Ultimate Mongolia with Naadam Festival

Ulaanbaatar, Orkhon Valley, Gobi Desert, Ulaanbaatar
9 nights private tour from GBP £10,200

Discover the ‘land of the blue sky’ on this 10-day Mongolian adventure, taking in Ulaanbaatar’s famed Naadam Festival, the sun-scorched landscape of the Gobi Desert, and the grasslands of the Orkhon Valley alongside some of the most luxurious hotels Mongolia has to offer. This itinerary is perfect for the adventurous and culturally curious traveller looking to get off the common tourist trail in comfort and style.

Ultimate Mongolia with Naadam Festival
Journey highlights
  • Get away from the common tourist trail with this 10 day Mongolian adventure

  • Experience Naadam Festival, Mongolia's largest traditional festival showcasing competitions in three sports of wrestling, horse racing and archery over three days

  • Discover the spectacular and varied landscape of the Gobi Desert including lush valleys, fiery-red desert cliffs, sand dunes and rocky mountains
  • Learn about Nomadic culture and day to day life in the Mongolian countryside

  • Ultimate itinerary:A harmonious blend of authenticity and superlative luxury, our Ultimate Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing unparalleled insider access and exclusive luxury private experiences
Our tailor made journeys include:
  • Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • Your own private, English-speaking local guides
  • Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
  • Entrance to must-see local sites
  • Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
  • Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support

When to visit

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The remote and wild panoramas of Mongolia stretch from the scorching dunes of the Gobi Desert in the south to the frosty reaches of the Siberian taiga in the north. As a rule, Mongolian winters are harsh and long thanks to the high altitude and extreme continental climate, rendering some of the more remote regions impassable during the frigid winter months. The best time of year to visit is during the short summer season of June to August, to take advantage of the best of the weather, whilst May and September also offer pleasant weather alongside fewer tourists. The famous Naadam Festival takes place in July, whilst the Golden Eagle Festival is held in October, at the start of the low season when some of the ger camps start to close.

Itinerary

Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Day 1-3

Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival in Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar, you will be welcomed by your private guide and driver and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of your day is at your leisure to explore the city’s shops and museums on your doorstep, or to unwind and enjoy the spoils of your hotel. The following day, enjoy a private guided tour of the city’s highlights. Starting with a private blessing ceremony at Gandan Monastery, before continuing to the National History and Fine Arts museums for a deeper understanding of Mongolia’s history and culture. End the day with a stroll through Sukhbaatar Square before enjoying dinner in a local fine-dining restaurant accompanied by a traditional Mongolian dancing and throat singing performance.

Accommodation: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar ( 2 nights )
Day 3-5

Orkhon Valley and Central Mongolia

Leave the bustle of Ulaanbaatar behind and drive to Kharakhorum, the 13th Century of the Mongol Empire, stopping on the way to spot wild Takhi horses in Hustain Nuruu National Park. Spend the next two nights at a mountain-top Ger Camp, offering breathtaking views and traditional furnishings alongside home-comforts and additional luxuries. Enjoy a walk to explore your surroundings that afternoon before exploring the wider Mongolian countryside the next day, including a visit to the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the Kharakhorum Museum and hiking or horse riding or hiking through the beautiful grasslands of the Orkhon Valley.

Accommodation: Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp ( 2 nights )
Day 5-6

Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, you will be driven back to Ulaanbaatar, making a stop at the 8th Century Kultegin Monument on the way. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city as you wish, perhaps visiting some shops or markets or sampling one of the local fine-dining restaurants.

Accommodation: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar ( 1 night )
Day 6-8

The Gobi Desert and Southern Mongolia

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time to catch a 1.5 hour flight to the Gobi Desert, Mongolia’s southernmost province. Spend the next two nights at Three Camel Lodge, a spectacular lodge in the heart of the Gobi Desert and one of the most luxurious properties in the country. Over the next three days, enjoy a number of excursions to discover your surroundings, including exploring sand dunes by camel, meeting with a local nomadic family, inspecting ancient rock carvings, hiking through valleys, and visiting the iconic ‘Flaming Cliffs’. In between excursions, unwind in the camp’s massage tent or bar, try some classic Mongolian games and learn more about local traditions with a documentary screening.

Accommodation: Three Camel Lodge ( 2 nights )
Day 8-10

Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival in the city, make a stop at the Chinggis khan Equestrian statue, a 250 tonne stainless steel statue of Genghis Khan that dominates the surrounding landscape. The following day marks the beginning of Ulaanbaatar’s Nadaam festival, one of Mongolia’s most famous cultural festivals where men, women, boys, and girls come together to compete in the ‘three manly games’ of archery, wrestling and horse-racing. Attend the festival’s opening ceremony, a colourful event of performances related to history and heritage marking the start of the festival. The next day, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home.

Accommodation: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar ( 2 nights )
Fly home from Ulaanbaatar
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.
Call us on 020 3468 1971 to start planning your holiday.

Price Guide: ( based on double occupancy and includes international flights)

Departing Price from*
  • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
  • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
  • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
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July 2024 GBP £10,400 GBP £1,600 plan your trip
  • July 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    GBP £10,400
    Deposit from*
    GBP £1,600
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