Our Mongolia & Naadam Festival tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Look out over the spectacular scenery of the Flaming Cliffs
Sleep in traditional Mongolian Yurts
Be inspired by the stunning landscape of this beautiful lake
Enjoy the revelry of the traditional Naadam Festival in Mongolia's capital
Amongst the dramatic landscapes of Mongolia's steppe, receive a warm welcome from a Mongolian family as they show you around their ger camp home and introduce you to their nomadic life as livestock herders.
The Naadam Festival represents the heritage of Mongolia with competitors participating in archery, wrestling and horseback riding. Enjoy the opening cultural performance, and cheer for the participants alongside locals.
Immerse yourself in fascinating culture as you enjoy a Mongolian folklore show, featuring old music traditions such as throat-singing and horse-head fiddles, dancing and performing arts.
Fly overnight to Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Fly to the Gobi Desert and transfer by 4WD to your ger camp. After lunch, explore the dramatic Yolyn Am (Eagle’s Gorge) and visit a local family to experience nomadic hospitality and traditional dairy products.
Travel by 4WD to the Khongoryn Els, home to Mongolia’s largest sand dunes. Spend the day exploring the vast desert landscapes on foot and by vehicle, with the option to hike to the summit for panoramic views.
This morning is free for you to continue your exploration of the Gobi Desert and the sand dunes. After lunch, travel by 4WD to Bayanzag, more commonly known as the ‘Flaming Cliffs’. This afternoon, visit the Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery and explore the surrounding landscape. Overnight in a ger camp close to the Flaming Cliffs.
Journey approximately 4-5 hours to the Ongii River, some of which is on jeep trails over dry plains, with no direct roads. On arrival, check into your Ger camp close to the Ongii River and visit the ruins of two famed monasteries, the Barlim Khiid to the north and the Khutagt Khiid to the south. Combined they form the complex known as Ongiin Khiid Monastery.
This morning, depart Ongii and drive approximately 6 hours to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin, situated on the Orkhon River. Upon arrival, explore the ancient sites within Kharkorin, the Kharkorin Museum and get comprehensive introduction to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Orkhon River Valley.
Explore the memorable Erdene Zuu Monastery, witnessing the morning chants. This afternoon, enjoy a nomadic family visit including a traditional Mongolian barbeque and Airag sampling.
Today, you will drive 2-3 hours to the famous Tsenkher Hot Springs. Enjoy free time to relax in the springs and take in the remote scenery.
Drive around 5 hours west, towards the serene Great White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur). Upon arrival, check into your Ger Camp for an overnight stay. The camp is located within one of the most beautiful areas of the famous Great White Lake and Khorgo Volcano. Take a short hike up to the crater of the volcano for wonderful views or walk along the lake shore where there are excellent opportunities for bird and wildlife spotting. You may also want to visit Zayaiin Huree Monastery in Tsetserleg Town.
Travel approximately 7 hours through the heart of the Mongolian steppe today, toward Lake Khovsgol. Due to conditions, you will stay overnight in the small city of Murun, allowing for a restful break at a local hotel before reaching the lake.
This morning, commence the 3-hour drive to reach Lake Khovsgol. Stop at the Uushig Deer Stones along the way. In the afternoon, take a walk to the forest and visit a reindeer breeding family, where you will be introduced to their way of life.
Enjoy a day at leisure around the lake, with plenty of activities available (at your own expense).
This morning, drive around 3 hours to Murun airport and board your 1.5 hour flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, you will drive approximately 2 hours to the scenic Terelj National Park.
This morning, enjoy exploring the area, enjoying the alpine scenery and seeing Turtle Rock. From here, hike over steep and uneven ground to visit the Aryabal Monastery and enjoy some hiking. After lunch, travel to Ulaanbaatar, stopping en route to visit the iconic Genghis Khan Statue.
This morning, visit the 19th-century built Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important monastery in Mongolia. Later, explore the Museum of Mongolian History where you can gain an insight into the culture of Mongolia, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Today, spend time taking part in the Naadam Festival opening activities, such as the Honorary Guards & White Banners ceremony and the Deeltei Mongol costume parade held in Ulaanbaatars Central Square. In the afternoon, visit the newly built Chinggis Khaan Museum.
Over the next 2 days you will experience, first-hand, the annual Naadam Festival. Mix with locals and nomads alike to witness the Opening Ceremony of the Naadam Festival, at Central Stadium. Here you can see featured events that include wrestling, horseracing and archery. Then, on the second day of the festival travel approximately 50km outside the city to enjoy a thrilling day watching the cross-country horseracing.
Today is yours to spend at leisure. Explore Ulaanbaatar at your own pace, whether this be shopping for souvenirs, enjoying a cultural show of relaxing in a local café.
Fly overnight to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and exclusive benefits including a single room throughout your tour, complimentary return airport transfers (within 50km radius of major Australian airports) and a cocktail on arrival at your destination. Travellers from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne also receive a complimentary Australian airport lounge pass for use prior to departure.
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All of our tours offer a single room supplement, which means you’ll have a room to yourself throughout your chosen tour. Continue the check-out process for the applicable supplement.
On most tours, you can choose our 'Happy to Share' option, which may enable you to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance.
If you are booking on a Dedicated Solo departure, a single room is already included in the price and there are no additional single supplements to pay.
With our flight inclusive option, we'll do the planning for you and meet you on arrival.
We include airport pickup upon arrival at your destination and drop off at the end of your tour (on the scheduled tour arrival and departure days) and when booking pre or post tour accommodation with us.
We partner with established and reputable airlines for your international flights.
We can assist with upgrading your seat to premium or business class for an additional cost.
Our team will work with you to choose your ideal routing and if we make changes to your tour itinerary that impact flights, we’ll rebook them for you.
Our On-Tour Support Team is available to provide advice about how to handle flight changes.
