Mongolia Travel 2026: Gobi Desert & Naadam Festival Tour
Experience the best of Mongolia on this 12-day adventure combining the vast Gobi Desert, cultural highlights, and the Naadam Festival. Ride camels across the Khongor Sand Dunes, explore the Flaming Cliffs and Yolin Am canyon, and visit historic sites like Ongi Monastery and Kharkhorin, the ancient Mongol capital. Spend unforgettable nights with nomadic families, gaining firsthand insight into traditional Mongolian life, herding, and local customs. Finish your journey at the Naadam Festival, witnessing wrestling, archery, horse racing, and vibrant cultural celebrations.
Why Choose This Trip
Authentic Experiences: Spend nights with nomadic families and learn traditional Mongolian life up close.
Diverse Landscapes: From the sand dunes of the Gobi to green valleys and waterfalls, see Mongolia’s varied terrain.
Cultural Highlights: Explore historic sites, monasteries, and witness the excitement of the Naadam Festival.
Adventure & Comfort: A well-paced mix of adventure activities, scenic drives, and comfortable stays in gers and hotels.
Itinerary
Meet the tour group and start the journey exploring Ulaanbaatar city’s main sights, including Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum, and traditional art concert before enjoying a welcome dinner.
- Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water
- Accommodation:Centrally located 4-star hotel – Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar or similar.
Drive to Terelj National Park, known for its scenic rock formations and open grasslands. Visit the monumental Chinggis Khaan Statue at Tsonjinboldog, the tallest equestrian statue in the world. Optional short hikes or horseback rides offer great views of the surrounding landscapes.
- Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water
- Accommodation: Traditional ger camp in Terelj.
Travel to Tsagaan Suvarga, the striking White Stupa cliffs. Walk along the cliffs and enjoy panoramic views of southern Mongolia’s open steppe. This area is also historically significant and often visited for its unique geological features.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in a luxury lodge in the middle of the steppe.
Head to Yolin Am canyon in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, famous for its icy river gorges and wildlife. Enjoy a scenic hike through the canyon and learn about the park’s diverse flora and fauna.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water
- Accommodation: You will stay in a classic Mongolian eco-friendly ger camp with low-pressure shower and flush toilets.
Arrive at the Khongor Sand Dunes in the Gobi Desert. Ride camels, walk on the dunes, and watch the sunset over this iconic desert landscape.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: You will stay in a ger camp with low-pressure shower and flush toilet.
Visit the Flaming Cliffs, known for red-orange sandstone formations and dinosaur fossil discoveries. Explore the surrounding desert and enjoy the unique desert scenery.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: You will stay in a ger camp with low-pressure shower and flush toilet. Accommodation is twin based.
Visit the ruins of Ongi Monastery before heading to a nomadic family’s ger camp. Experience authentic Mongolian life: help with herding, learn local cooking, and enjoy storytelling by the fire. Overnight with the family gives a deep cultural insight.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + drinking water.
- Accommodation: We will stay in a basic ger offered by our local host nomadic family. No shower.
Explore Orkhon Waterfall in the Orkhon Valley. Spend another night at a nomadic family’s ger camp, joining in daily routines and enjoying the quiet of the steppe under the stars.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + drinking water.
- Accommodation: We will stay in a basic ger offered by our local host nomadic family. No shower.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional ger camp.
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping at scenic viewpoints along the way. Enjoy some free time in the city or visit local markets.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water
- Accommodation: Centrally located 4-star hotel – Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar hotel or similar.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water
- Accommodation: Centrally located 4-star hotel – Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar hotel or similar.
- 8 Guests: $1700 US per person.
- Accommodation: 3 nights in centrally-located good-facility hotel in Ulaanbaatar, 5 nights in superior ger camps, 1 night in a nomadic family’s ger.
- Guiding and interpreting service
- Full board meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation: vehicle 4×4 or minivan
- Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
- Museums and cultural performance mentioned in the itinerary
- Naadam festival ticket for 2 days
- Horse riding in Yolyn am
- Camel riding in Khongor dunes
- Nomadic family stay
- International airfare
- Personal equipment
- Optional activity cost
- Excess baggage charges
- Single room supplement
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
Pictures from this tour
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