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  • The Great Naadam festival 2024 | Premium Travel Mongolia

8 days / 7 nights | US$360 - 400 p.p, per day

The Great Naadam festival 2024

2023-08-05
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
2 ~ 8 people

NAADAM FESTIVAL AND THE GOBI DESERT OF MONGOLIA

Mongolia is a country of cultural and natural wonders, where its people practice their ancient traditions and cherish the Mother Nature every day. And the Naadam Festival is the biggest celebration of the Mongols, which the nation has been celebrating since time immemorial. It’s said that nomadic tribes gathered to test whose tribe had the best wrestlers, finest archers, and fastest horses; and the winners were acclaimed extensively. Naadam, hence, was named “Three Manly Games of the Mongols”, nevertheless women also can participate in archery and horse racing. During the Great Mongol Empire time, Naadam was also an important event for the Golden Horde as the Mongol princes held the Khuraldai (assembly) at the same time.

Since 1921, the Mongols started celebrating Naadam in July to commemorate the People’s Revolution of Mongolia, and the State Naadam in Ulaanbaatar is on 11-12 July, and provincial and regional Naadams take place on 8-15 July usually (depending on the summer & pasture). Now the festival is celebrated nationwide in Mongolia and is a public holiday. And Naadam-goers and competitors from far and near wear their best traditional costumes and head out to Naadam – all happy. Plus, there’s lots of music and dances to complete the jolly atmosphere. 

On this exciting 8-day tour you won’t only attend the local Naadam Festival but also will visit the highlights of the Gobi Desert. You will admire the sunrise over the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, enjoy a short camel ride at the Khongor sand dunes & oasis, and walk the glacial Yoliin Am Gorge during your stay in the Gobi.

Besides, Mongolia is the home of hearty nomadic people, whose lifestyle has not changed a lot since the days of Genghis Khan and his empire. You might have heard many stories of travelers being dazed by the sincere hospitality of the nomads. However, if you look deeper into their spirit, you will witness how strong, stern nomadic men can be moved to tears by their racehorses rushing to a finish line. Their lifestyle, religion, and philosophy are shaped by Mother Nature to a great degree; and nomadic customs, music, literature, and costumes have been passed through centuries. And in this hectic 21st century only Mongolian nomads welcome strangers with unlocked doors. There will be plenty of occasions you will meet real nomadic people and enjoy their heart-warming hospitality during the journey.

Premium Travel Mongolia tour guides are knowledgeable, experienced, and happy to be the ambassadors of their country. Plus, traveling extensively in remote Mongolia and discovering the wonders doesn’t mean rough travel conditions. We utilize comfortable 4×4 vehicles with AC, and clean and comfy Ger camps (en-suite upgrade available) to complete your wonderful Mongolia stay with us. 

Tour map

Trip plan

Your international flight/train to Mongolia is on your own arrangement. After custom formalities and baggage claim, you will be met by a Premium Travel driver and taken to the centrally located hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Accommodation: BW Tuushin Hotel 5*; Meals: No meals planned on this day.

Meet with your tour guide at the breakfast and meet with the rest of the group and group briefing. Start the Ulaanbaatar city tour leisurely with visits to the most principal sites of Ulaanbaatar including the Gandan monastery – home to the 26m gilded statue of Megjid Janraisag, the National Museum of Mongolia, and the newly opened Chinggis Khan Museum. Have welcome lunch at a Mongolian restaurant.

Afterward, you’ll visit Bogd Khan’s palace museum & Zaisan Memorial Hill before we head for a folklore concert at 5 pm and an evening stroll at the Main Square viewing the Giant Genghis monument and parliament building on the way to your hotel.

Accommodation: BW Tuushin Hotel 5*. Meals: B, L

Take the morning flight to the South Gobi, and upon arrival drive to the beautiful Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Park for 1hr. Visit the national park museum that informs guests about the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, its’ flora, and fauna, as well as dinosaur, remains in the area. Then take walking to the beautiful narrow gorge called Yoliin Am with occasional views of rare wildlife. Transfer to Dream Gobi Lodge, check in, and have lunch.

In the late afternoon (after the mid-day heat), we drive to Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, visit a nomadic family to see their lifestyle, and learn to cook a Mongolian dish (have it for dinner). Watch the inspiring Gobi sunset over the Flaming Cliffs in the evening. Return to the Ger camp and rest. Dinner.

Dream Gobi lodge. (standard Ger). Meals: B, L, D

This morning, we’ll drive to local village Bulgan, where the Naadam festival is held. We take part in the Great Naadam Festival opening ceremonies, followed by wrestling, archery, and ankle bone shooting competitions. Watch horse races and meet with horse trainer, have some good chats about Mongolian horse culture and nomadic lifestyle.

Naadam is celebrated nationwide in Mongolia and is a public holiday. There will be plenty of activities around the stadium like ankle bone shooting, photographing beautifully dressed locals, etc. Naadam-goers and competitors from far and near wear their best traditional costumes and head out to Naadam – all happy. Transfer to ger camp, dinner and rest.

Dream Gobi Lodge. (standard Ger), Meals: B, L, D

Today, we will take a day excursion to Khongor sand dunes – Mongolia’s largest and most beautiful sand dunes that stretch over 180km in the arid Gobi Desert. The drive to the dunes at Khongoriin takes about 3 hours one way, passing through vast desert badlands that span out into the furthest distances, where remote mountains line the horizon. Arrive at the Ger camp by the sand dunes and have lunch.

Afterward, visit the Khongor sand dunes and take a short camel ride along with the Khongor springs in the little oasis. You also may want to climb the beautiful sand dunes, some are as high as 300m. Lone Gers and nomads on camelback hang suspended in the mirages, whilst the desert floor is strewn with a range of colorful rocks and unusual minerals. This is the Gobi at its stark best – there are many opportunities to take photographs of the landscapes and people. In the evening drive back to the camp.

Dream Gobi lodge. (standard Ger), Meals: B, L, D

Today's adventure begins with a visit to the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs, a remarkable display of ancient art and the enduring legacy of people who lived some 4,000 to 5,000 years ago during the mid to late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. To reach this historical site, you'll do some hiking, taking in the captivating landscape as you make your way.

Following this archaeological exploration, we'll head to a camel breeder's family. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in their daily lifestyle and experience the nomadic culture firsthand. You can savor the taste of camel yogurt and even try your hand at camel riding, creating memories that will stay with you.

Dream Gobi lodge (standard Ger). Meals: B, L, D

Have early breakfast and then drive to the small Gobi Desert airport (~60min drive) and take the flight to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and rest and optional shopping for cashmere/souvenir. Then see a folklore concert by the magnificent Tumen Ekh ensemble featuring Khoomei – Mongolian throat singing and contortion performance followed by farewell dinner.

Accommodation: BW Tuushin Hotel 5*; Meals: B, L, D

Extend your tour with another tour or transfer to the airport for a flight home.

Meals: B

Price details

2 people

US$3250

Departures 2024: 07 - 14 Jul;

Single supplement: US$500

4 people

US$2900

Departures 2024: 07 - 14 Jul;

Single supplement: US$500

For more people

US$ASK

Departures 2024: 07 - 14 Jul;

Single supplement: US$500

What's included

Included services:

    Full-time services of your excellent English-speaking local guide (Day 2-7)
    Sightseeing admissions and excursion per the program
    Private transfers (Land Cruisers: 3 passengers + 1 driver I each vehicle) + fuel, road taxes
    Airport transfers & transportation in Ulaanbaatar & around (minivan/saloon car)
    Twin/double share accommodation throughout the tour: (4 nights in Ulaanbaatar at 5* hotel; 3 nights in en-suite Ger camps.)
    Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
    2hr of camel riding fee in Gobi + camel keeper
    The Gobi to Ulaanbaatar flight + Tax (15+5kg free luggage)
    0.5 l x 3 bottled water per day/pax
    Visa support invitation letter where applicable
    Exclusive Mongolia tour souvenir!

Not Included in the price:

  • International Airfare/train ticket + Tax
  • Travel insurance.
  • Visa fees if applicable
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
  • Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
  • Optional activities such as horseback riding, archery, fishing etc

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What to expect?

Discover Mongolia at its Finest!

  • Tailored experiential Mongolia tours for your small group of 2 to 8 people!
  • Stay in good hotels and en-suite Gers!
  • Enjoy the comfort and convenience in Air-Conditioned 4x4 Jeeps on dirt tracks!
  • Create unforgettable memories together with our experienced Guides!
  • Embark on a flavorful journey with our exhilarating Mongolian cooking classes!
  • There is no other experience like Mongolia!

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Suite 19, level 1. New Dream 24/5. Khan-Uul district, Ulaanbaatar 17041, MONGOLIA

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Suite 19, level 1. New Dream 24/5. Khan-Uul district, Ulaanbaatar 17041, MONGOLIA

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Suite 19, level 1. New Dream 24/5. Khan-Uul district, Ulaanbaatar 17041, MONGOLIA