16 Day Mongolia Unveiled & Naadam Festival

Welcome to Mongolia. On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, make your own way to your hotel and check in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey. You may receive a welcome letter when checking in to the starting hotel that will include the time of the welcome meeting with your tour guide tomorrow. If you do not receive this, please speak to hotel staff or feel free to reach out to us directly. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Hotel check-in time is at 2pm. If arriving prior to this, you will be able to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel's discretion.

This morning after breakfast, meet your tour guide and the rest of your group for a brief of the day’s activities. From there, drive out of the city to the Naadam Festival horse racing venue on the open steppe.Naadam is Mongolia’s national festival and is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is built around the three traditional sports of horse racing, wrestling and archery. The races are run cross country over long distances, on horses trained through the summer and ridden by children. Watch the field come in at the finish line, then return to Ulaanbaatar for lunch in the early afternoon.This afternoon, head to the Central Stadium grounds for the archery and the anklebone shooting, two events that draw the country’s best competitors. Return to your hotel afterwards. The evening is at leisure, with dinner at your own arrangement.Inspiring HighlightsNaadam Festival horse racingArchery and anklebone shooting at the Central StadiumSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.Naadam Festival tickets are included in your tour and will be given to you on tour by your tour guide.The festival programme is set by the organisers each year and event times can change at short notice. The order of the day may need to be adjusted on the ground.Seating at the festival venues is on open stands with limited shade, and there is some walking over uneven ground between events. Please bring a hat, sun protection and water.

After breakfast, head to the Central Stadium for the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival, where the President of Mongolia formally opens proceedings. The ceremony runs for around an hour and a half, with horsemen, dancers, musicians and costumed processions drawing on Mongolia’s imperial history, and is followed by the first round of the wrestling.After lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, the winter residence of Mongolia’s last king. The palace holds his personal collection of ceremonial robes, Buddhist art and gifts received from foreign heads of state.There is the option to return to the stadium in the late afternoon for more of the wrestling before heading back to your hotel. The evening is at leisure, with dinner at your own arrangement.Inspiring HighlightsNaadam Festival opening ceremonyMongolian wrestling at the Central StadiumBogd Khan Palace MuseumSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.Returning to the stadium for the afternoon wrestling is optional. Seating is on open stands and the session can run for several hours.

This morning, meet your tour guide and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing, then set off on a city tour of Mongolia's capital. Begin at Gandan Monastery, home to the towering 26-metre statue of Janraisag, the deity of compassion, and witness the morning chanting at one of the historic temples. Continue to Sukhbaatar Square to see the statues of Chinggis Khaan and his descendants standing watch in front of the State House. Enjoy a welcome lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the Chinggis Khaan Museum, which charts Mongolia's history from the Hunnu Empire to the height of the Great Mongol Empire. Tonight is at your leisure. Find a local restaurant for dinner and enjoy your first evening in Ulaanbaatar at your own pace. Inspiring Highlights Gandan Monastery Sukhbaatar Square Chinggis Khaan Museum

After breakfast, depart Ulaanbaatar at 8am for a scenic road trip south to Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the White Stupa, a remarkable sedimentary formation that was once part of an ancient seabed. The journey crosses Mongolia's vast steppe, with a refreshing lunch break in Mandalgovi town along the way.Arrive in the afternoon and check in to your ger camp, then head out to the dramatic Tsagaan Suvarga scarps for sweeping panoramic views.Return to camp around 7pm for dinner and a restful overnight stay.Inspiring HighlightsTsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa)Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.Please note that driving times are estimates and can be affected by road and weather conditions.You'll stay in comfortable twin-share gers throughout the trip. In Tsagaan Suvarga and Ongi, a limited number of ensuite gers are available at camp, and these are allocated fairly on a random basis. To ensure a balanced experience for everyone, travellers assigned a standard ger with shared facilities In Tsagaan Suvarga will be given priority for an ensuite ger in Ongi.Shared bathroom facilities are clean, well-maintained, and located conveniently close to the gers, with hot showers and Western-style toilets.

After breakfast, depart at 8am for a picturesque journey to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, with plenty of opportunities to pause for scenic photography along the way. Stop in Dalanzadgad, a charming Gobi town, where you will visit the recently constructed Umnugovi Province Museum.From Dalanzadgad, a short drive brings you to the enchanting Yolyn Am gorge. Lace up your walking shoes for a one to two-hour walk from the parking area, taking in the dramatic rock walls, narrow ravines and abundant birdlife of this striking natural reserve.Return to your ger camp in the early evening to enjoy dinner and settle in for a peaceful overnight stay.Inspiring HighlightsUmnugovi Province MuseumYolyn Am gorge in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National ParkSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.You'll stay in comfortable twin-share gers, with ensuite facilities included in Yolyn Am gorge, Khongor Sand Dunes, Bayanzag, Karakoum and Hustai National Park.

After breakfast, depart at 8am and continue your Gobi adventure with a drive to the Khongor sand dunes, the longest dunes in Mongolia. The route crosses vast desert badlands stretching to the horizon, with remote mountains in the distance and the occasional ger or nomad on horseback or camelback breaking the landscape. The desert floor is scattered with colourful rocks and rare minerals, offering plenty of opportunities to stop, take in the views and capture photographs.On arrival, enjoy lunch at a ger camp before setting out to explore the magnificent Khongor dunes, which rise dramatically alongside the river as it winds through the sands. After an afternoon among the dunes, return to camp to settle in for dinner and an overnight stay. Inspiring Highlights Khongor sand dunes Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.You may join an optional camel ride (approximately USD 12 per person, per hour), which can be arranged and paid for locally. Optional horseback riding is also available at several locations throughout the trip.

This morning after breakfast, travel to the famed Bayanzag. On arrival, check in to your ger camp and enjoy lunch. This afternoon, head out to the Flaming Cliffs, celebrated for their striking red sandstone formations and their place in palaeontological history as one of the world's great dinosaur fossil sites. Visit the information centre to view the exhibits and a short documentary, before setting off on an easy walk through the dramatic landscape. Return to your ger camp for dinner and an overnight stay. Inspiring Highlights Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After a leisurely breakfast at the ger camp, head out to the Moltsog sand dunes to take in the sweeping views, photograph the rolling formations, and discover the unique flora and fauna of the desert. Enjoy lunch and some rest at a nearby ger camp. In the late afternoon, travel to the Khavtsgait petroglyphs, set within the Dund Saikhan Mountain. Here, a steady trek brings you to a natural rock gallery of paintings dating back to the Bronze Age. Return to camp in the early evening for dinner and an overnight stay. Inspiring Highlights Moltsog sand dunes Khavtsgait Petroglyphs Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. The Khavtsgait petroglyphs sit atop a mountain and can only be reached on foot, so this activity is optional. The hike is moderately challenging, with loose rocks on the descent.

After breakfast, head north toward the ruins of Ongi Monastery. Set on the banks of the scenic Ongi River. The drive crosses the wide-open Ongi steppe and is a chance to take in the changing landscape as you leave the deep Gobi behind. On arrival at your ger camp, gather for lunch. This afternoon, explore the remains of Ongi Monastery, which dates back to the 18th century, with some short walks among the ancient ruins. Return to the ger camp to relax, with dinner and an overnight stay. Inspiring Highlights Ongi Monastery Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. You'll stay in comfortable twin-share gers throughout the trip. On Day 3 and Day 8, a limited number of ensuite gers are available at camp, and these are allocated fairly on a random basis. To ensure a balanced experience for everyone, travellers assigned a standard ger with shared facilities on Day 3 will be given priority for an ensuite ger on Day 8. Shared bathroom facilities are clean, well-maintained, and located conveniently close to the gers, with hot showers and Western-style toilets.

After breakfast, continue north into central Mongolia, crossing the vast Gobi steppes before reaching the central Mongolian steppe. Pause for lunch along the main highway, then carry on towards Karakorum, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire. In Karakorum, visit the Museum of Karakorum, which offers a fascinating overview of central Mongolia's history and an introduction to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Orkhon River Valley. Check in to your ger camp and enjoy dinner, with an overnight stay set against the rich cultural backdrop of the region. Inspiring Highlights Museum of Karakorum Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to the renowned Erdene Zuu Monastery, founded in 1586 and central Mongolia's very first Buddhist monastery, with its surrounding wall of 108 stupas. From here, take a short ride out to spend the day with a local nomadic family. Step into the rhythm of nomadic life, meet your hosts and join in with their daily activities. Help with milking and tending to livestock, watch and try your hand at making traditional dairy products, and learn how to prepare a Mongolian dish for lunch. Say goodbye to your host family and return to Karakorum in the afternoon. Inspiring Highlights Erdene Zuu Monastery Spend the day with a local nomadic family Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Please dress modestly and respectfully when visiting the monastery and the nomadic family. Photography may be restricted in some areas of the monastery; please follow your guide's directions.

After breakfast, drive towards Hustai National Park. On arrival at your ger camp near the park, enjoy lunch and a chance to rest before the afternoon's activities. This afternoon, head into the park to look out for the iconic Takhi, also known as Przewalski's horses. The world's last truly wild horse species, once extinct in the wild, has been successfully reintroduced here. You may also spot other fascinating wildlife in their natural habitat. Return to camp for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. Inspiring Highlights Hustai National Park Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Please bring a camera with a zoom lens if you would like to photograph the horses, as they are usually viewed from a distance.

After breakfast, return to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, visit Zaisan Memorial, set on a hilltop above the city and offering panoramic views across the capital and the surrounding countryside. Continue to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, with the option to head out for some shopping. Ulaanbaatar is well known for high-quality cashmere, and the city has a number of shops and markets where you can browse for souvenirs. This evening, enjoy a traditional folklore concert and immerse yourself in Mongolia's rich cultural heritage, with performances of throat singing, traditional instruments and dance. Inspiring Highlights Zaisan Memorial Traditional Folklore Performance Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, drive east out of the city to visit the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, the tallest equestrian statue in the world and a striking symbol of Mongolian national pride and the legacy of Chinggis Khaan. Continue into Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, known for its scenic landscapes of granite formations and alpine forests. Here, visit the Ariyabal Meditation Temple, a peaceful retreat tucked into the mountains, where a short walk leads to the temple itself and a chance to soak up the spiritual atmosphere inspired by Buddhist philosophy and mindfulness. Return to Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon. The evening is at your leisure. Inspiring Highlights Genghis Khan Statue Complex Ariyabal Meditation Temple in Terelj National Park Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, your Mongolian adventure comes to a close. Make your own way to the airport for your onward flight, taking with you the memories of vast deserts, ancient monasteries, wild horses and the warm hospitality of Mongolia's nomadic people. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Standard hotel check-out time is 11am. Please speak with hotel reception if you require luggage storage after check-out.