Naadam Festival and Gobi Desert 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)

Today we head to Tsagaan Suvarga / White Stupa early in the morning. Tsagaan Suvarga was formed over time due to the erosion of a sedimentary mud in the sea bottom and looks like a stupa from a far distance. From the Far East, it looks like a city ruin or a settlement. After lunch, you will hike around the area. (B/L/D)

Take a flight to Dalanzagdad town, the central town of Southgobi province. Drive to Yoliin Am or Yol valley and also known as Vulture valley in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain (28km) - this sunless canyon located in the middle of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain National Park has a particular beauty with narrow paths broadening in places between rocks, while buzzards and eagles wheel and glide in the blue skies above. The cliffs of the canyon block the sunlight from the rivers below so that they remain frozen until the end of June. (B/L/D)

Drive to Khongor sand dunes (195km) - the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Dunes of Khongor is known as the «Singing dunes» and rise from the plain reaching a height of 80m and extending for about 180km long. The spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by a small river Khongoriin gol. Hiking and sliding through the sand dunes. Visit camel breeding family and experience short camel riding. (B/L/D)

Drive towards Bayanzag (140 km) - the classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, sun, and unbelievable emptiness has become known to the world as "Cemetery of Dinosaurs”. The red sandstone cliffs and canyons of Bayanzag are where the American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews first discovered fossil beds of dinosaur bones and first-ever recorded dinosaur eggs in 1922 - discoveries which made world headlines. The best time for photographing is before sunset when the cliffs look like flames. (B/L/D)

Head to the south towards the Gobi. Overnight stop in Middle Gobi province, at the Ongi monastery ruins, 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. After dinner walk to the ruins of the monastery and enjoy the sunset. (B/L/D)

Drive to Kharkhorin (130 km) – ruins of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire built by king Ugudei in 1235. The city was strategically located at the crossroads of traditional routes, creating a staging post for migrating nomads and merchants’ caravans. Foreign envoys and prominent clerics traveled to this city for an audience with the king of the Mongol Empire. Far after when the Khubilai Khaan (King) moved the capital to Beijing in 1264, Kharkhorin was raised to the ground by Manchu soldiers. However, the bricks and stones from the ruins of this ancient city were used to build the Erdene Zuu Monastery nearby. Visit Erdene Zuu monastery and Karakorum Museum in Kharkhorin and local market for interesting souvenirs and artworks. (B/L/D)

Head to Khustai national park to see a wild horse- takhi, widely known as “Przewalski horse”. Those are the only wild horse to survive in modern times. The species were returned to Mongolia from world zoos and reserves within Hustai National Park 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar in 1992. Khustain Nuruu has good vegetation, springs, birch forest, and rocks which are suitable for many wild animals including 46 species of mammals and 172 species of birds. (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the park camp and then drive to Khui Doloon Khudag, the horse racing site on the outskirt of Ulaanbaatar. Start the Naadam festival to see horse racing and enjoy some cultural activities and a festive atmosphere is already here. Drive to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel. (B/L/D) 

Happy Naadam Holiday! Enjoy festival colors and tradition: famed wrestlers, horse racers, and archery athletes will compete for the 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.

Visit State Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony at the central stadium that starts at 11.00 am. Then enjoy lunch around the festival site, and back to the stadium to visit wrestling, archery, and anklebone game competitions. Stay in the hotel (B/L/D)

Transfer to the airport for the departure. (B)