Mongolia Highlights Tour with Local Naadam Festival 2026

(08 July) Meet our travel team at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest, begin a guided city tour of Ulaanbaatar. Visit Gandan Monastery, the spiritual center of Mongolian Buddhism and a must-visit site in Ulaanbaatar, where you can observe local prayers, monks, and the largest indoor standing Buddha statue. Continue to the National Museum of Mongolia, which presents the country’s history and culture from the Stone Age to the present day. The tour also includes Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chinggis Khaan Square), the main square of the capital city.

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel. Meals: Lunch, Dinner

(09 July)  After breakfast, drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries in Mongolia, set at the foot of Burenkhaan Mountain in a peaceful valley. Built between 1727 and 1736 in honor of Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first spiritual leader, the monastery is known for its elegant architecture and rare state of preservation. Unlike many others, it partly survived the destruction of the 1930s, and today offers a quiet and atmospheric place to explore. Walk through the temple complex, observe daily monastic life, and take time to photograph the surrounding landscape and architecture.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(10 July) Begin your journey north toward Khovsgol Lake, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful natural areas. Enjoy a full day of scenic driving through changing landscapes — from open steppe to forested hills. Along the way, stop to meet local families and experience Mongolia’s nomadic way of life, offering a closer look at daily routines and traditions. In the late afternoon, arrive at your ger camp in Khovsgol Lake National Park. Known as one of Mongolia’s natural wonders, Khovsgol Lake covers over 2,700 km² and is surrounded by taiga forest, crystal-clear waters, icy streams, and lush green meadows.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(11 July)  Happy Naadam Festival! Today, experience a local Naadam Festival on the shores of Khovsgol Lake — a more authentic and intimate version of Mongolia’s most important celebration, away from the crowds. Watch traditional wrestling, archery, and long-distance horse racing unfold in a natural setting, surrounded by forested hills and open steppe. This local festival offers a closer connection to the people, culture, and atmosphere of Mongolia. After the festival, return to your ger camp by the lake and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

Horse Racing

One of the most exciting parts of Naadam is horse racing, where young riders race across open landscapes over long distances. Horses compete in age groups, covering distances from 15 to 30 km. At a local Naadam, races are smaller — usually around 50 horses — allowing you to get closer to the action. You can stand near the finish line and feel the excitement as riders and locals gather to welcome the horses back.

Wrestling

Mongolian wrestling is one of the main highlights of Naadam, performed in an open-field tournament with no weight classes. The rules are simple — the first wrestler to touch the ground loses — but the matches are rich in tradition, strength, and ceremony. At a local Naadam, typically 64 wrestlers compete, though this number can increase to 128 during special anniversary years. Wrestlers from the local area, along with regional champions and rising young athletes, compete over several rounds. Those who advance through 5–6 rounds earn new titles and recognition.

Archery

Archery is also one of the main parts of Naadam. Archers use traditional bows and it takes strength and good control to shoot accurately. At a local Naadam, archery is done in teams of 5–7 people. They shoot at small leather targets placed on the ground from about 60–75 meters away. When a shot hits the target, judges call it out loudly, and the crowd reacts. Because the festival is smaller, you can stand closer to the archers, watch how they shoot, and follow the competition more easily.

(12 July) Leave Khovsgol Lake and take a short walk along the lakeshore before continuing your journey south. On the way, visit Uushgiin Uvur, an ancient deer stone site decorated with carvings from early nomadic cultures. Continue to Murun town for lunch, then drive on to Shine Ider village, passing through wide open landscapes and rolling hills typical of northern Mongolia. Arrive at your ger camp in the late afternoon, surrounded by peaceful natural scenery. Optional activities here include a short horse riding and visiting a local nomadic family.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(13 July)  Drive toward Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, a beautiful freshwater lake set at an altitude of 2,060 meters, surrounded by extinct volcanoes. The lake stretches over 20 km and is known for its clear water and sandy shores. Walk up to Khorgo Volcano crater for wide views of the surrounding landscape. The area also offers volcanic rock formations, small caves, and open grasslands to explore. Enjoy time by the lake, with an optional horse riding experience available.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(14 July)  Today, drive toward Tsenkher Hot Springs, known for its natural mineral water. On the way, stop at Chuluut Canyon for views of the dramatic canyon landscape. Continue through Tsetserleg town and visit the Zayiin Gegeen Monastery Museum, built in the 17th century at the foot of Erdenebulgan Mountain. Arrive at Tsenkher Hot Springs, where hot mineral water rises from underground at temperatures of around 85°C. Surrounded by forested hills, this is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural setting.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(15 July) Arrive in Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, founded in 1220 in the Orkhon River Valley. From here, the empire was governed until Kublai Khan moved the capital to Beijing. On the site of the former capital stands Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586. It is surrounded by a large wall with 108 stupas and remains one of Mongolia’s most important religious sites. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the Karakorum Museum, and explore the local market with traditional handicrafts. The area is part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(16 July) Begin your journey south toward the Gobi Desert, driving through the open landscapes of central Mongolia. Arrive in the Ongi and Saikhan-Ovoo area of Dundgovi Province. Visit Ongiin Khiid, a historic monastery complex set in a small mountainous area, where the remains of once-large monasteries can still be seen. In the past, this monastery served as an important stop for Buddhist pilgrims traveling to Tibet. After dinner, take a short walk to the monastery ruins and enjoy the sunset over the valley.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(17 July) Travel to Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs, one of the most important paleontological sites in the world. In 1922, American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur eggs here, bringing international recognition to the area. In the late afternoon, explore the red sandstone cliffs, which glow vividly at sunset — giving the site its name, the “Flaming Cliffs.” This is one of the most iconic landscapes in the Gobi Desert and a perfect location for photography. Walk among the desert vegetation and visit a small local museum that shares the story of these remarkable discoveries.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

This morning, drive 4–5 hours to the impressive Khongor Sand Dunes, known as the “Singing Sands.” Stretching over 180 km, these dunes rise up to 80 meters high in places and are bordered by a green oasis along the Khongoriin Gol river. Spend time exploring the dunes — walking, climbing, and sliding on the soft sand. Visit a local camel-breeding family and experience a short camel ride across the desert landscape. In the late afternoon, walk to the top of the dunes to enjoy the vast views and peaceful atmosphere. Sunset here is a special moment — a perfect time to relax and take in the beauty of the Gobi.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(19 July) Drive to Yol Valley, located in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. “Yol” means bearded vulture (Lammergeier), a bird often seen in this area. The valley is formed by high rock walls, creating a narrow canyon where ice can remain on the ground even during the summer months. This unique landscape offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the Gobi. Enjoy a scenic and peaceful hike of around 2 km through the valley, with the chance to reach the ice field (depending on the season). Visit the small local natural history museum at the entrance of the park.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(20 July) Drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Dundgovi Province, a striking granite rock formation rising from the vast steppe landscape. The area is known for its unique rock formations and open surroundings, with Baga Gazriin Uul reaching 1,768 meters at its highest point. Enjoy free time for walking, light hiking, or exploring the rocks at your own pace in this peaceful setting.

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Full board

(21 July) Drive back to Ulaanbaatar this morning, bringing your journey across Mongolia to a close. In the evening, enjoy a traditional folk performance (seasonal), featuring music, dance, and throat singing — a vibrant introduction to Mongolia’s cultural heritage. This is also a great opportunity for photography, with performers in colorful traditional costumes. End the day with a farewell dinner, sharing memories from your journey.

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel. Meals: Full board

(22 July) Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport and depart Mongolia, with lasting memories of your trip.

Meal: Breakfast