Embrace the here and now
on a journey to Mongolia

After touching down in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar (or “red hero”, as it’s also known), you’ll board a private plane to the Orkhon Valley; flying over sprawling grasslands dotted with the white gers (yurts) of Mongolian nomads. Heading further off grid in a 4×4, your driver will ferry you to your own private camp, set up just for you. Dinner will be served beside the starlit waters of the Orkhon River.

Today, you’ll set off for Bayangobi, the northernmost part of the Gobi desert – and your private camp, Mandala. As you get closer, you’ll see Chinbaa (a local nomad) galloping towards you with several horses in tow. Mounting up, you’ll ride the last stretch of the journey together. After lunch, you’ll visit Chinbaa and his family in their nearby ger for a taste of nomadic hospitality; preparing traditional buuz (dumplings) and helping them to round up their livestock for milking. At sunset, you’ll ride the sand dunes – by sled.

Over breakfast, you’ll meet a champion archer; breaking bread and learning the secrets of this traditional art form. Then, you’ll try it for yourself. After mastering the technique, you’ll head to a local Naadam festival where families gather to compete in its three “manly” sports: archery, wrestling, and horse racing. Bow and arrow in hand, you’ll get stuck in; competing for the archery prize and sharing vodka (and tea) with the village elders. Returning to camp, you’ll enjoy a traditional Khorkhog feast (meat cooked with hot stones).

Before you head to the capital and your stylish hotel, Shangri La Ulaanbaatar, you’ll embark on a wildlife tracking adventure at dawn; seeking resident wolves and long-eared jerboa. Then, you’ll leave camp life behind (for now). In the heart of the city, you’ll spend the evening settling in; dining on northern Chinese-style dishes at Hutong restaurant and taking in dazzling views of the city and the Bogd Khan Mountain beyond.

Saying farewell to Ulaanbaatar (don’t worry, you’ll be back), you’ll fly to Ölgii. Upon arrival, your private driver will take you to your camp in the Altai Mountains where you’ll meet your hosts: Aibolat (a Kazakh eagle hunter) and his family. After settling into your own ensuite ger, you’ll spend the rest of the day getting to know your hosts; sharing beshbarmak (or “five finger food”), helping them to corral their sheep and goats, and learning about the tradition of eagle hunting.

At sunrise, you’ll join Aibolat for a spot of eagle-hunting; riding out into the mountains and watching as his eagle dips and dives for prey. Later, you’ll attend an eagle festival. After meeting your host’s hunting friends, you’ll watch as they demonstrate their strength and horsemanship with games like kokpar (the wrestling of a goat carcass) and kumis alu (“pick up the coin”). In the evening, you’ll enjoy a Kazakh concert; listening to the strings of the lute-like dombra as you gaze at the stars.

Saying farewell to Aibolat and his family, you’ll head to the airport for your flight back to the capital. Touching down in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll return to Shangri La Ulaanbaatar – your elegant home for the next few nights.

The end of a trip to Mongolia is always bittersweet. But, after pouring yourself into new pursuits (and finding yourself in breathtakingly remote places), you’ll head home with a renewed sense of focus. Sometimes, a little distraction is all you need.