Tour Summary
Naadam is Mongolia’s biggest festival, celebrated throughout the entire country every July. This festival spans over several days and shows off Mongolia’s most popular sports: wrestling, archery, and horse riding. The festival, dating back to the times of Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) is now a way for Mongolians to celebrate their prowess, their independence, and the warmth of the summer.
This tour is unique as it will not take you to the crowded, uncomfortable festival of the big city where you must sit far away in stands. On this tour, you will see Naadam up close and intimately in a small town. We will be able to talk with the jockeys and horse breeders, watch the wrestlers up close, mingle with the locals, and enjoy this festival as it is meant to be, without the commercialization. We will also spend time with a local Mongolian family learning their way of life, as well as glamping (with your own cook) at some gorgeous rivers.
*Visiting a Naadam festival can be incorporated into our other tours that happen in July*
Tour Highlights
Experience the Naadam festival in a small, intimate town
Stay with a nomadic family and learn their way of life
Personal cook for you and your companions
Learn to cook khorkhog, Mongolia’s favorite cuisine
Experience the lush beauty of Mongolia’s northern rivers
Private 4x4 vehicle with a driver and guide.
Experience the Mongolian Gers (yurts) in comfortable lodges
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Itinerary
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Days 5-6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
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Day 1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Welcome to Mongolia! When you arrive at the airport, your guide and driver will be there waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel where you can freshen up. If you are not too tired, you can then visit the Mongolia Museum of Natural History, The Gandan Buddhist Monastery, and in the evening, you can enjoy a traditional Mongolian folk concert with dance and throat singing followed by a welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Travel: None Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 2 Flight to Murun, Khuvsgul After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport and fly north to the province of Khuvsgul. You will head straight to a nomadic family and you will spend the night in a spacious Bell Tent with raised cots and air mattresses. You will meet with the nomadic family and can go for a short hike and have your first introduction with your hosts. Accommodation: Bell Tent Travel: 1.15 hour flight; 600km (372 miles) : Drive to Nomadic family 80KM (50 miles): 1.5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 3 Nomadic Family Day Today is dedicated to experiencing the nomadic lifestyle. You will have many options to choose from, including: Helping out with daily chores (chopping wood, fetching water), herding in the animals, and trying your hand while learning how to make local dishes. Accommodation: Bell Tent Travel: None Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 4 Naadam Festival Day In the morning you will say goodbye to your new family and head towards a small village Naadam festival. Experiencing this festival in a small village allows you to have a more intimate and immersive experience. Today you will enjoy all the festivities: watching horse races with young jockeys, massive Mongolian wrestlers, and Mongolian archery. At night we will stay in a nearby ger camp. Accommodation: Ger Camp Travel: Drive 90 KM (56 miles); 2 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Days 5-6 The Five Rivers Confluence In the morning, we will head towards the five rivers confluence (Olon golin belcher in Mongolian). A wonderful ger camp lies in this beautiful area which has much less tourists than other nearby camps. These two days are designated for relaxing and exploring the area. We can horse ride through a valley along the river, along with fishing and boating on one of the bigger rivers in the evening. At night, we will make a bonfire under the stars. Accommodation: Ger Camp Travel: Drive 150 KM (93 miles); 5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 7 Eating Khorkhog with a nomadic family Today we will have another full day with a nomadic family and you are in for a treat! We will learn about making vodka from yogurt and make Khorkhog, a special pressure cooked mutton. A delicacy and summer food for Mongolians. Accommodation: Bell Tent Travel: Drive 50 KM (31 Miles); 1.5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 8 Drive to Uran Togoo Extinct Volcano In the late morning, we will head to Uran Togoo Volcano. We will take a leisurely drive on a tarmac road across northern Mongolia. Enjoy Mongolia’s ever changing scenery from your vehicle and take plenty of rest stops. We will arrive at the green dead volcano and climb to the top. We will spend the night in Ger camp. Accommodation: Ger Camp Travel: Drive 280 KM (174 Miles); 5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 9 Arrive in Erdenet and Take the Train In the morning, we will head to the mining city of Erdenet. We will arrive around lunchtime and visit a local carpet and tapestry factory. At night you will get your own cabin and take the night train from Erdenet, back to Ulaanbaatar. Accommodation: Overnight in the train Travel: Drive 130 KM (81 miles); 3 hours;Overnight Train 450 KM (280 Miles); 12 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 10 Ulaanbaatar Day Today you will have time to see more of the sites and museums around the city that you may have missed! Undoubtedly, you will want to do some shopping for Mongolian souvenirs and some of the famous and inexpensive Mongolian cashmere. Let us take you to some of our favorite spots and even a cashmere factory if you would like! Accommodation: Hotel Travel: None Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 11 Departure Day Today, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport several hours before your flight, then you are on your way back home. Accommodation: None Travel: None Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Day 1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Welcome to Mongolia! When you arrive at the airport, your guide and driver will be there waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel where you can freshen up. If you are not too tired, you can then visit the Mongolia Museum of Natural History, The Gandan Buddhist Monastery, and in the evening, you can enjoy a traditional Mongolian folk concert with dance and throat singing followed by a welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Travel: None Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 2 Flight to Murun, Khuvsgul After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport and fly north to the province of Khuvsgul. You will head straight to a nomadic family and you will spend the night in a spacious Bell Tent with raised cots and air mattresses. You will meet with the nomadic family and can go for a short hike and have your first introduction with your hosts. Accommodation: Bell Tent Travel: 1.15 hour flight; 600km (372 miles) : Drive to Nomadic family 80KM (50 miles): 1.5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 3 Nomadic Family Day Today is dedicated to experiencing the nomadic lifestyle. You will have many options to choose from, including: Helping out with daily chores (chopping wood, fetching water), herding in the animals, and trying your hand while learning how to make local dishes. Accommodation: Bell Tent Travel: None Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 4 Naadam Festival Day In the morning you will say goodbye to your new family and head towards a small village Naadam festival. Experiencing this festival in a small village allows you to have a more intimate and immersive experience. Today you will enjoy all the festivities: watching horse races with young jockeys, massive Mongolian wrestlers, and Mongolian archery. At night we will stay in a nearby ger camp. Accommodation: Ger Camp Travel: Drive 90 KM (56 miles); 2 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Days 5-6 The Five Rivers Confluence In the morning, we will head towards the five rivers confluence (Olon golin belcher in Mongolian). A wonderful ger camp lies in this beautiful area which has much less tourists than other nearby camps. These two days are designated for relaxing and exploring the area. We can horse ride through a valley along the river, along with fishing and boating on one of the bigger rivers in the evening. At night, we will make a bonfire under the stars. Accommodation: Ger Camp Travel: Drive 150 KM (93 miles); 5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 7 Eating Khorkhog with a nomadic family Today we will have another full day with a nomadic family and you are in for a treat! We will learn about making vodka from yogurt and make Khorkhog, a special pressure cooked mutton. A delicacy and summer food for Mongolians. Accommodation: Bell Tent Travel: Drive 50 KM (31 Miles); 1.5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 8 Drive to Uran Togoo Extinct Volcano In the late morning, we will head to Uran Togoo Volcano. We will take a leisurely drive on a tarmac road across northern Mongolia. Enjoy Mongolia’s ever changing scenery from your vehicle and take plenty of rest stops. We will arrive at the green dead volcano and climb to the top. We will spend the night in Ger camp. Accommodation: Ger Camp Travel: Drive 280 KM (174 Miles); 5 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 9 Arrive in Erdenet and Take the Train In the morning, we will head to the mining city of Erdenet. We will arrive around lunchtime and visit a local carpet and tapestry factory. At night you will get your own cabin and take the night train from Erdenet, back to Ulaanbaatar. Accommodation: Overnight in the train Travel: Drive 130 KM (81 miles); 3 hours;Overnight Train 450 KM (280 Miles); 12 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 10 Ulaanbaatar Day Today you will have time to see more of the sites and museums around the city that you may have missed! Undoubtedly, you will want to do some shopping for Mongolian souvenirs and some of the famous and inexpensive Mongolian cashmere. Let us take you to some of our favorite spots and even a cashmere factory if you would like! Accommodation: Hotel Travel: None Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 11 Departure Day Today, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport several hours before your flight, then you are on your way back home. Accommodation: None Travel: None Meals Included: Breakfast |
Pricing
2 Travelers: $5,200 per person
3-4 Travelers: $3,800 per person
5-8 Travelers: $3,200 per person
Our tours are all-inclusive. From the moment you land till the moment you take off.
All pricing is based on twin share rooms. Please be aware that changes in the trip can lower or raise the cost per person. If your group has more than 8 people, please contact us and we will send you updated pricing for your specific needs.
Included
All accommodations based on twin share
Private cook
All transportation and domestic flights
All meals on the expedition
All local staff and field guides
Entertainments as shown in the itinerary
National Park and Protected Area fees
Not Included
International flights
Overweight baggage fees
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
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