Experience Mongolia's Natural Landscapes & Naadam Festival - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Explore Mongolia's Vibrant Capital

Welcome to Mongolia's bustling capital, Ulaanbaatar! Meet your driver outside the airport to transfer to your hotel, where you can stay to relax and fight off jet lag or venture out to explore the area on your own. Head to Narantuul Market, one of the largest markets in the city, to navigate the labyrinthine alleys and discover the treasure trove of Mongolian culture as vendors sell a mix of traditional clothing, intricately crafted jewelry, and handmade goods. You can also find delicious street food here, like buuz, steamed dumplings filled with sheep or beef, onion, and garlic.

Continue to the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery to browse the eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia art from local and international artists. Don't miss the installations that explore social issues, cultural identity, and the intersection of Mongolia's nomadic history with the complexities of contemporary life. In the evening, visit one of the many rooftop bars to unwind with a cocktail or beer and enjoy panoramic views of the cityscape. If you're up for it, there are plenty of clubs in the city as well, so you can dance the night away before returning to your hotel. 

Day 2: Guided City Tour, Visit the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex

Spend a full day exploring the capital, starting at one of the largest and most important Buddhist monasteries in the country, Gandan Monastery. Admire the 85-foot (26 m) gilded statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, then enter the complex to take in the serene environment. Listen to the rhythmic chant of the praying monks as you stroll through each intricately decorated temple, all adorned with religious artifacts.

Head to the National Museum of Mongolia next to learn more about the country's culture, history, and heritage. Browse the exhibits and array of artifacts, from intricately crafted traditional clothing and ceremonial objects to ancient tools and weapons. In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through Sukhbaatar Square before sitting down for lunch at a traditional Mongolian restaurant. After refueling, visit the Chinggis Khan Museum to learn about the legendary founder of the Mongol Empire.

 

Enter to discover the comprehensive collection of Mongolian artifacts, relics, and interactive exhibits, then drive one hour out of the city to the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex to see the largest equestrian statue in the world, standing at 131 feet (40 m). Climb up to its head for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside to end the action-packed tour.

Day 3: Enjoy a Nomadic Show, Explore Hustai National Park

Leave the city behind this morning as you transfer 2.5 hours west to the Mongol Nomadic Cultural Heritage Center in Argalant to learn about the nomadic way of life that has shaped Mongolia for centuries. As soon as you enter, you'll be greeted by an array of colorful costumes and spirited music. Sit down for a nomadic show to watch displays of archery prowess, horseback acrobatics, and traditional wrestling. Immerse yourself in the experience by trying your hand at the ancient art of thumb archery or sampling traditional foods before heading to your hotel in Argalant. 

In the afternoon, head to Hustai (Khustai) National Park, nestled in the Khustai Mountains. After leaving your bags in a ger, a traditional Mongolian tent, set off down one of the nearby paths to discover the park's rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and expansive steppes. Look out for the majestic takhi horses, which you can only find in Mongolia. These beautiful creatures are critically endangered, but the park has successfully reintroduced over 300 to the ecosystem to roam freely in their natural habitat. Once you've explored the park, return to Ulaanbaatar on a two-hour transfer. 

Day 4: Fly to Moron, Transfer to Lake Khovsgol

Say goodbye to Ulaanbaatar today as you head to the airport to catch a 2.5-hour flight to the vibrant city of Moron in northern Mongolia. Meet your driver outside the airport and set off on a one-hour transfer to Lake Khovsgol, one of the largest and deepest lakes in Asia. After settling into your ger, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Take a leisurely walk along the lakeshore, swim in the refreshing water, or rent a kayak to soak in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. In the evening, return to camp for a delicious dinner. 

Day 5: Explore Lake Khovsgol with Boating, Trekking, or Horseback Riding

Spend a full day exploring Lake Khovsgol and its surroundings, choosing from an array of active adventures, such as taking a scenic boat tour across the water, setting off on a trek, or discovering the area by horseback. If you choose the boat tour, head to the pier and jump on board to cruise across the crystal-clear waters. Look out at the lush taiga forests, rolling hills, and the nomadic reindeer herders along the shoreline. Those who prefer to explore the area on foot can follow a guide along the lake's shores and into the forest, keeping an eye out for red deer, foxes, and moose.

Trotting across the landscape on horseback is another great way to see the lake. Greet your steed and mount it to traverse the lake's pristine shores. Consider combining one of these activities with a visit to the Tsaatan reindeer herders who rely on their animals for transportation, sustenance, and companionship. Meet the community and their majestic reindeer, then observe their day-to-day life. Watch as they craft traditional garments and tools or herd their reindeer using age-old techniques. Thank the Tsaatan people for their time, then return to your ger to relax.

Day 6: Fly to Ulaanbaatar, Explore the City at Your Own Pace

Trade the countryside for the city this morning, as you return to Moron for a 2.5-hour flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel in the city. After settling in, venture out to explore the area on your own. Head to Bogd Khaan's Palace Museum to learn about the country's last monarch, who ruled from 1911 until 1924, when Mongolia declared independence from the imperial Qing dynasty of China. Wander through the palace's well-preserved chambers to discover the array of artifacts, royal belongings, religious instruments, and intricate Buddhist artwork. 

Continue to the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, a monastery turned museum, to delve into the country's religious and cultural heritage. Enter the temple complex full of ornately decorated buildings, each dedicated to a specific deity. Browse the rich display of religious artifacts, including detailed sculptures, ritual objects, and murals. In the evening, stroll down Enkhtaivan Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in the city, to choose from the numerous restaurants and cafés serving a mix of international and Mongolian cuisine for dinner. 

Day 7: Watch the Opening Ceremony of the Naadam Festival

The long-awaited day is here, as the annual Naadam Festival starts this morning. After breakfast, head to the National Sports Stadium for the opening ceremony. Sit down to witness a spectacular display of traditional Mongolian rituals, vibrant costumes, and dynamic performances. Listen as the air fills with the stirring sounds of a horsehead fiddle and throat singing, creating a captivating ambience.

Then, watch the grand parade full of athletes and horse riders showcasing their skills in the three main games of horse racing, archery, and wrestling. Immerse yourself in the experience by enjoying a lunch of khuushuur, a deep-fried meat pastry that has become the signature meal of the festival. In the evening, meander to Sukhbaatar Square, just a three-minute walk from your hotel, to watch the mesmerizing display of fireworks.

Day 8: Enjoy a Full Day at the Naadam Festival, Transfer to Bayangobi

The second day of the Naadam Festival starts with a 50-minute transfer to Hui Doloon Hudag, where you can watch Mongolian children race atop their spirited horses. When you arrive at the racetrack, watch as the young jockeys skillfully guide their mounts across the open terrain. After the race, you have the opportunity to explore a horse trainer's ger, typically adorned with colorful decorations.

Enter to meet the horse trainers and see their traditional saddles and tack up close to admire the intricate craftsmanship. Sit down with the riders to enjoy a glass of airag, an alcoholic drink made from fermented mare's milk. In the afternoon, meet your driver for the four-transfer west to Bayangobi, renowned for its arid dunes and verdant oases.

Day 9: Transfer to Kharkhorin, Guided City Tour

Leave the sand dunes behind as you set off on a two-hour transfer this morning to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, nestled in the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley. When you arrive, settle into your ger, then sit down for a delicious lunch. After refueling, venture into the city for a guided tour, starting at the Erdene Zuu Monastery, established in 1586, making it one of the country's oldest monasteries. Step inside the grand outer walls, adorned with 108 stupas, and admire the ancient temples, prayer wheels, and vibrant religious murals.

Discover the three main temples housing religious artifacts and ancient thangkas, and listen to the rhythmic chants of the monks engaged in prayer. Continue to the nearby Kharkhorin Archaeological Museum to learn more about the Mongol Empire. Browse the exhibits spanning eras of the empire to see the array of artifacts, including manuscripts, tools, remnants of ancient buildings, and everyday items. Stroll into the city center next to see remnants of temples, marketplaces, and the Khan's palace. When you're done exploring, return to camp to rest and enjoy dinner with your group.

Day 10: Transfer to Bayanzag, Watch the Sunset over the Flaming Cliffs

Get ready for an early wake-up call, as you have a long drive ahead of you today. Jump in the car and start the 9.5-hour journey south to the Gobi Desert to see the Flaming Cliffs in Bayanzag, renowned for the striking red sandstone formations that seem like they're on fire during sunset. Break up the drive with a visit to the Ongi Monastery Ruins, a once-thriving Buddhist complex that was destroyed during the political purges of the 1930s. Walk among the temples, stupas, and living quarters scattered across the arid plains, then sit down for a picnic lunch.

Once you finally arrive at your camp in Bayanzag, leave your bags in the ger, then settle down for dinner. After refueling, head to the nearby Flaming Cliffs to watch the sunset over the towering sandstone formations. As the sun begins its descent, it paints the desert floor in shades of orange and crimson, allowing you to see how the cliffs earned their name. When darkness starts to fall, return to camp to rest for the night. 

Day 11: Day Trip to the Khongor Sand Dunes

Spend another day exploring the Gobi Desert, this time in the Khongor sand dunes. Drive three hours west to get to the beginning of the dunes, which span 124 miles (200 km). Once you arrive, enjoy a nourishing lunch, then explore the surrounding mounds. Try to climb the colossal dunes and listen to the unique sound they produce when wind sweeps across the surface, granting them the nickname, the "singing sands."

Then, mount a camel for a two-hour ride across the desert. Enjoy panoramic views of the vast Gobi from the elevated perch of the camel's back and admire the ever-changing hues of the sand. Listen to the rhythmic sounds of the camel's footsteps and the whisper of the desert breeze to fully immerse yourself in nature. In the evening, return to your ger in Bayanzag, where you can relax and end the night with a delicious meal.

Day 12: Transfer to Yolyn Am Canyon, Hiking & Horseback Riding

Day 13: Fly to Ulaanbaatar, Visit a Cashmere Store & Zaisan Memorial Hill

Bid farewell to the Yolyn Am Canyon this morning as you head to the airport for a one-hour flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Once you land, meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to drop off your bags. Then, set off on a half-day tour of the city, starting at a cashmere store if you want to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Learn how the coveted material is made and browse the cashmere sweaters and accessories you can take home to remember your trip. Continue to Zaisan Memorial Hill, on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, for panoramic views of the city.

Admire the towering monument dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who fought alongside the Mongolian forces during World War II. End the day with a folk performance by the Tumen-Ekh ensemble, one of the most well-known musical groups in the country. As the ensemble takes the stage, listen to the rhythmic beats and watch the dancers, adorned in elaborate costumes, move with grace and precision, depicting stories of nomadic life, heroic tales, and spiritual rituals. Following the performance, enjoy a delicious farewell dinner of traditional Mongolian cuisine, then say goodbye to your guide and return to your hotel.

Day 14: Depart Ulaanbaatar

As your two-week adventure across Mongolia comes to a close today, enjoy any free time you have before your flight at the hotel or venture into the city for a final visit to some of its landmarks. Return to Sukhbaatar Square to see the official residence of Mongolia's president, the Government Palace. Admire the building's exterior, showcasing a blend of traditional architecture with modern elements, and then enjoy a final Mongolian meal at one of the nearby restaurants. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver, and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

More Great Mongolia Itineraries