MONGOLIA

From Altai Mountains to the Gobi Desert
Featuring the Naadam Festival

TOUR DATES : JUNE 13-24, 2025 & August 10-21, 2025

Journey Through Mongolia’s Wonders

This Mongolian adventure blends two of Mongolia’s iconic destinations: the Altai Mountains in the West, home to Kazakh eagle hunters, and the Gobi, the dramatic semi-arid desert in the south. This journey begins with a cultural exploration of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city where modern and ancient worlds collide. Next, fly to western Mongolia, where you will meet the two ethnic minorities living in the area – the Uulds and the Kazakhs. A deep cultural immersion awaits as you spend time with a local Kazakh family and learn about their ancient tradition of training and hunting with eagles. You will also have the opportunity to meet an ethnic Uuld family.

After a fascinating cultural immersion in the Altai Mountains, head to the Gobi in southern Mongolia. Staying at the award-winning Three Camel Lodge, you will have three days to explore the incredible array of memorable landscapes here. One of the most memorable is certainly Bayan Zag, named the Flaming Cliffs for the orange glow of its rock at dawn and dusk.

Breathtaking sites and once-in-a-lifetime interactions make this a journey into the heart and soul of Mongolia.

DATES:
June 13-24, 2025
August 10-21, 2025
5-9 TRAVELERS:

$8,850 Per Person

10-14 TRAVELERS:
$7,685 Per Person
INTERNAL AIRFARE:
$895 Per Person
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
$2,680 Per Person
INQUIRE

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Land Price Includes:

  • Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary;
  • Transfers upon arrival and departure;
  • All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy (hotel rooms and gers);
  • Meals as noted in itinerary;
  • Bottled/filtered water throughout the trip and soft drinks during meals;
  • All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;
  • Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, important information about your trip;
  • Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay.

Land Price Does Not Include:

  • International airfare; internal airfare is quoted separately and subject to change by airlines;
  • Tips to guides/drivers;
  • Passport and visa fees; 
  • Comprehensive medical and trip insurance;
  • Airport taxes;
  • Excess baggage charges;
  • Photography and video fees;
  • Food and beverages not included in the group meals;
  • Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls;
  • Other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Itinerary

DOWNLOAD FULL ITINERARY
DAYS 1-2

Welcome to Ulaanbaatar

The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st-century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Begin the second day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning Buddhist temple in Mongolia. Then, visit to Chinggis Khan Museum, Mongolia’s newest and largest museum. The five-story museum showcases over 10,000 cultural exhibits revealing 2000 years of history linked to Mongolia’s Great Khans, nobles, nomads, and their statehood from the Xiongnu Empire to the end of the 20th century.

DAY 3

Fly to Western Mongolia

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Western Mongolia. On arrival, drive to Nomadic Expeditions Three Eagle Camp located at the base of permanently snow-capped Tsambagarav Mountain. Ninety percent of Bayan-Ulgii’s residents are Kazakh, maintaining their unique language, culture, and traditions within the towering Mongolian Altai Mountains, Mongolia’s tallest peaks

DAYS 4-6

Namarjin Valley/Eagle Hunters

Visit the Namarjin Valley and meet the nomadic families who spend their summers here. You’ll have the opportunity to visit a Uriankhai family, a minority tribe renowned for their exceptional archery skills. On Day 5 observe the nomadic tradition of horsemanship and witness horse lassoing and bareback riding, the “Tinge Ilu” coin-grab, and “Kizguar,” a playful horseback pursuit. The afternoon spent with golden eagle hunters introduces us to Kazakh falconry, a golden eagle tradition from their Turkic ancestors. On Day 6, travel back to Ulaanbaatar.

DAYS 7-8

Three Camel Lodge / Havsgait Petroglyths

Continue with your journey south to the Gobi by plane, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Upon arrival, drive to the Three Camel Lodge. In the afternoon, take a 25-minute drive to the Havsgait Valley, home to ancient rock drawings created by early Gobi settlers during the Bronze Age. Hundreds of petroglyphs adorn rocks scattered across the mountain top. On Day 8, depart early morning for Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains.

DAYS 9-10

Naadam Festival/Flaming Cliffs

Witness the local Naadam Festival which includes wrestling, archery, and horse racing competitions.  These three sports traditionally measured the courage, strength, and pride of nomads and warriors.  On day 10, drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes. Upon arrival, you will meet with your camel wrangler at his home and mount your camels to begin your trek.  Explore Flaming Cliffs where in 1923, Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the world’s first nest of dinosaur eggs.

DAYS 11-12

Ulaanbaatar / Depart

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, visit the National Museum which displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing and hunting equipment. In the evening, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by a farewell dinner. On the final day, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi - Local children
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi - Rainbow
Nomadic expeditions - From Altai to the Gobi

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