Explore Mongolia's rich nomadic cultures. Spend time with nomadic herders, explore nomadic traditions at two small community festivals and enjoy the beautiful mountain and steppe environments that Mongolians call home.
Meet your tour leader at the airport in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's cosmopolitan capital, and settle into the iconic five-star Blue Sky Hotel, the only hotel located on Sukhbaatar Square, the city's central plaza. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Saturday, July 20Ulaanbaatar: Cosmopolitan Capital
Join your tour leader on a walking tour of Mongolia's capital. Explore the country's history at the spectacular Chinggis Khaan National Museum, newly opened in Fall 2022, and marvel at the splendid art and architecture of the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. (B,L,D)
Sunday, July 21Wild Horses
Embark on an early morning expedition to Hustai National Park in search of Przewalski’s horses, the world’s only species of truly wild horse. Then, travel west deep into the Mongolian steppe to the UNESCO World Heritage Orkhon Valley, the cradle of nomadic civilization, and settle into a ger (nomadic dwelling) for your first of three nights at a picturesque ecolodge overlooking the Orkhon River. (B,L,D)
Monday, July 22Felt Festival
Explore the culture of the Orkhon Valley at the annual Felt Festival, a local celebration of sheep, wool, and felt. Felt, the warm covering of gers, is essential to nomadic life and this small event provides a hands-on window into Mongolian traditions. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, July 23Yak Festival
Celebrate the annual Yak Festival, a small, community-based event honoring the yak herders of the Orkhon Valley and their animals. Celebrate one of Mongolia's most iconic animals with yak herding, yak hair and yak racing competitions. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, July 24Khans and Lamas
Visit the town of Harhorin, the former site of Karakorum, the 13th century capital of the Mongolian Empire, and visit Mongolia’s oldest monastery, 16th century Erdene Zuu. Then, head east to Mt. Hugnu Khan and delve deeper into nomadic life with a visit to a nomadic Mongolian family who summers near Mt. Hugnu Khan, a site of profound cosmic energy. Spend the evening cooking and enjoying a meal, sharing traditions and, if interested, riding horses. Spend the night at a second ger ecolodge in the shadow of the Elsen Tasarhai Sand Dunes. (B,L,D)
Thursday, July 25The Bactrian
After a morning walk on the sand dunes, and ride another iconic Mongolian animal: the two-humped Bactrian camel. Spend a final night on the steppe in a ger at the Mongol Nomadic Cultural Heritage Center. (B,L,D)
Friday, July 26Nomadic Culture
Spend the morning at Mongol Nomadic participating in a demonstration of steppe nomadic traditions, such as games, food and music. After lunch, return to Ulaanbaatar for a folk music and dance performance by the renowned Tumen Ekh Ensemble and an evening back at the Blue Sky Hotel. (B,L,D)
Saturday, July 27The Altai Mountains
Fly to to the town of Ulgii in Mongolia's far western Altai Mountains. Head south of the town to picturesque Tolbo Lake. Hike at the lake before returning to Ulgii for the first of three nights in a basic hotel. (B,L,D)
Sunday, July 28Eagle Hunters
The Altai Mountains are the center of ethnically Kazakh culture in Mongolia. Explore eagle hunting, a form of falconry practiced by Kazakh nomads. A hunter captures an eaglet at a young age, raises her and trains her to hunt foxes, wolves and other animals. Visit the family of an eagle hunter and learn about this ancient tradition. (B,L,D)
Monday, July 29Petroglyphs
Travel deep into the Altai Mountains to a remote valley filled with Bronze Age Petroglyphs depicting wildlife and early nomadic culture. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, July 30Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. (B,L,D)
