Naadam Festival and the Gobi Desert tour 2023

You will meet your tour guide and driver at the airport after custom formalities. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. The city tour of Ulaanbaatar takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. You visit the Gandan Monastery, the Genghis Khan Monument on Sukhbaatar square, and the Museum of National History. Welcome dinner at Mongolian Restaurant.  

Accommodation

• Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar /standard check-in time is 2 pm/

Meals Included

• Dinner

Today you will take a local flight to south gobi for about one and a half hours. Upon our arrival, you will be greeted by the local tour guide and driver. Then lead your way to the Bayanzag- the Flaming Cliffs. Enjoy the wilderness and unique natural formations. Transfer to a ger camp. Lunch, and enjoy hiking around beautiful Flaming Cliffs and walking in the rich saxaul forest. Moreover, we will visit the Khavtsgait Petroglyphic Complex. The Flaming Cliffs are known to be one of the best places in the Gobi Desert to see the sunrise/sunset as well as the night stars.   

Accommodation

• Gobi Tour ger camp or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Today we drive to the Khongor sand dunes – Mongolia’s longest and most beautiful sand dunes that stretch over 180km in the arid Gobi Desert. The drive to the dunes at Khongoriin takes some 3-4 hours from ger camp, passing through vast desert badlands that span out into the furthest distances, where remote mountains line the horizon. Lone gers and nomads on camelback hang suspended in the mirages, whilst the desert floor is strewn with a range of colorful rocks and unusual minerals. This is the Gobi at its stark best - there are many opportunities to stop and take photographs of the landscapes and people. Visit the sand dunes and enjoy a short camel ride at a nomadic camel breeder’s family. Enjoy your stay at the ger camp nearby. 

Accommodation

• Gobi-Erdene ger camp or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

On this day, we will drive to Yolyn Am Gorge in the “Three Beauty” national park. Upon arrival, we will do 2 hours of gentle hiking in the valley while watching wildlife including pika, other bird species, and plants with a picnic lunch. Enjoy optional horse riding around the national park. In the early evening, we will transfer to the ger camp and rest.

Accommodation

• Khanbogd ger camp or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Today, we will take a local flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon our arrival, we will visit the Giant Chinggis Equestrian monument which is the tallest equestrian statue in the world and one of the must-see things in Mongolia. Lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, check into the hotel then there is free time for you in the afternoon to do some souvenir and cashmere shopping if you wish or simply rest at your hotel. Rest and prepare for the Great Festival of the next day. This is a lifetime experience indeed and everyone wants to take part in it. The Mongols have the saying “If you be healthy, you will see the Naadam”. In the early evening, enjoy a traditional folklore concert from the magical Tumen Ekh ensemble.

Accommodation

• Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 

See the fantastic Grand opening ceremony of the Naadam festival that consists of a colorful parade, lots of music and dances, as well as a speech by the President of Mongolia. Then in the Central Stadium, you will watch the first round of Wrestling, and then the Naadam Archery and Ankle bone shooting competitions held nearby the Central Stadium. Then we visit the Bogd Khaan’s Palace Museum – the residence of the last king of Mongolia and the Buddha Park. Meals at restaurants and hotel overnight.

PS: You may join a big group for the Naadam festival. Because Naadam organizers had never given us our booked tickets and permission for the vehicle in 100%. If we don't have enough permission (only vehicles with permission can stay around Naadam stadium & horse racing field), you will be asked to join for bigger group during the festival between Jul 11 to 12. 

Accommodation

• Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Early in the morning, we’ll drive to Khui Doloon Hudag field for the horse racing competition. You will be able to see the horse racing near the stop line with locals. After the horse race, we will drive to Ulaanbaatar and visit the newly opened Chinggis Khaan Museum and then visit The Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs. Enjoy farewell dinner and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation

• Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

You are transferred to the airport after breakfast and checkout from your hotel (standard checkout time applies, 12 pm), and say goodbye to Mongolia. 

Meals Included

• Breakfast