Shamanism in the steppe

• Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

• Appointment at 12 o'clock at your hotel with your guide. He will take you in the restaurant of your choice.

• Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history, in the wonderful National History Museum. Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan.

• Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator. Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

• At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh: folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi, the overtone singing.

• We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometre (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".

• Walk until Erdene Khambiin Monastery. "Monk Erdene's Monastery" dates from 17th century and was built in the mountain. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, monk Erdene.

Khogno Khan - Orkhon valley

• Journey to Orkhon Valley. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the valley is a land of nomadism and many breeders set their summer camp there.

Day 4

• Stay among breeders in the valley. During your stay, you will discover their way of life and you will be proposed many activities, such as milking, making traditional dairy products, or rounding up the animals with a horse.

  You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue that you will enjoy with your hosts.

• Those who wish will go pony trekking along Orkhon Valley, from the camp until Orkhon waterfalls.

• Visit of Ulan Tsutgalaan falls, white flood flowing on the black stone, transformed in rainbow by a short sunray... These 16-metres (52,49 feet) falls are just magic ! They were formed 20.000 years ago, as a result of a unique combination of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Orkhon valley - Tsenkher hot springs

• Visit of Tovkhon Monastery. Vehicles can't go until the top of Öndör Ulaan Hill and we will walk until there to discover Tovkhon Ermitage, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view on the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

• Arrival at Tsenkher hot springs, where you can lounge in the hot springs of the camp.

Tsenkher hot springs - Kharkhorin

• Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city, until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

• Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas.

• Journey to Khustai Reserve that houses the Przewalski horses (takh). Twilight is the best moment to observe them. We'll walk until the river where they drink, and observe them with no fear to bother.

Ulan Bator - Sainshand

• Transmongolian until Sainshand. In the train, Mongolians are the great majority of the travellers, so a "local atmosphere" is guaranteed ! For lunch, we will picnic in the train. All along the journey, we can enjoy the splendid landscapes of the Mongolian steppes. Arrival in the early evening.

Day 9

• Visit of Khamar Monastery. The famous Mongolian teacher and man of letters Danzanravjaa created this monastery in the 1820's. It was an important centre of the Buddhist "red sect".

  North of the monastery, we will see some meditation caves.

• Visit of one of the most sacred places in the Buddhist belief, the Shambala, entrance of an utopian world ruled by joy and harmony. This energetic centre has become a popular place of pilgrimage in Mongolia.

Day 10

• Visit of a camel herders' family where we'll discover the Mongolian hospitality.

• Camelback trip among the desertic landscapes of Sainshand area.

• Visit of the Museum of Danzanravjaa.

• In the evening, we emnark on the night train towards Ulan Bator. We spend the night on the train, in comfortable berths (one cabin for four persons). Arrival at the capital the day after.

• Transfer from the international station to your hotel, located in the centre of Ulan Bator, where you can rest.

• Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.

• Rest of the day free. With our guide, you can go and shop in the centre of the city.

• Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.