Highlights of Mongolia with Naadam Festival
Quick Reference Itinerary
Day 1Today you will arrive in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. On arrival you will be transferred to the Bayan Gol Hotel to check-in and freshen up. In the afternoon we will have a leisurely program of sightseeing including the National History Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. Both museums have impressive displays of Mongolian historical artefacts. Dinner and overnight will be at the Bayan Gol Hotel. Day 2Today we will set out in the vehicles to the west of the capital and drive to the township of Karakorum. This was once a thriving metropolis in the days of Genghis Khan and his sons when they controlled the biggest empire the world has ever known. Today little remains of the days of former glory. The township of Karakorum, which is there today, is Soviet built with tall apartment blocks and wide central squares. The drive today is through the open, steppe land. We will pass by rivers and streams, small hills and sand dunes. We will reach our ger camp for the night in the late afternoon. Day 3 Day 4Today we will drive out of the hills, along some steep mountainous roads and down into the valleys that lead to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur. This Lake is nestled between mountains covered with green grass and littered with volcanic rock. We will have overnight near the lake in a ger camp. Day 5Today will be a well-earned day of rest at the Lake. There will be opportunities for hiking to Khorgo, the extinct volcanic crater that lies within a few kilometers of the lake and for visiting local nomadic families. Alternatively, you may just wish to sit by the edge of the water and admire the beautiful view. All meals and overnight at the ger camp by the lake. Day 6Today we will make a long drive to the north of the country, into Khuvsgul Aimag, and onto the capital Moron. The drive is through absolutely beautiful hilly countryside, past fast flowing rivers and alpine forests. Little wonder this area is known as the 'Switzerland of Mongolia'. In the late evening we will reach our ger camp outside the town for dinner and overnight. Day 7In the morning after breakfast we will witness the local Naadam Festival. Naadam is Day 8Spend the morning at Naadam in Moron then in the afternoon drive out of the town to visit the ancient burial site with Reindeer Stone monuments. After short stop here we will continue our trip to Khuvsgul lake, it is another 3 hours drive from Moron the the Lake. On arrival we will be taken to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. Day 9-10
Day 11Today will be an early start in order to get back to Moron in time for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. You will have a light lunch in Moron before the departure. The flight from Moron to Ulaanbaatar will take one and a half hours and your guide will accompany you. On arrival in Ulaanbaatar you will be taken to Bayangol hotel. In the evening we will have watch a traditional Mongolian concert followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Day 12After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to the airport for departure. |
Departure date for 2006: 5 July - 16 JulyPrices per person: Tour prices include:
Tour prices do not include:
Alcohol drinks, all items of personal nature, airport taxes and international transportation to and from Mongolia |
In the morning, after breakfast we will visit the majestic Erdene Zuu Monastery. This monastery suffered much under the communist purges of last century, but miraculously, was spared from complete destruction. It is former days the walls of the monastery housed hundreds of temples and thousands of monks. Today these places of religious beauty are being restored. In the afternoon we will continue our drive to the west and make our way into the Khangai Mountain Range. In the early evening we will reach the beautiful spot deep in the mountain known as Tsenkheriin Hot springs.These hot springs sprout directly from the mountains and reach high temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius. We will have overnight at a ger camp near the springs.
the most colorful and enjoyable of all Mongolian celebrations. It is a time when all the country celebrates the three manly sports of horse racing, archery and wrestling. Children race the horses from as young as 4 years of age and they are run over distances as long 30 km. The real pride of Mongolia is the wrestler. Much skill and training goes into this sport and the winner is revered as a hero by all Mongolians and hence awarded the most prestigious title of the "Lion". Meals and overnight at the ger camp in Moron.
We will have two days of rest beside Lake Khuvsgul. This lake contains 3% of the world's fresh water and is the 14th largest lake in the world. The water is crystal clear, the nature pristine and the setting truly idyllic. All meals and overnight at the ger camp of the previous night.