Mongolia: Naadam Festival & the Khan Legacy
On a journey filled with unique cultural experiences, retrace the footsteps of the Khan legacy, as you take in a centuries-old Mongolian festival, explore the far-flung wilds of the Gobi Desert, and follow Kublai Khan’s influence to the Great Wall in Beijing.
Highlights
- Experience one of the continent’s oldest celebrations of skill, strength and daring at the annual Naadam Festival, witnessing the pageantry of the opening ceremonies and taking in the traditional contests of archery, wrestling and horse racing
- Spend three nights in the Gobi at Three Camel Lodge, a boutique property modeled after traditional Mongolian gers
- Ride a camel through Moltsog Els, taking in a vast dunescape seldom seen by Western eyes
- Explore the Flaming Cliffs, a haunting landscape where paleontologists first unearthed fossilized dinosaur eggs
Pricing
Luxury small group tour starting at $12,995* USD per person, based on double occupancy
11 Days – Beijing to Ulaanbaatar
Included with this luxury Marco Polo Journey
- English-Speaking Resident Tour Director® and Local Guides
- Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations (Where Available)
- Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
- Travelling Bell Boy® Luggage Handling
- Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
- Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
- Traveller’s Valet® Laundry Service
- Internet Access (Where Available)
- Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
- 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
- Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Beijing
Meals
Description
Arrive in Beijing, where you are transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Beijing (2 nights)
Day 2
Beijing
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take in the sweep of history at Tiananmen Square and explore the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City. After lunch, travel to the well-preserved Juyongguan section of the Great Wall of China, a vast fortification erected to protect the region from Mongol hordes. Venture to the top of the wall to take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Tonight, gather for a special welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 3
Beijing – Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, fly to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel. After you settle in, explore the National Museum of Mongolian History. Here, a local historian delves into the saga of Genghis Khan and his Mongol Empire.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel (2 nights)
Day 4
Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Gandan Khiid Monastery with its 75-foot statue made of copper, gold and precious stones, accompanied by a top-ranking lama who discusses monastic life. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 5
Ulaanbaatar – Gobi Desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to the Gobi Desert, home to Bactrian (two-humped) camels, mountain sheep, golden eagles and many endemic reptiles. In the late afternoon, marvel as local archers demonstrate a skill that gave rise to the former Mongol empire. After dinner, marvel as the stars paint the vast desert skies.
Accommodation: Three Camel Lodge (3 nights)
Day 6
Gobi Desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey overland to the Yol Valley, a narrow, craggy chasm. Hike the valley for a chance to spot vulture-like lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks and Argali mountain sheep. Later, witness the construction of a ger, a traditional Mongolian home. In the afternoon, you may opt to hike through the Havsagit Valley to discover ancient petroglyphs atop a mountain.
Day 7
Gobi Desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set off on the back of a Bactrian camel through the dunes of Moltsog Els for insight into a way of life that has endured for centuries. Visit with a local camel-herding family in their home. Afterward, visit the Flaming Cliffs, a place rich with dinosaur fossils and the site where dinosaur eggs were first found. Savor a sunset dinner before returning to your lodge.
Day 8
Gobi Desert – Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Ulaanbaatar, where you visit a modern art gallery and meet the local exhibiting artist. This evening, join fellow guests for a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant along with a vodka tasting.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel (3 nights)
Day 9
Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Attend the opening ceremonies of the annual Naadam Festival, where the nation’s best athletes compete in tests of strength and skill. Take in all of the pageantry of the elaborate opening ceremony, an event showcasing local dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians.
Day 10
Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a second day at the Naadam Festival, attending a range of events and competitions featuring archery and traditional wrestling. This evening, gather with fellow guests for a farewell dinner.
Day 11
Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Mongolia: Naadam Festival” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
Similar Trips
Explore South Korea & Japan, steeped in heritage and tradition
11 day luxury small group tour
Discover the culinary wonders of Vietnam from north to south
13 day luxury private tour
From the sacred peaks of Tibet to lush green Nepalese valleys
14 day small group tour
*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.