Mongolia and Naadam Festival Tour
ULAANBAATAR – KORAKORUM – KHANGAI MOUNTAINS – BAYANGOBI
AIRBOUND DISCOVERY TOUR (9DAYS/8 NIGHTS)
Tour Dates : 09-17 JULY 2017
Limited to a maximum of 12 people only
MONGOLIA –
Located in the landlocked plateau of Central Asia between China and Russia, Mongolia covers a territory larger than that of Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy combined. As the 19th largest country in the world, Mongolia’s considerable size includes a fabulous array of pristine landscapes and a nomadic people whose lives are in many ways unaffected from the days of Genghis Khan and his mighty Mongol Empire.
The Naadam Festival consists of Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing, and is best of the Mongolian festivals. This fantastic Naadam Festival tour takes you to Mongolian Great Naadam and Mongolian natural and cultural highlights. When you take part in the Naadam you will experience the thrill of watching hundreds of racing horses with their remarkable young riders, strong wrestlers performing the “Eagle Dance” and traditionally dressed archers as well as the magnificent Naadam Grand Opening Ceremony in the Central Stadium.
This tour offers a comprehensive introduction to this varied, ancient and extraordinarily beautiful country, visiting regions that many other tours do not cover.
TOUR FEATURES:
- The Great Naadam Festival of the Mongols; archery, wrestling and horse racing
- Ulaanbaatar sightseeing: Gandan Buddhist Monastery, National Museum of Mongolia
- Terelj National Park, visiting the Giant Genghis Statue Complex
- Soft Adventures: Horse riding, camel riding, hiking and kayaking
- Experience sleeping in Ger Camps – the nomadic tents
- Breathtaking sceneries all the timer and endless photo opportunities
In Ulaanbaatar, you will enjoy 2 full days at the Great Naadam Festival featuring the Three Manly Games of the Mongols: archery, wrestling and horse racing, as well as lots of music and dances.
Landscape and cultural sightseeing blend easily in Mongolia – you will have the chance to visit families of nomads. Remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional events, and to take part in horse-riding or guided walking of you wish – there are also endless opportunities for photography.
Itinerary in Detail
DAY 1: JULY 9 – ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in the afternoon/evening. Meet your tour guide at the airport, and transfer to the hotel and check in (standard check in time 12pm). Rest, free time.
Ulaanbaatar introduction
Like nearly one half of THE Mongolian population, the capital city of Ulaanbaatar herself is a nomad. The city has changes locations more than twenty times over the past 350 years before taking root in her current location in a sweeping valley bounded by the four sacred peaks, including Bogd Khan Mountain to the south. Indeed, there aren’t many world capitals in which you can ride a horse, visit a nomadic family, and enjoy the fine dining and luxurious spa treatments ail in the same day. Ulaanbaatar today is a vibrant city of more than one million residents. The city reflects a close and sometimes amusing juxtaposition of nomadic traditions and modern society, perhaps best summarized by her skyline dotted with both gers (felt tents) and towering skyscrapers. The city’s contrast can also be found among those who call it home, from the traditional-clothing-clad herders, to Armani suit-wearing business men and women, to a growing number of ex-patriots hailing from nearly every corner of the globe. Only in Ulaanbaatar might you find a horse card bouncing down the central avenue alongside a Mercedes Benz, or a market selling both livestock and designer clothing. In short, there is something for everyone, and always a site to behold in Ulaanbaatar.
Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel (*****)
DAY 2: JULY 10 – ULAANBAATAR CITY TOUR & GIANT GENGHIS STATUE (B,L,D)
Breakfast, and meet your tour guide at 9am to start the Ulaanbaatar city tour: we will visit the most principal sites of Ulaanbaatar including the Gandan monastery – a home to the 26m gilded statue of Megjid Janraisag, and the National Museum of Mongolia. Then walk the Central Square of Ulaanbaatar. Welcome lunch at a Mongolian restaurant.
Drive for 1hr to the impressive 40m tall Genghis Khan Statue in the sacred Tuul river valley, and admire the scenery of Mongolian countryside.
Return to Ulaanbaatar in the evening, and transfer back to the hotel by 7pm, dinner (possibly buffet) and rest.
Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel (*****)
DAY 3: JULY 11 – NADAAM FESTIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to the Central Stadium for the Great Naadam Festival opening ceremony, archery, wrestling and ankle bone shooting competitions. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel in the evening by 7.30pm.
Naadam Festival: It’s said that nomadic tribes gathered to test whose men are the best wrestlers, whose archers are the finest and whose horses are the fastest; the winners were acclaimed extensively. Naadam, hence, was named as “Three Manly Games of the Mongols” nevertheless women also can participate in archery and horse racing. During the Great Mongol Empire time Naadam was also an important event for the Golden Horde as the Mongol princes held the Khuraldai (meeting) then. Since 1921, the Mongols started celebrating Naadam in July to commemorate the People’s Revolution of Mongolia, and the State Naadam in Ulaanbaatar is on 11-12 July fixed, and provincial and regional Naadams taking place on 8-15 July usually (depends on the summer & pasture). Naadam is celebrated nationwide in Mongolia and is a public holiday. Naadam-goers and competitiors from far and near wear their best traditional costumes and head out to Naadam – all happy. And there’s lots of music and dances to complete the jolly atmosphere.
Dinner A la Carte (own expense)
Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel (*****)
DAY 4: JULY 12 – NAADAM FESTIVAL HORSE RACES & CLOSING CEREMONY (B, L, D)
Breakfast at 7.00, and we drive to the Naadam Festival horse racing arena for 45-60min. After seeing the race of 5-year old horses we will visit a horse trainer’s tent or two to meet the horse trainers and horse riders, and to taste some Airag (famous Mongolian drink made of fermented horse milk).
Return to Ulaanbaatar for lunch. Then visit the Naadam Festival stadium for the finals of archery, wrestling and the closing ceremonies of the great festival. Dinner. Return to the hotel by 8pm.
Overnight at Best Western Premier Hotel (*****)
DAY 5: JULY 13 – KORAKORUM, OPEN AIR MUSEUM – 5 hr drive (B, L, D)
After breakfast at 8.00am, and check out. We drive to Karakorum (Mongolia’s 13th century capital city) for about 5hrs, arrive and transfer to a tourist Ger camp, lunch.
Then visit the newly opened Open Air Museum of Karakorum, which displays some interesting findings from Karakorum ruins by the Mongolian-German join expedition. Also visit the Karakorum Museum and get some knowledge about the UNESCO world heritage site Orkhon River Valley and the ancient capital Karakorum. Dinner and rest at the Ger camp.
Overnight at the Munkh Tenger Ger Camp (en-suite Gers)
DAY 6: JULY 14 – KORAKORUM, TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS – 3hr drive (B,L,D)
Morning visit to the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia founded in 1586, then take a walking to the Turtle Monument and the Phallic Stone, then have lunch at the Ger camp.
Check out and we drive to Tsenkher hot springs in the late afternoon. Admire the nature scenery and the beauty of the Khangai region. Arrive at the Hot Springs and check into Ger camp (2 nights).
The Tsenkher Hot Springs is natural mineral waters formed during the Quaternary Period, and the water contains hydrogen sulfide and silica compound. Located in the foresty mountains of the Khangai, the mineral waters come out with temperature of 86’ C and is suitable for spa bathing.
Enjoy dinner followed by hot springs bathing under the starry skies.
Overnight at the Duut Resort or similar (en-suite)
DAY 7: JULY 15 – KHANGAI MOUNTAINS (B,L,D)
Today we will explore the surrounding Khangai Mountains & the lush green forest in the traditional Mongolian style: horseback riding (4 hours). We will ride to the nearest Mountain Pass for a panoramic view of the region. The scenery is simply spectacular with colorful wild flowers and berries everywhere.
In the afternoon visit a nomadic family and see their lifestyle including a showcase of Mongolian milk vodka milking etc (people love it!).
Those who don’t wish to ride horses can enjoy some hiking in the nearby mountains to watch summer flowers, or simply relax at the Ger camp & hot springs.
Overnight at the Duut Resort or similar (en-suite)
DAY 8: JULY 16 – BAYAN GOBI SAND DUNES (B, L, D)
Today we head eastwards towards Ulaanbaatar, and reach the Bayan Gobi sand dunes. Arrive and transfer to Ger camp, lunch. Check into Gers.
Then visit the Khugnu Khan Mountains to visit a monastery ruins (hiking).
In the evening enjoy a 2-hr sunset camel ride at the sand dunes. Dinner and overnight at the Ger camp.
Overnight at Hoyor Zagal Ger Camp or similar (en-suite)
DAY 9: JULY 17 – ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA (B, L, D)
Today, we’ll reach Ulaanbaatar after some 3–4hrs drive. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and visit the Bogd Khan’s Palace Museum, and the Zaisan Memorial Hill. Afterwards, we will see a traditional folklore concert featuring Khoomei – Mongolian throat singing and contortion performance followed by dinner. Transfer to the airport by 9.30pm. Korean airline flight departs at 1155pm
DAY 10: JULY 18 – ARRIVAL
Arrive at your next destination.
Have A Safe Journey Back Home
Note: Changes to the above itinerary are subject to the discretion of the local land operator. Thank You For Choosing Airbound.
NET TOUR RATES FOR 2017 (IN USD/ PER PERSON)
Minimum of 4 – 5 people – US$3350.00
6 – 8 people – US$3300.00
Single Supplement: US$680.00
Extra hotel night:
Between 08-17July
Twin sharing: US$280.00 per person
Single room : US$560.00 per person
Before 08July and after 17Jul:
Twin sharing: US$190.00 per person
Single room : US$380.00 per person
Included in Service:
• The Full-time services of your English speaking local guide throughout the tour
• The Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
• The Giant Genghis Statue tickets
• The Private transportation (4×4 vehicle with AC) in the countryside + fuel, road taxes
• The Airport transfers & transportation in Ulaanbaatar (minivan/bus depends on the group size)
• Twin/double share accommodation throughout the tour: excellent 5* hotel in Ulaanbaatar for 3 nights (deluxe room at Best Western Premier Hotel); and the rest 4 nights at en-suite Gers
• The Naadam festival tickets
• The 0.5 day of horse riding fees at Tsenkher Hot Springs
• The 2hrs of camel riding fees at Bayan Gobi sand dunes
• The 1 day at a nomadic family with activities such as dairy making, cooking class etc
• The Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
• The 0.5 l x 3 bottled water per day/pax
• The Visa support invitation letter where applicable
• The Exclusive Mongolia tour souvenir!
Not Included in the Price:
• The International Airfare/train ticket
• The Travel insurance, health insurances.
• The Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
• The Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
• The Optional activities such as camel/horse riding, manicure/pedicure/massage etc
MONGOLIA INFORMATION
Mongolia is located in the Northern Hemisphere temperate zone. Situated at an average altitude of 1500 m above the sea level separated from the oceans, surrounded by high mountain chains that are blocking the wet winds, Mongolia has an extreme continental climate. The winter continues long with cold temperature but summer is hot and not so long. Winter lasts from November to late April, Spring May through June. Summer continued from July through to September. The average summer temperature is +20c (+65F). Winter is -20c (-13F). The wind is 1.5-4.5m/s. The average rainfall is 200-220 mm. In Mongolia there are 250 sunny days a year, often with clear cloudless skies. Therefore Mongolia is known to the world as a country of “Blue Sky”.
Mongolia is a landlocked country in Central Asia with the area of 1,565,000km². Total length of the border is 8,158km and out of that Mongolia shares 3,485km border with the Russian Federation to the north and 4,673km with the People’s Republic of China to the south. From western most to eastern most point is 2,392km and from northern most point to southern most point is 1,259km.The capital city Ulaanbaatar is the biggest city in the country; about 50% of the population lives in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia is elevated on average about 1,580m above the sea level. In the north and west lie Altai, Khangai and Khentii mountain ranges. Gobi and desert regions spread throughout the east and south of the country. Much of the country consists of steppe. The highest point in Mongolia is the Khuiten Peak in the Tavan Bogd mountain range in the far west at 4,374m above the sea level. From the north to the south the country is divided into 4 major regions differing in natural and geographical features Khangai and Khentii, Altain mointains, Dornod plains and Gobi regions. Further, Mongolia is divided into six natural zones high mountain zone, taiga (forest) zone, forest steppe zone, steppe zone, desert steppe zone and desert zone. Mongolia is the 19th largest but the most sparsely populated independent country in the world.
Territory: 1.564.100 sq km, 19th and the most sparsely populated independent largest country in the world
Population: 2.754.314 people with density of 1.8 person/sq km
Geographic position: Mongolia lies in Central Asia and borders with Russia and China.
Average altitude: 1.580 m above sea level
Landscapes: Semi-desert and plains, mountains in the west and southwest, Gobi desert in the south and southeast, taiga forests and lakes in the north.
Visa: Philippine Citizens – No visa required. Maximum stay: 21days
US Citizens – No visa required. Maximum stay: 90 days
Passport: Valid passport required.
How to get there: Korean Airlines from Incheon, MIAT Mongolian Airlines from Hongkong, Incheon, Osaka, Tokyo, Beijing, Air China from Beijing
Currency: The tögrög or tugrik (code: MNT) is the official currency of Mongolia. It was historically subdivided into 100 möngö . Currently, the lowest denomination in regular use is the 10-tögrög note and the highest is the 20,000-tögrög note.
Official exchange rates: 08/12/2016
1 USD = MNT 2,160