Best of Mongolia 15 days (Naadam at the beginning)
Tour Overview
Celebrating the independence of Mongolia, Naadam festival has grown to become an attraction to thousands of travelers. The opening ceremony of the festival offers a grandiose vision of the history and culture of the country. It offers unique experiences every year as each year’s ceremonies differ from the last. Combined with the Naadam festival and some of the most majestic landscapes of the country, the 15-day tour will keep you on your feet from the beginning until the end.
Tour available dates
2023-07-09 - 2023-07-22
2024-07-09 - 2024-07-22
Tour Highlights
Tour Itinerary
Day 1/ Jul 09 - Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will be greeted by your guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel. Half and full day tours are available.
Day 2/ Jul 10 - Horse racing
After 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 back to the hotel in Ulaanbaatar. (L/D)
Day 3/ Jul 11 - 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 4/ Jul 12 - Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu after breakfast at the hotel. The Baga Gazriin Chuluu is the rock formation which gives an opportunity to hiking along the rocky hills. On the way stop by underground spring that is rumored to have healing properties for the eye. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 5/ Jul 13 - Tsagaan Suvarga
After breakfast, drive to Tsagaan Suvarga which may be translated as the White Stupa. The name was given to this limestone cliff because of the way it looks from a far. Hiking and photo shooting opportunities will be present. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 6/ Jul 14 - Yol Valley
Drive further south. Arrive at the Mountain range of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan national park. Spend the afternoon on an excursion to Yol Valley known for its ice that remains in the area until mid-June. Hiking and enjoying stunning photographic opportunities in the valley. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 7/ Jul 15 - Khongor Sand Dune
After breakfast, drive towards the Khongor sand dune, also known as “Singing dune”. Visit a local camel-breeding family for visit and camel riding to the Khongor sand dune. Climb towards the tallest part of the dune will reward you with an incredible view of the surrounding landscape. Enjoy Gobi sunset at the camp. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 8/ Jul 16 - Bayanzag
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. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 9/ Jul 17 - Ongi Monastery
After breakfast at the camp, drive to north to the Ongi monastery ruins where just a century ago over a thousand Lamas resided. It was one of the three largest monastic centers of Mongolia and fell victim to the Stalinist purges of 1937. After lunch, explore the ruined Ongi monastery that is undergoing a slow but steady rebuilding process. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 10/ Jul 18 - Kharkhorin
After breakfast at the camp, drive towards the town of Kharkhorin located on the site of the capital of the 13th century Great Mongol Empire. The town is home to the Erdene-Zuu Monastery, which was the first and the largest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The monastery was subject to Stalinist Purge of 1937 but parts of the monastery survived. Tour the monastery and visit several temples with excellent examples of Buddhist Thangka paintings and statues dating back to the 17th century. Visit the Kharkhorin museum which presents a display of a wide range of artifacts that can be traced back to the periods of the Great Mongol Empire and even the Turkic State which ruled Mongolia in the 6th century CE. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 11/ Jul 19 - Tsenkher Hot Spring
In the morning, drive to the Tsenkher hot spring located in Arkhangai province. The province had large amounts of volcanic activities in the past times which has left an exotic image in many of its areas. Spend the day enjoying a full access to a relaxing natural spa and trekking in the surrounding forest. Please do not forget to pack your swimsuit for this day. Optional massage and beauty services are available. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 12/ Jul 20 - Lake Ugii
Drive to Lake Ugii in Eastern part of Arkhangai province. Settle at a camp located on the shore of Lake Ugii. A magnificent view of the lake and water birds will be at your doorsteps. The lake is considered as Ramsar Site of International importance and is home to different types of migrating birds. Optional boating and fishing activities available. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 13/ Jul 21 - Khustai National Park
After breakfast at the Ger camp, drive to Khustai national park founded in 1993 after the Dutch effort to reintroduce the Przewalski wild horses back into their natural habitat. The horses had become extinct in Mongolia in the mid-1960s and currently are the only wild horse species in the world. Upon arrival in the national park, visit a local information center to learn the history and lifestyle of the horses. After watching a short documentary about the reintroduction of the horses to Mongolia, drive deep into the national park to see the wild horses who are also known as Takhi in Mongolia. If you have binoculars, we would recommend bringing them along. Overnight stay in a Ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 14/ Jul 22 - Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast at the camp and drive to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight stay in a hotel. (B)
Day 15/ Jul 23 - Ulaanbaatar / Departure
Transfer to the railway station or the airport for international departure.