Naadam Festival-Ultimate West Grand Tour
tour overview
This is your chance to witness our national festival called as Naadam one of the greatest uniqueness of nomadic culture. Fabulous nature viewing, stunning scenery, top quality guides and the Naadam National Festival all combine to make this the Ultimate west grand tour.
Naadam is the biggest festival of the year for Mongolians and is held in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar during the National Holiday from July 11-13. It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the opening ceremony, the competitions begin. As usual, it runs for three days in all parts of the country and consists of horse racing, archery, and wrestling. These competitions are called the manly games. Women participate in all but the wrestling category. The main Naadam festival in the UB, tournaments may take place in a separate venue.
The Mongol Altai Range has many peaks reaching 4000 meters above sea level and stretches for almost 1000 km from the north-western part of the country to the south and over 20 peaks are capped with eternal snow in the range. The tallest of these, Khuiten Uul, is the highest mountain in Mongolia, at 4,369m (about 14,300 feet).
Stunning natural landscapes and friendly nomadic people - this really is the essence of Mongolia.
tour itinerary
DAY 1. ULAANBAATAR
On arrival you will be met by our representative, and then be privately transferred to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar.In the afternoon, after a lunch, you will enjoy a leisurely time of sightseeing around UB and visit to the Gandan Monastery and the National History Museum where presents our history and culture from prehistoric to the present day. Early evening after sightseeing program, we invite you a welcome dinner at a restaurant.
Accommadtion: hotel
Meals:
L
D
DAY 2. (JULY 11) ULAANBAATAR
Today is the real highlight for us - the day you witness for our national holiday. After a breakfast, we will be attending the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar. Undoubtedly, Naadam is the most colourful and most important annual cultural event. It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the opening ceremony, the competitions begin. As usual, it runs for three days in all parts of the country and consists of horse racing, archery, and wrestling. Before leaving the stadium, we will attend archery competition. After lunch, we will drive to horse racing field of Naadam festival with Mongolian racers from all over Mongolia.
Accommadtion: hotel
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 3. WHITE RIVER, BAYAN-ULGII
Leave the city behind and fly to the Ulgii town, Bayan-Ulgii Province. We'll drive to Tsagaan gol (White river) The White River is one of the many rivers that find its sources in the melting ice of the Tavan Bodg glaciers. Along with Shiveet Mountain, the area of the river is so amazing if you're lucky enough, you'll spot a wild goat named as an ibex.
Accommadtion: Tent camp
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 4. POTANIN GLACIER, NATIONAL PARK
This is time to experience of Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain. We head inland through several rustic villages for a taste of the Altai Tavan Bogd (Five Saints) mountain way of life. We would cross a few rivers as we follow a trail to Altai Tavan Bogd Base camp. In this remote corner where Mongolia, China, and Russia meet, we discover Asia's unspoiled wilderness, topped by the 14,000-foot peaks of Tavan Bogd National Park. We trek for approx 15 km today to the National Park Base camp at the foot of the spectacular Altai Tavan Bogd Glaciers. The glacier is at the foot of Khuiten Peak (4374m) the highest point in Mongolia.
Accommadtion: Tent camp
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 5. CLIMB MALCHIN PEAK
After breakfast we will start slowly walking for about an hour and then start climbing to Malchin Peak (4050 m), which is on the Mongolian side of the Russian border. Malchin Peak is the lowest of the Holy Five Peaks. It takes 6 to 7 hours to climb to the top of Malchin. Most of the climb will be on rocks, then back to camp to relax.
Accommadtion: Tent camp
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 6. TSAGAAN GOL,BASE CAMP
Today we will hike back to our camp in the Tsagaan Gol Valley. This evening we will have the opportunity to visit Tuvan families and share their culture and lifestyle.
Accommadtion: Tent camp
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 7. ULGII TOWN
Today we leave the Base camp and come down to the south gate where we meet our driver(s). We say good bye to guides and drive back to Ulgii. Have Kazakh traditional meal called Besh Barmakh “Fiver fingers”. Overnight in West Mongolia ger camp.
Accommadtion: Tent camp
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 8. ULAANBAATAR
Having completed breakfast and packed your bags, you'll be collected from the ger camp and driven the short distance to the airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival we will take you to hotel and after your 1-2 hour relaxed time at your hotel, we'll go to Gobi cashmere shop and antique/souvenir shop (optional). Early evening before your attendance of our traditional folk song and dance performance, we'll invite you to a farewell dinner and later on give you a time to prepare for your departure.
Accommadtion: Ger Camp
Meals:
B
L
D
DAY 9. DEPARTURE
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight and our service ends.
holiday information
What's included
Full services of guide and driver
- Full services of both guide and driver
- 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
- Drinking water throughout tour
- All transport (domestic flights, minibus or 4WD)
- National park/reserves entrance fees
- All nights' accommodation including hotel in UB
- All others indicated in program
What's not included
- Visa
- Hotel refreshments
- Travel insurance
- Airplane ticket and taxes
- Excess baggage charges
- Daily personal expenses
- Book now
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tour details
- Duration: 9 days
- Price from: $1830
- Accommodation: 3 nights 4 Star hotel, 1 night Ger Camp, 4 nights tent camp.
- Meal plan: All our tours include full board, but other meals are often not included especially in UB. This allows you to try the cuisine in local restaurants and also to choose what and where to eat and how much to spend. Please ask us before booking if you have any specific requirements.