This 16-day tour is definitely a complete exploration of Mongolia’s most popular travel destinations combined with the most famous Naadam Festival.
Known as the world’s second-oldest Olympics, Naadam Festival is celebrated nationwide annually. Because just like Brazil’s Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Germany’s Oktoberfest, this festival is our most popular and largest celebration here in Mongolia. There is plenty to see and attract your attention such as traditional wrestling, archery, open field horse races of different age categories, magnificent opening and closing ceremony of the festival.
Numerous aged historical sites, colorful earth cliffs, sand dunes, crystal clear lakes, stunning natural landscapes, and unique folk customs are all waiting for your exploration, and thus, get an understanding of the nomadic way of life in depth.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. After clear customs and claim your luggage, you will be greeted by your driver at the exit and then transferred to your hotel. After check-in, free at leisure for the rest of the day to refresh yourself from jet lag.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: not included this day
Today your guide and driver pick you up and proceed to Terelj National Park, the nearest and the most breathtaking sightseeing from the capital Ulaanbaatar. En-route visit “Genghis Khan Statue Complex” which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. You can go inside and enjoy museums, souvenir shops.
After lunch, explore the national park and see Turtle Rock – the symbol of the National Park. You can climb on the rock if you want, Also, visit the Ariyabal meditation temple - Once you reach the temple and stand on the top of the hill, you will be amused by the whole park view.
Accommodation: Tourist camp and Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Total distance: 80km driving for ~3.5hrs.
In the early morning, you will be escorted to the city airport for a flight to Gobi town Dalanzadgad. Then depart to the mountain valley named “Yol Valley”- shows unusual scenery where you will do pleasant hiking to reach the end of the gorge with thick ice layers throughout the year. Surrounding mountains are home to eagles, elusive wild sheep and ibexes, and many birds of prey, as well as numerous small rodents.
In the evening, visit a nomadic family living nearby, where you will have Mongolian cooking lesson to learn how to prepare Buuz (steamed dumplings) or huushuur (fried meat pastry).
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Total distance: 100km, driving for ~2hrs.
Today, our excursion will start at 8 am to the extraordinary Khongor sand dune the largest and most breathtaking sand dunes in Mongolia. This is undoubtedly among the most spectacular in the country. The sand dunes make you feel extraordinary comfort and infinite peace.
Reach the tourist camp around lunchtime and relax until Gobi hot temperature decreases. In the evening, visit the local camel herder family in their Ger, and experience their nomadic lifestyle and ride a camel to explore the area. The next excursion is to a beautiful green oasis of Seruun Bulag near the Khongor River and sand dunes. Then, climb up to the highest point of sand dunes called Singing Dune. Dinner and overnight at the tourist camp.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Total distance: 200km, driving for ~4.5hrs.
On this day, our trip will continue to Bayanzag, which means ‘rich in saxaul shrubs’, which was once an ancient sea bed. This amazing place is more commonly known as ‘Flaming Cliffs’ and a place where a lot of Paleontological findings have been discovered. On the way, hike and see Khavtsgait Petroglyphs which depicts the everyday lives of the people who lived in the Gobi thousands of years ago. Then have lunch in the village of Bulgan and soon after you will arrive at Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. Then you will explore the significant areas, including the saxaul trees, and wander on the red hillocks. There is a good chance to gaze at the billions of stars in the evening.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Today, we will head to the Ongi Monastery and come around lunchtime to the Tourist camp. This bare steppe area along the Ongi River makes a good resting place to break a trip between the Gobi Desert and the Central Mongolian steppe. Ongi temple was once one of the biggest monasteries. But it is today a small museum. Refresh at the ger camp and take a walk among the ruins and visit the reconstructed temple museum.
If you want, you can have a pleasant massage and sauna at the camp. The rest of the day is yours to relax on your own.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Total distance: 170km, driving for ~3.5hrs.
After breakfast, our excursion continues to Kharkhorin, a small village, and one of the country's major tourist destinations. Historically once was an ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and the most important city in the history of the Silk Road. Upon arrival, we will visit the museum of Karakorum and learn more about Mongolian history.
Continue the guided tour to the magnificent and the oldest Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu. The rest of the day is free time for you to be on your own.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
After breakfast, drive to Taikar Chuluu, the large 18m-high cliff of granite. Over 150 writings in diverse scripts including Turkic, Uyghur, Mongolian, Tibetan, Manchu, and Chinese were carved on the gigantic rock formation, dating back from many different periods. We will have lunch in a tourist camp next to Taikhar rock.
On the way, we will visit Tsetserleg town, which is the capital of Arkhangai province with a population of around 20,000. In the afternoon, reach the Khorgo extinct volcano which is situated 2240 meters above sea level (1,39 miles) and was active 8000 years ago. After exploring the volcano and climb to the crater, we will take a short drive to eye-catching Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. There, we will stay at a tourist camp near the lakeshore.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Total distance: 300km, driving for ~5.5hrs.
After leisurely lunch, we will drive towards the Northern part of Mongolia. Take some refreshment and have bath in outdoor spring at the Jargalant Hot Springs. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons.
The evening is dedicated to visiting the local family and host and hostess will cook a traditional Mongolian barbecue for you. Also you can explore the nearest soum (village) on foot which will be interesting local life for you.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Total distance: 120km, driving for ~3hrs.
Enjoy breakfast and disembark to Murun town, a small town of Khovsgol province with a population of 35000.
Upon arrival at the town, you will check in a local hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. Your guide and driver lead you for a city tour of Murun town and visit a local market and town museum. Chance to observe the local's part of everyday life at the market.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Total distance: 120km, driving for ~3hrs.
Following relaxing breakfast, take a 2 hours’ drive to the Khatgal village on the shore of the lake and visit the village market and main port of the lake. Upon arrival at the tourist camp, we will explore the national park from horseback. Mongolia is the best destination for horse riding trips and especially Khuvsgul province is the best-recommended place for this experience.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Total distance: 220km, driving for ~5hrs.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast on the shore of the lake. This beautiful morning, you will take an exciting boat trip on the crystal clear Khuvsgul lake to meet reindeer herders and explore their daily life not traveling far on rough roads and riding horses for several days to the remote Taiga. Plus, there are great opportunities to do hiking, climbing the mountain, or just enjoy wild nature to take photos.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Early this morning, we will return to Murun town and take a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. On the way, you will visit Uushig ancient Deer Stone Monument as another wonder of the Khuvsgul region. This is most clearly depicted deer stones left behind by bronze-age men. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Total distance: Flight takes 1.5hrs and 200km driving for ~4hrs.
The first day of the Naadam festival: early this morning at 07.30 am your guide and driver pick you up and drive out of the city for an hour to Hui Doloon hudag (horse racing field of Naadam festival) to see Naadam horse races. The horse race encompasses around 150-200 horses. Then return to the city center and enjoy to see traditional costume show “Deeltei Mongol”.
In the afternoon, continue to explore the city and visit Museum of Mongolian National History – the museum presents Mongolian history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day. Continue to visit and largest glorious Gandan monastery and capture the monks’ daily rituals.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Total distance: 60km ~3.5hrs.
Today, the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival takes place at the central stadium. It’s Mongolia’s most important festival and biggest national holiday, which allows travelers to observe and experience authentic Mongolian culture.
The Festival includes 3 manly games: horse racing, Mongolian-style wrestling, and archery.
In the afternoon, we will explore the city and visit Zaisan Memorial Hill is a popular tourist attraction and one of the highlights of Ulan Baatar because of the fantastic views it offers over the city. The evening is dedicated to visiting the “Folklore show”, which is featuring traditional performances by singers, dancers, and contortionists. It’s a great chance to hear Khöömii (throat singing) and see some fabulous costumes.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*, and Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
As your memorable trip comes to end, then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home.
Meals: Breakfast,
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