Mongolia Encompassed: Naadam Festival

















From AUD $6229
Small Group
Average
Rating

Mongolia Encompassed: Naadam Festival
17 days
Small Group
Budget
Average
English
Experience Overview
There’s no better time to experience Mongolia than during the legendary Naadam Festival. For over 2,000 years, these epic games have been at the heart of Mongolian culture, and now it’s your turn to witness the action.
There’s no better time to experience Mongolia than during the legendary Naadam Festival. For over 2,000 years, these epic games have been at the heart of Mongolian culture, and now it’s your turn to witness the action. Cheer on riders in the world’s longest horse race, watch fierce wrestling matches, and marvel at archers showing off their skills. Then, shift gears and dive into Mongolia’s nomadic way of life—sleep in traditional gers, hike the otherworldly landscapes of the Gobi Desert, and wander through historic monasteries. With rural villages, jaw-dropping scenery, and rich traditions at every turn, this is Mongolia at its most unforgettable.
Highlights
- Expereince the historic and legendary Nadaam Festival
- Dive into Mongolia's local life travelling between traditional gers and nomad camps
- Visit the middle of the Gobi Desert and admire the beautiful scenery.
Trip Details
17 days
Private vehicle, walking.
Small Group
English
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Budget
Classic
Average
Itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
There are no activities planned until tonight's welcome meeting.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
Day 3: Ulaanbaatar
Day 4: Ulaanbaatar
Day 5: Ulaanbaatar
Spend a free day exploring this fascinating capital city.
Enjoy the sights of UB and opt to visit to the Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace, and Zaisan Hill.
Day 6: Ulaanbaatar/Baga Gadzrïn Chuluu
Leave the capital and head south through the steppe to the Middle Gobi.
Visit the Choir Monastery before continuing on to a small ger camp not far from Mandalgovi, the regional centre.
Day 7: Baga Gadzrïn Chuluu/Yolyn Am
Day 8: Yolyn Am/Khongoryn Els
Day 9: Khongoryn Els
Day 10: Khongoryn Els/Bayanzag
Made of red sandstone, these cliffs and canyons offer visitors a scene of breathtaking beauty. Take some time to explore.
Day 11: Bayanzag/Ongiin Hiid
Drive to the Delger Khangai Mountains area. Explore the ruins of the monasteries in the area.
Day 12: Ongiin Hiid/Nomad Camp
Enjoy a long drive northwest, leaving the Gobi desert area and heading into the Mongolian steppe.
The nomads here live simple lives and move their cattle along the same routes their great-grandparents travelled hundreds of years ago.
In the evening, have dinner together with your hosts. One of the best things to try is the famous Mongolian barbecue.
Day 13: Nomad Camp
Day 14: Nomad Camp/Kharkhorin
Journey to Kharkhorin, stopping at the beautiful Erdene Zuu Monastery. Destroyed during the Communist era, this monastery is slowly being rebuilt.
Day 15: Kharkhorin/Khustai National Park
Day 16: Khustai National Park/Ulaanbaatar
Day 17: Ulaanbaatar
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Duration: 17 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
There’s no better time to experience Mongolia than during the legendary Naadam Festival. For over 2,000 years, these epic games have been at the heart of Mongolian culture, and now it’s your turn to witness the action.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 10 Jul 2027
Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990

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