Leave London Heathrow by Air China flight to Beijing (9 hours 50 minutes).

Arriving in the Chinese capital this afternoon transfer to the Xiyuan Hotel.

China’s political and cultural heart, Beijing is a city of unparalleled contrasts, a rich fusion of ancient monuments and modern grandeur. Today is free to explore something of this most fascinating of cities at your leisure, before dinner this evening.

After a morning flight to Ulan Bator (3 hours 15 minutes) transfer to the Bayangol Hotel. Afternoon visit to the splendid 19th century Winter Palace Museum of the Bogdhan, the royal residence of Mongolia’s last king and 8th Living Buddha.

A morning visit to the Gandan Monastery introduces you to the largest and most important monastery in the country, home to some 150 monks and central to many of the city’s major religious and cultural celebrations. Also visit the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Drive to the once mighty city of Karakorum, the centre of Genghis Khan’s 13th century powerbase. This once thriving city now lies abandoned and empty, many of its stones taken and used in the construction of nearby Erdenezuu, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, which at its height echoed to the chanting of a 1,000 monks. Tonight stay in traditional gers at the nearby Anar Ger Camp (370 KM/approximately 8½ hours with stops).

Today head towards Mongolia’s isolated and mountainous southern regions where, along the banks of the Ongiin Gol, you will come across the atmospheric ruins of the 17th century Ongiin Monastery, once the largest in southern Mongolia (299 KM/approximately 8 hours). Overnight at the Ongi Ger Camp.

Journeying across the arid South Gobi (249 kM/approximately 8 hours with stops) traverse a land of extremes, where harsh temperatures and sparse rainfall make it the least populated region in the country. This is home to the black-tailed gazelle, Mongolian wild horses and the rare Gobi bear and tonight you will once again camp beneath the stars, at the Three Camel Lodge Ger Camp in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park.

Spend the day travelling through this most remote of regions, taking time to visit the Eagle’s Valley and the surreal landscape of Bayanzag, The Flaming Cliffs, a red sand desert of eerie emptiness, whose shifting sands have revealed a staggering diversity of dinosaur bones and eggs, including the famous ‘Fighting Dinosaurs’.

Continuing your journey north east head across the Mongolian steppes of the Middle Gobi, travelling through a landscape of flat dry plains that is home to the Khalkh people. The long day’s drive (249 KM/approximately 10 hours with stops) finally brings you to the gers of the Middle Gobi Ger Camp, your resting place for the evening.

These parched plains are home to the granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a place of local pilgrimage and this afternoon you visit the Tsogt Taij rock inscriptions, commemorating Mongolia’s 17th century struggle for independence against the Manchu Dynasty.

Your journey brings you full circle today, as you return to the Mongolian capital (322 KM/approximately 7 hours). Check into the Bayangol Hotel, after which the rest of the day is free.

A short flight this morning to Murun (1 hour 25 minutes), from where you drive on to the beautiful landscapes around Lake Hoysgol and stay at the Khangardi Ger Camp.

The next two days sees you enjoying a range of exhilarating activities and sightseeing, from visits to local nomad families, to horse riding, bird-watching and boat trips on the lake. The programme is very much dependent upon the interests of the group.

Spend the day taking part in activities that are on offer at the camp.

Drive back to Murun for the return flight to Ulan Bator where you stay at the Bayangol Hotel.

Today is the opening ceremony of the famous Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s largest and most colourful, tracing its roots back to the nomadic gatherings of the mighty Mongol armies of Genghis Khan. An explosion of colour and ceremony it is a captivating mix of wrestling, archery and horse races, originally devised to test the courage, strength and horsemanship of battle hardened warriors. This evening there will be a folklore performance and gala dinner.

Fly to Beijing for your stay at the Xiyuan Hotel.

Departing Beijing this afternoon on Air China, fly back to London Heathrow, arriving later today.