Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads including Naadam Festival

Day 1  Ulaanbaatar            
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel.  

Day 2  Ulaanbaatar to Terelj NP           
Head for Terelj National Park, a large protected area of green mountain meadows, a striking contrast to the Gobi Desert, it almost feels like being in another country. Visit the Tibetan-style Aryabala temple, a meditation centre located on a mountain side with sweeping views over the national park. Tonight spend your first night staying in a ger.  

Day 3  Ulaanbaatar to Khustain Nuruu NP  
Drive towards Kharkhorin, making a detour to the Khustain Nuruu National Park, 2 hours west of Ulaan Baatar. Khustain Nuruu is famous for the re-introduction of Mongolia's wild horse. Later, visit the Project Information Centre and take a guided hike to see the wild horses.    

Day 4  Khustain Nuruu NP to Karakorum  
Continue to the 13th Century capital of Mongol Empire – Karakorum, making a brief stop to see the dunes of the Little Gobi along the way. After lunch, visit the monastery, the modern Karakorum Museum and the surrounding area.  

Day 5  Karakorum to Arvaikheer  
Journey along the paved road to Arvaikheer on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. En route visit the Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theologist Zanabazar. Arrive into Arvaikheer in the afternoon and check in to your hotel, there will be some time to visit the local museum, which contains nature collections, stone figures and Turkic scripts and possibly go to a local market.  

Day 6  Arvaikheer to Bayan Gobi      
A long day today as you head off the tourist route and into some of the wilder parts of the Gobi Desert. As you travel deeper into the Gobi, notice how the landscape changes, here you will pass through some of Mongolia’s spectacular scenery, the majestic Ikh Bogd Mountain will be visible in the distance, the highest mountain in the Gobi Altai Mountain Range. Later, arrive at your ger camp in the wilderness.    

Day 7  Bayan Gobi  to Khongoryn Els        
Travel over a desert pass and visit the quartz rich ‘White Cave’ then continue through classic Gobi desert scenery of flat stony plains and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. Stop for a picnic lunch on the way with views of Arts Bogd Mountain to the north, arriving at your ger camp in the Khongoryn Els late afternoon.            

Day 8  Khongoryn Els          
A full day to explore the sand dunes and its surrounding area. The Khongoryn Els is known as the singing sands because of the beautiful sound that resonates through the dunes on a windy day. There is an opportunity today to visit a camel breeding family and get a glimpse of the way of life of the nomadic herders of these parts.    

Day 9  Khongoryn Els to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan NP      
Drive through the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, The landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs and ravines, salt pans and oases. Visit a spectacular natural sight of this region, a deep and narrow canyon – Yolyn Am. This region is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife and many endangered species can be found here, including Khulan, Ibex, Argali and elusive Snow leopards. Later, visit a local museum and explore the canyon before transferring to a nearby ger camp.  

Day 10  Gobi Gurvan Saikhan NP to Bayanzag          
Spend some time in your luxury ger camp, later take a short drive to Bayanzag also known as the Flaming cliffs. Bayanzag is a world-renowned dinosaur fossil exploration site, spend some time exploring this region, you may even spot a dinosaur fossil. Later return to your ger camp  

Day 11  Bayanzag to Ulaanbaatar      
Leave the Gobi Desert behind and take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar.  

Days 12-13 Ulaanbaatar            
Over the next two days enjoy the traditional festival of Mongolia, the Naadam Festival which celebrates the “three games of men” The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Attend the grand opening ceremony before watching the Mongolians compete. Mingle with hordes of Mongolian spectators as the grounds around the stadium and the horse races are filled with stands selling food, games, flags and various other things. The atmosphere is a big part of the experience and many Mongolians dress in their best traditional clothes for the occasion.  

Day 14 Ulaanbaatar            
This morning visit some of the sites in Ulaanbaatar including the Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning lamasery in Mongolia and the seat of Buddhist studies in the country. The remainder of the day is free for some last minute shopping or sightseeing.  

Day 15  Ulaanbaatar          
After breakfast your tour comes to an end.