Discover Mongolia - Naadam Festival

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Carbon neutral

15 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ends

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Highlights

Discover the spectacularly varied Mongolian landscape: rolling steppe, mountains and deserts

Sleep in traditional style ger camps (Mongolian tents)

Experience Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire

See the rolling dunes and landscape of the Gobi Desert

Interact with one of the last remaining nomadic cultures in the world

Enjoy the wrestling, archery, horse riding and bone flicking of the Naadam Festival

Itinerary

The rolling steppe of Central Asia makes way to stark desert; across this vast landscape, nomadic ger camps are peppered, camels and goats are herded on horseback, fermented mare’s milk is the tipple of choice, dunes sing and the first intact dinosaur eggs were found. Genghis Khan went forth from here to conquer the biggest land empire in history and, to this day, Buddhist and Animist traditions mix. In July, all over the country, people unite to compete in wrestling, archery, horse racing and ankle-bone flicking during the Naadam Festival but traditions can be witnessed throughout the year. We travel through steppe, mountain and the Gobi Desert exploring the nature and culture of this fascinating, yet little known, country.

This itinerary is for departures starting in Ulaanbaatar on 9 July 2026. For a departure on 30 June 2026, click here for an alternative itinerary.

day 1 - Adventure starts in Ulaanbaatar

Our adventure starts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city. There are no activities planned for today to allow for different arrival times. If you have time to explore some of the sites we recommend visiting Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum and the landmark State Department Store.

Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Ulaanbaatar? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Meals:Dinner

Accommodation:Bayangol Hotel (or similar)

day 2 - Visit Terelj National Park, including Aryabal Temple; first night in a ger camp

As we head out of Ulaanbaatar city, we visit the giant Genghis Khan statue at Tsonjin Boldog. Standing 130ft (40m) tall, the statue depicts the Mongolian ruler astride his horse and sits atop the visitor centre (itself 33ft/10m tall). It is possible to climb onto the horse’s head to get a closer look at Genghis Khan’s face.

After, we continue to Terelj National Park, a large, protected area of green mountain meadows filled with edelweiss and other wildflowers. The contrast to the Gobi Desert is striking and it feels like being in a different country.

We visit the Tibetan-style Aryabal Temple, a mountainside meditation centre with sweeping views over the national park. As we follow the walk up to the temple, we can read the inspirational sayings on placards every few steps. The climb to the temple is not difficult but does involve many steps and can be tiring.

Tonight, we have our first night sleeping in a ger.