Naadam Festival and Gobi 12 Days Tour

Type: Classic tour

Destination: Central Mongolia

Highlights: “Gandan” monastery, “Naadam” festival, “Baga gazriin chuluu” picturesque mountain, “Three Beauty Mountains” National Park, “Khongor” sand dunes, Flaming Cliffs, Visit a nomadic family and camel riding.

Lengths: 11 nights/12 days

Transportation: Drive Russian van, Japan jeep

Trip date:  From 10th of July 2014 to 21th of July 2014

Group size: 1-15 people

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Transfer to hotel. Defending on an arrival time, you can enjoy a short city orientation tour or take a city tour to Gandan monastery where is one of Mongolia’s most important monasteries, and also one of its biggest tourist attractions. Welcome dinner.

Day 2. Ulaanbaatar

Naadam festival is opened officially by the President of Mongolia. Soldiers on horseback, sometimes dressed in Chinggis Khan warrior’s regalia, will get the nine white horsetail banners at the Parliament house where they are normally displayed and will then ride in procession through the city, later to be placed in the center of the National Stadium, from where we will be viewing the Opening Ceremony. At the stadium, a huge procession is held including hundreds of adults and children dressed in costumes representing Mongolia’s numerous ethnic groups. The opening ceremony features a colorful show with folk music and dance, parachute show and more. The first round of wrestling will start immediately thereafter. After that you will see the archery competitions where contestants can only rely on his keen eye, firm hand and experience, take aim at a target of fist-sized baskets; and ankle bone shooting competition.

Day 3. Ulaanbaatar

Morning we will drive to Khui Doloon Khudag, the horse racing field. The horse races continue over the two main Naadam days. Mongol horse racing is part of a living cultural heritage, similar to the equestrian tradition that brought the Mongol armies to faraway places during medieval times. We will see the four year old horse racing. The horse race is actually a bit far from the barriers set up for visitors, so bring binoculars! We can visit nomadic tented camps that have sprung up behind the race track and experience a concentration of nomadic Mongolia at one site!

Day 4. Baga gazriin chuluu

Early morning drive to Baga gazriin chuluu. It is located in Delgertsogt small town, Dundgovi province and surrounded by plain. The highest one is 15 km long and 10 km wide granite stone-mountain elevated at 1768m above sea level. There are also over 20 kinds of medical herbs like burnet, and  many kinds of world rare animals like marmot, ibex and mountain sheep. Also you can see ruin of temple.

Day 5. Tsagaan suvraga(White Stupa)

After breakfast drive to Tsagaan suvraga(White Stupa). The name is given by local people to the impressive and legendary cliff which is eroded by natural phenomenon. It is located junction of middle gobi and south gobi provinces. Having 10 million years history, the cliff indicates different times by its colored layers. Tsagaan Suvraga(White Stupa)is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which from a distance seems to be the ruins of the ancient city. Mongolia people found fossilized con shells print of sea plans from here.

Day 6. “Three beauty mountains” National Park

In the morning drive to Dalanzadgad, the capital of Umnugobi province on the way of “Three beauty mountains” National Park. The mountains are most easterly points of the Altai mountain complex and the highest peak is 2815 meter above sea level. A number of rare plants and animals are found in the park, including the elusive snow leopard. We will explore Yoliin Am (Vulture Valley). You will visit local musuem and walk to end of valley. It is wonderfully picturesque place with ice even in summer, and surrounded by sheer rocky walls, forming incredible canyons.

Day 7. “Khongor” sand dunes

Drive to “Khongor” sand dunes. The shifting dunes is 180 km long, 400 m high, 20 km wide. The dunes surrounded by higher mountains and bordered lush green vegetation. Local people named “Singing dune” When the wind blows over the dunes it makes strange sound like high pitched tone of an air plane.

Day 8. “Khongor” sand dunes

After breakfast, you will visit nomadic family. You will ride a camel three hours to sand dunes. Have shower. Optional you can see sun set on the sand dunes.

Day 9. Bayan Zag

In the morning drive to Bayan Zag. It means “rich in saxaul shrubs” is more common known as the Flaming Cliffs. It was formed 60-70 million years ago. The area is most famous for the first discovery of dinosaur eggs. Flaming Cliffs was discovered in 1922 by the explorer Roy Chapman Andrew visited in Mongolia.

Day 10. Zorgol Khairkhan mountain

Drive to Zorgol Khairkhan, one of sacred mountain in Mongolia. The mountain noted “Secret history of Mongolian”. It has many caves and water springs. Lucky visitors may see wild animals like mountain goats, ibex and eagles. There are several burial sites of ancient Mongol soldiers around this mountain. According to shamanic custom, pronouncing the name of the holy mountains while visiting them is forbidden.

Day 11. Ulaanbaatar

Drive back Ulaanbaatar. Farewell dinner in restaurant.

Day 12. Departure

We are great experienced members of team, who have worked in Mongolia tourism sector since 2000, are providing interesting services to visitors. We created own standard tour itineraries and services based on our valuable experience.