16 nights from
£13995
Cultural Mongolia with the Naadam
Festival
Experience Mongolia’s unique culture & breathtaking landscapes
2 July 2017,
Mongolia is something of a rarity today in that it is a country where you can still see the traditions of the past
practiced by nomads who live on the country’s vast steppes and deserts. It is an extremely hospitable culture and
during our itinerary, locals will open their doors to us allowing us to fully experience their unique way of life.
Mongolia is a true wilderness with spectacular countryside, vast steppes, rugged mountains, pristine lakes and
abundant wildlife so there is much to see during our unique escorted tour, not forgetting of course, the
remarkable festivals we will experience including the Naadam Festival. Naadam literally means ‘three manly
games’ and is the world’s second oldest Olympics, celebrating what defined civilisation in the steppes eight
centuries ago; archery, wrestling and horse riding. We will observe the elaborate opening ceremony and enjoy
the many events taking place.
One of the many highlights will be our stay in Asia’s largest desert for three nights, the Gobi Desert. Whilst
there we will see a surprisingly diverse array of landscapes. You will have the opportunity to ride a Bactrian
camel and witness the colossal sand dunes, we will visit the Flaming Cliffs, a hauntingly beautiful landscape of
red sandstone canyons and the site of several significant dinosaur excavations and also spend time in the Yol
Valley, a rare swath of green in the middle of the desert.
Our group size will be limited to just 20 and over the course of fifteen nights we will witness the remoteness and
beauty of this land and simplicity of the lives of the nomadic Mongolians while in direct contrast witness the
modern lives of those living in the capital of Ulaanbaatar, a developing and vibrant city.
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Itinerary
Day 1 - London to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 - Ulaanbaatar.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar this morning and transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel for a two night stay.
Day 3 - Ulaanbaatar.
Today we tour Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s energetic capital. The country’s political, economic, and social
hub, this city of more than one million people is home to nearly half of the Mongolian population.
Originally a nomadic Buddhist centre when founded in the 17th century, Ulaanbaatar ceremonially
changed locations 28 times before settling permanently at its present site in 1778. The city also changed
names multiple times until it was officially dubbed “Red Hero” (Ulaanbaatar) in 1924, upon becoming the
capital of the new Mongolian People’s Republic. Highlights of the full-day tour will include the 19thcentury Gandan Monastery, one of the few Buddhist structures that survived destruction by the
Communist government in the 1930s. The bejeweled 20-ton Migjid Janraisig statue, a replica of the
original copper statue erected in 1911, stands as the monastery’s prime attraction. This afternoon visit the
National History Museum, followed by a visit to the Institute of Archaeology. Return to the hotel for a
welcome reception, a cultural performance and dinner.
Day 4 - Hustai National Park.
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart overland to Hustai National Park. En route, make a stop at a ger
camp to learn about the lives of nomadic herders. After lunch we continue to the park and take a tour of
the fascinating Information Centre. Check-in to the Hustai Ger Camp, our base for two days of
exploration. After dinner, enjoy a private presentation from the Director of the new research centre.
Day 5 - Hustai National Park.
Spend a full day in the park, searching for steppe gazelles, marmots and other plains species including
Przewalski’s horses. A highly acclaimed captive breeding programme saved these unique horses from
certain extinction and has successfully reintroduced them into the wild. We will also have a special
opportunity to visit a local herding family and watch a fascinating Felt Making Ceremony. Felt is
typically made at the end of summer and families usually celebrate the occasion with a party or ceremony.
Day 6 - Karakorum.
Today we travel overland to Karakorum. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the ancient capital of
Genghis Khan’s vast empire, which at its height in 1279, covered nearly all of Asia and Europe. Take a
scenic horseback ride to the ruins of Erdene Khamba Monastery. Explore the lower section, known as the
Novice Temple, and the Elder’s Temple built on top of the mountain. Meet with monks to learn more
about the temple, as well as Buddhism in Mongolia. Continue to Dream Land Ger Camp for dinner and a
three night stay.
Day 7 - Karakorum (Local Naadam Festival).
Today we attend the inauguration ceremony of Naadam. Known as “the three games of men” the festival
consists of wrestling, horse racing and archery tournaments. Horse races are organised according to age
groups (for both horses and riders) and distances of 6 to 16 miles. We will also witness some of the best
archers from all over the country compete in this much-revered sport. A highlight of the day is the chance
to sample traditional foods, beverages, mingle with locals and an opportunity for great photography.
Return to camp for dinner and a private lecture on the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape.
Day 8 - Karakorum.
After breakfast we visit Erdene Zuu Monastery. Founded in 1586 by Altai Khaan, Erdene Zuu (Hundred
Treasures) is the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It once had between 60 and 100
temples, about 300 gers inside the walls and at its peak, up to 1000 monks in residence. The monastery
went through periods of neglect and prosperity until finally, the Stalinist purges of 1937 put it completely
out of business. The monastery remained closed until 1965 when it was permitted to reopen as a museum.
After the fall of Communism in Mongolia in 1990, the monastery was turned over to the lamas and
Erdene Zuu again became a place of worship. Late this afternoon we will return to Karakorum to observe
the closing ceremony of the Naadam Festival. This evening, enjoy a private concert of traditional song
and dance at our camp.
Day 9 - Ulaanbaatar.
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Ulaanbaatar which gives us the opportunity to enjoy much of
Mongolia’s landscape. Along the way, we may experience additional horse races and stop to visit with a
local herding family. En route, make a stop at Hui Doloo Khudag on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar to watch
a horse race. Check in to the Shangri- La Hotel for dinner and a two night stay.
Day 10 - Ulaanbaatar (State Naadam Festival).
Today is dedicated to the splendid, national Naadam Festival. Attend the opening ceremony at the
Mongolian State Academic Theatre featuring fantastic performances by dancers, athletes, horse riders and
musicians. The largest and most widely watched traditional festival among Mongols, Naadam formally
commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia formally declared its independence from China. In
2010, the festival was inscribed on the representative list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity. After the ceremony, watch Mongolia’s top athletes compete at the “three games of men.”
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 11 - Dalanzadgad & Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park.
Transfer to the airport for our short flight to the Gobi Desert, Asia’s largest desert which covers some
500,000 square miles of southern Mongolia and north/northwest China. After landing in Dalanzadgad, we
will travel overland to our ger desert camp, Three Camel Lodge, our home for the next three nights where
we arrive in time for lunch. The camp borders Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Mongolia’s largest
national park, at nearly 16,800 square miles. This afternoon we will visit a local herder family and learn
how to make the traditional cookie locally known as “boortsog.” Flattened dough is deep-fried to a golden
brown and offered to travellers as a welcome snack, along with tea or milk. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 12 - Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park.
This morning, travel into the park to scenic Yol Valley, a rare swath of green in the middle of the desert.
Explore the valley on foot to search for resident wildlife; the area is especially rich in raptors and you are
likely to see impressive bearded vultures soaring overhead. Wild sheep and goats graze on the high cliff
walls while along the lower slopes, watch for long-tailed ground squirrels and the intriguing Daurian pika.
Make a stop at the local Natural History Museum to learn more about the desert’s surprisingly diverse
array of bird and animal life, including the legendary snow leopard and the Gobi bear — the world’s only
desert-dwelling bear. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or learn how to play several Mongolian games
utilizing shagai, crafted from the ankle bones of sheep or goats.
Day 13 - Flaming Cliffs.
After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to the Flaming Cliffs site, a hauntingly beautiful landscape of red
sandstone canyons, eroded by wind and time. In 1922 the American Museum of Natural History
expedition, led by the famous explorer Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews, first put this area on the map as the
site of several significant dinosaur excavations. It was here that Andrews first proved dinosaurs came
from eggs and excavated the first complete dinosaur skeleton. We will also make a stop at Moltsog Sand
Dune to visit with a family that breeds camels. Here, we have the opportunity to ride on a Bactrian camel
(Mongolian two-humped camel) through the massive dunes, giving us an exceptional insight into a way
of life that has endured in Central Asia for centuries. The hardy camels offer a comfortable ride as they
gently saunter through this timeless scene. Return to our camp for dinner.
Day 14 - Tuul River.
This morning we return to the airport for our flight to Ulaanbaatar where upon arrival we will board local
vehicles to the Tuul Riverside Lodge for a three night stay. The lodge is an intimate and fully sustainable
traditional Mongolian ger camp set amidst rolling hills above the Tuul River, located at the border of
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. After lunch attend an archery lesson and learn about the construction of
bows which are traditionally made from wood, animal sinew, bone and glue made from fish bladders in a
process that can take up to a year.
Day 15 - Tuul River.
This morning saddle up your horse and take a ride through the rolling hills and across the mighty Tuul
River. On the way, we will visit a herder family to learn more about this traditional Mongolian lifestyle.
Learn how to make arkhi, a light liquor made from cow’s milk.
Day 16 - Tuul River.
Today, we learn how to make Mongolian buuz, (steamed dumplings), then enjoy our handiwork during
lunch. This afternoon, meet with a representative from WWF to learn about Mongolian wildlife and
conservation efforts. Attend a special farewell dinner this evening, with a traditional Mongolian barbecue
and a fireside performance from a local shaman.
Day 17 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to London.
Transfer in the early morning to Ulaanbaatar International Airport and board our onward indirect
scheduled flight to London. Arrive this afternoon.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy
2 to 18 July 2017
Category
Price
Twin
£13995
Single
£15495
Tour Reference Code: LANAADAM020717
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, internal flights, 15 nights accommodation as described, all
meals, selected beverages with lunch and dinner, excursions, services of an Expedition Leader and local guides,
gratuities, entrance fees, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance, visas, arrival and departure taxes.
Cultural
Mongolia
Please note
that due to restrictions on the charter flights within this itinerary, baggage is restricted to 15 kilogrammes
total. To best enjoy your experiences in Mongolia, you should be in good physical condition and able to participate on
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Video/Image Library
Bactrian Camels in the Yol Valley
Ger Camp, Hustai National Park
Naadam Festival: Archery
Horse racing
Wrestling
Naadam Festival
Expedition Leader
Tese Wintz-Neighbor
Tese received her B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from Indiana University, and her M.A. in China
Regional Studies from the Henry Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington.
Based in Seattle, she has led over 50 tours to various countries throughout Asia. In addition to teaching, Tese is
the author of numerous curricula on Asian culture and events.
Expedition Highlights
Attend the annual state and local Naadam Festivals to witness the traditional Mongolian sports of wrestling,
archery, and horseback riding.
Stay in peaceful ger camps, supremely situated in areas of great natural beauty, and meet with traditional
nomadic herding families to learn about their ancient customs and daily life.
Explore the Gobi Desert by camel-back and visit the Flaming Cliffs, a hauntingly beautiful landscape where
sandstone canyons have yielded an amazing collection of dinosaur fossils.
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