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Day 1 – Australia to Beijing
Fly from Australia to Beijing with Singapore Airlines. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Jianguo Garden Hotel for an overnight stay. There will be time for a stroll across Tian’anmen Square before an evening of entertainment at the Chinese Kongfu Show. (D)
Day 2 – Beijing to Ulaanbaatar
Tour the Forbidden City and take a rickshaw ride through the Hutongs before an evening flight to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, situated in a broad mountain valley surrounded by pine forests. The large modern city has developed quickly in recent times, and most residents now live in apartments, however gers, the traditional felt tents of the nomads, are still found in the outer suburbs. Stay one night at the Edelweiss Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Ulaanbaatar to Bayangobi
Travel by road to Bayangobi (280km), stopping for lunch along the way. Overnight accommodation is in a ger tourist camp. The gers are comfortable and spacious, naturally cool in summer and warm in winter, and have two to four beds. Shower and toilet facilities are nearby. Visit a nomadic family this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Karakorum
Drive to Karakorum. Visit Erdene Zuu, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia and almost destroyed in the 1930s. Tour the monastery grounds and several chapels with excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the 16th century. Visit the symbolic ruins of Karakorum, the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. Stay overnight in a ger camp. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Karakorum to Ulaanbaatar
Enjoy the grassland scenery on the drive back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving late afternoon. Stay two nights at the Edelweiss Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Ulaanbaatar
Visit Terelj National Park and Turtle Rock. Horse riding is included in the picturesque setting of mountains, rivers and forests. On the group tour, the Naadam Festival gets underway today, a spectacular sporting event comprising archery, wrestling and horse riding. Nomads congregate to compete, trade and celebrate the occasion. Attend the opening ceremony in the Central Stadium, watch horse racing in the afternoon, and take part in a Naadam Gala Dinner with folk concert in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Ulaanbaatar to Lake Hovsgol
Fly to Murun, the centre of northern Hovsgol Province, and drive on to the ger camp on the shores of Lake Hovsgol. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Lake Hovsgol
Morning excursion to soak up the beautiful lakeside setting of pine forests and meadows in an area rich in animal and bird life. Visit a nomadic family and see a folklore presentation. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Lake Hovsgol
Hike or travel by cart to Sardag Mountain. Picnic on the mountain where there are trails for walking and horse riding. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Lake Hovsgol to Ulaanbaatar
Drive back to Murun to catch a morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. Stay overnight at the Edelweiss Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 11 – Ulaanbaatar to Beijing
Tour a workshop specialising in cashmere garments and gifts before returning to Beijing on a flight. Stay overnight at the Jianguo Garden Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 12 – Depart Beijing
Free time until transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)
Day 13 - Arrive Australia
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