Nomads and Mongol Empire 7 days, 6 nights:
UB 2 days, BE 3, KH 2

Day 1 Arrival to UB, touring evening UB and Zaisan outlook, if time allows visit National history museum and folk concert. Spend a night in UB.

Day 2 Drive from UB for 150kms to a place called "Ulahiin bulan". It is located on the bank of the river Tuul and is combination of semi-desert and grassy valleys. Visit local family and spend a night in tent or nomadic ger. You can try yourself in the nomadic life by trying daily duties such as herding, milking sheeps and goats, milking the mare etc.

Day 3 Take horseback riding lessons. Local herdsmen will help you to adjust to Mongolian horse. After lunch ride to a hill called "Badrah" in 10-15kms. Visit local nomadic family on the way. Hiking in hills. Overnight in tent or nomadic ger.

Day 4 Ride to a place called "Elsen am" in 10kms. It is a small piece of desert in the middle of grassy valley and nearby mountains and river. There are quite a few camels in the this area. Spend a day in this area. Quite briefly ride camels. Spend a night in tent or nomadic ger.

Day 5 Drive towards Kharkhorin. It is a long ride, arrive in the evening. Visit places around Kharkhorin if time allows. Situated in between the river of Orkhon and in the valley of Khangai mountains, Kharkhorin was the capital of one of the most powerful and extended nomadic Empires - the Empire of Chinggis Khaan. The construction was started by Chinggis Khaan himself and in 1220, during the reign of his third son Egedei, it was named the capital city. Major constructions were finished by 1236. The city was surrounded by rectangular walls approximately 4x4 kms. Four gates were located on each side and on the eastern gates trade was conducted on grains, vegetables, on western gates - sheep and goats, on southern gates - carts, bulls, handcrafts and, finally, horses market was on the northern gate. Closer to the northern end was the castle of Egedei Khaan , named the Khaan of Ten Thousand Prosperity. Today only the basement walls of the castle are remaining. According to old legends four turtles were created to protect the city from floods. One of them is still intact near the gates. Many foreign guests visited the city and left their writings about the city. One of them writes that in the center of the city a golden fountain was erected that during the festivals and other occasions was discharging milk, vine, vodka, honey and airag. A woman's figure playing on the flute was a the summit of the fountain. A French designer created the fountain. The city has existed for a relatively short time and in the mid-13th century Khubilai Khaan moved the capital to Kaiping (currently know as Beijing ). In one hundred year after that the city was burned by Chinese troops and in 16th century it was completely ruined during in-fighting between Mongolian nobles. The remains of the city were found in the 1940s. We have to note this: IT IS ONLY FEW REMNANTS OF THE CITY THAT ARE LEFT THERE, PLEASE DO NOT THINK OF IT AS SOME TOOMBS OR OLD CITIES THAT STILL EXIST.

Day 6 Visit the Erdenezuu monastery. Erdene dzuu monastery is one of the oldest monasteries on the territory of Mongolia . It was created in 1586 in the location just opposite Kharkhorin by the most influential noble of the time Avtaikhaan. The construction began in 17th century and continued until the early 19th century. When erecting the monastery the stones from the remains of Kharkhorin were used. Most of the work was done under the supervision of the Mongolian architect Manzshir. It is believed that not a single nail was used in the construction of the moastery. The territory of the monastery was surrounded by 400x400 meter walls connecting 108 surbagan (the stone constructions erected on the occasions of important events or the burials of nobles). 10 thousand lams inhabited the monastery at the its peak and more than 60 praying houses were in inside. The praying houses that remain now contain Mongolian, Chinese, Arabic and Tibetan writings dating back to 13th and 14th century.There are various monasteries remaining throughout the territory of the Monastery. Most notable among them are Gurvan dzuu (Three Dzuu) - central, western and eastern. They contains most remarkable religious artifacts. The monastery was badly damaged in 17th and 18th century during the in-fighting between Mongolian nobles and struggle against Manchu aggressors. It was also damaged very seriously in the 1930 during anti-religious purges. The monastery was restored several times and the latest restoration took place in the 1990s.

Day 7 Drive back to UB.