JAX EXPEDITIONS LLC

Adventure with Naadam festival
July 10- July 23 (13 nights 14 days)

Code: ET2

This tour combines the best of both culture and nature tours. Get a chance to experience the exciting atmosphere of the biggest cultural event and national holiday in Mongolia, the colourful Naadam festival which celebrates 3 manly games: horse racing, Mongolian traditional wrestling and archery. The Naadam festival, said to be the world’s second old Olympics, is held all over the country, between 11 and 13 July each year commemorating the anniversary of the 1921 National Revolution. During the festival, besides the games, there’s plenty to see and do outside the Naadam “ring” – food, music, crafts, people.
The Naadam festival is followed by a wonderful overland tour through a variety of landscape: desert, steppe, mountain, forest, as well as some historical sites.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 (July 10)
Arrival in UB. Transfer to a hotel. City tour including visits to Gandan monastery, Museum of Natural History and Winter Palace of Bogd Khan.
Day 2 (July 11)
Naadam festival in Central Stadium. Visit the site of Naadam festival and watch the opening of Naadam festival which is opened by the president of Mongolia and enjoy the three manly games: archery, horse racing and traditional wrestling, and other performances.
Day 3 (July 12)
City tour and second day of Naadam. Visit the site of horse racing outside the city. On the way back stop at the Zaisan Hill Memorial and visit the Museum of National History.
Day 4 (July 13)
Off to the South.Start a full day journey to Baga Gazryn Chuluu – beautiful granite rock formations (240 km from UB) in Dundgobi aimag. Stopover at Zorgol Khairkhan mountain (about 100km from UB) for lunch.Continue to main destination. Once we reach the place there is a possibility to see a cave with an underground lake in Baga Gazriin Uul mountain (1786m above sea level) and wander around and discover the area more in depth. Overnight in ger camp
Day 5 (July 14)
Drive to Tsagaan Syvarga or White Stupas (230km from Baga Gazriin Chuluu) a ruin of an old temple and white limestone stupa-like formations. It is also worth-seeing the ancient rock paintings in this area. Overnight in ger camp
Day 6 (July 15)
Drive to nomad family in Southgobi aimag (200km).
Stay with nomad family 1 nights. It is a unique opportunity to become acquainted with the nomadic way of life, culture and traditions, by involving, helping out and following their daily routines. With no doubt it will be a great fun and an unforgettable experience. Short distance camel/horse trekking.
Day 7 (July 16)
Eagle valley, Dungenee at Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National park (ca 50km)
Drive to the Yolyn Am, or ‘Eagle Valley’ – a wonderfully picturesque place with ice in some months, and surrounded by sheer rocky walls, forming incredible canyons. Hiking about 2 km to the narrow end of the canoyn. Visit Gobi museum. These areas are situated in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park that encompasses the "Three Beauties of the Gobi" peaks and the most easterly points of the Altai Mountains. Overnight in tourist camp.
Day 8 (July 17)
Khongor Sand Dunes (200km)
Drive to Khongor Sand Dunes which are Mongolia's largest sand dunes, reaching a height of 300m in some areas. The sand dunes change their color from yellow to silver at dawn respectively at sunset. This color change is more noticeable from a certain distance. Climb up to the top of the sand dunes and slide down. It is fun. Walking along the river is also an alternative. Overnight in tourist camp.
Day 9 (July 18)
Bayanzag – Flaming Cliffs (250km)
Drive to Bayanzag, (known as a Flaming Cliffs), a site famous for the remains of dinosaur and other giant animals which inhabited here about 60 million years ago. Trekking and photographing in the area where dinosaurs once roamed and see saxaul trees and other desert vegetations.Overnight at ger camp
Day 10 (July 19)
Ongi temple (200 km)
Early morning drive to Ongi Temple which had more than a thousand lamas.
Overnight in the tourist camp.
Day 11 (July 20)
Orkhon waterfall - Karakorum (210km)
Drive to Orkhon waterfall which cascades from an impressive height of 20 meters, and it extends for more than 100 meters from the Orkhon River. The waterfall is a great spot for bird watching and fishing.
After lunch continue driving to Karakorum, the symbolic ruins of the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. During this drive the landscape changes from semi-desert into forest steppe. Visit Erdene-Zuu, the oldest monastery, with 108 stupas, built in 1586. Overnight in tourist camp.
Day 12 (July 21)
Elsen tasarkhai sand dunes - Khustai (200km)
Early morning drive to Hustai National Park and see the takhi, Asian wild horse known as Prejevalsky horse. Enjoy short hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Takhi's small museum and overnight in tourist camp.On the way to Khustai, stopover at Elsen tasarkhai, a unique area of small scale forest and sand dunes. There is an opportunity for a camel ride through the sand dunes.
Day 13 (July 22)
Drive to UB (160km)
On the way there is an opportunity to see pre-historic men-shaped stones and rock paintings
More city tours and visits to souvenir and cashmere shops before the evening concert. A farewell dinner.
Day 14 (July 23)
Departure

          Tour information

This tour can be tailor-made

Tour code: ET2
Distance: ~ 2150 km
Duration: 13 nights 14 days
Date: July through September
Tour style: Adventure, moderate
Transport: Minivan or 4WD
   cross-country vehicles
Group size: from 3 up to 15
Price: 1020€ - 1300€

Included in the price:

● Guiding and interpreting
     service
● Meals
● Camping equipments
● Entrance fees
● Accomodation (tourist
     camps, tent, hotel in city)
● Vehicles + driver and
     petrol

Excluded:

     ● International air fares
     ● Passport and visa costs
     ● Medical and trip
insurance
     ● Airport taxes, excess
        baggage charges
     ● Telephone calls
     ● Alcoholic beverages



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