Tour code: CU-ND10
The Naadam festival celebrated annually on July 11-13 and this festival is Mongolia’s most renowned and colorful holiday. Celebrated for many centuries Naadam or the Three Manly Games include wrestling, archery and horseracing which test courage, strength, endurance and other skills warriors had to possess. The largest Naadam celebration takes place in the capital city, drawing competitors from all over the country with the number of wrestlers generally reaching 512 wrestlers while over 1000 child jockeys ride in the horse races. You will also explore the ancient capital city Kharakhorum and dramatic Gobi desert .
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. City tour including a visit to Gandan Monastery, the largest Buddhist Center of Mongolia, followed by a visit to the Museum of the National History. The museum contains a unique collection of traditional costumes and jewelry of different ethnic groups of Mongolia. Traditional performance in the evening. (L.D)
Day 2: Bayangobi/ Uvur Khangai province
Drive to Bayangobi sands by a motor coach. Trekking and horse back riding in sand dunes. Visit a nomadic family for airag tasting (a traditional beverage made of fermented mare’s milk). Overnight in a ger camp. ( this day journey is 300km). (B.L.D)
Day 3: Kharakhorum/ Uvur Khangai province
Departure for Kharakhorum. Explore magnificent Erdene Zuu monastery temples with grand examples of Buddhist iconography dating back to the 16th century. Visit archeological excavation sites of Kharakhorum ruins. Overnight in a ger camp. (B.L.D)
Day 4: Khustain nuruu/ Tuv province
Drive to the Khustain Nuruu National Park to observe reintroduced takhi wild horses (Przevalski’s horse).The Park lies in the foothills of southern Khentii Mountain range and there are many types of mammals and birds , archaeological and cultural sites as slab burials . Overnight in a ger camp. (B.L.D)
Day 5: Ulaanbaatar
Visit the Central stadium, for the Naadam festival opening ceremony attended by the President of Mongolia. Enjoy viewing traditional wrestling, archery and horse racing. (B.L.D)
Day 6: Ulaanbaatar
City highlights including a visit to the Zaisan war memorial, followed by a visit to the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, a home of the last Khaan of Mongolia , Gobi factory store, Department store . (B.L.D)
Day 7: Yol Valley / Gobi Desert & Umnu Gobi province
Morning flight to the South Gobi province (1:20 hours). Explore the “Yol Valley” National Park in the depth of the spectacular Gobi-Altai Mountain range. Trek to deep and narrow gorge canyon with rock cliff , many years of water erosion. Besides its spectacular natural beauty it contains number of bird species and animal. Overnight in a ger camp. (B.L.D)
Day 8: Bayan Zag / Umnu Gobi province
Journey to the legendary “Flaming Cliffs”, where Roy Chapman Andrews leading the Central Asiatic Expedition, found the first dinosaur egg. Walking around Saxaul forest Overnight stay in ger camp. (B.L.D)
Day 9: Ulaanbaatar
Return flight to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Free time . (B.L.D)
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast depart to airport.
TRIP DETAILS:
-4 nights in hotels
-5 nights in ger camps
-UB-Gobi-UB travel by air, local transportations by motor coach
-Authentic Mongolian and international cuisines
-Visits to nomadic families
-Hiking, camel and horse riding opportunities
-Excursions to selected museums and traditional performances
