July 3-13 , 2026 (11 days)
Gobi to Naadam: Celebrating Mongolia’s Ancient Pulse
July 10-20, 2026 (9 days)
Gobi & Naadam Fusion: Prehistory, Culture, and Celebration
May - October
Gobi Unveiled: Prehistoric Landscapes & Cultural Legacy
Gobi & Naadam Fusion: Prehistory, Culture, and Celebration
Witness the sweeping and dramatic grandeur of Mongolia's Gobi Desert on this 11-day, in-depth experience, blending breathtaking nature, deep history, and the lively passion of Mongolia's Naadam Festival. Offered July 3-13, 2025, and July 3-13, 2026, with departures May through October, this program provides an ideal blend of adventure and tradition.
Why Choose the Gobi & Naadam Fusion?
The Gobi Desert, the vast cold desert of Asia, is a geography of vivid contrasts—ranging from massive sand dunes and reddish-brown mountains to great gorges cut by ancient rivers. This trip starts in Ulaanbaatar, a vibrant city where centuries-old Buddhist monasteries and nomadic-style gers mix with modern architecture and cultural icons. Visit spiritual and historical landmarks like the Gandan Monastery and Chinggis Khan Museum, before traveling south to the depths of the Gobi's wilderness, exploring both its natural riches and its timeless cultural heritage.
Adventure Highlights & Activities
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar: Be greeted warmly and stay in a downtown hotel, within walking distance of museums, galleries, and craft shops.
Gandan Monastery & Chinggis Khan Museum: Immerse yourself in the spiritual traditions and imperial past of Mongolia, seeing sacred treasures and relics dating back more than 2,000 years.
Yol Valley National Park: Hike the dense, rough gorge of the Altai foothills, seeing rare wildlife such as lammergeiers, Argali sheep, and yaks amidst silence and great beauty.
Seeing the Gobi Desert: Cross the Haalgan Davaa Pass into red-and-pink granite scenery in Gyalaan Valley. Travel through the Ayaldai Valley in 4x4 or on sturdy Bactrian camels, ending with the eerie sounds of the Singing Sands dunes at Hongoryn Els.
Prehistory Revealed: Stop at the legendary "Fighting Dinosaurs" fossil site where Velociraptor and Protoceratops were found in combat. Visit Alag Teeg's dinosaur fossils with armor plating and Havtsgait Valley's petroglyphs with ancient rock carvings.
Flaming Cliffs Sunset: Enjoy the stunning sunset over Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) where the world's first dinosaur eggs were discovered, a seminal paleontological milestone.
Camel Riding: Take real camel riding treks on the two-humped Bactrian camels, a symbol of desert existence and endurance.
Naadam Festival: Join in celebrating Mongolia's greatest cultural event, featuring wrestling (Bökh), superb archery, and exciting horse racing with youth riders displaying centuries-old traditions.
Cultural Farewell: Back to Ulaanbaatar for one last exposure to Mongolian arts at the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum and a haunting evening of traditional dance, throat singing, and contortion acts, topped with a celebratory farewell dinner.Mongolia Travel Made Simple
This adventure features all airport transfers, a mix of comfortable hotel and ger-camp stays, guided tours, and in-country transportation as described. Your bilingual expert guides guarantee an enriching and secure journey through Mongolia's most famous landscapes and cultural attractions. Light travel is guaranteed with backup vehicles carrying bags and camping equipment, and the itinerary striking a balance between wilderness experience and cultural exploration in travel terms.
Participate in this Gobi & Naadam Fusion journey to discover the prehistoric marvels, expansive desert scenery, and national vitality of Mongolia on a special trip that blends natural beauty with profound cultural contact under expert leadership.
