Naadam Festival Tour

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Tour Code: ODY-MN-002

Destination: Mongolia

Duration8 Days
Tour TypePrivate & Bespoke
Tour Style Cultural

About This Trip

Spend this 8-day tour in Mongolia to witness the exciting Naadam Festival and visit the country's must-sees. You will attend the Naadam Festival Ceremony and watch the traditional Soyolon horse racing competition in Ulaanbaatar, then learn about the religion of the majority of Mongolians by visiting the Gandan Monastery complex here. Besides, you will explore Przewalski's wild horses in the Hustai National Park, watch wild birds in the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, and discover the famous Turtle Rock in the Terelj National Park.

Itinerary Summary

DAY

PLACE

HIGHLIGHTS
1

Ulaanbaatar

Arrival
2

Hustai National Park

Przewalski's Wild Horses, Local Information Center
3 - 4

Ulaanbaatar

Naadam Festival Ceremony, Horse Racing, Gandan Monastery, National History Museum, Chinggis Square, Traditional Dancing and Khoomii
5

Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve

Mt. Baits, Watch the Argali & White-Naped Crane, Ger Camp for Night
6

Terelj National Park

Turtle Rock, Temple of Meditation
7 - 8

Ulaanbaatar

Bogd Khan Palace Museum, Zaisan Hill, Departure

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
- Ulaanbaatar
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar - Hustai National Park
Travel to Hustai National Park in the morning (about 2-3 hours' drive) to run into the Przewalski wild horses, re-introduced back into the wild in their native grassland. Continue to visit the local information center learning about the history of the last pure wild horses and the history of the area. You have a chance to go horse riding in the evening. Overnight in a ger camp.
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- Hustai Nature Reserve
Day 3: Ulaanbaatar, the Ceremony of Naadam Festival
Drive to Ulaanbaatar to participate in the Naadam Festival Ceremony (about 3 hours). Experience the traditional celebrations at the Central Stadium and enjoy the parades and musical entertainments. This afternoon, you will visit Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia. Continue to explore the National History Museum and Chinggis Square, where you will see the Parliament House, National Opera and City Hall.
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- Ulaanbaatar
Day 4: Naadam Festival, Horse Racing
Early morning, you will drive to Khui Doloon Khudag, the horse racing field to see Soyolon horse racing. Continue to visit the tent camp of the horse trainers and watch as they prepare the young riders for races. Enjoy a traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing) this evening.
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- Ulaanbaatar
Day 5: Ulaanbaatar - Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve
After breakfast, a short drive (about 2 hours) will take you to the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, nestled in the Khentii Mountains. Here you can choose horse riding or hiking to Mt. Baits to watch the wildlife animals like the Argali wild mountain sheep and White Naped Cranes. Overnight in a ger camp.
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- Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve
Day 6: Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve - Terelj National Park
In the morning, you will drive to Terelj National Park (about 1-2 hours), one of the most visited sites near Ulaanbaatar. Terelj is located in the tranquil valley of the granite mountains and the Terelj River. After checking in the ger camp, you will visit the Turtle Rock and the Temple of Meditation.
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- Terelj National Park
Day 7: Terelj National Park - Ulaanbaatar City Tour
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (about 1-2 hours) this morning. After lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum and climb up to the Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city.
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- Ulaanbaatar
Day 8: Ulaanbaatar, Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
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