OUTER MONGOLIA 8D-7N

Fly to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Upon arrival, meet and greet at the airport followed by dinner. Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel or similar in Ulaanbaatar.

After breakfast, drive to Terelj National Park (100 km, 1.5 hours). En route, visit the world’s tallest equestrian statue of Genghis Khan. Take an elevator to the horse's neck for a panoramic view of Genghis Khan's homeland. Upon arrival at Terelj National Park, explore the famous Turtle Rock and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of flowing streams, dense forests, and vast grasslands. Lunch at a resort restaurant. Visit a local nomadic family, taste traditional dairy products, and experience the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle. Dinner features Mongolia’s unique stone-roasted lamb. Overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger (two people per ger with private bathroom).

After breakfast, visit Ayurbala Meditation Temple. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping at Nalaikh Kazakh Village to admire the exquisite weaving skills of Kazakh women and try on traditional Kazakh clothing. Lunch en route. Continue to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, visit Zaisan Hill and the Soviet Red Army Memorial for a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. Dinner. Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel or similar in Ulaanbaatar.

After breakfast, drive to Bayan Gobi (280 km, 4 hours). Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the resort. In the afternoon, visit a local camel herder’s family, taste dairy products, and enjoy a camel ride (30 minutes). Explore the Gobi Desert landscape and take in the scenic beauty of the grasslands and the stunning views of Khugnu Khan Mountain. Continue driving to Karakorum in the late afternoon. Dinner. Overnight at Ikh Khorum Hotel in Karakorum. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century (80 km, approx. 90 minutes). In 1220, it became the capital under Genghis Khan and was a major international hub for overland trade. The city was destroyed by Ming Dynasty troops in 1368. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 using stones from the Karakorum ruins. It was Mongolia’s first center of Lamaist and Buddhist teachings. At its peak, the monastery housed over 1,000 lamas in 108 buildings. Severely damaged in the 1930s, it has since been restored and opened to visitors. The surrounding 108 stupas are world-famous. Karakorum was the political, economic, and cultural center of Mongolia’s golden era and is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mongolia. In 2002, a joint Mongolian-German archaeological team excavated the site of Ögedei Khan’s palace, uncovering many valuable artifacts. With luck, you might even find a 13th-century relic. Overnight at Ikh Khorum Hotel in Karakorum. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to Khustain Nuruu National Park to observe the endangered Mongolian wild horses (Takhi). In the afternoon, continue the drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Check into the hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel or similar in Ulaanbaatar. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, explore Ulaanbaatar’s highlights, including Sukhbaatar Square, the State Palace (exterior view), the Mongolian National Museum, and the country’s most renowned religious center, Gandan Monastery, home to the magnificent Janraisig Buddha statue. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, the last king of Mongolia. Stop by the department store for souvenirs. Dinner. Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel or similar in Ulaanbaatar. (B, L, D)

ARRIVAL at KUALA LUMPUR