Khan Monument complex, centred by a stainless-steel statue of the man on horseback, an epic 40metres tall. Enjoy a Mongolian archery session and a traditional ‘Khorkhog’ dinner (meats cooked with hot stones). Two nights at the Steppe Nomads camp.
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Visit a nomadic family and learn about their daily life. Gun-Galuut boasts a surprising diversity of landscape, flora and fauna. Enjoy opportunities within the reserve for fishing, kayaking, hiking or horse riding (bookable locally). 
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Travel north to Terelj National Park, filling the river valley with edelweiss meadows, forested slopes, and meandering mountain streams. See the unmistakable Turtle Rock, the star among many stark granite formations; and visit the Aryaval Meditation Temple, hidden in the hills, and built in the shape of an elephant head. Continue to Ulan Bator and return to the Holiday Inn for overnight. Visit the Bogd Khan Museum, the former Winter Palace of Mongolia’s early 20th-century ruler, with religious, political, and artistic exhibits; and Buddha Park, a pocket of peace in the city, focused on the Golden Buddha statue. Enjoy a traditional folklore concert on your final evening. 
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Transfer to the airport for the return flight, via Istanbul, to London Heathrow.
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