Days 1 & 2
UK – Ulaanbaatar

We meet as a group for the first time at the airport in London, where we catch our overnight flight to the amazing Mongolia.

Touching down in Ulaanbaatar (also named Ulan Bator) in the morning of Day 2, our local ground handler meets us at the airport and we transfer to our hotel in the city. We get our first taste of the local cuisine with a spot of lunch, before heading out to explore the world’s coldest capital city!

Starting our Mongolian adventure in the best way, we immerse ourselves in the country’s past visiting the Sukhbaatar Square and the National History Museum.

Here, we get a fantastic introduction to Mongolia’s communist past and its amazing range of architecture, from imposing statues to bright yellow buildings, juxtaposed with the modern skyscrapers towering behind them.

From here, our day only gets better as in the early evening, we venture south to a small theatre near Peace Bridge and experience an intimate performance of traditional music and dance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble.

We dust off our day with a delicious welcome dinner at one of the best local Mongolian restaurants, before retiring to our hotel.

Day 3
Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National Park – Ar Khurkh Valley | approx. 15km/ 3 hours

Today after breakfast, we transfer (approx. 2 hours) to the iconic Terelj National Park, a hiking hot-spot, renowned for its striking alpine scenery, from evergreen forests to snow-capped peaks to lush, green valleys, ideal for its grazing sheep and horses.

Along the way, we'll stop off at the famous 23m-tall Turtle Rock and the Aryabal Temple, a beautiful meditation site hidden in the mountains, which gives us breath-taking views over the region we're soon to hike through!

We set off alongside the beautiful Terelj River and soon find ourselves winding through towering narrow valleys, shielding us from the wind. Continuing along the river, our path opens up to a grassy plain, before we’re dwarfed once again by the two walls of the Ar Khurkh Valley.

Every step of the way today, keep your eyes peeled for the 250 species of birds that live here. We're also likely to spot ground squirrels, foxes, maybe red deer and definitely loads of marmots!

Tonight, we settle down at our comfortable camp in the park and tuck into a delicious Mongolian dinner, as we’ll come to get used to throughout our adventure.

Day 4
Terelj National Park – Khotol Pass | approx. 15-20km/5-6 hours

Waking amidst nature, we fuel up with a hot homemade breakfast and set off on our trek straight away. After yesterday’s riverside hike, we encounter a change of terrain, following a rockier route up to the incredible Khotol Pass.

The hike may be challenging, but as we gain height, we’re in for extraordinary panoramas over the forests, valleys and rolling meadows that make up this alpine paradise.

Up here, we’re also likely to spot more of Mongolia’s birds soaring about, from the spectacular but sadly endangered Saker Falcons to the pretty yellow-breasted buntings to the majestic kestrels and even cinereous vultures.

At the end of our rewarding day’s hike, we spend another night sleeping in the wild.

Day 5
Terelj National Park – Dund Bayan – Baruun Bayan Adag | approx. 15-25km/5-6 hours

Up until now, we’ve been heading North East, but today our challenge takes as a turn. After breakfast at camp, we head South East through the graceful slopes of the Bayan Adag valley.

Thanks to the streams that keep the soil fertile and the flora ideal for grazing, we could have a chance of spotting a Siberian Musk Deer, but we’re more likely to encounter the cattle, sheep and horses of local herders.

Leaving the Bayan Adag behind, we reach the foothills of the Altan Ulgii Mountains, part of the magnificent Mongol Altai range, which expands across a whopping sixty hectares and provides a home for a myriad of resilient species, including snow leopards, mountain goats and wolves.

We cover tough and diverse terrain as we trek through mountainous stretches, but you’ll be pleased to know we won’t venture to the peaks.

Tonight, we enjoy another night camping in the wilderness, satisfied from a big day of walking.

Day 6
Terelj National Park – Nomadic Homestay

Our last day of hiking gives us the amazing opportunity to end at a traditional Mongolian homestay in the National Park! With our finish line in our mind’s eye, we wake to a big breakfast at our camp and set off back to the main part of the Terelj National Park.

Renowned for its stunning riding trails, we can immerse ourselves once again in the seemingly endless expanse of grassy plains, wild-flower meadows, rolling green hills and more imposing, rockier mountains.

Walking a shorter route today, we reach our finish point by mid-afternoon and arrive at the homestay of a friendly local nomadic family. We have the privilege tonight to settle down in a cosy guest ger (nomadic felt-covered dwelling) and immerse ourselves in the nomadic lifestyle.

Mongolians are renowned for their hospitality and we’ll see this the moment we reach the homestay. The family may well greet us with steaming cups of salted milk tea and snuff, an everyday ceremony steeped in history and tradition. To follow the ritual politely, we accept the bowls offered with both hands and avoid screwing the top of the snuff bottle firmly shut.

Chatting with the family, we learn loads about their way of life in this remote corner of the world and even try our hand at archery! We also have a chance to enjoy a ger-building competition this afternoon or if time runs away with us, we’ll leave it until tomorrow morning.

Our day ends with a fantastic cultural show performed by local musicians and a Khorkhog, 'Mongolian Barbecue' of lamb with the family. If you’re veggie, that’s no problem at all; just let us know in advance of the challenge and we can cater for any dietary requirement you may have.

Day 7
Terelj National Park - Kayaking - Chinggis Statue – Ulaanbaatar | approx. 15-20km/1.5-4 hours kayaking

Saying goodbye to the family after breakfast, we head to the river and make the most of this ideal kayaking opportunity! No kayaking experience is necessary as our guide will give us a quick training session.

Then, we launch into the water rushing through the great valley. Following the twists of the valley at quite a fast pace, thanks to the current (5-10km per hour), we see the National Park from a whole new perspective and give our arms a mighty workout!

After around three hours in the boats, we find a safe exiting point and pack up the kayaks. Our coach awaits us here, giving us a brief break to relax on a transfer, until we arrive at the iconic Chinggis Statue at Tsonjin Boldog.

Built in 2008, this 40m-tall statue depicts a legendary scene of the famous Mongolian leader, Chinggis Khan, sitting atop his handsome horse and finding a golden whip.

Parking up at the base of the statue, we start climbing and soon find a staircase, which leads us up the mane of the horse! It’s a steep ascent, but our eyes reap the rewards as we reach the top for views of the Tuul River and the Terelj National Park, the hills of Khan Khentii, Chinggis' homeland, standing proud in the distance.

Now that we’ve taken in this incredible National Park from every possible angle, we bid the area a fond farewell and transfer to a comfortable hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

We end this amazing day with a final group meal at one of our local challenge leader’s favourite restaurants.

Day 8
Ar Burd Els Sand Dunes | approx. 25km

After all that hiking and kayaking, we’ve earned ourselves a day of rest! Waking to breakfast at our hotel, you’re free to relax or explore the sprawling city as you wish.

You may want to explore the Gandantegchilin Monastery, the most important and largest monastery in Mongolia, whose name translates to “Great Place of Complete Joy”. Once one of the main Buddhist centres in Asia, the monastery has an incredible two-dozen chapels and an enormous library of religious documents and typography.

Alternatively, you can take this chance to wander around the State Department Store and the city’s many craft outlets, including the Tsagaan Alt, Mary and Martha for some last-minute souvenirs.

To give you maximum flexibility on this free day, lunch and dinner are not included, so please make your own arrangements while you’re out exploring.

Day 9
Ulaanbaatar

Today sees us travelling back to the UK. Transferring after breakfast to the airport, we fly to London. From there, you make your own way home, no doubt already raring for your next adventure.