>Mongolia
15 Days In Celebration – Beauty of Mongolia & Naadam Festival
Khongor Sand Dunes known as the Singing Dunes. Enjoy a picnic lunch. A climb up to the sand dunes will be rewarded with a breathtaking view. In the evening observe a spectacular sunset, please prepare your cameras. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp.
Print Itinerary- Region: Gobi, Central Mongolia
- Highlights: Gobi – Yol Valley, Khongor Sand Dunes, Karakorum, Tsenkher Hot Spring, Lake Ugii, Naadam Festival
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar : Hotel
- Accommodation in countryside : Modern ger camps
- Trip Type : Group joining as per scheduled departure
- Private Tour available : Yes, min 3 persons
Day 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to a hotel.
Day 2
Middle Gobi (220km)
Early morning begin your journey to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a unique formation of rocks. Visit ruins of an ancient temple and explore the area. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp. (L/D)
Day 3
Tsagaan Suvarga (280 km)
After breakfast head to Tsagaan Suvarga, a fascinating white limestone cliff which resembles a Stupa. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 4
South Gobi/Yol Valley (280km)
After breakfast at the camp spend the day on a full day excursion to Yoliin Am National Park for hiking and an opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape. Picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon hiking or relaxing. Return to the camp for overnight stay. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Khongor Sand Dunes (200 km)
After breakfast drive to Khongor Sand Dunes known as the Singing Dunes. Enjoy a picnic lunch. A climb up to the sand dunes will be rewarded with a breathtaking view. In the evening observe a spectacular sunset, please prepare your cameras. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 6
South Gobi/Bayanzag (150km)
After breakfast drive to the world-famous Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) rich in saxaul trees of Gobi. Explore the site of the first paleontological discoveries in Mongolia by following the footsteps of Roy Chapman Andrews (January 26, 1884 – March 11, 1960), an American explorer, adventurer and naturalist. Visit a nomadic camel breeding family and experience the hospitality of Mongolian nomads. Enjoy a short camel ride. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 7
South Gobi/Ongi Monastery (150km)
After breakfast drive north. Visit the ruins of once great Ongi Monastery, visit a local restored temple and have a walk in the surrounding area. Have dinner and spend the night in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 8
Karakorum (300km)
After breakfast drive to Karakorum, once the capital of the 13th century Great Mongol Empire. Visit Erdene-Zuu Monastery, which was the first and the largest monastery in Mongolia built on the ruins of the ancient capital. Tour the monastery and visit several temples with excellent examples of Buddhist Thangka paintings and statues dating back to the 17th century. Visit the Karakorum museum. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Erdene-Zuu / Tsenkher Hot Spring (150km)
Drive to the Tsenkher hot spring. Spend the day relaxing in natural spa and walking in the surrounding forest. Please do not forget to pack your swimsuit for this day. Optional massage and beauty services are available. Enjoy the spa again after dinner. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Tsenkher Hot Spring
Enjoy this day at your leisure as we take a break from the long days’ driving. Enjoy the nature and hot spa. You can discuss options for exploring the local area with your tour guide. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Lake Ugii (140km)
Drive to Lake Ugii in Arkhangai province. Enjoy bird watching by the lake shore and spending the night in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Ulaanbaatar (350km)
Breakfast at the camp and Drive to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel (B/L)
Day 13
Mongol Naadam
Attend the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival plus a Naadam Gala Dinner and Folk Concert in the evening. The highlight of the Mongolian festival calendar, the Naadam Festival dates back several centuries and takes place each year on July 11-13. Originally a test of a nomad’s aptitude, it requires strength, stamina, accurate marksmanship and skillful horsemanship. Given the equine nature of nomadic life, much importance is placed on the horse races. Drawing herdsmen from hundreds of miles around and townsfolk alike, races are staged on the vast steppes covering distances of up to 20 miles. We highly recommend booking early for our Naadam Festival tour.Overnight stay in a hotel. (L/D)
Day 14
Hustain Nuruu National Park (130km)
After a very early breakfast drive to Hui Doloon Hudag for the horse racing event of the Naadam Festival. Enjoy watching horse races and immersing in the atmosphere. Afterwards drive deep into the National Park in search of the Przewalski horses (takhi), ancestor of all modern-day horses in the world. If you have binoculars, please bring them. View a short documentary and visit the museum. Drive back to the hotel in Ulaanbaatar. (L)
Day 15
Ulaanbaatar/Departure
Transfer to the railway station or the airport for international departure.
Package includes:
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar with breakfast
- Transfers upon arrival and departure
- Domestic airfare as per itinerary (if any)
- English speaking guide at all times
- In the countryside all lodging in ger camps
- All meals are provided as stated in the itinerary
- Ground transportation: in the countryside by a chauffeur-driven 4WD jeep, bus in the city area
- Park entrance fees
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- 1 liter of drinking water per day per person
Package Excludes:
- International airfare
- Airport taxes
- Visa
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Optional Activities and excursions (unless stated otherwise)
- Use of accommodation facilities and activities
- Tips for guide and driver
