MVTour47 Naadam Festival and Gobi Desert

Route Ulaanbaatar Gobi Desert Ulaanbaatar 1650km
From 1080

Description

Central Asian Expedition led by American researcher and explorer Roy Chapman Andrews brought home the first ever recorded dinosaur eggs found in the Desert of Mongolia. Imagine yourself eye witnessing the great Flaming Cliffs where all the fossils and eggs were discovered while enjoying the dusk. Wonders of Gobi will continue with long stretches of Khongor sand dunes which lie within Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. At Khongor or Singing dunes, you will relish fine grains of sand, mountains, two-humped Bactrian camels, the lifestyle of Gobi nomads, and narrow streams which would look, unlike any desert.

The The Naadam festival is the biggest yet most jubilant national celebration for Mongolians. It annually takes place between 11-13th July. Originally organized from the times of the Huns/Hunnu Empire, Naadam was a kind of contest to evaluate the power and military skills of Mongol warriors. The festival consists of three main games referred to as “Three Manly Sports” such as traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery. The opening ceremony of the festival is always associated with a colorful cultural show followed by the first round of the wrestling tournament. In the aisles of the Central Stadium, both archery and the fourth Naadam game- ankle bone shooting will surely capture your interest. Hundreds of herders with their race horses will rush from various parts of the country to participate in the biggest race. Racing will take place out in the plains with varying distances of up to 15-20 miles in 6 different age categories. We kindly recommend booking in advance our Naadam Festival Tour.

What's included

  • Transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Guide service at all times.
  • Naadam festival’s tax
  • In the countryside all lodging will be in nomadic family’s Ger.
  • All meals are provided as stated in the itinerary.
  • Ground transportation: in the countryside driven by 4WD van
  • Park entrance fees
  • Camel ride
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary
  • 1.5 liter of drinking water supply per day per person

What's not included

  • Accommodation in a hotel or hostel in Ulaanbaatar
  • Hotel extras, such as telephone calls, bar bills and laundry services
  • Travel insurance, medical insurance
  • Visa application fees
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • International airfare or train ticket
  • Changes of arrival/departure flights
  • Gratuity to guides and drivers
  • Additional services
  • Any charges of major force beyond our control (e.g. imposition, quarantine restrictions, etc…)

Packing list

This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.

  • backpack or soft bag
  • waterproof bag cover
  • day pack
  • head lamp/flashlight
  • spare batteries/bulb
  • personal medications
  • waterproof hiking boots
  • waterproof jacket with hood
  • waterproof over pants
  • fleece jacket or wool jumper
  • cotton t-shirts
  • long sleeve shirts
  • lightweight trousers
  • shorts
  • socks
  • underwear
  • sun hat
  • sun glasses
  • sun cream
  • sandals
  • insect repellent
  • resealing (Ziploc) plastic bags
  • binoculars/camera
  • watch/ alarm clock
  • money belt/ pouch
  • insurance confirmation copy
  • emergency contact number
  • Naadam Festival

    Ulaanbaatar – via Central Stadium –Khui Doloo khudag – Ulaanbaatar 90km

    • 7:30 Departure from “Mongolia Vision Tours”.
    • 8:00 Breakfast provided at local restaurant.
    • 9:00 Stop at Chinggis Khaan Square to view the marching of 9 White Banner of State from Parliament House to Central Stadium escorted by colorfully dressed Mongolian National Army.
    • 10:00 Arrive at Central Stadium. The festival will be officially opened by the welcoming speech of the President of Mongolia. Following the opening ceremony, a grand cortege is held including the ceremonial parade of adults and children representing nomadic culture, history, and ethnic people of the country eventually escorted by folk music and dance. Further, you can pay a visit to archery competitions where participants can only rely on their sharp eyes, firm hand, and rich experience to release the arrow. The targets are usually fist-sized leather balls which are placed at 60ms distance from women and 70ms for men contestants. Enjoy the game of ankle bone shooting. The first round of the wrestling match starts right after the opening ceremony.
    • 12:30 Later on drive to Khui Doloon Khudag an area where horse races are held. It’s hard to imagine a Mongolian or a nomad without their horses. Mongolians possess a great heritage of horse culture as part of their daily living. The best-winner horses across the country gather in Ulaanbaatar for the most important National race. Mongolian people have been training their horses genuinely in their nature and winning the race during the State Naadam festival will definitely bring them tremendous joy and glory.
    • Depending on driving hours and traffic conditions lunch will be picnic package.
    • After witnessing horses arriving at the finish line guest shall be back at the bus for a short afternoon tea break. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, since all the viewers of the horse race will return towards the city, driving may be a little longer than expected.
    • Overnight optional : hotel or hostel
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  • The granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu

    Ulaanbaatar – Baga Gazriin Chuluu 250km

    • Visit one of the few Rocky Mountains of Gobi, Baga Gazriin Chuluu where you will find gorgeous-looking granite rock formations shaped in different forms eroded by wind and other violent elements of Gobi. During the mid-18th century, some high-ranked and locally respected Buddhist monks lived in the area, as evidence of their existence we will see some temple ruins and inscriptions on the rock. According to some historical sources, Chinggis Khaan also lived here. It’s a great location for a pleasant hike.
    • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (L+D)
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  • The great white stupa in the desert

    Baga Gazriin Chuluu – White stupa 220km

    • Today we will be driving thru vast and empty rocky desert and semi-arid steppe to reach out to White Stupa. Mongolians always have admired and honored this unique natural formation of 30ms height, abrupt, stupa-shaped slopes as White Stupa. The place definitely will remind travelers of a lunar landscape with its mystery of fossils hidden underneath and stunning color combinations. The area is deemed to be the bottom of an ancient ocean.
    • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
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  • Three beautiful mountains- Gobi Gurvan Saikhan

    White stupa – Yoliin am 225km

    • Today we will reach Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park which covers a chain of mountain ranges at the southern end of the Gobi-Altai Mountain range. Gurvan Saikhan literally meaning “Three Beauties” referred to the highest three peaks of the range which is almost over 2800ms.
    • Hiking in the Yoliin Am or Bearded Vulture’s Canyon. Regarding the snowfall and shade in the canyon, oftentimes there formed a high layer of ice cover which sometimes will stay till mid-July. During our walk, we may either walk on top or bottom or just see the parts of this ice. The canyon is surrounded by steep Rocky Mountains creating some shade that is pleasant to hike thru during the hot days of the Gobi Desert. During out hike, you may notice some rodents such as pica and ground squirrel along with colorful wildflowers and plants. Although mountains are the home of wildlife like ibex, mountain goats, and argali, the wild sheep, spotting these animals will purely depend on fortune.
    • Continue driving towards Dungeness Canyon where we can start another beautiful hike along the stream in the canyon.
    • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger / tent (B+L+D)
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  • Khongor sand dunes

    Gobi Gurvan Saikhan - Khongor sand dunes 180km

    • Continue driving to west of the park to Khongor sand dunes which are known as the highest and biggest dunes in the country.
    • Stop at Khongoriin Els or Khongor sand dunes. These are the most astonishing dunes in Mongolia with extensions of over 180kms length and around 3-15kms width and the average height is 80ms. The highest dune is 200ms and from the top of these dunes, you will capture the amazing view of Gobi with the most beautiful sunrise and sunset. When you climb the dunes they shift and cause a sound of vibration that very much resembles the sound of an airplane hence it’s also called Singing Dunes.
    • When you are in Gobi, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get on the Bactrian Camels. It’s obviously one of the most remarkable experiences to trek on the camels along the dunes, on the green lush down the foot of the dunes. Our camel riding will last until we reach a small oasis where there are some Gobi bushes and shrubs. Camels are great lovers of Saxaul shrubs and it’s considered as the most precious wood in the desert for its outstanding survival and growth on desert soil. You will surely enjoy the pristine nature and high mountains during the ride.
    • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
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  • The flaming cliffs of Bayanzag

    Khongor sand dunes– Bayanzag 150km

    • Arrive at the cliffs of Bayanzag, most commonly known as “Flaming Cliffs” for its bister red color which is the cradle of dinosaurs. A Saxaul forest not far from the cliffs and cliffs themselves are true shreds of evidence of the time when Earth was still inhabited by massive creatures-the dinosaurs. American explorer Roy Andrews Chapman was the first to reveal dinosaur fossils and eggs in 1922 from Bayanzag and other neighboring localities which are today displayed in Mongolian dinosaur museums in Ulaanbaatar and other museums around the world.
    • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
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  • Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain

    Bayanzag – Zorgol Khairkhan 320km

    • This locally sacred mountain name was mentioned in the “Mongolian Secret History”. This 20 km long granite rock mountain has all sizes of caves, and sources of mineral springs, and is home to mountain goats and sheep, eagles, and hawks. Also around the mountain, there were found several ancient burial sites of Mongol warriors. According to traditional Mongolian shamanic beliefs, names of holy, sacred mountains shouldn’t be pronounced whilst you are there. Optional for hiking and moderate climbing.
    • Overnight camping out in the tent. (B+L+D)
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  • Back to Ulaanbaatar

    Ulaanbaatar – via Central Stadium –Khui Doloo khudag – Ulaanbaatar 90km

    • Return to Ulaanbaatar. On the way, you see the herds of horses crossing the roads, smokes of gers fading away, and never-ending hills and steppe. Arrive in town, and transfer to your accommodation.
    • If time allows you can do some short city orientation and shopping with our guide. (B+L)
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We offer 2 different type of tour arrangements for our customers.

  • 1Standard Arrangement

(Staying through the tourist ger camps)
What is standard arrangement?

1 pax €2400
2 pax €1680 p.p
3 pax €1440 p.p
4 pax €1280 p.p
5 pax €1160 p.p
6-12 pax €1080 p.p
Single supplement: €100
  • 2Budget Arrangement

(Staying in the local ger guesthouses)
What is budget arrangement?
What is a local ger guesthouse?

1 pax €1600
2 pax €1040 p.p
3 pax €880 p.p
4 pax €760 p.p
5 pax €640 p.p
6-12 pax €520 p.p
Single supplement: €40
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