Discover the natural and cultural wonders of Mongolia, one of the last remaining seldom-explored countries. Largely inaccessible to the Western world until only recently, Mongolia offers a rare glimpse into an ancient nomadic culture that has changed little over the centuries.
Experience this untouched country by exploring the rare combination of ancient traditions of Buddhism, nomadic horse-based culture and
natural beauties such as the green fertile rolling hills of Central Mongolia with its herds of horses and yaks grazing the grasslands; the hight mountains of the North and the West with its numerous rivers and alpine lakes. Enjoy the comfort of a private jeep and English speaking guide to lead you through the stunning picturesque scenery. While in Ulan Bator, enjoy a premium hotel and a full day tour to the sights of the city.

Day 1
Ulaan Bataar
Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking guide. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar midtown , just blocks away from the “Gandan Monastery” and State Department Store. Modern style Narantuul Hotel features 24 individually decorated guest rooms – some with mini kitchen, working rooms and private children room. Every room has a private balcony and equipped with high speed internet access, cable TV, mini bar, and IDD service. One of the first, latest technology outdoor elevator at Narantuul Hotel offers guests unparalleled view access to many of Ulaanbaatar 's most famous attractions. Additionally offers finest dining venues Le Soleil, which serves European cuisine, the Sunflower, a Korean restaurant, an executive meeting facilities and business center. Ulaan Bataar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. The city is an independent municipality not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is just over 1 million. Located in the north central part of the country, the city lies at an elevation of about 1,310 metres (4,300 ft) in a valley on the Tuul River. It is the cultural, industrial, and financial heart of the country. It is also the center of Mongolia's road network, and connected by rail to the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Chinese railroad network. The city was founded in 1639 as an initially nomadic Buddhist monastic centre. Since 1778 it has been located in the Tuul river valley. In the 20th century, Ulaanbaatar grew into a major manufacturing centre.

Day 2
Ulaan Bataar - Kharkhorin
Leave Ulaanbaatar and take a long drive to reach Kharkhorin (also called Karakorin) on the afternoon. Kharkhrin is the site of the 13th century capital of the Mongolian Empire created by Chinggis Khan. Very little is left from this legendary city. In the 16th century, Mongolia's biggest Monastery was build from the ruins of Kharkhorin. Now Erdene Zuu Monastery is all that remains of what once was a huge monastery of 100 temples and about 1.000 lamas residencing there. We will explore the grounds of Erdene Zuu Monastery surrounded by its massive 400 m X 400 m walls. We will be guided around the 3 remaining temples: Dalai Lama, Zuu of Buddha and Lavrin Temple. We will also see the Turtle Rock and the Phallic Rock. En route we will cross the Tasarkhai Els, a 100 km long sand dune, also named the Little Gobi. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Ger (Yurts) are the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders. This unique cultural experience is an essential part of exploring the Mongolian countryside. While not luxurious, each ger has beautifully painted furniture and each camp has its restaurant, western style toilet and hot water showers presenting the most comfortable way to experience wild Mongolia and most visitors list it as a highlight of their Mongolian experience.

Kharkhorin is a city and sum (district) center in Mongolia, with population of 8,977. Kharkhorin is located at the lower end of the upper valley of the Orkhon River, part of the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. The location marks the eastern foothills of the Khangai Mountains, where they meet the rolling steppe of central Mongolia. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient town of Karakorum, which for a short time served as the capital of the Mongol Empire under Ogedei Khan. Another landmark is the Erdene Zuu monastery. Mongolia''s ancient capital, Kharakhorum, Chinggis Khaan''s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire governed, until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing. The symbolic ruins of Kharakhorum (Harhorin), monumental walls (400 m of length) with 108 stupas, surround the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia Erdene Zuu Monastery.

Day 3
Kharkhorin - Tsenkher
This morning drive westward in the direction of Khangai Mountains. The green mountain sides and the network of smaller and larger rivers offer excellent pastureland for the herds of horses, yaks and cows. In the evening reach Tsenkher hot spring resort. Managed by
Japanese, this resort has a large open-air pool at its customer's disposal. The hot water of the pool flows continuously in from the hot water spring. At the spring, the temperature of the water is over 80°c. A complex pipelines system regulates the water temperature. Spend hours sitting in the pool, stare at the stars or gaze at the stars above..
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Ger (Yurts) are the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders. This unique cultural experience is an essential part of exploring the Mongolian countryside. While not luxurious, each ger has beautifully painted furniture and each camp has its restaurant, western style toilet and hot water showers presenting the most comfortable way to experience wild Mongolia and most visitors list it as a highlight of their Mongolian experience.

Tsenkher is a district in central Mongolia, well known for irs hot springs and impressive scenery.

Day 4
Tsenkher - Terkhiin Tsagaan lake
After breakfast, start driving towards Tsetserleg, reaching there by noon. It is the capital city of Arkhangai province (180 km, 6 hours). It is a lovely little town surrounded by forested hills. Here visit the Buyandelgeruulekh Monastery, the town main functioning monastery and the nice little Museum of Arkhangai located in Zayaiin Gegeenii Monastery. From the museum walk uphill to a small abandoned monastery and enjoy the beautiful view we have from there over Tsetserleg and the surrounding hills. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. In the evening reach Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. It is one of the most beautiful lakes of the country. The lake is surrounded by extinct and craterous volcanoes, and was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago. As a result of the volcano eruptions the landscape is covered with black volcanic rocks. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Ger (Yurts) are the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders. This unique cultural experience is an essential part of exploring the Mongolian countryside. While not luxurious, each ger has beautifully painted furniture and each camp has its restaurant, western style toilet and hot water showers presenting the most comfortable way to experience wild Mongolia and most visitors list it as a highlight of their Mongolian experience.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, also known as White Lake is a lake in the Khangai Mountains in central Mongolia. The Khorgo volcano is located near the eastern end of the lake and the Suman gol river springs from lake.

Day 5
Terkhiin Tsagaan lake
Today relax around the beautiful lake. Make an excursion to the top of Khorgo Uul Volcano and we will pass the gorges that lead from Tariat to the volcano. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).

Day 6
Terkhiin Tsagaan lake - Ordu-Baliq
After breakfast head for Ogiin Lake, one of Mongolia's most beautiful lakes. On the way, visit Khulitegenii Dorsal. The principal monument is a flat stone of more than 3 meters high. It is now in a small museum close the place it originally stood. The stone has 68 lines of Turkic runes, two dragons and the mountain goat, device of the Ashina clan. The stone honors Kul-Tegin (684-731), a military leader of the Turkic empire. The stone is part of a larger memorial complex, created the year of the death of Kul-Tegin. It includes statues and a temple of worship. Pass Khar Balgas Citadel. This citadel was founded in 751 as the capital of the Uiighur khanate. It was destroyed by fire, approximately 100 years later during the Kirghiz invasion. Today only fragments of the outer walls and the Buddhist stupa remain.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Ger (Yurts) are the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders. This unique cultural experience is an essential part of exploring the Mongolian countryside. While not luxurious, each ger has beautifully painted furniture and each camp has its restaurant, western style toilet and hot water showers presenting the most comfortable way to experience wild Mongolia and most visitors list it as a highlight of their Mongolian experience.

Ordu-Baliq (meaning "city of the court"), was the capital of the first Uyghur Empire, built on the site of the former Göktürk imperial capital, 17 km north-to-northeast of the later Mongol capital, Karakorum. Its ruins are known as Khar Balgas, that is, "black city". They form part of the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. A favorable micro-climate makes the location ideal for pasturage, and it lies along the most important east-west route across Mongolia. As a result, the valley was a center of habitation and important political and economic activity long prior to the birth of Genghis Khan who made it known to the wider world.

Day 7
Ordu-Baliq - Ulaan Bataar
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, on the way stop by Khar Bushiin Balgas, other ruins of a city dated of the 14th - 15th century. After having visited this ruin, drive further to Tsogtiin Tsagaan Baishinh. A large stone monument situated near those ruins bears on inscription in Mongolian and Tibetan characters, stating that at this place the construction of 6 temples began in 1601 and was completed in 1617. The great number of building foundations suggest that a large number of people lived here.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).

Day 8
Ulaan Bataar
Take a tour of Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, with your private gudie and vehicle. The city mixes the old and the new, with a Russian architectural influence, along with traditional Mongolian living style. it is common to run into Nomads on horseback sharing the road with cars, traditional dress and high fashion and furs. Among the sights visited: Museum of Natural History with its dinosaur exhibits, Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khan and its great collections, the fine arts museum, the Choijin Lama Temple Museum with displays of Buddhist artefacts, and Ganden Monastery, the most important in the country, as time permitting.
Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Day 9
Ulaan Bataar
Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking guide. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.