Northern Circle Cultural Tour with Naadam Festival
14 days
Overview
Some say Lake Khuvsgul – Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake – in the northern region is the country’s most beautiful travel destination. Its location forms a part of the southern fringe of the great Siberian taiga forest composing of larch trees and lush meadows dotted with wildflowers. Besides here, travel to central Mongolia and imagine yourself transported to the past at Orkhon Valley, the cradle of nomadic confederations from the time of the Huns to the Mongols. Visit the oldest and most important Buddhist centers of Mongolia, relax in a natural hot spring, and see other major attractions during this two-week trip. Learn about Mongolian history, culture, traditions, and pastoral nomadic lifestyle while traveling through plains dotted with white, round-shaped felt homes and large flocks of livestock during this once-in-a-lifetime-experience!
The official Naadam celebration annually takes place on July 11th and 12th. All provinces and regions celebrate their festivals respectively on their own dates in July. Nomads who are sparsely distributed throughout the steppes of Mongolia would gather together for a celebration once every July. The word Naadam means “Games,” it consists of the three manly sports: wrestling, archery, and horse-racing. Nowadays women participate in the two other sports besides wrestling. The games have been celebrated for hundreds of years, even dating back to the era of Chinggis Khan to keep his warriors in top shape.
Date & Price:
Departing: 29-06-2025
Finishing: 12-07-2025
Status: Open
Price Per Person:
Includes:
- 3 overnights at 4* hotel in UB (twin)
- 1 overnight at the local family guest ger (twin/triple)
- 9 overnights at the Ger camp (twin/triple)
- All indicated meals ( B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner )
- Drinking water
- All visits, NP fee, sightseeing fees and The Naadam festival ticket
- Comfortable 4x4 van including gasoline with experienced driver
- English speaking guide
- All airport transfers
Exludes:
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities ( boat rent, horse riding ...)
- Meals not indicated
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Visa to Mongolia
- International flights & Travels
- Hotel early check-in and late check-out
- Other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel information:
- * Attend Naadam Festival in Mongolia which is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
- * Visit Amarbayasgalant monastery
- * Visit Uran togoo bowl-shaped extinct volcano
- * Visit to Lake Khuvsgul – the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia
- * Visit Tekhiin tsagaan nuur ( White lake) and Khorgo volcano
- * Visit most highlighted places of Orkhon valley
- * Visit ancient capital of Mongolia "Kharkhorin"
Day 1 Arrival in Mongolia
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the bustling capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to a centrally located hotel. After settling into your room, meet your guide in the lobby for a walking city tour to the main square and nearby museums. Then attend an evening show of traditional performances followed by a welcome dinner.
- D
- Hotel
Day 2 Drive to Amarbayasgalant monastery
In the morning, our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and head towards Amarbayasgalant monastery. It is a monastery complex built during 1727-1736 in honor of Zanabazar, the first Bogd, who was the head of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. Originally, the complex consisted of over 40 temples surrounded by a wall, now 28 temples remain. It has been under State protection since 1944, and is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 350 km
Day 3 Pot Mountain
Continue towards a region named Unit, where there is a bowl-shaped extinct volcano located in the steppe surrounded by forested mountains. Stretch your legs on arrival and hike up to the top on a path through trees for a rewarding view of the crater’s lush interior and surrounding grasslands.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 230 km
Day 4 Lake Khuvsgul
Drive to Lake Khuvsgul, the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia. It is nicknamed the “younger sister” of Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake, in neighboring Siberia. Some say this is Mongolia’s most beautiful area, a pristine wilderness with picturesque scenery of clear water, mountains, forests, and meadows peppered with vibrant wildflowers. Since this is a popular destination for both tourists and locals during midsummer, there are many tourist camps located along the shore. Stay two nights at a tourist camp.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 400 km
Day 5 Lake Khuvsgul
Free-day at Lake Khuvsgul to relax, stay active, or a mix of both. Optional activities may include boating, horse-riding, hiking, etc.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
Day 6 Drive to Zuun Nuur lake
Zuun Nuur is a saltwater lake situated 2000 m above sea level in the far south of Khuvsgul province. It is 13 km north of Shine-Ider village and about 100 km southwest of the province’s capital, Murun.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 230 km
Day 7 The White Lake and Khorgo volcano
Arrive at Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, White Lake, after driving on difficult bumpy dirt roads. This freshwater lake, located in the Khangai mountains of central Mongolia, naturally formed from volcanic activity thousands of years ago. The Khorgo is the most impressive and largest volcano in Mongolia and located near the eastern end of the lake. Together they make up the core of Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 183 km
Day 8 Tsenkher hot spring
Continue to Tsenkher hot spring, Mongolia’s most popular natural hot spring, situated between forested hills. This natural wonder is located just 27 km south from the provincial capital of Tsetserleg. The hot water gushes out from underground and there are several tourist camps nearby that pump its water into their pools. Relax in the outdoor pool and stay overnight at the tourist camp.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 210 km
Day 9 Travel to Orkhon waterfall via Tuwkhun monastery
Our destination today is the Orkhon waterfall, Mongolia’s most impressive waterfall located in the UNESCO inscribed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. It drains from an imposing height of 20 meters with a width of about 10 meters. On the way, visit one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist centers, the Tuwkhun monastery. It was first established in 1648 by the 14-year-old Zanabazar, who was a very influential religious figure who was a gifted artist and teacher. He used the monastery, secluded in a forest, as his personal retreat over the course of 30 years. It was here where he created many of his most famous works including the development of the Soyombo script.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 130 km
Day 9 Drive to Kharkhorin town
Drive to Kharkhorin – a recent town named after Karakorum, which was the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire that once was situated adjacent here during the 13th century. The main attraction here is the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery center named Erdene Zuu which was constructed in 1585 from the ruins of the ancient capital. There is also a historical museum worth a visit displaying artifacts and a miniature model of how the old Mongol capital looked during its peak.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 125 km
Day 11 Local family stay at Little Gobi
Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai, also called Little Gobi, which is an area with patches of sand dunes in the middle of the grasslands. Here you will stay overnight with a local herder family and experience their nomadic lifestyle. This evening, spend time with the family learning about their daily chores such as animal milking and livestock tending.
- B.L.D
- Local family
- 90 km
Day 12 Return to Ulaanbaatar
Drive to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and rest until farewell dinner.
- B.L.D
- Hotel
- 300 km
Day 13 See the Naadam Festival in the Central Stadium
Meet with the guide and driver. Today we will visit to the Naadam Festival stadium. The national holiday Naadam is not only famous among Mongolians but also in the world. Many tourists, guests and journalists come to Mongolia to take part. The Festival starts with a transferring ceremony of the nine white banners from the Government House to the Naadam Stadium followed by a horse parade. Genghis Khaan used to use the nine banners during festive and peaceful times. Next, the magnificent opening ceremony starts. Traditional wrestling, archery and horse race are main highlights of the festival. As well as, you will see anklebone shooting and Naadam trade starting from Naadam main dish Huushuur, souvenirs, traditional clothes and much more. In the evening attend a show presenting traditional performances consisting of music, throat-singing, dancing, and contortion followed by a dinner at local restaurant.
- B.L.D
- Hotel
Day 14 Departure
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
- B
Gallery
