Wild Horses: Faraway Mongolia (8 days)

This morning, you will arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. You’ll start your exciting 8-day journey in the city’s economic hub, Sukhbaatar Square, where historic monuments, ex-Soviet buildings and cultural landmarks will give you a sense of place. Next, you’ll head to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan - the only residence of the last Mongolian Emperor still standing. Now a museum complex, it houses six temples and many fascinating relics, art collections and regalia. In the evening, settle into a luxury hotel in Ulaanbaatar - we recommend the five-star Blue Sky Hotel, a modern high-rise property with commanding views over the city and mountains.

Rise early today and head to Hustai National Park, two hours away. You’ll go on a wildlife hike through the hills and birch forests of this protected zone, spotting native horses and red-footed deer, and keeping an eye out for resident birdlife - falcons and eagles both call this area home. Next, enjoy an activity with close ties to Mongolian culture - horseback riding - before heading to your accommodation for the night in a ger camp. A traditional nomadic dwelling, the ger tent is a comfortable round hut - the camp offers hot and cold running water and has a restaurant that provides authentic Mongolian meals. Located in a fertile plain, the camp is perfect for nature lovers. A luxury alternative can be arranged upon request.  

Today you’ll set out specifically to see the Takhi, or Mongolian Wild Horse. Not long ago, this beautiful creature was extinct in the wild, but a conscientious preservation program reintroduced the Takhi to these plains and the horses have thrived. Unlike other wild horses, the Takhi has never been domesticated - today you can see them roam free in their natural habitat. Tonight, spend another night in your tent under the stars.

Believed to be the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, today you’ll make your way to the Monastery of Erdene Zuu. This beautiful site was built in the 16th century and features a long wall of stupas reaching out across the tundra. Next, visit the city of Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Uyghur Empire, founded by a group of nomadic tribes. Very little of the original fortifications remain, but as part of the larger Orkhon Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins offer a glimpse into Mongolian history and the location’s significance in the evolution of nomadic societies. Tonight, you’ll stay in a ger camp in your own private tent, with en suite. The camp has communal Japanese-style bathing facilities, karaoke and massage. Alternatively, you can stay in a hotel room onsite or in your own luxury ger tent.

Today you’ll explore more Mongolian history, starting with a visit to Tuvkhun Hermitage. This small, remote structure is still largely intact and is part of the Orkhon Valley UNESCO-protected site as one of the places Mongolian Buddhism was first developed. Next, you’ll visit one of the most significant historical landmarks in Mongolia - the Orkhon Monuments, inscribed in the old Turkic alphabet in the 8th century. The inscriptions recount the epic story of the Turks and were erected in tribute to two legendary Turkish princes. In the evening, return to your accommodation in the ger camp.

You’ll enjoy a private charter to Lake Hovsgol today, the largest lake in Mongolia and a breathtakingly beautiful destination. The fresh waters here are among the most pristine in Asia - pure enough to drink untreated. Surrounded by mountain ranges, this is one of the most picturesque locations in Mongolia: the mountainous home to an array of wildlife. On a hike around the lake, you’ll have the chance to spot ibex, elk, musk deers, brown bears and Siberian moose, among others. The best way to enjoy this remote location is to camp, and tonight you’ll be set up in your own modern campsite, with all amenities provided.

For the best views of the surrounding countryside, you can’t do better than a vantage point on Ikh Uul Mountain. Today you’ll rise early for a day-hike up to Ikh Hul’s apex at 10,000 feet. It’s an intense day of hiking and the ascent is challenging in parts, but well worth the effort for the unsurpassed panoramas of Lake Hovsgol and beyond. After a full day of hiking, enjoy another night camping in the beautiful Mongolian wilderness.

Today you’ll travel back to Ulaanbaatar where you will be transferred to the airport for your departing international flight.