Date: 03 Jul – 18 Jul
Are you dreaming the most wonderful and nicest trip? Then this tour is for you. Such as chance to discover largest sand dune, dinosaur’s homeland, visit Erdene-Zuu Monastery, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, the ancient capital at Karakorum and crystal clear Lake Khuvsgul at the beautiful Mount Horidol Saridag and the Tsaatan – Reindeer riders. Dating from the Genghis Khan era, the Naadam Festival is a showcase for traditional sporting events and a summer celebration enjoyed throughout Mongolia from 11-13 July. The most spectacular events for visitors take place at the National Stadium in Ulaan Bataar where nomads compete in wrestling, archery and horsemanship.
- Participate & enjoy locals’ authentic Naadam Festival in closer atmosphere
- Explore most famous sights of Gobi Desert
- Discover Erdene Zuu, built from the rubble of Genghis Khan’s capital Karakorum
- Take a very scenic hike across a lava field of Khorgo Extinct Volcano and get to know a bunch of stuff about volcanoes and volcanic activity
- Discover Khuvsgul Lake, one of nature’s miracles – Blue Pearl Of Asia
Length: 16 days
Type: Mongolia Group Tours
Area: Gobi desert, Central and Northern Mongolia
Group size: min 4pax – max 12pax
Age requirement: 12+ All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: 03 Jul – 18 Jul
Personal Departure: this tour is not possible for personal departure.
Trip grading: moderate
Prices
2720 USD for solo sign up
2270 USD p.p for more than 2pax sign up
Included: 15 nights in tourist ger camp standard twin/double ger, food service (3 meals in a day), land transportation (Mitsibishi Delica), English speaking guide service, mineral water, all entrance fees and Government charges, all activities costs
Not included: gratuities for staffs, personal expenses, travel insurance
Single supplement: 600 USD
Mongolian Classic Tour With Local Naadam Festival
Day1. 03 Jul. Tsagaan Suvarga Cliff
Day2. 04 Jul. Yol Gorge
Day3. 05 Jul. Khongor Sand Dune
Day4. 06 Jul. Bayanzag
Day5. 07 Jul. Ongi Monastery Ruin
Day6. 08 Jul. Karakorum
Day7. 09 Jul. Naadam festival: Opening ceremony, wrestling & archery
Day8. 10 Jul. Naadam festival: Horse racing
Day9. 11 Jul. Tuvkhun Temple & Orkhon Waterfall
Day10. 12 Jul. Tsenkher Hot Spring
Day11. 13 Jul. Khorgo-Terkh National Park
Day12. 14 Jul. Shine-Ider sub-province
Day13. 15 Jul. Khuvsgul Lake
Day14. 16 Jul. Khuvsgul Lake
Day15. 17 Jul. Uran Extinct Volcano
Day16. 18 Jul. Back to Ulaanbaatar
Day1. 03 Jul. Tsagaan Suvarga Cliff – colorful earth wall
In the morning, we will pick you up from your accommodation at 08:00 o’clock and drive to Tsagaan Suvarga Cliff (470 km – 6 hours on the paved road). It is sheer slope and was an old seabed with sedimentary structure created by millions years and the different colors of the ground represent different times. The formation is over 50 m in its highest point and continues 400 m and looks like a ancient ghost city form a distance. There is no clear date of geography research work and it is good spot take rest and overnight place driving to South Gobi desert from Middle Gobi desert. We will do some hiking around the site. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day2. 04 Jul. Yol Gorge
After breakfast time, we will drive to Yol Gorge (200 km – 3 hours on the paved road). Yol means vulture in Mongolian and the gorge is located in Gurvan Saikhan Mountain range & stretches over 10 km. The narrowest part, only 3 or 4 person can pass in same time, of the valley is completely shaded from the direct sun shine by high cliff walls. Also, the valley is famous for the fact that there is ice created in winter by small stream of the valley present there even during the hot summer months until mid of Jul. We will do an hour hiking there & then also visit to the small natural museum. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day3. 05 Jul. Khongor Sand Dune – camel ride
After breakfast time, we will drive to Khongor Sand Dune (190 km – 5 hours on the dirt road). Khongor is biggest sand dune in the Gobi Desert that extend from 5 to 10 km in width, nearly 100 km long, with crests rising 80 to 300m above the surrounding landscape. The booming sound produced by the masses of moving sand can be heard from afar when occurs windy day. Hence locals called it as Singing Sands. Near Khongor River at the northern edge of the dunes, there is an oasis. We will ride camels today to explore these massive sand-dunes and explore the area where climbing one of the dunes affords the energetic traveler with an unforgettable experience of endless vistas across a sea of daffodil-colored sand. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day4. 06 Jul. Bayanzag – dinosaur site
After breakfast time, we will drive to Bayanzag (150 km – 4 hours on the dirt road). American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered this place and named as Flaming Cliffs. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as Protoceratops & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there in first time. The red colored cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun. We will walk around the site. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day5. 07 Jul. Ongi Monastery Ruin
After breakfast time, we will drive to Ongi Monastery Ruin (155 km – 4 hours on the dirt road). It is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery founded in 1760 and destroyed in 1937 by communist purges. Located on the shore of the Ongi River, the monastery was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Gobi Desert. Raw violence of the destruction at the site was still visible, still palpable, even though it happened over years ago. We will hike to the ruins for visiting to local ger museum displayed survived objects of destroyed monastery and a small lovely and active Buddhist temple. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day6. 08 Jul. Nomadic family & Karakorum
After breakfast time, we will drive to a nomadic family (200 km – 5 hours on the dirt road). Enjoy the joyful atmosphere and learn the clever nomads’ way of life by taking every chance of taking part in the nomadic life activities like a nomad. Then we will drive to Karakorum (40 km – 1 hour mostly on the paved road). Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolian State where today there is a small local township. After 200 years its sacked by Chinese, Erdene Zuu, built in 1586, is the first Buddhist monastery to have been built in Mongolia and by various construction materials were taken from the ruins of Karakorum. We will respectively visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum & other interesting historical sights there. Overnight there.
Day7. 09 Jul. Naadam festival: Opening ceremony, wresting & archery.
After breakfast time, we will go to the allotted place for the naadam festival. Annual opening ceremonies are held in this place & also wrestling too. Our lunch will be a traditional meal “Naadam khuushuur” which is considered among the Mongolian people must eat food of Naadam festival. After lunch time, we will visit to the archers. Then you will have some free time stroll around there. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day8. 10 Jul. Naadam festival: Horse racing
After breakfast time, we will go to same place for the naadam. It is the big open valley or steppe for horse racing. We will see Mongols’ most favorite activity of Naadam festival, horse racing, featuring children riding bareback across the steppe. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day9. 11 Jul. Tuvkhun Temple & Orkhon Waterfall
After breakfast time, we will drive to Tuvkhun Temple (110 km – 2 hours on the dirt road). The monastery is located on the peak of the densely forested and picturesque mountain Shiveet at the elevation of 2000m. Mongolian first bogd (head of the Buddhism) Zanabazar’s followers built the temple in 1653 for meditation and art studio purpose. There is several interesting things to see. Meditation caves, foot print of Zanabazar on the rock, first drawn version of soyombe, independence symbol, etc. We will hike from the bottom of the mountain to the top or the monastery (2 hours). After lunch time, we will drive to Orkhon Waterfall (60 km – 2 hours on the dirt road). Over 25 m high and 10 m wide Orkhon Waterfall is the biggest waterfall in the country and one of the most attractive destination in Orkhon River valley, UNISCO World heritage site. The surrounding areas of the waterfall was formed by volcanic activities dated back approximately 20,000 years and covered by over 10 m thick lava layer. After dinner time, we will take a refreshing walk to the waterfall. You’ll hear it before you see it – the sound of tumbling water fills the valley. Overnight there.
Day10. 12 Jul. Tsenkher Hot Spring – horse ride & relax
After breakfast time, we will drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring (115 km – 2 hours on the dirt road). It is the most famous pool in the country & one of the most popular Central Mongolian attractions. The water has a perfect temperature of about 36 – 40°C and contains a lot of minerals. In fact, the Tsenkher Spring has now become so popular that in order to it may crowded. After lunch time, we will ride horses there (2 hours). This ride will take you back through the a valley area to the beautiful sights and sounds of Mother Nature for an hour journey up the mountain to view. With no experience required. In the evening, we will stay in the open pool of the tourist ger camp. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day11. 13 Jul. Khorgo-Terkh National Park
After breakfast time, we will drive to Khorgo-Terkh National Park (215 km – 4 hours on paved road). The volcano erupted in the Quaternary Period and its lava closed the water stream of a river and result of this meeting has created a truly incredible landscape, Khorgo Extinct Volcano and Terkh Lake, large placid lake is ringed by sandy beaches. There is a number of small or big circuit gorges, Shar Nokhoin Tam & Solo Person’s Cave etc, and complete or not complete erupted 13 volcanoes and rock formations with fast flowing rivers and cascades. From the top of the volcano panoramic view is superb. We will climb up to the top of the volcano and walk discover the circuit gorges. Overnight there.
Day12. 14 Jul. Shine-Ider sub-province
After breakfast time, we will drive to Shine Ider sub-province (170 km – 6 hours on the dirt road). On the way, we will see picturesque and high Orookh Mountain Pass. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day13. 15 Jul. Uushig Deer Stone & Khuvsgul Lake
After breakfast time, we will drive to Uushig Deer Stone (110 km – 3 hours on the dirt road). A complex of 30 deer stones of Uushig Valley and its burial mounts belong to the ancient Huns period and over 3000 years old. The Bronze Age funeral practice, sacrificial ritual and ideology and animal style art, which were spread among ancient nomads, are all together represented through deer stones made by long block of granite. Then we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake (145 km – 3 hours mostly on the paved road). About midway along border between Mongolia and Russian Siberia, in a gigantic stone bowl nearly 110 km long and almost 40 km wide, lies 3% of the all the fresh water on earth – Khuvsgul Lake. Overnight there.
Day14. 16 Jul. Khuvsgul Lake – horse ride & reindeer people
After breakfast time, we will ride horses. This ride will take you back through the shore of the lake area to the beautiful sights and sounds of Mother Nature for 2 hours journey up the mountain to view. With no experience required. Then we will go to reindeer people. They are Tuvan people who moved to the Mongolia from Tuvan Republic around 1920s to the northern most part of Mongolia. Some reindeer people moved to the lake area for selling hand made souvenir to tourists and brought their reindeer. Overnight there.
Day15. 17 Jul. Uran Extinct Volcano
After breakfast time, we will drive to Uran Extinct Volcano (430 km – 7 hours on the paved road). Uran means “Artistic”, Mongols named it so because its ridge of the crater is one of many examples of circles that arise in nature resembled a nice creature of a craftsman. A circle-shaped ridge about 500 m across that contains a crater lake at about 20 m wide and 1.5 m deep. There is also another recognizable volcanoes with broken craters such as Tulga, Jalavch & Togoo. We will climb up to the top of the volcano. Overnight there.
Day16. 18 Jul. Back to Ulaanbaatar.
After breakfast time, we will drive to Ulaanbaatar city (540 km – 8 hours on the paved road). After we arrived in the city, we will transfer you to your accommodation. END.
- End time: Around 16:00 o’clock
- Total driving distance: 3400 km
Information
- Above prices are changeable by changing components (kind of services) of the itinerary.
- This is a private tour and you or your travel buddies will be in the tour.
- Domestic flight companies accept only 10kg-15kg lugguge incuding your carry on bags too for free transfer.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you are in correct pick up location at correct time as stated on your booking form.
- No smoking in travel vehicles or aircraft.
Please let us know should you have further inquiries! We are looking forward to assist you with organizing your stay in Mongolia and answering any questions you might have about this tour. We want your holiday experience in Mongolia to be as amazing as it is possible.
