Naadam National Festival in the heart of Mongolia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Ulaanbaatar

  Arrival in UB, welcome at the airport, transfer to the hotel***. City tour: central Sukhe-Bator square, the great Gandan monastery dating from the 18th century, the main place of worship for Mongolian Buddhists, Zaisan - viewpoint of the capital of Mongolia, east bank of the Tuula river, where the large complex of the monument to Soviet soldiers is located. A panoramic view of the city opens up before you. Possibility to exchange money, to go to the post office to buy postcards and stamps. Overnight at the hotel***.

• day 2

  Ulaanbaatar - Khugnu Khan & sacred mountain

  We take our vehicles and head west, to the Uvurkhangai region, one of the richest and greenest regions of Mongolia, via Lun and Erdenesant, two villages. We will settle in a yurt camp at the foot of the sacred Khugnu Khan mountain. It is a nature reserve where you can admire the different natural zones of Mongolia: desert area, sand dunes, steppe, mountain. An ideal place for hiking. Possibility to see the Naadam of the districts of Lun, Erdenesant, and Sansar along the way. Night in a yurt at the yurt camp. Bkfst + Lunch + Dinner.

• day 3

  Khugnu Khan-Karakorum

  After breakfast, we leave for Kharakorum, the former site of the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Arrival in Karakorum in the morning, settling into a yurt camp. We begin the visits with the Karakorum museum, which has only existed for 4 years but already attracts visitors thanks to its exhibited objects from archaeological excavations and historical documents! In the afternoon, we visit the great Erdene Zuu monastery dating from the 15th century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We also suggest a short walk to the hill where you can find two curiosities of Karakorum: the famous granite Turtle of Karakorum and the phallic stone. Night in a yurt at the yurt camp. Bkfst + Lunch + Dinner Note: Possibility to see horse races and wrestling if the local Naadam is still taking place in Karakorum. A short walk to the hill where the great monument of the Mongol Empire stands, on the banks of the Orkhon river, is a pleasant moment of rest after dinner. On the other side of this hill, you can admire a beautiful panoramic view of the Orkhon.

• day 4

  Karakorum - Orkhon Valley

  Crossing vast spaces, steppes, we will reach the great valley of the Orkhon River, via the village of Khujirt. The beauty of the nature in this valley always surprises visitors. Splendid views, herds of animals, especially yaks and horses, as well as nomads' yurts, accompany us throughout the journey. Arrival at the host nomad's home and settling in under the yurt. Meeting with the family, discussions, tasting of dairy products. Walk on foot for 1 to 2 hours along the Orkhon River, discovery of the surroundings, rock paintings. Note: The duration of the walks is up to you and according to your choices. Be active and take initiatives yourself to contribute to the daily tasks of this nomadic family. It is appreciated, both for them and for you. This stage of the journey leaves an unforgettable memory for our clients.

• day 5

  Karakorum - Orkhon Valley

  Day of events: horseback riding, participation in helping with the daily tasks of the nomad family, observation of their way of life. The duration of the rides will depend on your decision on site. Mongolian specialty "Khorkhog" shared with the nomad family. Nights in a yurt with the nomad family. Hot meals prepared on site by our guides and drivers. Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner Note: The duration of the rides is at your disposal and your choice. Be active and take initiatives yourself to contribute to the daily tasks of this nomad family. It is enjoyable for both them and you. This stage of the trip leaves an unforgettable memory for our clients.

• day 6

  Orkhon Valley - Tsenkher Hot Springs

  Ulaan Tsutgalan is the name of the country's great waterfall. With its height of 26 m, this place deserves a stop to admire its beauty and its charming surroundings. An hour's walk is well worth it. We continue our route to the west, in the lovely slopes of the Khangai range, admiring many green valleys, sacred herds of animals, especially the herds of yaks! Our road leads us to the Tsenkher hot spring, a treasure of Khangai, famous for its therapeutic quality and its spectacular surroundings. The shower and the pool filled with hot spring water, in the open air, will be at our disposal to relax. Night under the yurt, at the yurt camp. Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner. Note: A short trek to the place where this hot spring originates is very pleasant. And then, you can go into the woods and follow the small path, look for wild strawberries, a truly interesting activity for you and your children. Little ground squirrels amuse us at every step.

• day 7

  Tsekher Hot Springs - Tsetserleg City - Ugii Lake

  Departure towards the west, still in the Khangai mountain ranges, towards the green valley of another clear river, the Tamir, where the town of Tsetserleg is located, the capital of the Arkhangai region (Garden), the greenest town in the country, situated in the lovely setting of the three protected mountains Gurvan Bulgan (Three Sables), land of great Mongolian wrestlers. The landscapes up to Tsetserleg pass gracefully before our eyes: mountains, prairies, rivers, herds of animals. We arrive in Tsetserleg in the morning. First, we visit the rich ethnographic and religious museum, organized in the former temples of the Zaya Gegeen monastery. Next, we visit the central market of the town to discover the environment of provincial Mongols, what they eat, what they wear. Maybe we will find some small interesting things to buy as souvenirs? We eat in a small European café located in the city center. Then, we change direction and head northeast, towards the steppe lake Ugii. The landscapes up to the lake are different again, semi-desert. Birds such as falcons, eagles, harriers, as well as small foxes and herds of camels, are common along the way. This small lake, located in the middle of the steppe, is a favored stop for many species of migratory birds. Fishing is good there. Arrival at the yurt camp and check-in. Visit to the information center. The sunset over the lake is splendid. The second day is devoted to rest and free time: fishing, swimming in the lake, walking along the green shores. Nights in the yurt, at the yurt camp. Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner. Note: Your children can have fun with kites and play on the shore of this lake. An ideal place for that.

• day 8

  Tsekher Hot Springs - Tsetserleg City - Ugii Lake

  See the description for day 7.

• day 9

  Lake Ugii – Ruins of Khara Bukhiin – Dachinchilen District – Elsentasarkhai, sand dunes

  After breakfast, we head east. The landscapes, still semi-desert and mountainous, accompany us. We stop at Khar Bukhiin Balgas (Black Ox Ruins), a historic site. Then, we continue the road towards the Dachinchilen district. Crossing small passes and tracks, we arrive at Elsen Tasarkhai (Separated Dunes), a site located next to the sacred Khugnu Khan mountain. This place is called "Mini Gobi," also known as Bayan Gobi (Rich Gobi). Arrival and installation at the camp, which is located right at the foot of the sand dunes. A one-hour ride on a Bactrian camel in the dunes is an experience not to be missed. Picnic lunch. Night under the yurt, at the yurt camp. Bkfst + Lunch + Dinner. Note: To admire the sunset, we recommend going to the dunes right next to your yurt. Going and having a little fun, barefoot in the sand, is loved by our little guests.

• day 10

  Elsentasarkhai – Khustai National Park, & residence of Przewalski's horses

  Departure towards the east, to Khustai National Park, home of the Przewalski's horses. Today, this park has the largest number of wild /takhi/ horses in the world. In addition to these horses, it is home to a great diversity of other wild animals such as deer, gazelles, wolves, foxes, marmots, and different species of birds. Arrival at the park and installation at the yurt camp. We visit a small information center of the park. Then, we watch a 15-minute documentary. Next, we go in search of and observe the Przewalski's horses. Return to the camp and free time. Night under the yurt, at the yurt camp. Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner. Note: This park is also a good place for walking to discover the flora and fauna of this rich land. You can observe marmots.

• day 11

  Khustai-Ulaanbaatar National Park

  Early departure to Ulaanbaatar. Arrival and transfer to the hotel***. Free time: souvenir shopping, cashmeres. Folk concert by the great ensemble "Tumen Ekh". Farewell dinner at the Mongolian BBQ restaurant. Overnight at the hotel***. Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner.

• day 12

  Ulaanbaatar

  Transfer to the airport and departure...