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Mongolia and the Naadam FestivalFrom $8,229 - 24 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian citiesThe great Khans of Mongolia created the largest land empire the world has ever known. The most famous of all was Genghis Khan, the relentless warrior who forever marked his birthplace on the map. Remote and stunning, Mongolia is still relatively unexplored by modern day travellers and its charm lies fi rmly in that fact. The country is blessed with endless plains with beautiful backdrops, warm-hearted people with simplistic views of the world and a fascinating history. One of the special features you will encounter on this tour is experiencing first-hand the annual Naadam Festival, a local celebration of the Mongolian people and culture. The festivals origins can be traced to the Mongol Army with horseracing, wrestling and archery competitions favoured by the locals and visitors alike. This tour is also available in reverse – please click here for the reverse itinerary. TOUR ITINERARYTOUR ITINERARY (IN REVERSE) - CMA1304 & CMA1404 DeparturesDays 1-2: Australia to UlaanbaatarFlight overnight with Cathay Pacific Airways and Mongolian Airlines to Ulaanbaatar for a seven night stay. Day 3: UlaanbaatarVisit Sukhbaatar Square where a statue stands of Damdin Sughbaatar, who led the Mongolian Revolution. Next visit the National Museum of Mongolian History. Later, see the Museum of Natural History, which features exhibitions of Mongolia’s geography, flora and fauna and dinosaur fossils. Day 4: UlaanbaatarThis morning visit the 19th-century-built Gandan Monastery, the largest and most significant monastery in the Mongolia. Later, visit the local markets, Zaisan Memorial Hill and Buddha's Park. This evening enjoy a folklore performance. Day 5: Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National ParkDrive to Terelj National Park. Explore Turtle Rock and hike to Aryabal Monastery. Visit a local nomadic family and learn about how they prepare dairy products. This afternoon return to Ulaanbaatar. Days 6-8 - UlaanbaatarOver the next three days join the annual festivities of the Naadam Festival, which dates back to the Genghis Khan period. Witness events such as wrestling, horse racing and archery; 'the three manly games'. Day 9: Ulaanbaatar to MôronFly to Môron. Visit Murun Local History Museum, Central Square and a local Buddhist temple. Days 10-11: Môron to Lake KhovsgolTravel to Lake Khovsgol, known as the 'dark blue pearl'. Surrounded by forests and meadows, your two nights here are free to enjoy the amazing scenery. Day 12: Lake Khovsgol to Jargal JiguurAfter lunch, drive to Jargal Jiguur for an overnight stay. Day 13: Jargal Jiguur to Great White LakeTravel onwards to serene Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (Great White Lake) in the Khangai Mountains. Hike to Khorgo Volcano situated 900m above the lake. Day 14: Great White Lake to Tsenkher Jiguur Hot SpringsContinue to Tsenkher Jiguur Hot Springs and enjoy some free time to relax in the hot springs and take in the surrounding scenery. Day 15: Tsenkher Jiguur Hot Springs to KharkhorinDrive to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin, situated on the Orkhon River. Later you will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist-built monastery in Mongolia. Day 16: Kharkhorin to Mt. Khogno KhanContinue to Mt. Khogno Khan. Explore the remains of the Uvgun Khiid Monastery located at the foot of the mountain. Day 17: Mt. Khogno Khan to OngiiTravel onwards to the banks of the Ongii River, viewing the ruins of the famed monastic complex Ongiin Khiid. Day 18: Ongii to BayanzagDrive to Bayanzag, also known as ‘Flaming Cliffs’. Visit the Gobi dinosaurs cemetery and trace the footsteps of palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews. Day 19: Bayanzag to Khongoryn ElsTravel to Khongoryn Els, the location of Mongolia's largest sand dunes, also known as the 'singing sand dunes'. Days 20-21: Khongoryn Els to Yolyn AmTravel to the edge of the Gobi Desert to Yolyn Am, a gorge in the Gobi National Park for a two night stay. Marvel at the scenery, including mountains and vast sand dunes. Day 22: Yolym Am to UlaanbaatarTravel to Dalanzadgad airport and fly back to Ulaanbaatar for the final night of your journey. This evening enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance, which includes the renowned ‘throat singing’. Day 23: Depart UlaanbaatarEarly this morning you will be transferred to Ulaanbaatar airport to board your overnight flight to Australia. Day 24: Arrive AustraliaArrive home today. TOUR ITINERARYDAYS 1-2: AUSTRALIA TO ULAANBAATARFly overnight with Cathay Pacific Airways and Mongolian Airlines to Ulaanbaatar for a four night stay. DAY 3: ULAANBAATARVisit Sukhbaatar Square where a statue stands of Damdin Sughbaatar, who led the Mongolian Revolution. Next, visit the National Museum of Mongolian History. Later, see the Museum of Natural History which features exhibitions of Mongolia’s flora, fauna and dinosaur fossils. DAY 4: ULAANBAATARThis morning visit to the 19th-century-built Gandan Monastery, the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia. Later, visit the local markets, Zaisan Memorial Hill for views of the city and Buddha’s Park. This evening enjoy a folklore performance. DAY 5: ULAANBAATAR – TERELJ NATIONAL PARKDrive to Terelj National Park. Explore Turtle Rock and hike to Aryabal Monastery. Visit a local nomadic family and learn about how they prepare dairy products. This afternoon return to Ulaanbaatar. DAYS 6-7: ULAANBAATAR TO YOLYN AMFly to Dalanzadgad, located on the edge of the Gobi Desert. Begin your 4WD journey heading to Yolyn Am, a gorge in the Gobi National Park. Marvel at the scenery, including mountains and vast sand dunes. DAY 8: YOLYN AM TO KHONGORYN ELSContinue to Khongoryn Els, the location of Mongolia’s largest sand dunes, also known as the ‘singing sand dunes’. DAY 9: KHONGORYN ELS TO BAYANZAGLeave Khongoryn Els and drive to Bayanzag, also known as ‘Flaming Cliff s’. Visit the Gobi dinosaur cemetery and trace the footsteps of palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews. DAY 10: BAYANZAG TO ONGIITravel onwards to the banks of the Ongii River, viewing the ruins of the famed monastic complex Ongiin Khiid. DAY 11: ONGII TO MT. KHOGNO KHANContinue to Mt. Khogno Khan. Explore the remains of the Uvgun Khiid Monastery located at the foot of the mountain. DAY 12: MT. KHOGNO KHAN TO KHARKHORINDrive to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin, situated on the Orkhon River. Later you will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist-built monastery in Mongolia. DAY 13: KHARKHORIN TO TSENKHER JIGUUR HOT SPRINGSTravel to Tsenkher Jiguur Hot Springs and enjoy free time to relax in the hot springs and take in the surrounding scenery. DAY 14: TSENKHER JIGUUR HOT SPRINGS TO GREAT WHITE LAKEContinue to Great White Lake in the Khangai Mountains. Hike to Khorgo Volcano situated 900m above the lake. DAY 15: GREAT WHITE LAKE TO JARGAL JIGUURThis morning leave Great White Lake and travel to Jargal Jiguur. DAYS 16-17: JARGAL JIGUUR TO LAKE KHOVSGOLTravel to Lake Khovsgol, known as the ‘dark blue pearl’. Surrounded by forests and meadows, your two nights here are free to enjoy the amazing scenery. DAY 18: LAKE KHOVSGOL TO MÔRONContinue your journey as you travel to Môron, which translates as ‘river’. DAY 19: MÔRON TO ULAANBAATARFly back to Ulaanbaatar for the fi nal part of your journey. DAYS 20-22: ULAANBAATAROver the next three days join the annual festivities of the Naadam Festival, which dates back to the Genghis Khan period. Witness events such as wrestling, horse racing and archery; ‘the three manly games’. DAY 23: DEPART ULAANBAATAREarly this morning you will be transferred to Ulaanbaatar airport to board your overnight flight to Australia. DAY 24: ARRIVE AUSTRALIAArrive home today. Tour reviewsWendy Wu Tours Review:"I thoroughly enjoyed the Mongolia & The Naadam Festival tour. The scenery throughout the tour was magnificent. The tour was action packed with a variety of activities. Donna, the national guide, was superb. She was very informative and had a great English vocabulary. Donna also made strategic amendments to the itinerary due to weather and travel conditions which enabled us to see everything under favourable circumstances. Dobbo and Hurlee, the drivers, were professional in their approach to navigating over rough terrain in the 4WD vehicles. At mealtimes there was plenty of food on the plate and the meals were served individually, unlike China where they are shared dishes. The meals were similar to what we would eat in Australia. I would recommend this tour." Stephen Taylor, Victoria - July 2012 Wendy Wu Tours Review:"Donna our guide kept it running smoothly and efficiently as well as being a lovely young lady. Our 6 drivers knew their job and their vehicles and drove us safely over 2000km of tracks, most of which required total concentration. They all did a mighty job as well as being such nice people. Vehicles well maintained and kept very clean, were very comfortable. Enjoyed the gers; these were comfortable and clean and the stoves much appreciated. The tour was fast paced and as active as one wanted to make it. The scenery was outstanding, the food was good and more than required. The Naadam Festival was an amazing experience. The colour in the opening ceremony with children, horsemen, warriors, archers, musicians, bands and people from each district marching in their costumes was so memorable. The following day we attended horse racing in the country side. To be part of this picnic of thousands of people spread over a huge area of grasslands; just to watch the finish of a 30k horserace, the riders under 10 years old, this race, plus serious wrestling and archery in the stadiums in Ulaanbaatar is the tradition of the Naadam Festival. Bill and I want to thank Wendy Wu Tours for having these destinations made so easy for us to experience and to meet fellow travellers who also want an adventure holiday such as we have had. With the excellent agents in these countries we leave home knowing we will be well looked after." Mr and Mrs W Howland, Queensland - June 2011 Price guide
Important Note: Above prices include Fuel surcharges and tipping of $349 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD100 is payable on arrival in Mongolia. # Itinerary will operate in the reverse direction. Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book. Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date. |
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