Selena Travel

Nomads' day festival and Gobi Desert tour

During the Nomads day Festival

10days/9nights

Tour grade: Easy

From: US$ 1,990

Style: Traveller

  • Treasures of the Gobi desert – Bayanzag – Flaming cliffs
  • Amazing Gun-Galuut nature reserve featuring wild mountain sheep, wetland birds
  • Nomads’ Day festival - the festival, dedicated to local people and tourists
  • Meet people and make friends! You will be part of a group of 4-8 people during the tour as it is a group departure.

Tour Overview

Mongolia indeed is one of the most mysterious places on earth, no one can argue on this. This country has a great to offer with its wonderful nature formations and their renowned nomadic culture; they have kept both of them in a judicious way for centuries. There are no fences on this vast land, horsemen and animals roam free here! Now come, take this wonderful trip, and visit the Gobi and the boundless steppes of Mongolia with us! You won't only tour the Gobi and other sites on the way, but also will witness the unique features of Mongolian nomadic culture & traditions by taking part in the Nomads' Day Cultural Festival in the amazing Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve by the legendary Kherlen River! You will also have the opportunity to admire the renowned Naadam Festival in the middle of autumn. You will visit the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert, where a circuit explores the lofty sand dunes of Khongoriin Els, the glacial canyon of Yolyn Am, and the red cliffs of Bayanzag, where the world’s richest deposits of dinosaur fossils are found.

 

Tour map

Brief itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – South Gobi – Bayanzag
  • Day 3: Bayanzag – Khongor Sand Dunes
  • Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes – Yolyn Am
  • Day 5: South Gobi – Ulaanbaatar – Gun-Galuut  nature reserve
  • Day 6: Leisure Day in Gun-Galuut
  • Day 7 – 8: Nomads’ Day Festival
  • Day 9: Gun-Galuut - Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 10: Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Tour images

Nomads in Mongolia
Horse riding during the tour
Making Mongolian meal at a Nomadic Family

Full Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, meet at the airport after custom formalities and transfer to the hotel. The city tour of Ulaanbaatar takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. You visit the Gandan Monastery, Genghis Khan Monument on the Sukhbaatar square and the Museum of National History. Centrally located excellent hotel 3* L

Day 2:

Ulaanbaatar – South Gobi – Bayanzag

After breakfast we take the flight to the Gobi. Transfer to ger camp at Bayanzag. Dinner and explore around for dinosaur remains and walking in the rich saxaul forest in the evening. You can even find real dinosaur bones and eggs yourself! Enjoy a short camel ride around the red cliffs. Ger camp B+L+D

Day 3:

Bayanzag – Khongor Sand Dunes

The drive to the dunes at Khongoriin takes between four and five hours. Transfer to ger camp near sand dunes. Ger camp B+L+D

Day 4:

Khongor Sand Dunes – Yolyn Am

Today we take the southern road back through the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Park in a drive that takes five to six hours, stopping for photography and possibly lunch along the way. Enjoy hiking around the gorge. Transfer to ger camp, dinner and overnight there. Ger camp B+L+D

Day 5:

South Gobi – Ulaanbaatar – Gun-Galuut  nature reserve

This morning we take the flight to Ulaanbaatar, arrive and transfer to Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve in the valley of the Kherlen River across the green steppes. Arrive and transfer to Steppe Nomads tourist camp. Ger camp B+L+D

Day 6:

Leisure Day in Gun-Galuut

We hike or enjoy some optional horse ride to Mt. Baits to view the gorgeous Argali mountain sheep and the White Napped Crane, Whooper Swan and other birds. Visit a nomadic family and learn their ways to tend their livestock. Optional fishing or kayaking on the river Kherlen. Ger camp B+L+D

Day 7 – 8:

Nomads’ Day Festival

Enjoy the joyful atmosphere and learn the clever nomads' way of life by taking every chance of taking part in the nomadic life activities like a nomad. The nomads will compete in teams. "Mongol Image" competition between beautiful young couples and a wonderful concert by the local nomads will be there. On the second day, enjoy the famous Naadam Festival, a mini version: wrestling, horseracing, and archery. Full board and overnight at the tourist camp. Ger camp B+L+D

Day 9:

Gun-Galuut - Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar for 2 hours with a stop at the Giant Genghis Monument and transfer to the hotel. Then we visit the Bogd Khaan’s Palace Museum – the residence of the last king of Mongolia and the Buddha Park. Enjoy traditional folklore concert by the magical Tumen Ekh ensemble. Farewell dinner. Centrally located excellent hotel 3* B+L+D

Day 10:

Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

You are transferred to the airport/train station after breakfast. End of service.  B

Date & Price

Single supplement Charge US$200     


* At the Steppe Nomads ger camp, single supplement is not available.
 


Included services

  • Full-time services of your English speaking local guide throughout the tour
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
  • Ticket to the Giant Genghis Monument Complex
  • Private transfers (4WD Japanese minivans + Experienced drivers) – 4 persons in 1 van
  • Twin share in hotel***, twin/triple share at good tourist camps
  • Nomads Day Festival & arrangements
  • Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
  • Gobi – ULN RT domestic flight tickets + 15 kg luggage free of charge, taxes
  • 0.5 day Camel riding fees in the Gobi
  • 0.5 l x 3 bottled water per day
  • Visa support invitation letter where applicable
  •  Exclusive The Gobi & Nomads Day festival souvenir!

Not included in the price
 
  • International Airfare/train ticket
  • Travel insurance.
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
  • Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
  • Optional activities such as camel riding, archery, fishing etc

 


DISCOUNT CONDITIONS: 

  • Children under 3 years old are allowed to stay in their parents room for free (not including an extra bed).
  • Children aged 4 to 11 years old receive a 40% discount on accommodation per night, inclusive of bed and breakfast.
  • Children 12 and above will be charged as adults.

 

Tour Background

Accommodation on Selena Travel tours 
Ulaanbaatar: Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia has many hotels ranging from basic 1* to high-end 5*. Some international hotel chains have opened such as Kempinski, Ramada, and Best Western to name a few. Some of Selena Travel Mongolia tours do not include hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, where clients are advised to take care of their own accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Please refer to your tour program (Included services and Exclusions section) for more details. 
Your Selena Travel advisor is happy to assist you with hotel booking on your request. Below you will find some suggested hotels in Ulaanbaatar:  
  • Best Western Gobi Kelso ***
  • Springs hotel ***
  • Ramada hotel ****
  • Kempinski Khan Palace ****
  • Best Western Premier *****

Outside Ulaanbaatar: Please take in mind that traveling in the countryside of Mongolia is often tough, a trip is conducted in remote areas where there’s no hotel and paved roads exist.

Outside of Ulaanbaatar, tourist Ger camps are the best accommodation for travelers. A Ger is Mongolian traditional dwelling made of felt layers and wooden construction, and the Mongols have lived in Gers since the time immemorial. Tourist Ger camps offer comfortable Gers with 1-4 beds with good bedding, and also have western style showers and WCs (mostly shared). A few Ger camps offer en-suite Gers at additional charge (please ask your Selena Travel advisor for this). Due to remoteness some tourist Ger camps may not excel in service, so travelers may not always expect high pressure showers, bubble baths or gourmet food etc. 
 
Food on Selena Travel tours 
During your tour in Mongolia you will be eating in good restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, we have a great variety in restaurants in the capital city. Once you are outside the capital, Ger restaurants in Ger camps and local cafes in the small towns and villages will be the places where you will be eating. Ger restaurants often have set menu, but their food is usually very good (Ger camps provide mostly continental breakfast, lunches consist of salad, soup, main course and dessert, whilst, dinners are usually salad, main course and dessert).
During your longer driving days you will take packed lunch from Ger camps (often vegetable salad, main course such as fried chicken/noodles/dumplings and a chocolate bar etc). Vegetarians are well taken care of both in Ulaanbaatar restaurants and tourist Ger camps.
 
Luggage allowance on Selena Travel tours 
When you travelling overland in a vehicle (minivan & jeep), it would be suitable if you have 20kg luggage per person (max). However, please kindly note that domestic flight luggage allowance per person is 15 kg (10 kg for the check in luggage and 5 for the carry on luggage). For 1kg extra luggage you pay US$2 - 5. 
 

 

DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS BRIEF INFO

The Gobi Desert is the most mysterious place on earth The Gobi invites you to reveal its secrets. This region is famous for its unique natural formations, many places where you can dig and find real dinosaur fossils, flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the world. Ride the 2 humped Bactrian camels and discover the Gobi!

Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) is internationally famous for its fossilized dinosaur remains. Dinosaur nests with eggs were found here as well as whole fossilized skeletons.

Yoliin Am (Vulture's Gorge) is a narrow valley located in the Zuun Saikhan Mountain range, with thick pieces of ice almost all year around hidden in its depths. This area is home to rare animals such as the Argali (wild sheep) and Ibex as well as Vultures and other large birds.

The Nomads' Day Festival - As nomads start their day with the sun rise early in the morning, we are starting our show at the same time with them. Some of our participants will ride together with the hosts to collect horses or to train the racing horses while some milking the cows with hostesses. Scheduled activities of the show starts at 9.00 and continues till 19.00. We are presenting 5 different types of the nomadic customs and ceremonies due to the limited time. Each activity will be organized at the different real nomadic families. You will be a true nomad only on this day. Under the starry sky of the night you will enjoy watching Mongolian unique culture, such as long song, dancing, horse-head fiddle melody and throat singing as well as ritual ceremony of "Fire and Sky worshipping", reflecting the people's feeling towards Mother Nature. 

Mongolian nomads inhabit the entire country respecting the nature, living in gers, breeding livestock- sheep, goat, horse, cow, yak and camel, moving for good pasture and good water for their animals, living from the products they produce, galloping on horseback... This wonderful show takes place in the famous Gun Galuut nature reserve, one of the most popular nature reserves of Mongolia.

The Nature Reserve is truly the marvellous combination of high mountains, colourful flowers, pretty lakes, rivers and wetlands with its famous rare species. Tourists visiting the Nature Reserve have the opportunities to do watching and taking photos of the Endangered species, rafting and fishing in the lakes and rives, camping in a beautiful and peaceful nature, visiting nomadic family, riding horse, yak and camel and introducing with traditional nomadic lifestyle and culture.

Tour Map

Tour Reviews

Mar 18, 2024.  The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer

Aug 10, 2012. Gobi & Karakorum Explorer tour Our recent "The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer" tour with you was excellent, everything exceeded our expectations! It was a super trip in our lives and we loved our Mongolia holiday so much. Our guide Joe was kind, well organised, accurate and informative, polite and caring and always provided us with timely information. And our driver Jack is super, very friendly, professional and always on time. We are wild travelers, having been to many places in the world - but Mongolia is still truly unspoiled and uncontaminated. Selena Travel's services were perfect right from the very first email. We would like to thank Selena Travel, our guide and our driver for having made this Mongolia experience a truly beautiful one with so many wonderful memories.

by Rafaella, Benedetta, Lidia

Aug 08, 2012.  Gobi & Karakorum customized 11 days tour

Sending you some of our nicer pictures. Some are chosen for their beautiful scenery while the rest are just us happily playing and goofing around. There are a couple of shots of us doing some Mongolian wrestling, as suggested by Oyuna since we missed out on the mini-Naadam festival. She said since we missed it, we might as well organise our own festival by playing some Mongolian games. Haha... We had so much fun playing those games!!! :)OK, I hope you like the pictures we send you. Best regards to everyone at Selena Travel and thank you once again for all your assistance.

by Margaret Suganda

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