Grand Tour Mongolia: A Journey Through Time & Naadam Festival

On your arrival at Genghis Khan International Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Ulaanbaatar.  The rest of the day is at your leisure to to explore the city or relax and recover from the long-distance flight or possibly from jet lag.In the afternoon, after a tour briefing, our tour guide will take you out for a Welcome Dinner.

After breakfast you will take a city tour which will include the Gandan monastery, National History Museum and enjoy the Naadam festival's eve by watching the National Costume Festival in the Sukhbaatar Square. Dinner tonight is at a fine restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

The Naadam Festival officially starts today and everyone should brace themselves for a festive and busy day. Transfer to the National Stadium and get seated with locals and thousands of tourists from all over the world who have come to watch the festival under one roof. Naadam Ceremony opens with the Mongolian President's speech and a performance by the country’s leading dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians would take place. Escape the stadium for lunch and come back to the see the strong wrestlers and sharp archers. Walk around the stadium to see the ankle-bone shooting game and enjoy the local atmosphere with local Mongolians. Watch a special Mongolian folklore concert and have a festive included Gala Dinner in the evening. Return back to the hotel and spend the night.

Drive for an hour outside of Ulaanbaatar City for the national horse race. Walk to the horses' finishing line and get seated with boxed lunches. The horse jockeys for the event are all children between 5 to 12 years old and many of them have been in the saddle since the ages of 1 to 3. Watch and feel the emotion in the children and their horses when they complete the 20 km distance while competing with over 300 other horses and their jockeys. Drive further to the Khustai National Park, which is famous for the preservation of its Przewalski or wild horses that have been reintroduced back into the wild. The National Park is famous not only for its wild horses but other mammals, flora and fauna. After being introduced to the National Park proceed deep inside the park to search for the prized wild horses. Spend the night at a nearby ger camp.

After breakfast start driving to Lake Ugii with free stops on the way to photograph the charming landscape and wildlife. Arrive at Lake Ugii camping site. In the evening, you may go hiking around the lake and enjoy watching the birds. Dinner and overnight is at the camp site.

Today's journey will take you to the Tsenher Hot Spa where you can take a short hike in the surrounding forest during the day. Having the natural hot spa after dinner in the evening is another experience. Body massage and beauty services are available on the request. Overnight in ger camp.

Today you will explore Mongolia’s Ancient Capital City, Karakorum, which located in the Orkhon Valley. Genghis Khan choice of Karakorum city as the capital of the empire, in Central Mongolia, was no coincidence. The surrounding Orkhon Valley was the centre of action for various nomadic dynasties that preceded the Mongol Empire and holds enormous symbolic importance. Here you will explore the Erdenezuu monastery, museum of Karakorum, Phallic Rock and Turtle Rock. Stay overnight in ger camp.

Wake up early to proceed to Ongyn Khiid by driving from central to the south, to Gobi. Located at the banks of the Ongi River you would have a chance to view the ruins of two famed monasteries, the Barlim Khiid to the north and the Khutagt Khiid to the south through an afternoon hike. Combined together they form the complex known as Ongyn Khiid. Stay overnight in ger camp.

In the morning, begin your journey to Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs for the magnificent landscapes and the place where the first ever fossilized dinosaur eggs were found. The sight is totally flat on top as rain and wind have eroded the layers that formed the brightly colored cliffs from the edge. Get introduced to the history of how Roy Chapman Andrews made the ultimate exploration of dinosaur fossilized eggs and bones over a century ago. Stay overnight in ger camp.

After having breakfast, head off to Khongoryn Els for 180 km. Upon arrival check in at ger camp.After lunch visit a camel breeding family and get introduced to the way of Mongolian nomads and their way of life. Explore Mongolia's largest Sand Dune, Khongoryn Els, which is also popularly known as the ‘Singing Dunes’.Enjoy the beauty of the stark landscape and for those who are feeling more adventurous, climb to the very top for a fantastic view. Drive back to the ger camp and stay overnight.

Have an early start and head to the Yol Valley. The shimmering heat and isolated gers and herds of camels plus the images of lakes that is none other than a mirage, are a typical sight you will see. Spend the day hiking and enjoying stunning photographic opportunities at the Yol Valley, part of the Three Beauties Mountain range of the Gobi National Park. Prepare for the evening's sunset, a magnificent moment to take away as a perfect memory of South Gobi. Stay overnight at ger camp.

The direction for today is to the north. One of the highlights of Middle Gobi is Tsagaan Suvraga where you will see a white lime stone cliff with 10 million years of history and beauty. Have your own time and explore the area. Stay overnight in ger camp.

After breakfast drive to Middle Gobi to see Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a unique rock formation and a lovely rock-strewn range full of canyons, caves and a solitary lake. Far away from the city lights, you will have a chance to gaze at the millions of stars. Overnight in ger camp.

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. After arriving in the city, check into the hotel and have a leisurely afternoon.Stay overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to the Railway Station or Airport for your international departure.