Naadam and Discovery - Horseback Mongolia
Nomadic lifestyle

Naadam and Discovery

Experience the Naadam with a huge celebration at the capital city Ulan Bator before heading to the best locations at the countryside. A trip with a confortable stay and interesting discoveries!

During your stay you will visit the center of the country to see the wild Przewalski horses, having a pleasant stay on the bank of the Ogii lake, feel the warmth of the Tsenkher hot springs, uncover the traditional life of the nomads in the Orkhon valley, and the history of the country at the ancient capi...

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Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

  • Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

  • Appointment at 12 o'clock at your hotel with your guide. He will take you to the restaurant of your choice.

  • Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history, in the wonderful National History Museum. Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan.

  • Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator. Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

  • At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh: folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi, the overtone singing.

Day 2Opening ceremony of the Naadam and games

Day 2Opening ceremony of the Naadam and games

  • The Naadam festival is the biggest and most joyful celebration for Mongolians. It takes place each year on the 11-12th of July. The festival originated from the era of Khunnu Empire and was originally organised as a competition to test the skills of Mongolian Warriors between tribes. The festival comprises the "Three Manly Sports": wrestling, horse racing and archery.

    During this first day, we will enjoy from the stands of the stadium the colourful show given for the game's opening ceremony. It will then be time to see the beginning of the Mongolian wrestling competition. In the aisles of the stadium, we also witness the archery and ankle bone shooting competitions.

Meal and accommodations
Lunch: Local restaurant
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Hotel
1h-40km
Khui Doloon Khudag

Day 3Horse races and natural reserve

Day 3Horse races and natural reserve

Ulan Bator - Khui Doloon Khudag

  • Early in the morning we will drive to the Khui Doloon Khudag race field to enjoy the horses' races. The best horses from across the country meet in Ulaanbaatar for these races crucially important. Mongolian people train horses in their very nature, and win the race in Ulaanbaatar bring them immense glory. We are witnessing the first race.

  • Journey to Khustai Reserve that houses the Przewalski horses (takh). Twilight is the best moment to observe them. We'll walk until the river where they drink, and observe them with no fear to bother.

Meal and accommodations
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Khustai camp
Accommodation: Khustai camp

Day 4Journey to a beautiful lake

Day 4Journey to a beautiful lake

  • Let's get back on the road towards East. We cross the Arkhangai Province to arrive at the Ögii lake. Located at the very middle of the steppe, this little beautiful lake is full of fish. Also this is a place to observe migratory birds. A paradise for birds enthusiasts!

  • We go towards Lake Ögii. We'll spend the end of the day near the banks and will try to catch a pike. Nestled in the heart of the steppe, this small fish-riched lake attracts many migratory birds that birds lovers will observe at leisure.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Khustai camp
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Ogii camp
Accommodation: Ogii camp

Day 5Hot baths in Tsenkher springs

Day 5Hot baths in Tsenkher springs

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Ogii camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: Shiveet Mankhan

Day 6-7Journey at the heart of nomadic lands

Day 6-7Journey at the heart of nomadic lands

Day 6

  • Visit of Tovkhon Monastery. Vehicles can't go until the top of Öndör Ulaan Hill and we will walk until there to discover Tovkhon Ermitage, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view of the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

Day 7

  • Those who wish will go pony trekking along Orkhon Valley, from the camp until Orkhon waterfalls.

  • Visit of Ulan Tsutgalaan falls, white flood flowing on the black stone, transformed in rainbow by a short sunray… These 16-metres (52,49 feet) falls are just magic ! They were formed 20.000 years ago, as a result of a unique combination of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Also
  • Day 6Day 7

    Stay at herders' from the valley. During your stay, you will discover their way of life and you will be proposed many activities, such as milking, making traditional dairy products, or rounding up the animals with a horse.

    You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue that you will enjoy with yours hosts.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Shiveet Mankhan (6)
Breakfast: Made by your team (7)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (6)
Lunch: made by the family (7)
Dinner: made by the family (6)

Day 8Visit of the Mongolian former capital

Day 8Visit of the Mongolian former capital

  • Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

  • Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Anja camp
Accommodation: Anja camp
1h 30m-110km

Day 9A glimpse at the desert

Day 9A glimpse at the desert

  • We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometre (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".

  • Walk until Erdene Khambiin Monastery. "Monk Erdene's Monastery" dates from 17th century and was built in the mountain. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, monk Erdene.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Anja camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Dinner: Sweet gobi
Accommodation: Sweet gobi
4h 30m-280km

Day 10Back to the Mongolian capital

Day 10Back to the Mongolian capital

  • Rest of the day free. With our guide, you can go shopping in the centre of the city.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Sweet gobi
Lunch: Local restaurant
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Hotel
Flight back

Day 11Have a good journey and see you soon !

Day 11Have a good journey and see you soon !

  • Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.

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I am Daniel from "Horseback Mongolia". Send us your request, and we will answer you within 48 hours.
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