Naadam Festival Mongolia
15 days
From
$ 3149
Duration15 days
Wander the land that gave the world Genghis Khan and experience the rich pageantry and intense competitions of the legendary Naadam Festival. Witness giants wrestle, archers hit impossible targets, and horses race across grasslands to glory. Travel the region’s steppes and sand dunes to uncover storied Buddhist monasteries and cultural treasures on this unique adventure. Stay overnight in gers with local families for extraordinary cultural experiences you won’t soon forget.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar/Amarbayasgalant
Enjoy a bumpy ride out to the Amarbayasgalant Monastery, the second-most important in Mongolia, located in the beautiful Iven Gol Valley.
Visit Amarbayasgalant Monastery before sleeping in a ger camp. Stargazing takes on a whole new meaning in the Mongolian countryside.
Gers are traditional Mongolian tents made with wooden frames and layers of felt. The camps we stay at will have 4 beds per ger with mattresses, linens, and extra blankets. They have a central stove to keep the place cozy and a small table and chairs.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Amarbayasgalant/Uran Togoo
Hike up the volcanic (extinct volcano) crater at Pot Mountain. Stay overnight in a traditional Ger camp.
Enjoy dinner with a nomadic family.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Uran Togoo/Selenge
Enjoy free time in this scenic region and learn more about Mongolian nomadic culture. Opt to taste traditional Mongolian barbecue which is made only during ceremonies, or family celebrations. Overnight with a Nomadic family on the Selenge River.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Selenge/Khövsgöl
Spend the day travelling to scenic Khövsgöl Lake.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Khövsgöl
Enjoy a free day at Khövsgöl lake. Try your hand at archery, go horseback riding, or hiking.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Khövsgöl/Jargalant
Travel through the Lake District of Mongolia, looking for wildlife on the way. Spend the evening at a ger camp in Jargal Jiguur.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Jargalant/Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
Continue on with another long day of scenic driving to reach Great White Lake. With two days to explore, there are plenty of ways to spend time here.
Please note that facilities at this home are very basic, and travellers will use open-air "bush toilets" in nature, or a bush toilet enclosed by a small hut for privacy.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
Spend a full day exploring the area. Climb the crater of a nearby volcano and crawl inside lava tubes. Spend a free afternoon in the area horseback riding, fishing, or mingling with the locals.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake/Tsenkher
Stop en route to Tsenkher in the small town of Tsetserleg to visit the monastery museum. Opt to visit the handicraft shops here or the bakery.
Stay in a ger camp nearby with options to visit the springs, go horseback riding, or chat with the locals.
Stay in a ger camp nearby with options to visit the springs, go horseback riding, or chat with the locals.
Visit the monastery museum of Tsetserleg before continuing on to the Tsenkher Hot Springs. Opt to experience the waters' healing powers first hand.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Tsenkher/Elsen Tasarhai
Drive to Elsen Tasarhai. Enjoy the activities that so called little Gobi sand dunes has to offer— hiking in sand dunes, visit an ancient stone carving, and soak in the desert atmosphere.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Elsen Tasarhai/Ulaanbaatar
Travel back to Ulaanbaatar in time for the Naadam Festival ceremonies. Over the next few days, enjoy the opening ceremony, wrestling, archery, Naadam horseracing, and the closing ceremony, as well as free time for exploring Ulaanbaatar.
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Ulaanbaatar
Watch the opening ceremony. Observe some of the wrestling matches and also the archery contests. With free time, opt for a wonderful cultural show or souvenir shopping.
Meals: B, L
Day 14: Ulaanbaatar
Head out to see the finish line of the Naadam horserace. Enjoy a free afternoon before attending the Festival Closing Ceremony in the evening.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Ulaanbaatar
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Naadam Festival ceremonies entrance
- Amarbayasgalant Monastery entrance
- Pot Mountain hike
- Khovsgol Lake visit
- Lake District stay
- Tsetserleg Monastery Museum visit
- Tsenkher Hot Springs stay
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private van -
Accommodation
Hotels (4 nts), Nomad family stay/camping (1 nt), Mongolian gers (9 nts, multi-share)