July is the high season for tourism in Mongolia. One of the most fascinating holidays, Naadam, is held for 3 days between July 11-July 13th. It is named as “Three manly sports” and celebrated throughout the country. However, in modern times , women and girls take part in archery and horse racing competitions. By traveling with us during Naadam, you can deeply experience cultural heritage from the festive environment. You can feel the real nomadic vibe from every moment of the trip.
Overview
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar city, Arrival Day 2: Naadam Opening ceremony, wrestling, archery Day 3: Naadam day-2, Horse racing Day 4: Khugnu Khan National Park Day 5: Kharkhorin city Day 6: Tsenkher, ‘Khorgo’ Volcano Day 7: ‘Ugii’ lake Day 8: ‘Khustai’ National Park Day 9: Ulaanbaatar city Day 10: Departure
Day: 1. Ulaanbaatar city
Arrival in the Capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar city. Transfer to hotel. City tour starts from Gandan monastery, the biggest Buddhist temple in Mongolia, and we stop at the main square Chinggis Khan. Visit Zaisan Hill Memorial and see a Mongolian folk and dance concert in the evening.
Day: 2. Naadam Festival opening ceremony
Today , we will attend the opening ceremony of ‘Naadam Festival. The festival is the one of the biggest nationwide holidays in Mongolia. People dress in their traditional costumes and the famous “the three games of men” begins. This includes wrestling, horse racing and archery. It used to serve as a way to train soldiers for battle and was also connected to Mongols' nomadic lifestyle.
Day: 3. Naadam day-2
On the second day we will drive out of the city to see horse racing. Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15–30 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class.The winning jockey is praised with the title of tumny ekh or leader of ten thousand. The horse that finishes last in the Daaga race (two-year-old horse race) is called bayan khodood (meaning "full stomach").
Day: 4. Khugnu Khan National Park
Arrive to Khugnu Khan Mountain, visit Erdene Khamba temple and hiking to its old monastery ruins and overstay at Ger camp. Stop by natural springs good for eyes, liver and stomach.
Day: 5. Kharkhorin city
See Taikhar stone on the way to KharKhorin, ancient capital of Mongolian Empire in 12th century. Check in camp and explore the local market, museums. Visit Erdene Zuu Buddhist monastery, one of the oldest monasteries of Mongolia surrounded by 108 stupas. See monk’s daily Buddhist rituals at the temple.
Day: 6. Tsenkher, ‘Khorgo’ Volcano
Visit the Yak family and see how to make dairy products by the local family. Give try to milk goats, sheep and cow and spend half day at the family and enjoy doing farm experience in real life (mare milk is available depending on months of travel)
Day: 7. ‘Ugii’ lake
This lake is a wonderful place for birdlife. Cranes and ducks, among other species, migrate to the area around late April.The lake is also renowned for its fishing. The nearby camps also offer horse riding.
Day: 8. Khustai National Park
Drive to Hustai National Park, National protected area since 1993.You can see World's last wild horses (Przewalski horses) in here.Overstay at ger camp.
Day: 9. Ulaanbaatar city
After breakfast, we will arrive in Ulaanbaatar city. Shopping in cashmere outlet stores, souvenir shops and having lunch at the Mongolian restaurant. See the Fine and Art museum. Overstay at the Hotel.
