Mongolia & the Naadam FestivalFrom $11,755 per person Twin Share - 23 Days - Fully Inclusive From New ZealandThe great Khans of Mongolia created the largest land empire the world has ever known. The most legendary of all was the famous Genghis Khan, a relentless warrior who forever marked his birthplace on the map. Remote and stunning, Mongolia is still relatively unexplored by modern day travellers and its charm firmly lies in that fact. The country is blessed with endless plains with beautiful backdrops, warm-hearted people with simplistic views on the world and a fascinating history. One of the special features you will encounter on this tour is experiencing first-hand the annual Naadam Festival, a local celebration of the people and culture of this great land. The origins of this festival can be traced to the Mongol Army with horseracing, wrestling and archery competitions favoured by the locals and visitors alike. TOUR ITINERARYDAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND TO BEIJINGFly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Beijing for an overnight stay at an airport hotel. DAY 3: BEIJING TO ULAANBAATARTransfer to the airport this morning to board your flight to Ulaanbaatar. DAY 4: ULAANBAATAREnjoy a tour around Ulaanbaatar today. Visit Sukhbaatar Square where a statue stands of Damdin Sughbaatar, who led the Mongolian Revolution and declared its independence from China. Later you will visit the National DAY 5: ULAANBAATAR TO YOLYN AMFly to Dalanzadgad today, from where you will begin your 4WD journey heading to Yolyn Am, a gorge in the Gobi National Park. Yolyn Am is famous for its spectacular scenery. DAY 6: YOLYN AMToday you will explore the Gurvansaikhan National Park, which translates into ‘three beauties’. At approximately 27,000sq km, it is the largest national park in Mongolia. DAY 7: YOLYN AM TO KHONGORYN ELSYou will continue your 4WD journey into the Gobi Desert today as you drive to Khongoryn Els, the location of Mongolia’s largest sand dunes, also referred to as the ‘Singing Dunes’. DAY 8: KHONGORYN ELS TO BAYANZAGLeave Khongoryn Els this morning and drive to Bayanzag, also known as the ‘Flaming Cliffs’. Visit the Gobi dinosaur cemetery and trace the footsteps of Palaeontologist, Roy Chapman Andrews. DAY 9: BAYANZAG TO ONGIIToday you will head to Ongii, where you view the Ongiin Khiid, two ruined monasteries located alongside the Ongii River. DAY 10: ONGII TO MT. KHOGNO KHANTravel to Mt. Khogno Khan. Explore the remains of the Uvgun Khiid at the foot of the mountain. The temple once served up to 1,000 Lamas. DAY 11: MT. KHOGNO KHAN TO KHARKHORINToday you will continue your journey to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin, situated on the Orkhon River. Later you will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist-built monastery in Mongolia. DAY 12: KHARKHORIN TO TSENKHER JIGUUR HOT SPRINGSContinue your journey as you travel to Tsenkher Jiguur Hot Springs today for an overnight stay. DAY 13: TSENKHER JIGUUR HOT SPRINGS TO GREAT WHITE LAKEThis morning you will drive to Great White Lake in the Khangai Mountains where you will visit Khorgo Volcano. DAY 14: GREAT WHITE LAKE TO JARGAL JIGUURToday you will leave Great White Lake and travel to Jargal Jiguur. DAY 15: JARGAL JIGUUR TO MORONTravel to Môron and enjoy the afternoon free at your leisure. DAYS 16-17: MORON TO LAKE KHOVSGOLTravel to Lake Khovsgol today, Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake by volume. Enjoy the next two days free at your leisure. DAY 18: LAKE KHOVSGOL TO ULAANBAATAR (VIA MORON)Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy a performanceof traditional ‘throat singing’ this evening. DAYS 19-21: ULAANBAATAROver the next three days you will join the festivities of the annual Naadam Festival, which dates back to the Genghis Khan period. Witness events such as wrestling, horse racing and archery; ‘the three manly games’. DAY 22: DEPART ULAANBAATARThis morning you are transferred to Ulaanbaatar airport to board your flight to Beijing where you will connect with yourovernight flight to New Zealand. Due to flight schedules there is an overnight stopover in Singapore. Please note that no meals are included in Singapore. DAY 23: ARRIVE NEW ZEALANDArrive home this morning. |
Price Guide
Important note: Above prices do not include Tipping. Please note the tipping amount of US$100 per person is payable on arrival in China. # Itinerary will operate in the reverse direction to the itinerary shown. Please note, based on current flight schedules Christchurch passengers may need to stay overnight in Singapore en route to China, at their own expense. Also, the date of arrival in New Zealand may be one day later than the brochure date. Travel Info
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Images from Mongolia & the Naadam Festival
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