OVERVIEW
Tour Highlights:
- Attend to amazing Naadam Festival, colorful opening ceremony and witness traditional games including national wrestling, horse racing and archery.
- This small group tour cover one of the best travel highlights of Mongolia in the shortest possible time with peace of mind and experiencing local nomadic culture along with natural beauties.
- Excursion to see the Przewalski’s wild horses in their natural habitat at Hustai National Park, Beautiful scenery of Terelj National Park and visit Genghis Khan’s State Complex which is the biggest equestrian statue in the world.
BRIEF ITINERARY
09 Jul – Day 01: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
10 Jul – Day 02: Ulaanbaatar city tour
11 Jul – Day 03: Enjoy at Mongolia Naadam Festival for full day
12 Jul – Day 04: Naadam festival, horse racing at Hui Doloon Khudag – Hustai National Park
13 Jul – Day 05: Terelj National Park & visit local nomadic family
14 Jul – Day 06: Terelj National Park trip – Genghis Khan’s Statue Complex – UB
15 Jul – Day 07: Departure
DATE & PRICE
Small-Group Tour – Price 2023 / 2024
| Departure date | Price: per person (US$) | Spaces | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 2023 | Jul 15, 2023 | $1360 | Available |
| Jul 9, 2024 | Jul 15, 2024 | $1460 | Available |
- This is a small group tour with a fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
- Prices are based on twin occupancy.
- Normally 8pax and max 12 passengers in a group.
- This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan for a private tour!
What’s included in the Price?
What’s NOT included in the Price?
DETAILED ITINERARY
9 Jul - DAY 01
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
10 Jul - DAY 02
Ulaanbaatar city tour
This morning at 9am, we will start to explore the city, visit Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s largest functioning Buddhist monastery. Listen to the horns calling lamas and monks to temple, and capture the monks’ daily rituals. While visiting the adjoining Megjid Janraisig Temples, we will see 26-meter-high majestic gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig.
Next, visit Sukhbaatar square and Parliament House displayed with Great Khans memorial statue. The square lies at the heart of the city surrounded by theaters, government buildings.
Continue to visit National Museum of Mongolia for to get an overview of Mongolia’s history and culture including nomadic life, traditional costumes of ethnic groups, sacred religious relics, and Stone & Bronze Age artifacts.
After lunch at “Modern Nomads” restaurant served with national foods, we will visit Zanabazar Fine Art Museum. The museum displays collections of world’s and Mongolian famous artists, including many original works of Zanabazar, who was Mongolian religious leader and artist in 17th century.
Afterwards, visit The Zaisan Memorial; it was built for honors fallen soldiers of Soviet Union in World War II. From here available to see the best view of Ulaanbaatar and surrounding hills. Transfer to the Hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L.
11 Jul - DAY 03
Enjoy at Mongolia Naadam Festival for full day
In the morning at 9am, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and joining in naadam small tour group. 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.
After lunch, return to the Naadam stadium and visit naadam archery field beside central stadium. The archery field will be filled with men and women archers in colorful ethnic national costumes who shooting arrows from their bows. This kind of contest was in existence in the 13th century and was in use until recently.
We reenter into the naadam stadium watching for Mongolian national wrestling, you’ll see many wrestlers wrestling onto the green field. In the usual 512 wrestler tournament, there will be nine elimination rounds of wrestling over two days. There is no weight category in Mongolian wrestling.
Also, we will visit stadium of ankle-bone shooting competition. Even though naadam’s original nickname is “three manly games” meaning wrestling, horse racing and archery, a fourth game came into the naadam’s official agenda in 1998, Mongolian ankle-bone shooting (shagain harvaa), and another UNESCO registered world heritage. Ancle-bone shooting by middle finger is a team game, a sort of miniature version of bowling.
We will wander around outside of Naadam stadium to watch locals who dressed their national costumes, food and trade corners etc.
End of the day, transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L.
12 Jul - DAY 04
Naadam, horse racing at Hui doloon khudag – Hustai National Park
Be picked up from hotel at 07:30-8 am. This morning we will take 1-1.5 hrs drive 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 corners of Mongolia.
You will experience the brilliant madness of the horse race field and the unsurpassed cultural opportunity to watch the “Soyolon” (5-year-old horse) race will start for 25km – Soyolon horse is the fastest and most powerful. Mongolians often say that the one who stands in dust of Soyolon race will be blessed till next Naadam. So don’t be surprised if you see many businessmen, crowds of people wearing fancy traditional garments, as well as the Mongolia ‘strong-men’ that will wait for Mongolian fastest of the Soyolon horses. While you are waiting for next race, you will have a great opportunity to take photography local horse trainers, peoples with traditional garments and so more.
After explore Hui doloon khudag, 1.5hrs drive to the Hustai National Park. The park is home of last wild horses in their natural environment in the world, known as Perzevalski horse (takhi). The National park has over 450 species of vascular plants, 200 of which are medicinal.
Check-in and lunch at Ger camp, rest and relaxing.
There is you can visit a small Ger museum about the national park, wild horses and how they were reintroduced into the wild some years ago now for European zoos.
The best time to observe these wild horses in their natural habitat is around 2-3hrs earlier than sunset, during they come down from mountains for water to stream. We will take short drive and hiking to see the horses.
There is great opportunity to take photo for these endangered horses. If you are lucky, you can see fox, deer, marmot, eagle and more wild animals. Besides of the wild animals you can find here beautiful sceneries of the Mongolian nature that features mountain and steppe.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.
13 Jul - DAY 05
Terelj National Park & visit local Nomadic family
After breakfast, we will drive to Terelj National Park – is one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia. You can see the extraordinary formation of rocks and stones; some of them look quite similar to turtles.
We will arrive around 1pm at Ger camp, which is located in the most spectacular spots in the National park.
In the afternoon is rest and relaxation time at the camp. You can hike around the camp; explore national park, take photos and watching wild flowers.
Before dinner time, we will visit local nomadic family to experience firsthand how people live the country side, a lifestyle which has not changed for centuries. Here you can help the herders with their daily tasks to get an idea of how nomadic people alongside of their livestock.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.
14 Jul - DAY 06
Terelj National Park trip – Genghis Khan’s Statue Complex – UB
In the morning, we will explore the national park and take a short drive to see Turtle Rock – interesting rock formation looking like a turtle and visit Ariyabal meditation temple – surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations and sits at top of the mountain. The distance between the gate and the actual temple is about 1 km and it is only accessible by walking. To get to the top, you would cross the suspension bridge and climb up on 108 stairs, according to Buddhist prayer beads. This small hike is seen as a ritual to cleanse one’s sins. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view overlooking the Terelj National Park.
After lunch, we will drive to visit 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.
Upon arrival in the city, we will visit “Wonders of Mongolia” folklore show by famous Tumen-Ekh ensemble – is one of the most successful folk art groups to share traditional Mongolian music with the world, having traveled to over 40 countries.
After dinner, transfered to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L, D.
15 Jul - DAY 07
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
FAQ & HELP
- If you would like to book this trip, please send us your request.
- A deposit of 20% of the total tour price is required to book and confirm this trip.
- The balance must be paid at least 30 days prior to departure.
Deposit:
- We accept online payments with Master/Visa/AMEX cards only as a deposit to confirm the trip.
Balance payment:
- You should pay the balance to us by wire transfer. Usually it takes 2-3 working days until payment reach in our account.
- Western Union is the fastest way to pay us. We can get your payment in a few minutes once you send the money.
- Cash payment is only accepted in exceptional cases.
You will stay in a good 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar. An upgrade is possible on request!
During the excursion in the countryside, you will stay in Tourist Ger camps.
Tourist Camp is a kind of hotel that serves customers with Ger (Yurt) instead of a hotel room and always located at the best viewing spot. It’s the most popular accommodation type for a countryside trip in Mongolia that consists of 30-40 Gers (Mongolian traditional yurt), a restaurant and some entertainment facilities.
Most visitors happy to stay in Ger, which provide an authentic taste of Mongolian culture and adventure, their most enjoyable experience in Mongolia.
More information and pictures: What is the Tourist camp?
During your trip in Mongolia, you will be served mainly European dishes and sometimes authentic Mongolian foods. Lunch and dinner consist of 3-4 courses (soup and/or salad, main course, dessert) and bottled water.
If you require special meals due to religious, medical limitation and vegetarian food, please inform us so that arrangements can be made in advance.
Car: A good car is an important part of your comfort trip in Mongolia. There will be a good 4×4 car for this trip based on the number of people in your group.
Road: The asphalted roads are 40% and the unpaved roads are 60%.
During the trip, it takes approximately 2-6 hours driving (80-280km) from one to next destination depending on road and weather condition on each driving day. But it is not nonstop drive! We can take a short stop frequently everywhere along the road for photographs, toilets, stretch and meet with local nomads.
- 1st best months: June, July and August.
- 2nd best months: May and September.
More information: The Best time to visit Mongolia
Hiking boots and sandals, waterproof jacket, raincoat, umbrella, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, comfortable shoe, insect repellent, sunscreen, and prescription medication (if required).
Gear: Camera, binoculars, flashlight and travel lamp. Some Tourist camps do not have 24-hour electricity. It is therefore recommended to bring your own travel lamp!
More read: Mongolia Travel FAQ
SIMILAR TOURS:
| Tour Calendar for Naadam Festival Tours 2023/2024 | DAYS | DATE | SPACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naadam Festival & National Parks Around UB | 7 | 09 Jul -15 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Classic Tour | 8 | 10 Jul -17 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Khovsgol Lake Tour | 8 | 06 Jul -13 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert + National Parks | 10 | 08 Jul -17 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Mongolia, Nomadic by Nature | 10 | 10 Jul -19 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Best of Mongolia | 11 | 02 Jul - 12 Jul | Check availability |
| mongolia-Naadam Festival & Best of Mongolia -II | 11 | 10 Jul - 19 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Highlights of Mongolia | 13 | 09 Jul - 21 Jul | Check availability |
| Naadam Festival & Signature of Mongolia | 14 | 06 Jul - 19 Jul | Check availability |
| Mongolia Golden Circle & Naadam Festival - 16 days Tour | 16 | 29 Jun - 14 Jul | Check availability |
