BEST OF MONGOLIA & NAADAM FESTIVAL 2027

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

Ulaanbaatar City Tour – Hustai National Park 

After breakfast, at 8:30 AM, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and begin a sightseeing tour of Ulaanbaatar.
Visit Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist monasteries, followed by the National Museum of Mongolia, where you can learn about the country’s rich history and nomadic heritage.
Continue to Sukhbaatar Square, the central landmark of the capital.
After lunch, depart Ulaanbaatar and drive to Hustai National Park, a protected area famous for the successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horse (Takhi), the world’s last truly wild horse.
Enjoy a wildlife drive through the park with opportunities to observe Takhi and other native wildlife in their natural surroundings.
Dinner and relax in the peaceful surroundings of the Mongolian steppe.
Accommodation: Tourist camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Kharakorum & Erdenezuu 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 Buddhist stupas. Here you can see interesting listen to monk chanting Buddhist sutras.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Ongi River valley, Middle Gobi

Following breakfast, we will travel through the rolling hills and pastureland and heading to the Gobi.
In the late afternoon, we reach at Tourist camp, which is near to the ruined monastery of Ongi Temple 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. We will explore around and ruins of the monastery.
If you want, you can have pleasant massage and sauna at the camp.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Ongi steppe – Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs), Gobi

On this day, we will pass the huge open landscape called Ongi steppe, which is over 80km wide steppe in the Gobi zone and arrive in the midday at the Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs). This area 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.

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 Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Yol valley, Three beauties of the Gobi Mt. N/Park

After breakfast, we will go ahead to the 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 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.

Flight to Ulaanbaatar – Terelj National Park trip

Early this morning, transfer to the local airport for morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival in the city airport, depart for 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 woolsack 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 Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Genghis Khan’s Statue Complex – Naadam horse race

After breakfast at 8am, we will drive to “Genghis Khan Statue Complex” which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. There is a recreation area, restaurants, and souvenir shops occupy the base structure. From here, we use an elevator or walk to the head of the horse through chest and back neck of the horse, where we can have farseeing and good panorama view over the complex area.
In the afternoon, watch the exciting Naadam horse races, featuring young jockeys racing across the vast steppe alongside hundreds of horses from different parts of Mongolia. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and excellent opportunities to photograph horse trainers, riders and locals in traditional Mongolian costumes.
Afterwards, return to the city and transferred to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L.

Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony & Naadam Night Gala Dinner

Today, experience the excitement and vibrant traditions of Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s largest and most celebrated annual cultural event. The festival is centered around the traditional Three Manly Games – Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery, which have deep roots in Mongolia’s nomadic heritage and warrior traditions.

• At 8:30 AM, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and join the Naadam group for a transfer to the Central Naadam Stadium.
• Begin your Naadam experience by visiting the ankle-bone shooting (Shagai) competition, one of Mongolia’s traditional games requiring precision, concentration and skill.
• Next, visit the archery field, where skilled male and female archers compete in colorful traditional costumes, demonstrating their remarkable accuracy and technique.
• Afterwards, enter the main stadium to witness the spectacular Naadam Opening Ceremony, featuring traditional music and dance, colorful performances, parades and ceremonial displays celebrating Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage. The opening ceremony usually takes place from approximately 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
• Following the ceremony, enjoy some free time around the Naadam Stadium. Take the opportunity to observe local people dressed in beautiful traditional costumes, explore food stalls and traditional handicrafts, and experience the lively festive atmosphere.
• Around 2:00 PM, you may re-enter the stadium to watch the Mongolian national wrestling competition. The traditional tournament features 512 wrestlers, competing through nine elimination rounds over two days. Witness the strength, skill and unique rituals of this iconic Mongolian sport.
• At 3:00 PM, meet your guide at the designated meeting point and return to the hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax and prepare for the evening celebration.

In the evening, conclude your Naadam experience with our exclusive “Naadam Night” Gala Dinner, hosted by AMICUS. Enjoy a festive evening featuring traditional Mongolian music and dance, cultural performances, and authentic Mongolian cuisine – a memorable celebration of Naadam in true Mongolian style.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, 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