Day 1 – To Ulan Bator: Evening flight from London to Ulan Bator with Korean Air, via Seoul. (N)

Day 2 – Ulan Bator: Arrive in Ulan Bator and stay at the Khan Palace Hotel or Ramada Ulaanbaatar Citycentre Hotel for 2 nights. (N)

Day 3 – Terelj National Park: Travel to the Terelj National Park and see Turtle Rock. Then take a short horse ride on one of Mongolia’s sturdy mounts or stroll through the rolling countryside. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – To Middle Gobi: This morning, leave the city and travel into the wilderness. See the ruins at Sum Huh Burd monastery and have lunch by the Zorgol Khairkhan mountain. You will spend the next 8 nights in ger camps. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – To the Gobi desert: Drive south into the Gobi proper and the Gurvansaikhan National Park. Travel through the Gobi forest to the Flaming Cliffs. Once a huge inland sea, this area held some of the best fossil finds the world has known. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – To Eagle valley: Relaxed walking tour to the steep-sided Eagle valley canyon, with a visit the Gobi glacier en route (subject to environmental conditions). (B, L, D)

Day 7 – To Hongor Els: Drive to Hongor Els and walk on the towering sand dunes. The wildlife here includes ibexes, wild rams and gazelles. In the evening, visit a camel breeder’s family for an opportunity to go camel riding. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – To Saikhan Ovoo: Head across the mountains of Ikh Bogdo to Saikhan Ovoo. Visit the mountainside remains of the Ongiin monastery, which now has only a small number of novice monks after years of turmoil. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – To Orkhon valley: Continue north to the beautiful Orkhon valley and visit a local horse breeder’s family. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – To Karakorum: In the morning, visit Orkhon waterfall and drive to Karakorum, once capital of the mighty Mongol empire. Explore Erdene Zuu monastery, the first Buddhist centre in Mongolia. At your ger camp, take part in an archery competition. (B, L, D)

Day 11 – To Khustain Nuruu National Park: Drive to Khustain Nuruu National Park, with lunch en route at Bayangobi. This afternoon, search for the takhi, the world’s last remaining species of wild horse. The reserve has successfully reintroduced the species to the area after facing extinction. Return to the camp for a khorkhog, a traditional Mongolian stone roast barbecue. (B, L, D)

Day 12 – To Ulan Bator: Return to Ulan Bator and visit the Natural History Museum, home to excellent dinosaur exhibits. Stay overnight at the Khan Palace Hotel or Ramada Ulaanbaatar Citycentre Hotel. Evening farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 13 – To Seoul: Morning tour of the National History Museum, Gandan monastery and Zaisan Hill for views of the Tuul river valley. Evening flight to Seoul. (B, L)

Day 14 – To London: Early morning arrival in Seoul where you will have use of a room at the Air Garden Hotel during transit. In the afternoon, fly to London with Korean Air, arriving late afternoon. (N)

Discovery Tour: Mongolia is a vastly rewarding wilderness destination. The accommodation is basic and, except in Ulan Bator, you will stay in gers – large, traditional heated tents with communal bathrooms. Cox & Kings uses the best gers available. Travelling is over long distances in 4x4s and sometimes over rough terrain.

Private Journeys: This tour has been designed for groups travelling in chartered vehicles. Should you wish to travel to Mongolia on a private basis, please contact Cox & Kings.

Naadam festival: Dating from the Genghis Khan era, the Naadam festival is a showcase for traditional sporting events and a celebration enjoyed throughout Mongolia from 11 to 13 July. At the National Stadium in Ulan Bator, nomads compete in wrestling, archery and horsemanship. Both the 29 June and 9 July tours include the colourful opening ceremony and first day of the festival.

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals