Mongolia & the Naadam Festival

Prices 23 days from £5,690pp

DAYS 1-2 FLY TO ULAANBAATAR

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.

DAY 3 EXPLORE ULAANBAATAR

Begin this morning with a visit to the Museum of Mongolian History and the Museum of Fine Art to help put your journey in context. Also discover the 19th Century Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important in Mongolia, home to over 150 monks and explore the Sukhbaatar Square.

Please note that both the museums we visit today will charge extra fees (approximately US$10 or £7) for using a camera in their exhibits.

DAYS 4-5 GOBI DESERT

Fly to Dalanzadgad which sits on the edge of the legendary and inhospitable Gobi Desert and visit the local market and dinosaur garden. Transfer to the ger camp near Gurvansaikhan (Three Beauty) National Park. Spend the next two days immersed in natural beauty amongst jagged mountains, undulating sand dunes and a valley that is snow-capped for most of the year. Visit a local family to learn about their life in the desert. We also hike through the magnificent Yolyn Am Gorge, commonly known as 'Eagle's Gorge' to view the stunning scenery.

DAY 6 KHONGORYN ELS DUNES

Embark on a 4WD adventure to Khongoryn Els and explore Mongolia's largest sand dunes, also known as the 'Singing Sand Dunes'. Enjoy the beauty of these stark landscapes and for those who are feeling adventurous, climb to the top for fantastic views, which will be well worth it!

DAY 7: FLAMING CLIFFS

Continue exploring the magnificent landscapes of the Gobi Desert before travelling to Bayanzag. Made up of peaks and canyons in a striking fiery red and orange sandstone, the Flaming Cliffs are a spectacular sight. The area is especially important thanks to the vast number of dinosaur fossils that have been found - even the amateur eye can spot them as you wander through the canyon. Whilst here, visit the dinosaur cemetery.

DAY 8 ONGIIN KHIID MONASTERY

Journey to the banks of the Ongii River and view the atmospheric ruins of two monasteries - Barlim Khiid and Khutagt Khiid, which form Ongiin Khiid, formerly one of the largest monastic complexes in Mongolia.

DAY 9 MT KHOGNO KHAN

Spend the day exploring around the foot of the imposing Mt Khogno Khan. Set in the beautiful surroundings of a Natural Reserve, discover the remains of 17th Century Uvgun Khiid Monastery whilst enjoying the resplendent nature and mountain vistas.

DAY 10: KHARKHORIN CITY

Travel to Mongolia's former capital, Kharkhorin, situated on the Orkhon River, a spot handpicked by Ganghis Khan in 1220. The city remained Mongolia's political, cultural and economic hub for only 40 years before power was transferred to Khanbaliq - now modern-day Beijing. After the collapse of the Mongolian Empire, the city was abandoned to the elements and destroyed by roving soldiers until its remains were used to build Erdene Zuu Khiid, Mongolia's first Buddhist monastery - which we visit today.

DAY 11 TSENKHER JIGUUR HOT SPRINGS

Enjoy the morning at leisure. After lunch, proceed to the volcanic hot springs of Tsenkher Jiguur. Surrounded by verdant scenery, enjoy time relaxing in the hot springs.

DAY 12 GREAT WHITE LAKE

Enjoy the scenery of Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (Great White Lake), set amongst the extinct volcanoes of the Khangai mountain range. The extinct Khorgo Volcano sits watching over the lake - hike up to the crater for wonderful views, or walk along the lake shore where there are excellent opportunities for bird and wildlife spotting. Also visit Zayaiin Khuree Monastery in Tsetserleg Town.

DAY 13 JARGAL JIGUUR

Spend a little more time lingering in the spectacular panoramas of Great White Lake and enjoy a walk along the shores before driving to Jargal Jiguur ger camp. Here you can bathe in the hot springs. Enjoy a Mongolian barbeque in the evening.

DAYS 14-15 LAKE KHOVSGOL

Journey to Lake Khovsgol, 'the Blue Pearl of Mongolia', which is surrounded by dense pine forests, lush meadows and soaring mountains. Spend two days surrounded by nature in this national park, enjoying the flora, fauna and incredible scenery. Also visit a reindeer breeding family.

DAY 16 ULAANBAATAR

Fly to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy some time at leisure.

DAYS 17-19 NAADAM FESTIVAL

Spend the next three days enjoying the revelry of the traditional Naadam Festival. Starting on Nadaam Eve, visit Hui Doloon Khudag (horse racing field) and see the Mongol costumes on display in Central Square. Mix with the locals and nomads alike to witness the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival, where featured events will include wrestling, horseracing and archery. Also see the procession of the athletes, officials and monks. This is a festival like no other and no doubt, one of the main highlights of the trip!

DAY 20 TERELJ NATIONAL PARK

Head to Terelj National Park and soak up the beautiful alpine scenery, visiting the Genghis Khan statue complex en route. Explore Turtle Rock and take an easy hike up to the Aryabal Monastery, perched on the mountainside. Also visit a local family to get a glimpse of their nomadic lifestyle. Spend the night in a ger camp.

DAY 21 ULAANBAATAR

Return to Ulaanbaatar and visit the Bogd King Palace Museum and Zaisan Memorial Hill. After lunch, visit the Paleontological Museum and pick up a souvenir at the Gobi cashmere factory and Souvenir store. In the evening, enjoy a traditional folklore performance and farwell dinner.

DAY 22 ULAANBAATAR

With the day at leisure, only breakfast will be provided today.

DAY 23 FLY ULAANBAATAR TO UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

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From £5,690 per person

Please contact us for alternative dates, durations and departure airports. Prices shown are for guidance only and are subject to availability.

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