MONGOLIA – NADAAM FESTIVAL TOUR

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city situated on the banks of the Tuul River, surrounded by majesticUlaanbaatar tour square mountains. The combination of these pine-clad mountains, wide boulevards, vast public squares and parks emits a spacious feeling. Meeting assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, attend a national folk performance concert depicting music and dances of Mongolia followed by welcome dinner. D

After breakfast, embark on a full day city tour which includes the Gandantegchilen Monastery, present day Buddhist center housing the largest standing statue of the God of compassion.
Next, visit the Natural History Museum housing the petrified Dinosaur skeletons, rare animals, wild camel, wild sheep, wild goat, etc. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the main square Sukhbaatar, Dinosaur information center. Proceed to the Friendship Monument on Zaisan Hill, where the panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar and its surrounding area is spectacular.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel. BLD

Day at leisure to explore the town on own or take an optional tour. B

After breakfast, you will be driven to Terelj National Park accompanied by our local guide. Several stops will be made en route to photograph the landscape and nomad villages. Visit the Rock Inscription Memorial monument of King Tonikuk dating back to 600-700 AD. Explore the stone line pointing to the east and Ovoo-pile of stone. Terelj Park comprises splendid mountain ranges, pristine water river and caves and wonderful green meadow with edelweiss. Upon arrival, check in at the Lodge. After lunch, visit a local horse breeder’s family-Ger. Learn about the nomadic lifestyle and family’s daily activities. You may want to try dairy products such as the national drink-fermented mare’s milk. Explore the scenic green hills on horseback for one hour before returning to the Lodge. TERELJ LODGE TOURIST CAMP (Ger with attached bathroom); BLD

After breakfast, travel to “13th Century Live Museum” stopping en route to view and photograph the Chinggis Khaan statue in the Tsonjin Boldog valley, a historical place where Chinggis Khaan found his golden whip. The statue was created as a memorial to the Man of the Millennium “Chinggis Khaan.” The 40 meter (130 ft) high stainless steel statue on the horseback is the largest of its kind in the world. You may want to climb to the top of the horse’s head for a panoramic view of the complex area and the surroundings.

After short stop, we’ll continue driving to east to the 13th century Mongol kingdom. At the stone gate our GEREGE (permission for entrance) will be checked by fully armored warriors of Mongol Empire. Here you will travel back to 13th century and have lunch with Mongol Kings as merchant Marco Polo did many centuries ago. Walk around many different camps including shaman’s camp and handicraft camp. Return back to our Lodge for dinner and overnight. TERELJ LODGE TOURIST CAMP (Ger with attached bathroom); BLD

After Breakfast, tour the Terelj embark on a 2 hours drive along the bank of the river Dangchu to Phobjikha valley. The altitude of the valley is about 2900 meters and is well known for bird watching including endangered black necked cranes Also visit the Gangtey monastery, the extensive complex consists of the central goemba and outlying monk’s quarters, meditation centers, schools and a small guesthouse. In 15th century Pema Lingpa the famous treasure discoverer prophesied that a goemba named Gang-teng (hill top) would be built on this site and that his teachings would spread from here. This being only Nyingma temple was founded here in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley. Also visit the Crane information center, meet with the locals, visit their homes, cattle farms etc. You will experience the authentic Bhutanese traditional style of living in this valley. Return back to Punakha in the evening. HOTEL (BLD)

After breakfast, return back to Ulaanbaatar City. This afternoon, attend the inauguration ceremony of the Naadam Festival. The Nadaam Festival or Eriyn Gurvan Nadaam is the largest festival celebrated for three days. It highlights the greatest athletes in horse racing, archery and wrestling: Mongolia’s popular sports. Women participate in the events except wrestling. Nadaam means game or competition. Contests take place on the first two days and merry-making at the end. This fiesta has been held for centuries as a form of a memorial celebration, annual sacrificial ritual, honoring various mountain Gods or celebrating a community endeavor. The festivities commence with a colorful parade of athletes, monks, soldiers marching in perfect uniformity, musicians and Mongolians dressed in Chinggis Khaan style warrior uniforms. Enjoy Mongolian and Chinggis Khaan Operas in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. HOTEL; BLD

Breakfast at the hotel. Later, enjoy the festival events. In Mongolian, Naadam means the Three Manly Games – wrestling, archery and horse racing, which are the sports of wisdom, courage and strength. Every year 512 wrestlers compete in the National Naadam. The Nachin or “Falcon” title is given to a wrestler who wins 5 rounds, Zaan or “Elephant” is a winner of 7 rounds. The wrestler who wins all nine rounds becomes the national wrestling champion and bestowed with the title Arslan or “Lion.” A wrestler, who has been “Arslan” twice, is honored with the title of Avarga or “Champion.” In horse racing, horses of six different age groups participate, beginning from 2 to 6 year olds. Racetracks vary according to the horses’ age: In some races, more than 700 horses take part. Young children of ages 5 to 13 participate in the horse races too. The first 5 horses to finish a race are called “Airagdakh” which means that the horses are sprinkled with airag. The title “Tumnii Ekh” or “Top Horse of 10,000” is given to the winning horse. Archery is another Naadam game in which many best archers from all over the country compete. The winner is given a title “Erkhiin Mergen Kharvaach” that means “Archer of Greatest Wisdom.” HOTEL BLD

Enjoy the closing ceremonies, celebrations by winners or explore the town on own. Shop for handicrafts and gifts, dine in local restaurants. Weather permitting, you will be taken to see the Mongolian National Costume Festival. The festival introduces foreign guests and visitors to the marvels of national costumes and folk performances of Mongolia. Festival offer opportunity to see & photograph different types costumes: winter fur coats and summer light fancy dresses, hair styles for ladies and men, special clothes for art people and archery shooters, and so on. HOTEL; B

Breakfast at hotel and time free until transfer to airport for your international flight … B