MONGOLIA GOLDEN CIRCLE & NAADAM FESTIVAL 2023

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by Amicus driver in the arrivals hall at the international airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, free at leisure and have a good rest to recover from the jet lag. If you feel like going for a walk and checking out places nearby, feel free to ask the hotel receptionist for recommendations.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: None

Flight to Gobi Desert – Visit Yol Valley

In the early morning, you will be transferred to the city airport for morning flight to Dalanzadgad, which is a town in the Gobi.
Meet your local tour guide and driver and depart for Yol Valley (also called Yolyn Am & Eagle valley) situated in the “Three beauties of Gobi” Mt. National Park. This green valley is one of the main highlights in the Gobi Desert and sheltered by high cliff walls and covered with wild flowers and Gobi plants.
In the winter season, a narrow stream in the valley creates ice on the bottom of the valley that even lasts during the summer months.
The walk through the valley is a lot of fun, about an hour walking there and an hour of walking back by walking the same route, where you climb over rocks and must jump over the small river. If this walking seems challenging, you can just walk to the middle of the way or horseback through the valley.
The high cliffs that flank the valley are very impressive. You may be lucky enough to spot wild sheep and goat, grazing high on the cliff walls.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Khongor sand dunes, the biggest sand dunes in Gobi

Today, we will drive through the wilderness of the Gobi to the extraordinary of Khongor, which is one of the most scenic areas of the Gobi Desert. This impressive white sand dunes stretch more than 180km and highest point is around 300m known as Duut Mankhan.
Upon arrival at the tourist camp near to the sand dunes, we will have lunch and time for relaxing at cozy Ger camp until Gobi hot temperature decrease.
In the late afternoon, we will visit local camel herder family in their gear, and explore their unique nomadic lifestyle. Then, we will ride a camel and explore the area from the camel back. Around the area is the perfect place for camel riding. Mongolia is home to 2/3 of the two-humped Bactrian camels in the world. It is a gentle, calm and extraordinary patient animal.
Afterwards, we will make a little excursion to a beautiful green oasis of Seruun Bulag near the Khongor River and sand dunes.
Then, take a little drive to the highest point of sand dunes known as Singing Dune and climb up to the Duut Mankhan. When it is windy some of the dunes give a strange sound like the engines of an aero plane. From the top of the sand dunes, the view of the desert is awesome and a breathtaking view. If you want, we can see the amazing sunshine panorama of sand dunes from the top.
Dinner and overnight at the tourist camp.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Bayanzag (flaming cliffs)

On this day, our trip will continue to Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs) which is a famous for containing exceptional dinosaur fossils in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Also, this area is well known for red tall hillocks formed as a result of wind and water erosion, which look like fire in the middle of the desert from a distance.
Roy Chapman Andrews and American expedition discovered the first nests of dinosaur eggs from Bayanzag in the 1923. Their findings proved to the world that dinosaurs laid eggs
We will explore around significant area, including the saxual trees and wander on the red hillocks. Occasionally the pieces of fossilized bones and eggs are still found by visitors. If you found something, don’t touch it, because of removing fossils without a permit is illegal.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Ongi, Middle Gobi

Following breakfast, we will travel through the huge open landscape called Ongi steppe, which is over 80km wide steppe in the Gobi zone and come to around lunch time at Tourist camp, which is near to the ruined monastery of Ongi Temple. This small mountainous area along the Ongi River makes a good resting place to break a trip between the two major destinations.
Ongi temple was established in 1660 and once composed of 30 temples, 4 big Buddhism universities. It was destroyed by the communist purges of the 1930s and is being restored by a number of monks.
Nowadays that one temple serves as a small museum. When you reach Ger camp, you will have lunch and explore ruins of the monastery. The views of the ruins, river, Ger camps and the surrounding area are very impressive, you can see from any of the nearby hills.
If you want, you can have pleasant massage and sauna at the camp. The rest of the day is yours to relax on your own.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery

In the morning, head to Kharkhorin, a small village, and one of the country’s major tourist destinations. Historically known as Karakorum, which was an ancient capital of Mongolia Empire founded by Genghis Khan in 1220. Also, Karakorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road.
In the afternoon, we will visit the museum of Karakorum and learn more about the beautiful ancient Karakorum city and Genghis Khan.
Continue to visit the magnificent and the oldest Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu, built in the 16th century, with 108 Buddhism stupas. Here you can see interesting listen to monk chanting Buddhist sutras.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Tsetserleg – Taikhar Chuluu– Terkh White Lake National Park

After breakfast, drive to Taikar Chuluu, which is a huge granite rock formation covered with inscriptions in many different languages and dating back from many different periods.
On the way, we will visit Tsetserleg town, which is a capital of Arkhangai province with population of around 20,000. Tsetserleg means garden and the city surrounded with scenic mountains, the streets are tree-lined and a lovely little temple overlooks the town.
In the afternoon, drive towards to the Khorgo extinct volcano which was active 8000 years ago and travel through the steppe, green forested Mountains and pastures, where the long-haired yaks and horse thrive.
After exploring the volcano and climb to the crater, we will take a short drive Terkh White Lake. There, we will stay at tourist camp near to the lake shore for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Terkh White Lake National Park

Today is free for your own with optional activities. It is possible to do full or half day hiking in the national park for wild flower and bird watching.
Also, there is a great opportunity for everyone to do horse riding, mountain climbing, fishing and swimming etc. Terkh White Lake is surrounded by spectacular scenery of plants, forests, mountains, and fauna.
In the evening, we will enjoy visiting the local nomad family to experience firsthand how people live in the country side and a lifestyle which has not changed for centuries.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Jargal Hot Springs – Northern Mongolia

After breakfast, we will drive towards to the Northern part of Mongolia through beautiful nature routes, vast grasslands cross High Mountain passes.
Lunch at Jargal Jiguur Tourist camp and take some refreshment at the Jargalant Hot Springs. The spring comes out from 150 m of the ground and its water is not mixed with soil, waters because it is hot at 70 Celsius degree. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons.
On the way, we stop for overnight and dinner at the Tourist camp along the way to northern.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Moron town – Khovsgol Lake National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, depart for Khovsgol Lake, which is known as the Switzerland of Mongolia and second the clearest lake in Central Asia.
Lunch at local restaurant in the Murun, a small town of Khovsgol province with population of 35000.
Take a 2 hours’ drive to the Khatgal village on the shore of the lake and explore the village’s life, the market and main port of the lake.
Drive towards the Khovsgol Lake, we will see hundreds of grazing livestock and wildlife of northern region of Mongolia
Khovsgol province is home to the southernmost indigenous reindeer herding people (Tsaatan) in the world. Some of Tsaatan families came from remote Taiga at the summer camp near to the lake from June until end of August. Reindeer herders practice shamanism and live in teepees and moving around 5 times a year. We will meet reindeer herders and explore their daily life, custom and sacraments.
Check-in and dinner at Tourist Ger camp, which is located near to the lake.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Full day at Khovsgol Lake National Park

This morning, we will explore the national park from horse back. Mongolia is the best destination for horse riding trip and especially Khovsgol Lake is the best recommended place for this experience.
After given preliminary instructions, orientation about horse riding, we will discover around nature from horseback until lunch time.
In the afternoon is free time for you to be on your own. You can explore the surrounding hills and walking along the shore of the lake. The Lake water is well known for crystal clear blue and surrounded by beautiful lash green deep forest and magnificent mountains.
Also, there is a great opportunity to do hiking, kayaking, ride motor moat or just enjoy at wild nature to take photos.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

Early this morning, we will drive to the local airport in Murun town and take a return flight to Ulaanbaatar.
On the way, we will visit Uushig ancient Deer Stone Monument as another wonder of the Khuvsgul region. This is most clearly depicted deer stones left behind by bronze-age men. A deer, an arch, a shield, a horse, a knife, the moon, the sun and a mirror figured belt were engraved on the stones.
Upon arrival in the city airport and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for your individual activities.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L.

Enjoy at Naadam Festival for full day

Today, we will be attending the opening ceremony of the Festival of Naadam in Ulaanbaatar national stadium. It’s Mongolia’s biggest, most colorful and most important annual cultural event, focusing on three sports: horse racing, Mongolian-style wrestling, and archery. It’s no coincidence that all three skills derive from the capabilities of Genghis Khan’s legendary military – a force that conquered and controlled the largest empire the world has ever known.

• At 8am picked up from the hotel lobby and visit the central Naadam stadium.
• The first visit is a stadium of anklebone shooting competition.
• Next, visit the archery field. The field will be filled with men and women archers in colorful ethnic, national costumes who shooting arrows from their bows.
• We will wander around outside of the Naadam stadium to watch locals who dressed their national costumes, food and trade corners etc.
• Afterwards, we will enter into the main stadium for the opening ceremony of Naadam Festival.
• Once finish the opening ceremony, we will watch the beginning of 1st part of Mongolian national wrestling. In the usual 512 wrestler tournament, there will be nine elimination rounds of wrestling over two days.
• After lunch, we will drive out of the city for a hour to Hui Doloon hudag (horse racing field of Naadam festival) for witness the Naadam horse races, featuring children riding bareback across the steppe. All of these racers from each corner of Mongolia.
  You will experience the brilliant madness of the horse race field and the unsurpassed cultural opportunity to watch the horse racing competition included around 150-200 horses. Also, there are you will have a great opportunity to take photography local horse trainers, peoples with traditional garments and so more contrast.
• End of these experiences, return to the city and transferred to the hotel.
  Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L.

Genghis Khan’s Statue Complex – Terelj National Park

In the morning at 9am, head to “Genghis Khan Statue Complex” which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. Explore the statue complex and ascend to the head of the horse using an elevator. There you have a good panoramic view over the complex area and the scenery beyond. You are now definitely in Genghis Khan’s homeland!
Take a short drive to visit Terelj National Park. This is one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia which is by its natural beauty, forested alpine mountains and interesting rock formations (Massive wool-sack weather conditions) very well known.
In the afternoon, we will explore the national park and see Turtle Rock – interesting rock formation looking like a turtle. Also, visit the Ariyabal meditation temple – surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations and sits on top of the mountain. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view overlooking the Terelj National Park.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Ulaanbaatar city tour

After breakfast, we will return to the city and visit Gandan which is the largest functioning Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The main highlight of this monastery is 26-meter-high majestic gilded indoor statue of Megjid Janraisig.
Lunch at local restaurant in the city, then visit Sukhbaatar square which lies at the heart of the city surrounded by important buildings such as government palace, banks and theaters and post office. There is an equestrian statue of Sukhbaatar and a massive Bronze statue of Genghis Khan with his four warriors in front of Parliament House.
Continue to visit the Museum of Mongolian National History – the museum presents Mongolian history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day.
Our next highlight is a famous cultural show in the city, which is featuring traditional performances by singers, dancers and contortionists. It’s a great chance to hear Khöömii (throat singing) and see some fabulous costumes. After dinner, transferred to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L, D.

Departure

You will be free at leisure in your hotel or wander around on your own until being escorted to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight home. End of service. Meal: Breakfast