Naadam is Mongolian summer festival for everyone nationwide. Everybody even children wear traditional clothing and hat during this festival for three days. Naadam is Mongolia's most famous festival, which includes three manly games such as wrestling, horse racing and archery. It occurs at the height of summer, one of the best times to visit the country. In 2010, Naadam was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. It is celebrated across the country, with every town and village holding contests in the three sports.  The official opening ceremony of Naadam in Ulaanbaatar is a spectacular event. Early in the morning of the first day, a ceremony is held in the center of the city, salvation army cavalries dressed as Chinggis Khan’s entourage parade from the Square to the Central Stadium holding nine piece of state banners.  At the Stadium a huge procession is held, including hundreds of adults and children dressed in costumes representing Mongolia’s numerous ethnic groups with an opening speech of president.

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar. (L/D)
Day 2. Naadam Festival. (B/L/D)
Day 3. Baga Gazriin Chuluu.220km (B/L/D)
Day 4. Tsagaan Suvraga. 280km (B/L/D)
Day 5. Yol Valley. (B/L/D)
Day 6. Khongor Sand Dunes 100km (B/L/D)
Day 7. Bayanzag, Fliming Cliffs. 300km (B/L/D)
Day 8. Ongi Monastery. (B/L/D)
Day 9. Kharkhorin. 50km (B/L/D)
Day 10. Khustai National Park. 70km (B/L/D)
Day 11. Ulaanbaatar. (B/L/D)
Day 12. Departure. (B)

Itinerary

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. After lunch, we have a city tour including a visit to the National History Museum, where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present, and displays of the development of Mongolian arts and culture. Afterwards an excursion to the Zaisan Hill War Memorial to let you see a panoramic view of the whole city. Prior tomorrow, you can visit to central square to watch preparation process of salvation army cavalries holding nine piece of state banners on a horseback when they parade along the government building and take photos. Check in a hotel and rest (B/L/D)

Day 2. Naadam Festival
In the morning at 9 o’clock the soldiers transfer state banners from the government building to the central stadium and at 11 o’clock we will attend the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival at the Central Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy competitions of the three manly sports, archery, wrestling and horse racing, along with Mongolian cultural performances. Afternoon tour: Watch the horse races taking place outside of the city. Naadam Gala dinner and a folk concert in the evening. Stay in the same hotel (B/L/D)

Day 3. Baga Gazriin Chuluu. 240km
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu. The Baga Gazriin Chuluu is the rock formation which gives an opportunity to hiking along the hills. On the way stop by underground spring that is rumored to have healing properties for the eye. Overnight stay in a tourist camp. (B/L/D)

Day 4. Tsagaan Suvraga. 280 km
After breakfast we drive to Tsagaan Suvarga, which may be translated as the White Stupa Mountain. It is naturally formed beautiful mountain, which is a copper ore deposit. The name was given to this limestone cliff because of the way it looks form far. Hiking and photo shooting opportunities will be present. Overnight stay in a tourist camp. (B/L/D)

Day 5. Yol Valley. 280 km 
In the morning, we drive to Dalanzadgad city, central city of South Gobi province and upon arrival drive to the tourist camp to relax and have lunch. In the afternoon, we drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park for hiking till the end of valley and an opportunity to take photograph of stunning landscape, the Gobi Glacier and intriguing wildlife. En route back to the tourist camp we visit local museum about the province itself. You will enjoy a peaceful evening in the beautiful surrounds of the Gobi Desert amongst rocky cliffs. Overnight in a tourist camp (B/L/D)

Day 6. Khongor Sand Dunes. 200km 
After breakfast, we drive to Khongor Sand Dunes. Upon arrival at a tourist camp near the famous singing sand dunes, we do excursion to Seruun Bulag, fresh cold stream water and visit a local camel breeding family to learn about the traditional nomadic lifestyle and livestock chores.

Overnight in a tourist camp (B/L/D)

Day 7. Bayanzag - Flaming Cliffs. 150km
Breakfast and we drive to Bayanzag, known as Flaming Cliffs exploring the ‘Gobi Dinosaur Cemetery’ and the trail of Roy Chapman Andrews and his team spot. If the sky is clear without clouds, you can enjoy sunset in flat desert area, which is so romantic action. Overnight in a tourist camp (B/L/D)

Day 8. Ongi Monastery. 150km 
Breakfast and we drive to north heading Ongi Monastery ruins, where just a century ago over a thousand Lamas resided. It was one of the three largest monastic centres of Mongolia and fell victim to the Stalinist purges of 1937. After lunch, explore the ruined Ongi monastery that is undergoing a slow but steady rebuilding process. Overnight stay in a tourist camp. 

Day 9. Kharkhorin. 120km
After breakfast at the camp, we drive north again heading to town Kharkhorin located on the site of the capital of the 13th century Great Mongol Empire. In this town, we visit Erdene-Zuu Monastery, one of the biggest monastic centers in Mongolia, which was almost destroyed in the communist purges of the 1930s too. Tour of the monastery grounds and several chapels with excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the 16th century. Then we visit Kharkhorin museum, which presents a display of a wide range of the Great Mongol Empire and even the Turkic state which ruled Mongolia in the 6th century CE. Overnight in a tourist camp. (B/L/D)

Day 10. Hustai National Park. 300km
As usual we have breakfast and drive to Hustain Nuruu (Pike Hustai) National Reserve to see the Przewalski wild horses, recently reintroduced back into Mongolia. We visit the park museum to learn about the history of the last pure wild horses in the world and the history of the area. Overnight in the tourist camp (B/L/D)

Day 11. Ulaanbaatar. 100 km
Breakfast at the tourist camp. We drive to Ulaanbaatar and have a lunch in a restaurant then we visit to Bogd Khan Summer and Winter Palace museum of the last Mongolian King VIII, who ruled the country until 1924. It is an exact representation of a functioning monastery. In the afternoon, leisure time for individual plans and shopping.We assist you traditional concert at 6 pm. We have a farewell dinner in real barbeque restaurant and check in the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 12. Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

Inclusions

Exclusions

Gallery