15 days tour

Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival

$ 7,650 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $7,650.00

Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival

This tour includes:

Meals

Traditional Mongolian diets are very meat and dairy heavy. While there are opportunities to try some of these products, such as dry curd and fermented mareโ€™s milk, the meals provided in the ger camps are generally Western meals, at times with an Asian influence. There is normally some form of soup and salad plus a main course and desert. Vegetarians are generally well catered for; if you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements, please inform us in advance. Breakfasts can vary from place to place, some are buffets while others are set, normally cereal, bread and possibly a hot dish. On some days, a pack lunch is provided, this is often still a proper meal (though without the soup). Water is provided and is generally from large water containers, so make sure to bring a refillable water bottle. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, vodka and (most of the time) wine are available to buy at the ger camps. There is the opportunity to buy snacks in Ulaanbaatar and on a couple of other occasions along the way when we drive through towns or villages.

Transport

We travel in a convoy of 4x4s (four passengers per vehicle) as we make our way around central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. Driving in the wilderness can be hard going on minivans/larger vehicles. They may experience punctures and may need to be cooled down as overheating is common. We use Jeeps as they are much more reliable and able to navigate rough roads better than the larger minivans often used. Although rare, punctures/issues can occur so please come with an open mind. We may also use a coach for getting around Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park. We also use one internal flight.

Guide

We are led by a local tour leader who is accompanied by an experienced Mongolian guide. Other trip staff include drivers and local assistants as needed.

Accommodation

We use hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Arvaikheer and ger camps elsewhere. This traditional accommodation is airy and usually contains a central wood-burning stove (in the summer the stoves are not normally needed). The bathrooms are normally shared and all have hot water (due to the remoteness of the camps, this can be erratic at times). Many of the ger camps now have 24-hour electricity in the ger itself for charging batteries. If there is no charging facility inside the ger then there are charging facilities in the common area (though this may be during limited periods, when the generator is turned on). There is normally no more than two people per ger; however, due to availability issues, we may need to have triples in the ger in some cases. There may also be rare occasions when a single cannot be guaranteed in a particular ger camp.

Not included:

Others

โ€” Travel Insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival

  • Day 1 Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar

      The adventure begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. There are no activities planned for today to allow for different arrival times and to rest after the flight. However, if you arrive into Ulaanbaatar early, you could explore some of the city sites, including: Sukhbaatar Square (the main square), the National Museum and the landmark State Department Store Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: Visit Terelj National Park, Including Aryabal Temple; First Night In A Ger Camp (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Visit Terelj National Park, Including Aryabal Temple; First Night In A Ger Camp (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      As we head out of Ulaanbaatar city, we visit the giant Genghis Khan statue at Tsonjin Boldog. Standing 130ft (40m) tall, the statue depicts the Mongolian ruler astride his horse and sits atop the visitor centre (itself 33ft/10m tall). It is possible to climb onto the horseโ€™s head to get a closer look at Genghis Khanโ€™s face. After, we continue to Terelj National Park, a large, protected area of green mountain meadows filled with edelweiss and other wildflowers. The contrast to the Gobi Desert is striking and it feels like being in a different country. We visit the Tibetan-style Aryabal Temple, a mountainside meditation centre with sweeping views over the national park. As we follow the walk up to the temple, we can read the inspirational sayings on placards every few steps. The climb to the temple is not difficult but does involve many steps and can be tiring. Tonight, we have our first night sleeping in a ger. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 3 Day 3: To Khustain Nuruu National Park; Trek To See Przewalskiโ€™S Horses (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: To Khustain Nuruu National Park; Trek To See Przewalskiโ€™S Horses (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We drive towards Kharkhorin, making a detour to Khustain Nuruu National Park, two hoursโ€™ west of Ulaanbaatar. Khustain Nuruu is famous for the re-introduction of Przewalskiโ€™s horses (also known as takhi horses), which were once native to Mongolia and almost became extinct earlier in the 20th century. Through the efforts of several Mongolian and international organisations, these magnificent wild horses now roam in the steppes of the national park once again. We visit the Project Information Centre and take a guided hike to see the wild horses. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 4 Day 4: To Karakorum; Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: To Karakorum; Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We continue our drive to Karakorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire, making a brief stop to see the dunes of the Little Gobi along the way. Karakorum was established by Ogedei Khan and remained the Mongol powerbase until Khublai Khan established Beijing as the capital. Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery was the largest monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital. Much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalinโ€™s purges of the 1930s, but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and several temples remain. After lunch, we visit the monastery, the modern Karakorum Museum and the surrounding area. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 5 Day 5: Along Northern Edge Of Gobi Desert To Arvaikheer Via Shankh Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Along Northern Edge Of Gobi Desert To Arvaikheer Via Shankh Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We continue along the paved road to Arvaikheer, the capital of Ovorkhangai Aimag, on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. On the way, we visit the Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theologist Zanabazar. We should arrive at Arvaikheer mid-afternoon. In the afternoon, we have time to visit the local museum, which contains nature collections, stone figures and Turkic scripts, and possibly go to a local market. Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 6 Day 6: To Bayan Gobi Via Ikh Bogd Mountain (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: To Bayan Gobi Via Ikh Bogd Mountain (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today is a long day as we head properly off the tourist route into some of the wilder parts of the Gobi Desert. After an early breakfast, we start our journey and rapidly leave the paved road behind. The landscape changes as we head deeper into the Gobi and the majestic Ikh Bogd should be visible in the distance, the highest mountain in the Gobi Altai mountain range. Eventually, after about nine hours of travelling (with stops), we arrive at our ger camp in the wilderness. This is the longest dayโ€™s driving but is also a trip highlight as we pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in Mongolia. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 7 Day 7: Cross The Gobi Via White Cave (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Cross The Gobi Via White Cave (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      After going over a desert pass and visiting the quartz-rich White Cave, our journey continues through classic Gobi Desert scenery of flat stony plains mixed with small rocky outcrops and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. We stop for a picnic lunch on the way, with views of Arts Bogd mountain to the north. We head off to the Kongoriin Els dunes, arriving in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 8 Day 8: Visit Singing Dunes, The Largest Dunes In Mongolia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Visit Singing Dunes, The Largest Dunes In Mongolia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We have a full day to explore the dunes and surrounding area. The Khongoriin Els stretch for 125mi (200km) and are as high as 985ft (300m) in places. They are known as the Singing Dunes because of the beautiful sound that resonates through them on a windy day. The South Gobi has 100,000 camels, typically used by herders for transportation of their gers. We have the opportunity today to visit a camel-breeding family and glimpse the way of life of the nomadic herders of these parts. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 9 Day 9: Travel Through Rocky Plains Of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Travel Through Rocky Plains Of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      This morning, we drive through Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Gobi Gurvansaikhan means Three Beauties of the Gobi and this range marks the eastern end of the Gobi Altai range. The park landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs and ravines, salt pans and oases. We visit a spectacular natural sight of this region, Yolyn Am. The name means Vultureโ€™s Mouth and it is a canyon so deep and narrow that winter ice can remain on the valley floor even in the height of summer. This region is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife and many endangered species live here, including khulan, ibex, argali and elusive snow leopards. We visit a museum and explore the canyon before transferring to a nearby ger camp for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 10 Day 10: Hike Around The Flaming Cliffs Of Bayanzag (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Hike Around The Flaming Cliffs Of Bayanzag (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we have time to relax in our luxury ger camp. Either in the morning or afternoon, we drive 45mi (70km) to Bayanzag. Known as the Flaming Cliffs, their red/ochre colour can be striking and we have the opportunity for a short hike among sands of red, yellow and orange. Bayanzag is a world-renowned dinosaur fossil exploration site, discovered in the 1920s by Mongolian and American palaeontologists. We are free to explore the region and may even be lucky enough to spot dinosaur fossils. We later return to our ger camp. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 11 Day 11: Fly To Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Fly To Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We leave the Gobi Desert and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Our flight time determines when we get back to Ulaanbaatar. Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 12 Day 12: Ulaanbaatar And Khui Doloon Khudag Horse Racing (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Ulaanbaatar And Khui Doloon Khudag Horse Racing (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We visit the Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning lamasery in Mongolia and the seat of Buddhist studies in the country. Here we may see monks praying and the 65ft (20m) gold-and-bronze statue of Migjid Janraisig. You also attend the horse racing in Khui Doloon Khudag and witness cultural events in Sukbaatar Square ahead of the Naadam Festival opening. Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 13 Day 13-14: Naadam Festival (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13-14: Naadam Festival (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      The Naadam Festival celebrates the โ€˜three games of menโ€™ (or Erin Gurvan Naadam): wrestling, horse racing and archery. More recently, a fourth game, knuckle-bone flicking, was added to the competitions. The festival is celebrated throughout the country but the biggest is in Ulaanbaatar. Over the next two days, we attend the grand opening ceremony before we watch Mongolians compete in all four sports. We also mingle with hordes of Mongolian spectators as the grounds around the stadium (where wrestling, archery and bone-flicking take place) and the horse races are filled with stands selling food, games, flags and various other things. The atmosphere is a big part of the experience and many Mongolians dress in their best traditional clothes for the occasion. In 2010, the festival was entered into the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list and is a great celebration of the Central Asian nationโ€™s culture. Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 14 Day 15: End In Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: End In Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast)

      The tour ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home, full of tales and magnificent photos to share.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 18 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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