Join us for this adventure of a lifetime, especially designed for Her on a Hill by Jess from Eternal Landscapes. The trip concentrates on experiencing Mongolia in a truly authentic way. We stay with local herding families and meet local women in their true home or work environments. The holiday strays well off the beaten track and is all the better for it.  This is not your average “tourist” experience so come prepared to visit the real Mongolia and all that that entails.

Itinerary (subject to change):

Day 1: Depart on overnight flight to Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2: Welcome to Ulaanbaatar: Arrive in Mongolia’s capital, where one of our city drivers will meet you for your complimentary airport transfer. Settle into your hotel and take some time to rest, recover from your journey and ease into your first day in Mongolia. For those who arrive in the morning, why not help to beat jet lag with our informal complimentary day tour to the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue and Terelj | En-suite room at Puma Hotel | No meals

Day 3 Spend Time in Ulaanbaatar: Spend a relaxed day discovering a more local side of Mongolia’s capital through our informal introduction to Ulaanbaatar. Rather than trying to tick off every major sight, the day is designed to help you find your feet, get a feel for the city and begin understanding a little more about contemporary life in Mongolia before heading into the countryside. | En-suite room at Puma Hotel | L/D (breakfast at hotel) / Drives in city

Day 4 Slow Travel North To Darkhan: A change of pace as you leave Ulaanbaatar behind and travel north by local Trans-Mongolian train to Darkhan, Mongolia’s third-largest city. Train travel in Mongolia is never about speed. Instead, it is a chance to settle into the rhythm of the rails and watch the country unfold beyond the window. On arrival, spend time exploring this quiet city. Darkhan rarely features on the typical visitor itinerary, but that is part of its appeal — offering a glimpse into everyday urban Mongolia beyond Ulaanbaatar. | En-suite room at local hotel | L/D (breakfast at hotel) | Transfers

Day 5 Kazakh Eagle Traditions & Amarbayasgalant Monastery: Spend the morning in the company of eagle hunter Aman. It is worth putting aside some of the familiar images associated with Kazakh eagle hunters, because his life does not fit neatly into those stereotypes. He lives in Darkhan, does not own horses, and is one of only a small number of eagle hunters based outside western Mongolia. Spend around one to two hours with Aman, meeting his eagles and learning informally about the relationship he has built with them. After lunch, continue by road to Amarbayasgalant Khiid, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist monasteries, set in the beautiful Iven Valley. Stay tonight in a simple private guest ger beside the monastery. Facilities are basic, but the location allows you to explore on foot and experience the valley as the visitors leave and the evening quietens. | Simple private guest ger shared by 3-4 group members | Outside pit-style toilet | No shower | B/L/D | approx. 3-4 hours driving time

Day 6 Volcanic Landscapes: Travel through the forest-steppe scenery of Bulgan Province to the extinct volcanoes of Uran Togoo and its neighbouring cones — low, grass-covered forms rising unexpectedly from the open steppe. Their names are drawn from familiar objects found around a traditional hearth. Accommodation here is simple but comfortable for one night, giving you time to explore these distinctive volcanic landscapes and enjoy the wide views across the surrounding countryside. | Simple private guest ger shared by 3-4 group members | Toilets and showers in separate camp | B/L/D | approx. 5-6 hours driving time

Day 7 Sacred Mountains & Sand Dunes at Khogno Khan: Your destination today is Khogno Khan, where the sacred granite mountain rises above the surrounding steppe and the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. Enjoy a camel trek alongside the dunes and time simply taking in the wide-open landscapes of this beautiful region from the viewpoint of Erdene Khambiin Khiid temple. | Twin-share ger at Khogno Khan Mountain Camp, with flush toilets and showers in a separate block | B/L/D | Approx. 7 hours driving time

Day 8 Provincial Mongolia: Continue to Tsetserleg, the provincial capital of Arkhangai Province — and enjoy the simple luxury of an en-suite room. Set beneath the forested slopes of Bulgan Mountain, Tsetserleg has an almost Alpine feel and is one of Mongolia’s more attractive provincial towns. This is a chance to experience provincial Mongolia at an easy pace. Visit the Arkhangai Museum, housed within the former Zayain Gegeen Monastery complex, once an important centre of Buddhism in the region. You might also browse the local market or climb the steps to Galdan Zuu Süm, set on the slopes of Bulgan Mountain, for views across the rooftops of Tsetserleg and the surrounding Khangai hills. | En-suite accommodation at Khangain Tugul Hotel | B/L/D | Approx. 6-7 hours driving time

Day 9 Life With the Galbadrakh Family in the Khangai Mountains: Spend a day alongside the Galbadrakh family, sharing in the rhythms of a yak-herding household and experiencing a very different side of rural Mongolian life. There is no set programme here. Instead, your time will follow the family, the livestock and whatever needs doing that day, giving you the opportunity to experience everyday life in the Khangai Mountains at a slower pace. | Simple private guest ger alongside the family shared by 3-4 group members | Outside pit-style toilet | No shower | B/L/D | Approx. 1 hour driving time

Days 10 and 11 Culture of the Orkhon Valley & Kharkhorin: A full day on the road takes you into Mongolia’s historic heartland and the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of the Orkhon Valley. Spend the following day exploring Kharkhorin and discovering more about the history, religion and cultural heritage of a region that has played a central role in Mongolia’s story for centuries. | Twin-share guest ger at Anar Camp | B/L/D | Day 10 approx. 4-5 hours driving time

Day 12 Mongolia’s Wild Horses: A shorter road journey takes you to Khustai Nuruu National Park, one of Mongolia’s best-known conservation success stories and home to the reintroduced takhi, or Przewalski’s horse. You’ll be hosted by the Batchuluun family, who are part of the local Bayansonginot community, and during the evening your host will lead an informal felting activity. | Simple guest ger shared 3-4 group members | Outside pit-style toilet | No shower | B/L/D | Approx. 7-8 hours driving time

Day 13 | The Road Back to Ulaanbaatar: Spend some time exploring Khustai, including a visit to the national park information centre, before returning to Ulaanbaatar after lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to refresh, relax or enjoy some final independent time in the city before coming together for a farewell dinner. | En-suite room at Puma Hotel | B/L/D | Approx 3-4 hours driving time

Day 14 | Depart Mongolia: Your journey comes to an end today. Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your onward flight.

Feedback from a previous trip:
“The trip to Mongolia was a wonderful experience and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the 3 families which gave us insight into their daily way of living. It is a remarkable place and very expansive. Loved soaking in the atmosphere and the beautiful views. It is clear there is a lot being invested in the country to develop it further. If you want a true experience of Mongolian life living in a ger and being with herders this is the holiday for you. The guides were informative and cooked lovely meals which included vegetarian.” Izzy

“I thought the trip overall was great. It was wonderful to see the beautiful countryside and a privilege to experience just a taste of such a different lifestyle. The itinerary was very well planned with a good variety of experiences.
All our time with the local families was extraordinary, and I felt I learned the most from our day with the yak herders.
The accommodation was as I expected it to be from the descriptions, and in fact the gers were more comfortable than I had thought they would be. Thanks very much for running the trip – I would never have gone to Mongolia otherwise.” Cathie