Local Naadam Festival at Magnificent Khovsgol lake

Short city tour. Gandan Monastery and the Museum of National history. Prepare for the trip. 

Excursion through the monastery. Located at the foot of Burenkhaan mountain close to the city Erdenet, Amarbayasgalant or "monastery of tranquil felicity”, is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Mongolia. Built between 1727 and 1736 with more than 40 temples in honor of Zanabazar, the first Bogd Gegeen, it is one of the very few monasteries to have partly escaped the destruction of 1937, after which only the buildings of the central section remained. The entire contents: the tankas, statues and manuscripts were looted by the Communists or hidden until more fortunate times. Restoration work began in 1988 and now Amarbayasgalant monastery shows great stylistic unity.  

Pass Erdenet city and Bulgan town of Bulgan provincial center. Heading to the Khuvsgul lake we will have overnight stop at the middle way. Opportunities of meeting local people and nomad families during this driving day. 

Magnificent Khuvsgul lake- itself is one of the natural wonders of the world covering area of 2.760 km2. This is land of taiga forest, crystal-clear lakes, icy streams and lush grass.  

Naadam festival, biggest national holiday of Mongolia. Naadam festival will enjoy festival colors and tradition: famed wretslers, horse racers and arhery athletes will compete for best titles.

Horse racing: The most impressive spectacle is surely the horse racing. The horses cover different distances according to their age. Azarga (stallions) 28km, Ikh nas (horses more than 5 years old) 30km, Soyolon(5-year olds) 25km, Khyazaalan (4-year olds) 22km, Shudlen (3-year olds) 20km and Daaga (colts to 2 years old) 15km. There are no limits on the number of horses participating; usually 200-600 horses in each race. The five winning horses are honored with a cup of mare’s milk (airag) on their neck, a khadag (respectful blue scarf) and a medal.

Wrestling: The rules are very simple: The wrestling area is unrestricted; there are no weight-classes and the one who touches the ground the any part of the body, other than the feet, has lost. The winner continues to the next round. The loser has to stand under the wings of the proud winner. The wrestlers wear tight pants and a small vest with arms across the shoulders, which barely cover their well-trained bodies. 

Archery: Mongols are almost born with the archery skills, an integral part of nomads lifestyle. From the very childhood such qualities as perfect eyesight, measurement, patience and strength are nourished to develop a good archer. Mongolian bows are very tight ones, so that it requires a pure strength to stretch it out. As a rule, several teams of archers compete. Each team of 5-7 archers should hit 33 leather cylinders from a distance of 75 meters. 

Drive to Shine Ider, surrounding by beautiful landscape. 

Drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake passing through Shine Ider village. An astonishingly beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by extinct volcanoes at an altitude of 2.060 m. The lake is 16 km wide and 10 m deep with its deepest point at 28 meters and over 20 kilometers in length. It has lovely sandy shores and enough warm water good for swimming. The area offers great adventure for visitors with its caves, mountain cliffs and Khorgo volcano creater. Explore the lake and the volcano creater.

Local museum with interesting exhibits.

Ancient capital city Kharkhorin was founded in 1220 in the legendary Orkhon River Valley. It was from there that Mongol Empire governed, until Hubilai Khaan, the grandson of Chinggis Khaan, moved the city to Beijing. On the ruins of Kharkhorin, in 1586, was built Erdene Zuu Monastery which is surrounded by monumental walls with 108 stupas. The monastery is kept till nowadays and it is considered as one of the leading religious centers of Mongolia. Visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery and the local market of art crafts and antique items. 

Tuvkhun Monastery is located at the peak of Tuvkhun Mountain (2300 m), served for several centuries as a meditative and artistic retreat. It owes much of its significance to the fact that it was originally established as the studio of Undur Gegeen Zanabazar, founder of the Mongolian school of religious art, whose masterful bronze Buddhas have gained worldwide recognition. Tuvkhun also bears witness to the Buddhist meditative tradition, as the site includes two caves used by lamas for secluded meditation.Hiking up to the mountain top to explore the monastery. Continue to drive and arrive at the Orkhon waterfall. 

Overnight stop at Ongi and Saikhan-Ovoo area of Middle Gobi province. Ongiin hiid monastery, a small mountainous area with the sites of remains of ruined old monasteries. Once the monastery has served as a midway point for Buddhist pilgrimages going to holy Tibet. 

Place where dinosaurs findings were found in 1920s. 

The sand dunes of Khongor are known as the «singing sands » and they extend for 180 km and at some places they are 80m high.These spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by a small river Khongoriin gol. Walking and Sliding at the dunes. Visit camel breeding family and experience camel riding. 

Yol valley is formated by two high rock walls a big glacier on the ground kept frozen during a hot summer days. It has breathtaking dramatic scenery and without doubt is one of the beautiful places of the country. Hiking along the valley and reach up the icy glacier. Visit natural museum of localities. 

Arrive in Dundgobi province at Baga Gazriin Chuluu area - this is another granite rock formation in the middle of the steppe plains. Five km away, the highest peak 1768 meters in the area; leisure time for rock climbing and hiking activities. 

Shopping. Cultural performance. Farewell dinner.