NAADAM FESTIVAL TOUR INCLUDING GOBI DESERT

12 DAY NAADAM FESTIVAL TOUR INCLUDING GOBI DESERT

Prepare for an extraordinary 12-day journey that seamlessly weaves together two of Mongolia’s most captivating experiences – the world-renowned Naadam Festival and the surreal landscapes of the Gobi Desert. Our “Naadam Festival Tour Including Gobi Desert” offers an immersive adventure that captures the essence of Mongolia’s cultural heritage and natural wonders.

You’ll witness the thunderous excitement of traditional wrestling, archery, and horse racing during the Naadam Festival, gaining insights into the nation’s proud traditions. Then, venture into the enchanting Gobi Desert, where endless sand dunes, towering cliffs, and unique wildlife await your exploration.

From the bustling streets of Ulaanbaatar to the serene expanses of the Gobi, this tour is a true odyssey through Mongolia’s diversity and allure. Join us for 12 days of discovery and wonder, creating memories that will last a lifetime on our Naadam Festival Tour Including Gobi Desert.

Book Now!

What’s Included

Accommodation

Hostels, guest houses & hotels

Adventure Leader

Epic Adventure Leaders

Local transport

All transport

Activities

Tonnes of activities included.
Optional activities can be added.

Full itinerary

After picking up from a new airport, rest at the selected hotel. City tour will start from the Sukhbaatar square.

All of you will learn the history of Mongolia from Mongolian national historical museum, see cultural shows. We’ll have lunch. Transfer to a hotel after dinner.

Depending on your arrival time, meals will be provided accordingly. L/D

The most colorful and biggest holiday event Mongolia Naadam Festival is known as “Three manly sports” including archery, wrestling and horse racing. The festival is registered with the Intangible Heritage Fund of UNESCO.

The Naadam Festival held all over the country on 11-13th of July each summer, originated many centuries ago as a test of courage, strength, daring, horsemanship and marksmanship, all necessary for a nomadic people and warriors. The largest celebration is held in Ulaanbaatar beginning on July 11.

Herdsmen, many from distant places, converge on the city to view and take part in horserace and wrestling and archery competitions, the three manly sports and winners are richly rewarded with fame. Wrestling, archery and horse racing are held during the first and second days. Very little happens on the third day.

Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony – which starts at about 11 am at the Naadam Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, includes an impressive march of monks and athletes, plenty of music, most colorful and amazing parades. The first round of the wrestling, which starts at about noon on day one in the main stadium, is the more interesting and photogenic.

Staying at the chosen finest hotel. B/L/D

Today we drive to Tsagaan Suvarga via a short stop in Ikh Gazriin Chuluu which is a beautiful granite mountains in the Gobi desert. This is an ideal place to explore caves and is suitable for hiking. Continue our journey to Tsagaan Suvarga. This limestone cliff was named as White Stupa (means Tsagaan Suvarga) because of the way it looks from a far. Stay overnight in tourist camp. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, continue travelling to Yoliin Am (The Vulture Valley) which is a picturesque place nestled between the beautiful peaks of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. Spend the day visiting local Gobi Museum and trekking through the valley. Mongolian Gobi is a home to dinosaur remains and fossilized eggs. Stay overnight in a ger camp in Yoliin Am. (B/L/D)

Start the day with a travel to Khongoryn els or sand dunes. The Khongor dunes are up to 300 m high, 15 kms wide and continues 180 km. Climbing up the sand dunes is challenging but worth for a spectacular view when the sun sets in. Khongor sand dunes is a great place for riding a camel. Mongolia has two humped Bactrian camels and we praise the camels as Dinosaur of Gobi. Therefore, enjoy riding a camel in sand dunes. Stay overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)

In the morning, drive to Bayanzag, another interesting Gobi area. Bayanzag is more commonly known as the ‘Flaming Cliffs’ by its reddish tint in the soil that glows as the sun falls. The place is internationally famous for its dinosaur remains of complete skeletons, eggs and hatchlings of the Cretaceous Period. Continue driving to Ongiin khiid (Ongy Temple) in Dundgovi province. Established in 1660, Ongy Temple was consisted of 2 temple complexes on the North and South banks of the Ongy River. The Ongy Monastery grounds 4 Buddhist Universities and could accommodate over 1000 monks at its peak time. During the 1939’s purges, the monastery was completely destroyed and over 200 monks were killed. After 1990, a new monastery was built on the remains of old monastery. Lunch will be at the local ger camp. Spend the afternoon by visiting to Ongy Monastery and its museum. Enjoy watching sunset from the top of Saikhan Ovoo Mountain. Stay overnight at the ger camp. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, drive to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia. Kharkhorin is 380 km from Ulaanbaatar and upon arrival, visit Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery which was built in the 16th century. One of the must visit tourist attractions in Kharkhorin is Kharkhorin archaeological museum. Visit the museum after lunch. Kharkorin has many attractions and one of them is Three Kings’ Monument that each represent the empires of Hunnu, Turkic and Mongol. Stay overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, continue driving to Tsenkher hot springs. Stay overnight at Duut Resort Hot Spring camp. Today we will spend a day visiting a local nomadic family who will have a traditional horse stamping ceremony. (BL/D)

Early morning drive back to the city. On the way back, stop at Mongol Nomadic Tourist camp where you can enjoy watching bits of Mongolian tradition culture such as hot to assemble a ger, how nomadic people make felt and a short distance horse racing. In the evening, back to the city and arrive at the hotel. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to a new international airport for the departure flight.

What our customers say

“We can’t express how much we loved our Naadam Festival Tour Including Gobi Desert. It was a fascinating blend of tradition and wilderness. The skilled guides ensured we were well taken care of, and we felt deeply connected to Mongolia’s rich heritage and natural beauty. We returned home with remarkable stories and a newfound love for Mongolia.”

John and Mary S.

It was amazing experience thank you

Emma L

Book Now!