Karakorum with Naadam Festival

Arrive and transfer to your 3-star hotel. Guided sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar. Lunch and dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast at the hotel, head west of Ulaanbaatar. The scenery is wide-open steppe with rolling hills in the background. We will stop for lunch along the way. Overnight in tents next to Ogiin Nuur (Lake).

Today you will get acquainted with your horse and tack and set out for the first ride. You may also wish to spend some time resting, swimming and fishing. Later, you will be driven to Khoshoo Tsaidam, and exploring ruins from the time of the Turkish Empire. Overnight in the previous night’s camp.

Ride towards Karakorum, setting up camp at a place called Five Trees close to Karakorum.

Today you will ride to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia from where Chinggis Khan launched his cavalry. There is a small town here now. On arrival the first and most obvious landmark is the vast wall of Erdenezuu Monastery. The monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m x 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for their daily worship. You will visit the monastery and then ride along the Orkhon River, where you will camp for the night.

You will continue riding until we reach Nariin Valley, which is on the way to Tovkhon Monastery. Camp in the valley tonight.

Today you will visit Tovkhon Monastery, which is situated on the top of Tuvshin Mountain, and where the first religious King of Mongolia the Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar worked and lived. Continue riding along the river to where camp is set up on the shore.

Continue to Orkhon Waterfall. The waterfall is situated in the Orkhon Valley and this valley is known as the cradle of the Mongolian civilization since many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its borders. Camp overnight by the waterfall.

After many days in the saddle you might want to spend a day of leisure by the waterfall. If not, you can ride around this picturesque area. The area surrounding the waterfall is green and forested and you can spend the day walking in the area. This area of Mongolia is well known for producing the best “airag” (fermented mares’ milk) in the country. Many locals love to challenge you to singing games – the loser has to consume a whole bowl of “airag” so beware when visiting local families.

Today you will drive until you reach a place called “Piece of Sand,” about a 5-hour drive from the waterfall. This stretch of sand is a long strip that originates in the Gobi and reaches all the way into the central aimags of Mongolia. On arrival we will set up camp in the foothills of the Khogno Khan Mountain. This mountain is perfect for some afternoon hiking and there are some remains of an ancient monastery that should be explored.

After breakfast you will return to Ulaanbaatar in the vehicles, about a 6-hour drive, mainly on paved roads. On arrival in the capital you will be taken to the hotel. There will be a dinner at the Ger Restaurant with traditional Mongolian food and entertainment.

Today you will spend a full day at the Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar. In the morning we will see the flag ceremony on the main square, then go to the stadium to see the opening ceremony, and the wrestling and archery competitions. In the afternoon we will see the horse racing in the surrounding countryside. The evening program will be a performance of Mongolian folk song and dance. A guide and vehicle will accompany you at all times. Breakfast and lunch will be at the hotel, and dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight at the 3- star hotel.

This day can be spent relaxing and exploring the city, or you can return to the stadium to watch more wrestling and archery, or watch more horse racing just outside the city. There will be a dinner and cultural program, followed by another overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your international departure.