TRIP SUMMARY
Naadam means games. Naadam originally was a way to train men to the military skill: every soldier had to be able to ride fast, shoot arrows and wrestle with enemies during combat. In Mongolia, with its scarce population and nomadic ways, where individual herders live far apart from each other it was important to come together from time to time for training. That is why the Naadam often referred to as 3 manly sports: horse racing, archery and wrestling. As time passed it became a way to celebrate important events and not necessarily the same men were participating in all three sports. July 11 and 12th commemorate regaining of Mongolian independence in 1921.
During Naadam even a city dweller puts on his best traditional costume and joins everyone else to celebrate these games. In these games the fame and honor are more important than the prizes. There is no betting involved in any of the sports. Join us to witness this colorful festival where best of the athletes and archers, fastest of horses from around the country come together and compete for three days for the honor of being named the best of the best.
Brief Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – July 6. Arrival
Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.
In the afternoon, we will make a short city tour including a stop at the towering Zaisan Hill, where you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire city, huddled in between the valley of Tuul River and Bogd Khan Mountain. This scenic mountain is believed to be the first national park in the world. The Mongolian State Library keeps copies of letters exchanged between the governor of Ulaanbaatar and Qing Emperor from 1778, mentioning local celebrations arranged for the occasion of making the Bogd Khan Mountain an official protected site.
In the evening, we will commence our trip with a briefing by our expedition leader, followed by a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; D)
Day 2 – July 7. Hustai National Park
Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Here, you will learn about Mongolia’s Buddhist heritage. Next, drive to the Hustai National Park to explore the world’s only true wild horse, takhi. After lunch, there will be an opportunity to ride Mongolian horses for a short distance. Overnight in gers. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 3 – July 8. Hustai Nuruu / Lake Hovsgol
In the morning, we will transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Lake Hovsgol. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the lake. Overnight in gers. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 4 – July 9. Horseback riding
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of horseback riding along the lakeshore. We will start riding south and return to the camp from its northern direction by making a large loop. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the local flora and fauna along the route. Overnight in gers. (Ger Camp; B, L, D) July 10 Lake / Hovsgol / Ulaanbaatar In the morning, we will begin our journey driving back to Ulaanbaatar. Stop for a picnic lunch along the road. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner is independent. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)
Day 5 – July 10. Lake / Hovsgol / Ulaanbaatar
In the morning, we will begin our journey driving back to Ulaanbaatar. Stop for a picnic lunch along the road. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner is independent. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)
Day 6,7 – July 11-12. Naadam Festival
Enjoy two full days in the city, attending the Naadam festival games, consisting of wrestling, archery and horse racing. The festival is also an occasion for family reunions and big feasts.
Three manly sports are believed to exist pre Genghis Khan himself and served as a way to train for military campaigns. Nowadays the archery competitions exist for both men and women and usually take place just outside the main stadium in Ulaanbaatar. Unlike our warlike ancestors modern archers compete on moderate distances between 70-100 meters.
Wrestling is big in Mongolia and while for newcomers it might seem unfair – there are no age or weight restrictions and often one can see big guys wrestling small athletes – it is an ages old tradition where in a battle field one can not choose his opponent and has to fight anyone.
Horseracing takes place outside of the city and divided into 6 horse age groups, starting from 2 year olds. Usually the jockeys are young children aged between 6-12 years. And the race is more about endurance than speed, as even the two year old horses need to race for 12 km and adult horses racing for over 30 km at once.
You will be able to attend all three competitions and various events of sport and culture arranged during this centuries old celebrations. Overnight in hotel. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)
Day 8 – July 13. Ulaanbaatar / Gobi Desert
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure south to the Gobi desert. Upon arrival, our local driver will meet us and transfer to a tourist class ger camp in the central Gobi desert. In the afternoon, drive to the Yol Valley located in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Yol Valley is named after the prey birds “Yol” or lamaseries that dwell in the higher cliffs of the valley. It contains ice that persists as late as July and is home to many of Gobi’s wildlife including Ibex, “Argali” or mountain wild sheep, and snow leopard. Stroll through the valley and enjoy a picnic lunch. Return to the ger camp in the evening. Overnight in gers. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 9 – July 14. Havtsgait Petroglyphs / Flaming Cliffs
In the morning, explore the Havtsgait Petroglyphs, an amazing collection of early Bronze Age rock carvings located on the top of a mountain. Next, transfer to our ger camp near the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. In the evening, we will drive to the Flaming Cliffs, red sandstone bluffs stretching about 3 km in wide, where hundreds of dinosaur fossils have been found. Paleontological expeditions from many countries, including from U.S, Poland, Japan and Russia have worked here in the last 80 years. Each year rain and wind reveal yet more fossils and every summer new discoveries are made. Return to ger camp in the evening. Overnight in gers. (Approx. 4 hours driving; Ger Camp; B, L, D
Day 10 – July 15. Ulaanbaatar
In the morning, we will transfer to the airport for our return flight back to Ulaanbaatar for our last day of exploration. Spend the remainder of the day for last minute shopping and sightseeing.
In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance featuring the khoomii or “throat” singing followed by a hearty farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)
Day 11 – July 16. Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. (B)
Trip Highlights:
- Explore Lake Hovsgol, the mid-western Mongolia and Gobi desert;
- Visit ethnic Mongolians along the way;
- Explore the national parks of Mongolia;
- Enjoy hiking in the mountains and the desert, in search of cultural heritage and wildlife;
- Attend the Naadam Festival upclose and personal;
- Experience and share Mongolia’s most popular holiday.
DATES & PRICING
Trip Date:
July 6 – 16, 2024
Prices:
2-5 travelers:
$3,650 per person, double occupancy
6-9 travelers:
$3,450 per person, double occupancy
Based on 10 and more travelers:
$3,200 per person, double occupancy
Domestic flight:
$490 per person.
Optional single supplement:
$550 per person.
GALLERY
ACCOMMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION
Hotel Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Hotel Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar is conveniently located in downtown Ulaanbaatar and is a 5 start hotel with a friendly staff. All major atractions of UB are located with a walking distance of the hotel.
Ger camps
Throughout the most part of your itinerary, you will stay at tourist standard ger camp, rustic, eco lodges. Most past travelers said ger camp experiences are pleasant and one of the most memorable part of the travelers.
Land Transportation:
Land transportation is provided by Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps seating 3 passangers per vehicle. Some roads can be bumby and hard but our drivers are some of the most experienced and reliable in the country.