Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.9 Based on 7 Reviews
  • duration 15 days
  • tour type Small group Request as private
  • age requirement 18-95 yrs
  • max group size 16
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-7466
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
map
  • Starts Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Ends Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • +10
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes
  • 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
  • Show more
Starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar, the trip "Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival" is a guided festivals and events tour that takes 15 days. You will travel through Bayanzag, Arvaikheer, Khongoryn Els and 7 other destinations in Mongolia. "Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival" is a small group trip which includes accommodation in hotels, transport, meals and others.

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 the departure starting in Ulaanbaatar on 30 June 2024.For a departure on 9 July 2024, please click here for an alternative itinerary.
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 2: Visit Terelj National Park, including Aryabal Temple; first night in a ger camp
  • Day 3: To Khustain Nuruu National Park; trek to see Przewalski's horses
  • Day 4: To Karakorum; visit Erdene Zuu Monastery
  • Day 5: Along northern edge of Gobi Desert to Arvaikheer via Shankh Monastery
  • Day 6: To Bayan Gobi via Ikh Bogd mountain
  • Day 7: Cross the Gobi via White Cave
  • Day 8: Visit Singing Dunes, the largest dunes in Mongolia
  • Day 9: Travel through rocky plains of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park
  • Day 10: Hike around the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag
  • Day 11: Fly to Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 12: Ulaanbaatar and Khui Doloon Khudag horse racing
  • Day 13 - 14: Naadam Festival
  • Day 15: End in Ulaanbaatar
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • All accommodation
Meals
  • All breakfasts, lunch and dinners
Transport
  • All transport, including 4x
Guide
  • Tour leader throughout
Others
  • 4s, and listed activities
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.9 - Excellent
Based on 7 reviews
  • Anonymous
  • On Oct 16 2019
5 - Excellent
Wow! What an amazing adventure!
Mongolia is a stunningly beautiful country. Miles and miles of vast open vistas, dotted with the occasional ger and nomad herds of animals. The Gobi desert was fascinating, including a visit to the place where the first dinosaur... Read more
  • Anonymous
  • On Oct 14 2019
4 - Very Good
Eagle Festival
Advice given by the tour operator regarding the transfer in Beijing was inadequate. Much more detail is needed. Many lost souls were wandering the airport for some time. Perhaps a step-by-step description ? Chinese airport... Read more
  • Anonymous
  • On Oct 11 2019
5 - Excellent
Excellent trip.
Just returned from.this Mongolia trip. It was a wonderful holiday. Mongolia is vast and fascinating. The holiday was made more enjoyable and informative by our guide MG. The Eagle Festival was unbelievable. 120 eagle hunters with... Read more
  • Anonymous
  • On Jul 27 2019
5 - Excellent
Mongolias great.
Mongolia has been recommended to me by various travelers over the years, also to include the Nadaam Festival....they were right.If you are looking for something different....this is it.The vastness and the ever changing terrain... Read more
REQUEST A PRIVATE, CUSTOMIZABLE DEPARTURE By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
  • Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
  • Protected Travel within your own bubble.
  • Professional Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
  • Privacy Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Request a private and/or personalized departure To design a private tour, we'll ask you some more information in the following steps.
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 611 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival tour. You can cancel the tour up to 93 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 92 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 02 January 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 02 January 2024, a deposit of 25% is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 92 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We recommend using World Nomads' travel insurance.

Visa

For this Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene protocols have been adhered to.
  • Group sizes are kept small to maintain a low risk ‘small group bubble’, with an average of 10 guests in each group.
  • Hygiene safety measures and distancing will be followed in transportation, accommodation and meal venues.
  • Several COVID-19 distancing measures have been adopted on this package tour to keep travellers safe.
  • All travellers will be required to be fully vaccinated no less than two weeks prior to travel.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this tour.
  • How to plan an Asia tour?

    Asia is a relatively large continent, so there are a wide variety of destinations to explore. Therefore, if you are planning a multi-country trip to Asia, the first thing you need to prepare is the list of countries you are interested in along with your starting and ending points. You would also need to decide on the best time for your trip depending on seasonal variations that affect each country. 

    After finalizing when and where to travel in Asia, you should make arrangements for all the necessary travel documents. These would include visas, insurances, Covid-19 test reports, vaccine cards, and so on.

     

  • Which countries should I visit in Asia?

    Asia has more than enough destinations to meet every traveler’s needs and desires. If you are into adventure, look no further than the mighty Himalayas. Go on an exhilarating hike to the base camp of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, or head for the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh instead. Thailand, with its blend of dazzling nightlife, rich history, and striking monuments, is the perfect destination not just for those who wish to let their hair down but also for travelers looking forward to being part of a memorable cultural experience. 

    Go on a tour to Cambodia, home to the monumental Angkor Wat, if you are into off-the-beaten-path destinations, or choose a Japan tour if you wish to discover how traditions and modernity can be seamlessly blended. The Maldives, with its numerous islands and beaches, is sure to provide you with countless opportunities to kick back on sandy stretches, swim in turquoise waters, and go island-hopping, while the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. 

     

  • What country in Asia is fluent in English?

    English is a widely spoken language in Asia, which means that you would not have much difficulty conversing with locals during your trip. Singapore ranks the highest in terms of its proficiency in the English language. The Philippines comes second, followed by Malaysia. Other countries where you will not face much trouble if you can speak English are South Korea, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. 

    You will find that English is part of life of a section of the population in all these countries. They have road signs in English (along with those in their native languages) as well as English newspapers. Public announcements are often translated into English in these countries, and it is not difficult to come across store banners and product labels written in the language. In addition to all this, locals are also accustomed to tourists, which means they can at least carry out basic conversations in the language. 

    However, please keep in mind that it is the urban population in the continent that has had the most exposure to the language and is better at communicating in it. The more you travel to the countryside, the fewer English speakers you will meet.  

     

  • How much does an Asia tour cost? What is the cheapest country to travel to in Asia?

    There are several factors that determine the amount of money you will spend during your Asia tour. These include the countries you wish to visit, the length of your trip, the type of tour you have chosen (group, private, luxury and budget) as well as other expenses like insurance, visas, and transportation. 

    Laos is probably the cheapest destination in Asia, with an average daily expense of USD 23 per person. India is yet another budget-friendly destination in the region when it comes to foreigners. Expect to spend between USD 35 to USD 40 per person, per day if you are a mid-range traveler. The average daily expense in Cambodia is slightly higher, at USD 50 per person. Japan and Singapore, on the other hand, are some of the most expensive destinations on the planet. On average, travelers should expect to shell out USD 130 dollars per person, per day while in these countries.    

     

  • How many days is enough for Asia?

    A seven-day Asia trip can give you a taste of the general highlights of two countries at most. Go for destinations in the same region, like Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, if you are planning a week-long vacation to save time. A two-week trip gives you the opportunity to carry out an in-depth exploration of three countries. If you want to cast your net further and cover more ground, then a month-long sojourn would be ideal. This duration is enough to cover everything from the futuristic Tokyo to the backwaters of Kerala and the vast, arid landscapes of Kazakhstan.  

    Ideally, we suggest that you spend around three weeks in the continent if you wish to get under the skin of its cultures and people.

     

NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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