We've been under Mongolia's spell for a long time, dating to the days when it appeared in musty atlases as “Outer Mongolia.” So, it’s with great joy that we introduce people to this magnificent land and its festivals.

The Horse Herders Festival is a sporting event that is, in essence, the Mongolian version of a rodeo. During the celebration, local nomads and horsemen are invited to show off their wrangling skills in a series of competitions. Horse racing has always been one of Mongolia’s favorite sports, so any celebration of the Mongolian horse is sure to include a horse race. Other events at the festival include demonstrations of horse-wrangling techniques passed down from generation to generation.

In addition to enjoying the festival, we explore the cosmopolitan capital, Ulaanbaatar, venture into the heart of the Gobi Desert, and visit Karakorum, one-time capital of the vast Mongol Empire. Beyond relishing Mongolia’s ethereal landscapes, we have a chance to look for dinosaur bones, ride the two-humped Bactrian camel, visit the Buddhist monasteries of Gandan and Erdene Zuu, and enjoy an excursion to the sublime Yol Valley of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains (part of the vast Altai Range).

Day 1: arrive in Ulaanbaatar • Day 2: fly to south Gobi, explore Yol Valley, visit Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) • Day 3: drive to Khongoriin Els (singing sand dunes) • Day 4: visit nomad family, camel riding in the dunes • Day 5: Horse Herder’s Day • Day 6: fly back to Ulaanbaatar • Day 7: drive to Khustain Nuruu National Park • Day 8: drive to Karakorum, visit Erdene Zuu Monastery • Day 9: drive to Khogno Khan • Day 10: drive back to Ulaanbaatar • Day 11: depart Ulaanbaatar.

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