Special Feature Mongolia

Cultural tour of Central Mongolia

Remote, stunning Mongolia, bounded by Russia and China, occupies 1.5 million square kilometres of the Central Asian plateau. With a tiny population, half of whom are nomadic, the country sustains some of the last pristine ecosystems on Earth. This beautiful region was once a crucial segment of the Silk Route, an ancient network of trade in precious silks and spices as well as knowledge and culture. Trade fuelled the great Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan and a rich Tibetan-Buddhism became woven into its ancient Shamanistic practices. But Imperial China and Tsarist Russia in turn conquered and made Mongolia a vassal State. During the Stalinist era, Buddhist monasteries were destroyed and religious expression was severely curtailed. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 brought about a significant resurgence of Buddhism. Priceless artefacts, hidden from waves of invaders, were restored to the monasteries and Mongolia now is home to some of the finest collections of Buddhist art found in Asia.

Cultural historian Zara Fleming leads this adventurous journey, staying in traditional gers.

DAY 1 London - Berlin - Depart for one night stay in this remarkable city. Visit the fine Buddhist collections in the Museum of Indian Arts.

DAY 2 Berlin - Ulaanbataar - Overnight flight.

DAY 3 Ulaanbataar - 2-night hotel stay close to Sukhbaatar Square. Afternoon visit to the Bogd Khan Winter Palace, then the Chojin Lam temple.

DAY 4 Ulaanbataar - Morning visit Gandantegchinlen Hid, the most important monastery in Mongolia. Afternoon in the Fine Art museum and the Museum of National History.

DAY 5 Ulaanbataar - Khustain Noroo - Jeep to Altan Bulag, 50km from Ulaanbaatar to spend the day with a nomadic family. Continue to Khustain Noroo Natural Reserve (50km) where wild horses - takhi - thrive.

DAY 6 Khustain Noroo - Khogno Khan - Search with guides for the takhi. Afternoon jeep to Khogno Khan (200km). 2-night stay in dramatic setting.

DAY 7 Khogno Khan Hike round Khogno Khan Mountain to a small temple built beside ruins of an ancient monastery. Optional horse ride.

DAY 8 Khogno Khan - Kharkhorin - Jeep to Kharkhorin (90km), where Genghis Khan established the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. All day at Erdene Zuu monastery, the Mongolian centre of Buddhism. Evening hike to a hillside monument depicting Mongol world empires.

2-night stay on the Orkhon River.

DAY 9 Kharkhorin - Jeep to Batulzi district (70km) to walk up the mountain to Tuvkhun Hid, a recently restored monastery where the first Bogd Gegeen, Zanabazar, meditated.

DAY 10 Kharkhorin - Tsenkher - Jeep into the Khangai Mountains to Tsenkher hot springs (120km), where one can bathe in the outdoor mineral baths beside the forest. Afternoon visiting a nomadic family.

DAY 11 Tsenkher - Tsetserkeg - Ikh Tamir - Jeep to Tsetserleg, the capital town of Arkhangai province (30km). Visit the local museum, market and the felt making factory. Afternoon drive over Bulgan mountain to Ikh Tamir (27km). 2-night stay by the sacred Taikhir stone.

DAY 12 Ikh Tamir - A leisure day for personal pursuits, horse riding, writing/painting, or make a short excursion to Khorgiin Uzur (18km) to examine ancient stone sculptures.

DAY 13 Ikh Tamir - Elsen Tasarkhai (250km) - Drive to an area of great dunes and desert vegetation. Explore the dunes on foot/camel/horseback.

DAY 14 Elsen Tasarkhai - Ulaanbaatar - Return to the capital.

DAY 15 Ulaanbaatar - Farewell performance of traditional music and dance.

DAY 16 Ulaanbaatar - London - Morning flight via Berlin arriving London in the afternoon.

DURATION - 16 Days: 21st July - 5th August 2007

PRICE £2770 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT £325

INCLUDED - Flights. Airport taxes. UK specialist leader, transfers and transportation by 4WD vehicles. Local guides and entrance fees. Services of English speaking interpreter. 3/4*hotel in Berlin/Guesthouse in Ulaanbaatar. With Breakfast. Full board days 4-13.

NOT INCLUDED - Visa costs £55. Travel insurance £62. Gratuities. UK departure tax £20.