10 days tour of Naadam Festival & Altai Tavan Bogd

Day 1 Ulaanbaatar

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Upon your arrival at the airport you will be greeted by your guide and driver and will take you to your hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, we will organise a half or full day city tour. (Hotel, D)

Day 2 Naadam Festival opening ceremony

After breakfast you will be driven to the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival in the main stadium of Ulaanbaatar. Naadam is one of the most ancient festivals in Mongolia and it is celebrated widely for nearly a month all over the country. Each region celebrates it on different dates. Three manly games of Naadam, wrestling, horse racing and arching, were originally created to test the stamina, strength and mastery of nomads. The horses race for 15-30 km in six age groups. After the opening ceremony, attend Naadam gala dinner and folk concert. Overnight stay in a hotel. (Hotel; B, L, D)

Day 3 Horse racing and Khustai national park

On the second day of the Naadam festival, you will drive to Hui Doloon Hudag for horse racing. Afterwards you will drive to the Khustai National Park where Mongolian wild horses graze. (Hotel; B, L, D)

Day 4 & 5 Visit golden eagle trainer’s family

After breakfast, you will take a flight to the western border of Mongolia, Bayan Ulgii. In the afternoon, visit eagle trainer’s family to learn distinct culture and tradition of Mongolian Kazakh people. Mongolian Kazakh people train golden eagle to hunt foxes and rabbits. Joining the hunters for their hunting trip during the 2 days stay is optional. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp. However, staying with the local family can be arranged if you prefer more authentic way of lodging. (Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 6 Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

Start your day with excursion to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, which is 6362km square nationally protected zone. The highest peak of Mongolia, Tavan Bogd massif (4373m above sea level) is located at the park. Many of the wild animals in the area includes, snow leopard, ibex, argali and red deer. Overnight stay in a ger camp or nomadic family. (Nomadic family; B, L, D)

Day 7 Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast you will fly back to Ulaanbaatar, which will take about an hour and a half. Once you settle at your hotel your guide will take you for souvenir and cashmere shopping and short city tour. (Hotel; B, L, D)

Day 8&9 Ancient capital of Mongolia - Kharkhorum

After breakfast at the ger camp you will drive to Karakorum, the 13th century capital of Chinggis Khaan's Mongolian Empire. Here you will visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first and formerly one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia. Unfortunately much of the complex was destroyed between 1937-1938 but significant sections remain of this ancient and beautiful site. You will tour the monastery and visit several temples to see excellent examples of Buddhist thangka paintings dating from the 16th century. Afterwards you will visit Karakorum museum. Dinner and overnight stay in a ger camp. (Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 10 Ulaanbaatar tour

After breakfast, you will drive back to Ulaanbaatar taking a picnic lunch. Once you arrive in Ulaanbaatar and check in to your hotel you will have a chance to rest in comfort for the afternoon or, if you wish, your guide can take you around some souvenir shops and give you a 2nd guided tour of the city. In the evening you will watch a Mongolian traditional folk art concert and eat dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight stay in hotel. (Hotel; B, L, D)