Gobi & Naadam Fusion: Prehistory, Culture, and Celebration
5-9 Travelers:
$5,600 Per Person
10-14 Travelers:
$4,900 Per Person
Single Supplement:
$1,150 Per Person
Overview
Explore Yol Valley’s craggy canyons, the Singing Dunes, and the Flaming Cliffs; meet camel breeders in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Traverse undulating sands on two-humped camels, hone your bow-and-arrow skills, and hunt for dinosaur fossils. Intimate ger-camp stays and nomadic family visits blend cultural immersion with adventure, sparking curiosity in all ages and forging unforgettable family bonds.
Intinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Begin your Mongolian adventure in Ulaanbaatar, a city of striking contrasts—where centuries-old Buddhist monasteries and traditional gers stand beside gleaming skyscrapers. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted by your local guide and transferred to a centrally located hotel, steps away from museums, galleries, and artisan shops.
Day 2
Naadam Day
Naadam Festival & Steppe Horse Racing
Begin your day at Mongolia’s grandest celebration—the Naadam Festival—where centuries-old tradition comes alive in three epic competitions:
Wrestling (Bökh): Marvel at the raw strength and ceremonial flair as athletes vie for the coveted “Lion” title.
Archery: Watch archers wield their composite bows with pinpoint precision, a skill that once fueled Chinggis Khan’s conquests.
Horse Racing: Feel the excitement at the stadium as riders thunder past, embodying nomadic agility and pride.
In the afternoon, journey to the boundless Khui Doloon Khudag steppe for the legendary long-distance horse races.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 3
Journey to the Gobi & Yol Valley National Park
Fly south to the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert, then drive into the dramatic landscapes of Yol Valley National Park, nestled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. This lush gorge, carved by an ancient river, offers a striking contrast to the surrounding desert. Hike through its winding trails, where you may spot lammergeiers, snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali sheep among the cliffs and meadows.
Visit the local natural history museum, which offers insight into the region’s unique geology and wildlife.
Overnight in ger camp, surrounded by the silence and majesty of the Gobi.
Days 4 - 6
Exploring the Gobi’s Majestic Landscapes
Embark on a scenic drive through Haalgan Davaa Pass into the Gyalaan Valley, where vibrant bands of red, pink, and gray granite rise like ancient sentinels.
Traverse the wind-carved Ayaldai Valley—either by rugged 4x4 or atop a sure-footed Bactrian camel—until you reach the towering “Singing Sands” of Hongoryn Els. These dunes, straddling the edge of the Gobi Altai Mountains, emit a haunting melody as grains shift in the breeze.
Overnight in ger camp.
Days 7 - 8
Gobi’s Prehistoric Canvas: Dinosaur Discoveries and Ancient Petroglyphs
Embark on a journey through deep time as you visit Tugrigiin Shiree, the iconic “Fighting Dinosaurs” site where a Velociraptor and Protoceratops were discovered locked in combat. Continue on to Alag Teeg, renowned for its armored dinosaur fossils still embedded in the red sandstone cliffs.
Pause in Bulgan, a model eco-tourism town, to stretch your legs and sample local refreshments before heading to Havtsgait Valley. Here, ancient herders left their mark in intricate petroglyphs—images of ibex, human figures, and hunting scenes etched into weathered rock. For an active return, opt for a mountain-bike ride along the valley floor back to your camp.
As dusk falls, venture to the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag), where in 1923 Roy Chapman Andrews uncovered the world’s first dinosaur egg nest. Watch the setting sun set the cliffs ablaze in fiery hues, a fitting finale to your paleontological exploration.
Day 9
Urban Epilogue – Ulaanbaatar’s Cultural Showcase
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and immerse yourself in Mongolia’s artistic legacy at the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, home to masterful Buddhist sculptures, thangka paintings, and ritual objects crafted by the country’s greatest spiritual artists.
In the evening, witness a live performance of traditional Mongolian dance and throat singing, where contortion-like movements and harmonic overtones evoke the rhythms of the steppe. Share one last meal with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner, toasting your Gobi adventure under the city lights.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 10
Spiritual Legacy and Imperial Heritage
Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s spiritual heart. Founded in 1809, it was closed during the religious persecutions of 1939 and, from 1944 to 1989, stood as the nation’s only active monastery. Today, it serves as the center of Mongolian Buddhism, home to over 100 resident monks and a wealth of sacred treasures—including a magnificent 26-meter (85-foot) gilded statue of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
In the afternoon, explore the Chinggis Khan Museum, which houses more than 10,000 artifacts spanning 2,000 years of Mongolian history. From ancient tribal relics to imperial regalia, the museum offers a sweeping narrative of Mongolia’s cultural and political evolution.
Conclude the day with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy traditional flavors and warm hospitality.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 11
Morning Reflections and Departure
When you’re ready, your guide will escort you to Chinggis Khaan International Airport. As you board your flight, carry with you the echoes of dinosaur discoveries, the whisper of petroglyph-covered valleys, and the spirit of the Mongolian steppe.
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