Explore the natural and cultural wonders of Mongolia, one of the last remaining wilderness frontiers. Mongolia offers a rare glimpse of an ancient nomadic culture that has changed little over the centuries combined with stunning natural beauty - alpine lakes, vast grasslands, forested mountains, volcanoes and hotsprings - all abounding with wildlife.

Genghis Khan's 13th century capital is largely in ruins, but from its ruins the great monastery complex of Erdene Zuu was built. With restored religious freedom this, like the great temples of Ulaanbataar, is again attracting increasing numbers of monks and chapels are being restored.

The volcanic freshwater lake Terkhiin Tsagaan is one of the most beautiful lakes of the country – perfect (though cold) for swimming with stretches of sandy beach along its shoreline. Surrounded by extinct and craterous volcanoes it was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago.

Hovsgol is a huge alpine lake surrounded by 2000m mountains, thick pine forests and lush meadows with grazing yaks and horses. More than 100 small rivers and streams feed the lake with crystal clear water, through only one river, the Egiin, exits, its waters eventually reaching Lake Baikal. At least a dozen species of fish inhabit the lake and rivers, including sturgeon, grayling, lennok, salmon and taimon.