Mongolia – Land Of Nomadic Heritage Tour

Transfer to the hotel and relax. City tour including the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, which represents Mongolian Culture starting from the Stone Age to the 21st century, and Buddhism, Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chingis Khaan Square). In Gandan Monastery, you can take local prayers, monks, the biggest standing indoor Buddha statue, and temples' own figure. (L/D)

Morning drive to “ Nomadic Mongolia” live-show site – it presents an authentic show of nomadic lifestyle in the backs of the beautiful green grassy valley.

Facilities of the show such as clothing, furniture of the ger, and cart are inherited from hundreds of years. They show a real endemic breed of domestic animals in order to use it in the show. Lunch at the show. Continue driving and arrive in Khustai National Park - home for Przewalski wild horses (or Takhi) recently introduced in the park. View wild horses in its wild pasture. (B/L/D)

Today we drive to Orkhon valley's cultural landscape protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The first site is Kharkhorin - symbolic ruins of the Ancient Mongol Empire of Chinggis Khan from the 13-14th century. From here the Chinggis khan and his sons ruled the Great Mongol Empire during the XIII century, and it was a political and trade center through which passed the legendary Silk Road, the main commerce network of whole Eurasia.

Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery which was built on the ruins of Kharkhorin city. Interesting Museum of Kharkhorin – important exhibits of this famous ancient city. The local market for souvenirs and art crafts. (B/L/D)

Continue our expedition within Orkhon valley: our next site is Khushuu Tsaidam - one of the important historical sites of Turkic State. Inscriptions on the ancient monuments are considered as the oldest known written documents of the Turkish language, and it describes the events of the Turks Khaganate which was settled in the Orkhon valley in the VIII-IX centuries. Arrive in beautiful Lake Ugii, which has an abundant birdlife of more than 150 bird species. Bird watching, fishing is parts of the available entertainment. (B/L/D)

We head back towards UB after exploring another important heritage- Khar Balgas/Ordu-Baliq city ruins on the way back. Ordu-Baliq (also spelled Ordu Balik, meaning "city of the court", "city of the army"), was the capital of the first Uyghur Empire, built on the site of the former Kukh Turk capital, 17 km north-to-northeast of the later Mongol capital, Kharkhorin (or the Karakorum). Its ruins are known as Kharabalghasun (Khar Balgas), that is, "black city". They form part of the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Late afternoon arrival in UB. (B/L/D)

No need to rush today. Option to visit Dinosaur museum before lunch if it is requested. Then, we will go to Chingis Khan Square to see Deeltei Mongol Festival after lunch. Deel is a national costume that makes the festival more colorful and more traditional. It is good to tell you that foreigners are possible to participate in this festival to dress in Mongolian costume and join the parade in the central square. Amazing performance of traditional dance and folk in the evening. (B/L/D)

Naadam festival, biggest national holiday Mongolia. Enjoy festival colors and tradition: famed wrestlers, horse racers, and archery athletes will compete for best titles. Naadam festival brings together the country’s sporting men and women from the remotest regions to compete at the national level in the capital city. It is also a celebration of common people- herders who ride into town and urbanities who leave their flats and offices to watch the games- gathering where they have the opportunity to participate in the events, to barter, mix, sing and enjoy life to the full. (B/L/D)

About Naadam Festival

Wrestling: The rules are very simple: The wrestling area is unrestricted; there are no weight-classes and the one who touches the ground 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 archery skills, an integral part of the nomad’s 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 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 Khui Doloon Khudag, where horse racing takes place. (B/L/D)

Horse racing: The most impressive spectacle is surely the horse racing. The horses cover different distances according to their age. Azarga (stallions) 26km, Ikh nas (horses more than 5 years old) 28km, Soyolon (5-year olds) 24km, Khyazaalan (4-year olds) 20km, Shudlen (3-year olds) 18km 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.

Start the morning to visit the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan, Zanabazar Art Museum, and Choijin Lama Museum. Evening Cultural performance. Visit Zaisan Memorial to have a panoramic view of the whole city. (B/L/D)

Free day for shopping for souvenirs and Mongolian products. Farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)