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Mongolia Naadam Festival Group Tour Overview
Do you have any idea about what Mongolia is known for? Be sure the Naadam Festival and the Gobi desert are on the top of the list. On our Gobi desert and Naadam Festival Group Tour, you will attend the fascinating Naadam Festival for 2 days in Ulaanbaatar and travel to the remote, vast, beautiful as well as naturally spectacular Gobi desert, which could be found only in central Asia, incomparable to other deserts. That is why it is called the Gobi desert.
Day 1: Participate in the Naadam Festival
Meet with the guide and driver. Visit the Naadam Festival stadium. The national holiday Naadam is not only famous among Mongolians but also in the world. Many tourists, guests, and journalists come to Mongolia to take part in our most popular and largest celebration. The Naadam Festival starts with a transferring ceremony of the nine white banners from the Government House to the Naadam Festival arena followed by a horse parade. Next, the magnificent opening ceremony starts. Traditional wrestling, archery, and horse race are the main highlights of the festival. After seeing the Naadam opening, have lunch in one of the fine restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. Return to the stadium to see wrestling, anklebone shooting, and archery competition.
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: The festival continues, see horse race
In the morning, drive to the horse racing area, 30 km west of Ulaanbaatar. The horses race on the open steppes by age category (6 ages): from two-year-old horses to full-grown horses. The racing distance depends on the horse age. For example, two-year-old horses race for 15 km, while the full-grown horses race for 30km in the open field. Today, you will see 4 years old horse race or 2 years old horse race. Afternoon city sightseeing. Next, drive south of Bogd Khaan Mountain and stay overnight at a ger camp.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 100 km
Day 3: Travel to Baga Gazariin Chuluu in the Gobi desert
The countryside tour starts traveling the Gobi desert, driving on a paved road. Your first destination is Baga Gazariin Chuluu, a zone of granite stone mountains. Lunch at a ger camp near Baga Gazarin Chuluu.
Baga Gazariin Chulluu Mountain has been keeping some historical remains such as a ruin of a monastery, ancient tombs, etc. Soft hiking among beautiful granite stone mountains tower on the Gobi desert steppe, challenge your imagination seeing unique features of the granite formations, explore a ruin of an old monastery and enjoy the emptiness of the Gobi desert. Your first day in the Gobi and first night in a ger
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 270 km on paved and rough roads – 5 to 5.5 hours
Day 4: Tsagaan Suvarga colorful mud cliffs
Continue the journey to the depths of the Gobi desert. Tsagaan Suvarga is a 30-60 m high, 400 m long, colorful limestone formations that look like stupas.
Lunch at a ger camp near Tsagaa Suvarga and free afternoon to relax and hide from the Gobi desert hot. Late afternoon, we will drive to Tsagaan Suarga and hike along its trails to see the different angles of the beautiful formation.
Accommodation: ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 240 km on paved and rough roads – 5 to 5.5 hours
Day 5: Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park, hiking in Eagle Valley
After breakfast, we travel more to the south heading the Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain Range National Park, the end of the Altai Mountains. There are numerous amazingly picturesque lush green valleys, canyons, and crystal clear streams.
You will check-in at a ger camp and have lunch. A short tour to attractive Yoliin Am/Eagle Valley. The valley was named after its main habitat Bearded Eagle or Lammergeier. After reaching the parking area, we gently hike along the mountain creek, which leads the way into the depths of a sheer rock canyon. The canyon does not accept sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. The hiking continues for 2.5 to 3 hours in two ways. Return to the ger camp before dinner and free evening.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 230 km on paved and rough roads – 6 hours
Day 6: Climb Khongor Sand Dunes, visit Gobi desert nomads and camel riding
The journey will continue to the huge Khongor dunes. After reaching the dunes, check-in a ger camp and have lunch, followed by a visit to a nomad family to ride camels. Next, climb the Khongor dune. If you can climb one of the tallest dunes, spread the sand against the wind to find the reason why locals call the sand dunes “Singing Sand.” The views are fantastic from the top of the dunes.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 190 km driving on the rough roads – 4 to 4.5 hours
Day 7: Flaming Cliffs – the famous paleontological excavation site
First, we travel to the Khavtsgait Valley in the West Saikhan Mountain of the Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park to explore some rock drawings dates back to the Late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. Seeing the rock drawing requires us 1 km hiking in a return way. Continue to travel to a ger camp located just 1 km from the Flaming Cliffs. After lunch, enjoy a free afternoon, the 360° views of the steppe, and make your discovery. We will travel to the Flaming Cliffs late afternoon for good photo moments when the sun goes down. Flaming Cliffs are red sandstone cliffs and canyons, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the cemetery of dinosaurs and the first dinosaur eggs ever discovered in the world. Thus, Flaming Cliffs are one of the most famous paleontological sites in the world. You also see the Gobi tree grove named “Bayanzag.” Bayanzag means “rich in saxaul trees.” This tree only grows in Central Asian Gobi.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 170 km driving on the rough roads – 4 to 4.5 hours
Day 8: Drive to Ongi Monastery on the open steppes
Drive first through slate mountains and next on 80 km Ongi steppes heading Ongi Monastery. Ongi Monastery was one of the biggest seven monasteries in Mongolia. There were two separate monasteries consisted of more than 30 temples on the shores of the Ongi River, surrounded by the Gobi desert mountains. The communists destroyed the monastery in the 1930s purge. Now the ruins of the monasteries involve a vast area. Visit a new active temple, a ger museum, explore the monastery ruins. Climbing a nearby mountain to see views of the surrounding areas is an option.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 160 km driving on the rough roads – 4 to 4.5 hours
Day 9: Kharkhorin, ancient Monastery Erdenezuu
Today’s tour takes place in the transition zone from the Gobi desert to the mountain steppes. The Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu tour will give us the insight to unravel a history of the Great Mongol Empire, the largest land empire the world has ever had, except for exploring the country from the religious side. Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu are part of the World Cultural Heritage Site Orkhon Valley. You will see some valuable religious articles in Erdenezuu temple museums, visit an active temple, observe the religious locals, and view the stunning architecture of the monastery. You also visit the Kharakhorum Museum display remnants of the ancient city except for seeing the historical relics on the site.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 260 km driving on the rough roads – 5.5 to 6 hours
Day 10: Visit central Mongolian nomads, horseback riding, and drive back to Ulaanbaatar
The last day of the full of experiences 10 days of traveling, enjoying the vastness, exploring, and learning the history and culture of Mongolia with like-minded travelers. On your way back to Ulaanbaatar, you will visit a horse herding nomad family. Riding a horse is optional and free of charge. You also join the nomads for lunch. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and check in a hotel.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving distance: 360 km on paved roads takes 6 hours
Day 11: Departure
The driver transfers you to the railway station/airport.
Meals: Breakfast
TOUR PRICE PER PERSON
Group tour price: 1535$ per person
Single supplement: 270$
DISCOUNTS
- For children of a family trip
- One free space for every 16 pax (Regards private group tour)
- Early booking discount 10%
- 2 nights in a 3* hotel
- 8 nights in ger camps
- Transfer service
- English speaking guide
- Horse & camel riding
- 10 breakfast, 10 lunch and 10 dinner
- 0.5*2 bottled water per person per day
- Entry fees to national parks and museums
The tour includes:
- Items of personal use
- International travel
- Alcoholic drinks & beverages
- Travel & medical insurance
- Visa fee
- Single supplements
The tour excludes:
Is the Gobi Desert and Naadam Festival Group Tour suitable for you?
On the Gobi Desert and Naadam Festival Group Tour, you will travel approximately 1900 km driving overland both on the paved and rough roads. The daily driving duration is 4.5-6 hours. Therefore, consider if you have car sickness or back pain, etc.
The tour does not include demanding physical activities except for 1-3 hours of gentle hiking on some days. The group members could have an option to climb one of the higher dunes of Khongor, remain at the bottom, or climb lower dunes. Local equestrians will support the horse and camel riding except for your guide.
Accommodation
On the Gobi Desert and Naadam Festival Group Tour, you will stay in a centrally located 3* hotel for one night on day 8 – at the end of the tour. We always book the best location, best hotel available within the budget for your comfort, safety, and your easy access to city attractions, shopping, dining, etc. If you wish, do not hesitate to request us to book the same hotel at the beginning of your trip. We will check and reserve for you if the rooms are available on the day of booking.
In the countryside, you will stay in traditional ger camps close to the main attractions.
Alike the hotel, we always choose the best ger camps for your enjoyment, comfort, and safety.
You will stay in twin rooms and gers, both at the ger camps and hotels unless you request a single supplement and pay additional.
The ger camps have restaurants that serve western and Mongolian cuisines.
Regarding bathrooms, the western WC and showers are in a separate block to share with other travelers. Few of the ger camps have private bathroom gers available at an additional fee of 35$-45$ per person per night.
Some of the ger camps have connected with central electricity while the other half sources the electricity from the generator, solar and wind. Learn more about the ger camps and see pictures at What is a ger camp in Mongolia?
What meals will I eat during the tour?
The tour includes 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 10 dinners. In the countryside, ger camps serve some European and Mongolian meals. Meat is the main recipe for lunch and dinner and is served along with vegetables, salads, and soups. There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals.
Breakfast; A typical breakfast consists of tea, coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, sausage, cookies, cheese, and cereals.
Lunch: They serve some salads, Mongolian soups, main courses (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers, traditional meal), and dessert with tea.
Dinner; Salad, a main course, dessert, and tea will be served.
Are you a vegetarian or have a dietary restriction? If you are a vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance. We will arrange the meals accordingly.
Water; We provide bottled water daily.
Meals with the nomads: On Day 8, you will try authentic Mongolian lunch with the nomads.
Guides
An English speaking guide will serve the group. They are all friendly, helpful and most of them were born and raised in the Mongolian countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia. During the camel riding, a local guide will support you.
Transportation for Gobi Desert and Naadam Festival Group Tour
Full-time Japanese van Toyota Hiace is the main vehicles serve for the group tour. Depending on the group size, Mitsubishi Delica and 4WD Hyundai Starex may serve.
Weather in July
July is the hottest month of the year. In particular, the Gobi desert or southern Mongolia is the warmest region in Mongolia. The annual temperature is usually 2 -10°C higher than the other parts of Mongolia. The average day temperature is +28°C, hottest +39°C and night temperature could drop to +12°C, although some nights could be sultriness. It is a month that receives a relatively higher prescription than other months. The temperature could dramatically fall if it rains. The rain period starts from the beginning of July when observing the annual average, but not constant. The rain could be a temporary shower or drizzling rain.
What to bring and wear?
As Mongolian weather is inflexible and fluctuates a lot, not regarding the month, we suggest you pack according to below
• Torch/headlamp will be useful when going to bathrooms in the evenings and at nights while staying at the ger camps
• Lightweight windproof/waterproof jacket
• Lightweight travel trousers that can be unzipped into shorts would be ideal for most summer days.
• T-shirts and long-sleeved t-shirts will be comfortable and help you protect your arms from the sun and stay warm on chilly days.
• Sturdy pair of walking sandals and boots will be useful when you hike. If not the hiking shoes, bring sneakers and sandals. Some of the ger camps do not have slippers in their gers
• Pajamas/tights or something similar to stay warm at night.
• Shorts and whatever suitable at high up to +38°C during daytime in summer months and +8 to + 18°C in the evening/night temperature. The temperature drops sharply when it rains
• Bringing your eyeglasses is preferable instead of lenses on dusty roads
• Sun cream, lip balm, sunglasses, and a sunhat are vital
• Some pills for common symptoms such as travel sickness pills, allergies pills (there is a vast expanse of grasslands), Pepto-Bismol for the inevitable upset stomach, Antibiotic cream for cuts, scratches, and insect bites, etc. The pills should be carried in the original, clearly labeled container, in your handbag, and should be checked with the Mongolian Embassy if necessary
• A watch or alarm clock can be useful if your mobile phone does not have enough charge or you do not want to use your phone
• Both backpack and suitcases work. The bell boys and service staff of ger camps will help you transfer your luggage between the ger and the parking area
• Shampoo, lotions, deodorant, and toothpaste are all available extensively in Ulaanbaatar. However, they are not available at ger camps. Therefore, bring your supply
• The ger camps provide big and small towels. Bringing dry/wet tissues, and hand sanitizer will be handy. Particularly, during some important stops in the countryside (call of nature)
• Travel and medical insurance, passport, and other documents
• Camera with a spare battery or with a mobile charger
• Check the allowed power bank Wh with your flight operator and make sure you carry it in the handbag.
• Resealing (Ziploc) plastic bags – to protect your documents, money, camera, binoculars, and other items from wetness, sand, and dust
• Check herevaccinations and health information needed to travel to Mongolia
• If you do not mind, bring small gifts for nomad children, but not mandatory. The gift ideas are some candies, biscuits, or school stationaries.
