Mongolia
Ultimate Mongolia: Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Tour
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Mongolia Tour Overview
Ultimate Mongolia: Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Tour
A 12-day expedition through the Gobi Desert and Naadam Festival, from the Flaming Cliffs and ancient Karakorum to Hustai’s wild horses
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Price
$5,250
Difficulty
Moderate
Best Time
July
This 12-day expedition takes you from the bustling streets of Ulaanbaatar deep into the Gobi Desert and across Central Mongolia’s historic heartland. Fly to the vast Gobi to hike the Yol Valley, stand where dinosaur eggs were first unearthed at the Flaming Cliffs, ride Bactrian camels across towering sand dunes, and explore centuries-old monastery ruins along ancient Silk Road routes. In Harhorin, walk the grounds of Erdene Zuu—Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery—built over the ruins of Genghis Khan’s imperial capital, then experience the raw spectacle of a countryside Naadam festival with its wrestling, archery, and horse racing. The journey concludes at Hustai National Park, home to the remarkable Przewalski’s horse, the last truly wild horse on earth.
Ultimate Mongolia: Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Tour
Your Mongolia Tour Itinerary
1
Day 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive at Chinggis Khan International Airport and transfer to the centrally located Tuushin Best Western Hotel for check-in and rest. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel or a nearby restaurant, where your guide will introduce the expedition ahead and answer any questions about the journey through Mongolia's Gobi Desert and Central Highlands. Meals: D.
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Your Accommodation
Tuushin Best Western Hotel
Centrally located 4-star hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar with modern amenities and on-site restaurant.
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2
Day 2
Ulaanbaatar — Monasteries, Empire, and Throat Singing
Begin with a private blessing from a Buddhist monk at Gandan Monastery, home to an imposing 90-foot statue of Megjid Janraisag that was rebuilt through a nationwide campaign after the original was destroyed by Soviet authorities in the 1930s. Visit the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum with its exceptional collection of golden 17th-century Buddha statues and some of the world's best-preserved tankas. After lunch, explore the new Chinggis Khaan Museum to trace the history of the Mongol Empire and modern Mongolia. The evening features a traditional Mongolian music and dance performance showcasing Khoomii throat singing, followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Tuushin Best Western Hotel
Centrally located 4-star hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar with modern amenities and on-site restaurant.
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3
Day 3
Into the Gobi — Yol Valley and the Flaming Cliffs
Transfer to Chinggis Khan Airport for a 1.5-hour flight south to the vast Gobi Desert. Upon arrival in Dalanzadgad, drive to the Yol Valley, named after the bearded vulture lammergeyer, for a 1-2 hour hike through this remarkable introduction to the Gobi's diverse ecosystem. Visit the local Natural History Museum, then transfer to your ger camp on the basin floor. In the late afternoon, drive to the Flaming Cliffs — red sandstone formations stretching over three kilometers where hundreds of dinosaur fossils have been discovered over the past century by expeditions from the U.S., Poland, Japan, and Russia. Each year, rain and wind reveal new fossils and exceptional discoveries continue to be made every summer. Approximately 2 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Gobi
Tourist ger camp in the Gobi Desert with traditional felt-lined gers and central facilities.
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4
Day 4
Ancient Petroglyphs and Camel Rides on the Moltsog Dunes
After breakfast, take an optional visit to the Havtsgait ancient rock art site, a remarkable collection of rock drawings dating back 3,000 to 4,000 years located atop a small rocky mountain. Leading Mongolian specialist Dr. Christopher Atwood concluded that this site may contain one of the earliest recorded depictions of a Mongolian ger. Note: this activity requires climbing a rocky outcrop with steep sides and loose rock. After lunch, visit the Moltsog Els dunes, one of the largest in the area. Enjoy an hour of riding Bactrian camels and climbing the towering dunes for sweeping Gobi panoramas. Return to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. Approximately 4 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Gobi
Tourist ger camp in the Gobi Desert with traditional felt-lined gers and central facilities.
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5
Day 5
Ongiin Hiid — The Pearl of the Gobi
Drive north to Ongiin Hiid Monastery on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. Once called the 'Pearl of the Gobi,' this monastery sat at the crossroads of Central Asian Silk Road camel caravans. Starting in the mid-1990s, Lama Bat-Erdene single-handedly worked to revive this once-flourishing Buddhist center. Over more than 20 years, he taught the basics of Buddhist teachings to over 30 local children, many of whom now study in India and elsewhere before returning to help their teacher. Recently, the founding lama Barigri Damtsagdorj has been reincarnated in the Gobi, renewing hope that this sacred site will come back to life. Explore the monastery ruins and surrounding hills on foot, then stay at a ger camp on the banks of the Ongi River. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Ongiin Hiid
Tourist ger camp on the banks of the Ongi River near the historic Ongiin Hiid Monastery ruins.
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6
Day 6
Harhorin — Capital of the Mongol Empire
Transfer to Harhorin, the ancient capital completed during the reign of Ogedei Khan, Genghis Khan's third son who inherited the empire in 1228. Located within the beautiful Orkhon River valley — a UNESCO World Heritage Site bearing hundreds of historically significant sites going back 2,000 years including burial sites, deer stones, and ruins that all pre-date Genghis Khan. Harhorin was completely destroyed by the Ming Dynasty's army in the 14th century after the collapse of Mongolia's Yuan Dynasty in China, and its remains were used to construct Erdene Zuu, Mongolia's first and largest Buddhist monastery, which stands today. Dinner and overnight at a local ger camp. Approximately 6 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Harhorin
Tourist ger camp near the ancient Mongol capital and Erdene Zuu Monastery in the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley.
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Day 7
Erdene Zuu and the Orkhon Valley Heights
After breakfast, visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery grounds and the newly constructed Harhorin Museum. In the afternoon, hike to Yol Rock, the highest point in the Orkhon Valley, for a spectacular view of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The Orkhon Valley is an outstanding example of a site illustrating several significant stages in Mongolian history: it was the center of the Mongol Empire, reflects a Mongolian variation of Turkic power, served as the setting for the development of Mongolian Buddhism at Tuvkhon Monastery, and contains Khar Balgas, reflecting Uighur urban culture. Return to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Harhorin
Tourist ger camp near the ancient Mongol capital and Erdene Zuu Monastery in the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley.
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8
Day 8
Naadam Festival — Mongolia's Ancient Games
Spend a full day at the Naadam games in Harhorin. Naadam originated as military training — every soldier had to ride fast, shoot arrows, and wrestle enemies in combat. In Mongolia's vast landscape, where individual herders live far apart, these gatherings served as essential community training events, which is why Naadam is often referred to as the 'Three Manly Sports': horse racing, archery, and wrestling. Over time it evolved into a celebration of important events. July 11th and 12th commemorate the regaining of Mongolian independence in 1921. Immerse yourself in the energy and pageantry of this countryside Naadam, far more authentic than the large-scale Ulaanbaatar event. Return to the camp for lunch. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian barbecue dinner. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Harhorin
Tourist ger camp near the ancient Mongol capital and Erdene Zuu Monastery in the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley.
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9
Day 9
Hugno Khan Mountains — Where Steppe Meets Desert and Forest
Drive to the Hugno Khan Mountains at the stunning confluence of three geographical zones: steppe, desert, and forest. Visit the Ovgon Monastery, originally built in 1660 but later destroyed by the armies of Galdan Boshigt from western Mongolia in the 18th century. The monastery was subsequently rebuilt, only to be demolished again by communists in the 1930s. Some temples are now being restored. After lunch at a local ger camp, explore the monastery ruins and the dramatic mountains of Hugno Khan on foot. Approximately 3.5-4 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Hugno Khan
Tourist ger camp at the base of the Hugno Khan Mountains where steppe, desert, and forest converge.
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Day 10
Hustai National Park — Home of the Wild Horse
Transfer to Hustai National Park, one of three sites where the Takhi, or Przewalski's Horse, has been reintroduced over the last two decades. After the last individuals disappeared from the wild in Mongolia in the late 1960s, genetically pure animals were bred in captivity in European zoos and successfully reintroduced into three distinctive habitats in Mongolia. Upon arrival, check into your gers and visit the local information center, including a documentary screening on the Takhi horses. Explore this diverse park of natural grasslands, mountains, and river shores with further encounters with Takhi herds. Approximately 4 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Ger Camp, Hustai National Park
Traditional felt gers inside Hustai National Park, home to the reintroduced Przewalski's wild horse.
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Day 11
Ongot Monuments and Return to Ulaanbaatar
In the morning, further explore the park with an optional visit to a local herder family and the Ongot Monuments, a gravesite just outside the western border of Hustai Park composed of a number of granite statues built by people of Turkish origin approximately 1,200 years ago. After lunch at the camp, return to Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy a farewell dinner at one of the capital's finest centrally located restaurants, reflecting on 11 days of extraordinary landscapes, ancient history, and nomadic culture. Approximately 2 hours of driving. Meals: B, L, D.
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Your Accommodation
Tuushin Best Western Hotel
Centrally located 4-star hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar with modern amenities and on-site restaurant.
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12
Day 12
Departure
After an early breakfast, transfer to Chinggis Khan International Airport for your departure flight home. End of tour services. Meals: B.
Mongolia Tour Details
Scheduled Departures
Transparent pricing with all-inclusive land costs and flexible group rates.
What's Included
- Accommodations in hotels, lodges, and ger camps based on double occupancy
- Domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad (Gobi Desert)
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- All land transportation as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B, L, D)
- All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
- English-speaking national guide throughout your stay
- Bottled water
Not Included
- International airfare
- Personal laundry and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Medical evacuation costs
- Excess baggage charges
- Visa fees
- Gratuities
- Photography and video fees
- Single supplement fee ($650)
- Upgrade to gers with indoor bathrooms, where available ($345)
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Deposit & Payment: A 25% deposit secures your place (credit card accepted). 50% balance due 90 days before departure. Final balance due 60 days prior — ACH bank transfer available at reduced fees. Bookings within 60 days require full payment.
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Cancellation: 90+ days — full refund minus $500 admin fee. 60–89 days — 50% refund. Under 60 days — no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required for all participants.
Ready to experience the ultimate Mongolia expedition? Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate, personalized experience.
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Every journey we craft is built on four foundational pillars that ensure authentic, sustainable, and transformative adventures to Earth's last wild places.
Small Group Sizes
Intimate group sizes for authentic connections, minimal environmental impact, and personalized attention in Earth's wildest places.
Expert Local Guides
Every journey led by passionate locals who know their homeland intimately—from wildlife tracking to cultural traditions.
Responsible Travel
We partner with local communities and conservation groups, ensuring your adventure supports protection and livelihoods.
Safety & Preparation
Professional safety equipment, emergency communication, and comprehensive briefings prepare you with confidence.
Ultimate Mongolia: Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Tour
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book my adventure?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance, especially for remote destinations like Greenland or Madagascar. This allows time for permit processing, securing the best local guides, and ensuring accommodation availability in these pristine, limited-access locations.
What's included in an Ecovoyager adventure?
Each adventure includes expert local guides, unique accommodations, all transportation within the destination, most meals featuring local cuisine, and exclusive access to experiences unavailable to mass tourism. International flights and personal travel insurance are typically separate.
Are your adventures suitable for all fitness levels?
We design adventures for various fitness levels and always discuss physical requirements during planning. Many of our destinations offer different activity intensities, and we can customize experiences to match your capabilities while still providing authentic wilderness encounters.
How do you ensure travel is sustainable and ethical?
We partner exclusively with local operators who share our conservation values, ensure tourism revenue supports local communities, limit group sizes to minimize environmental impact, and contribute directly to conservation projects in each destination we visit.
What if I need to cancel or change my trip?
We understand plans can change. Our cancellation policy varies by destination and timing, but we always work to minimize fees and maximize flexibility. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and will provide guidance on the best policies for adventure travel.
Can you arrange custom adventures to other destinations?
Absolutely! While we specialize in our core destinations, we can create custom adventures to other remote, wild places that align with our mission of authentic, sustainable travel. Contact us to discuss your dream destination and we'll explore possibilities.
What sets Ecovoyager apart from other tour operators?
We focus exclusively on authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations that most travelers never reach. Our deep partnerships with local communities, commitment to conservation, and rejection of mass tourism create truly transformative experiences that benefit both travelers and destinations.
How do you handle safety and emergency situations?
Safety is our top priority. Our local partners are extensively vetted and trained in wilderness safety and emergency protocols. We provide comprehensive safety briefings, maintain communication equipment, and have established emergency evacuation procedures for all our remote destinations.