D – Breakfast, A – Lunch, C – Dinner
Ulaanbaatar – Karakorum (Mongolia Central) – Orkhon Valley – Turkish Memorials – Ugii Lake – Karakorum – Bayangobi Desert – Ulaanbaatar – Authentic Mongolian Nomadic Show – Ulaanbaatar – Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue – Ulaanbaatar – “Deel Mongol” Parade – Naadam Festival Horse Races – Ulaanbaatar – Opening Ceremony of the Great Naadam Festival – Closing Ceremony of the Great Naadam Festival – Ulaanbaatar
JULY 2, Day 1: Arrival at the New “Genghis” Khan Airport in Ulaanbaatar. Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team and transfer to the hotel (52 km/32.3 miles, +2 hours driving, depending on traffic). Rooms will be available starting from 2:00PM on the day of arrival. An early check-in fee is required if tourists wish to check in early or the luggage to be left at the hotel reception until 2:00PM. Transfer to the hotel. Today there are no activities and no meals included. Rest at the hotel to adapt to local time. Overnight at the selected hotel.
JULY 3, Day 2: Breakfast. 10:00AM-Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. Purchase of mineral water and other products at the main store (State Department Store). Afterwards, departure westward to the legendary Karakorum (approx. 395 km/245.44 miles, +7 hours driving), located in Central Mongolia. 1:00PM-Lunch included en route at LUN. Arrival and transfer. Free time to rest after a long travel day. Overnight in a tourist Ger Camp in Karakorum. (B+L+D)
JULY 4, Day 3: Breakfast. 09:00AM-Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team. Then, visit the Monument to the Mongol States located on a hill overlooking the city of Karakorum (Kharkhorin), on the bank of the Orkhon River. Next, visits Erdene Zuu Monastery (“Hundred Treasures”), the Turtle Monument, and the Karakorum Museum, to view the relics of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. The Buddhist Monastery of Erdene Zuu with its 108 stupas, and the first Buddhist Lamasery (16th century), was the most important religious center. Of its more than one hundred temples, only three have survived until today, remaining as Mongolia’s most significant cultural vestige. 1:00PM-Mongolian lunch included in front of the Erdene Zuu Monastery. Next, departure via paved road (46.4 km/29 miles, financed by the Turkish Government) to the Khushuu Tsaidam Memorials Museum in the Orkhon River Valley, erected in honor of the early 8th-century Turkic princes Bilge Khan and Kul Tigin, with their Orkhon inscriptions, regarded as the most impressive monuments of the Gokturk nomads. Afterwards, departure via embankment (hard road) to Lake Ugii (33 km/21 miles, 1 hour driving) – a suitable site for migratory birds in late April, May, and throughout summer, with over 25 km/16 miles in a beautiful valley where herds of yaks, sheep, horses, and cattle graze. Visit to a small museum of local flora and fauna. Birdwatching opportunities available here. Return to Karakorum (80 km/50 miles, 2.0 hours driving). Overnight in a tourist Ger Camp in Karakorum. (B+L+D)
JULY 5, Day 4: Breakfast. 09:00AM-Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team. Then, departure towards the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes (known as the Bayangobi Desert, approx. 115 km/72 miles, +2 hours driving). These desert sand dunes stretch over 80 km/50 miles in a beautiful valley. Opportunity for hiking, walking on the dunes, and photographing landscapes. The excursion included riding on Bactrian camels through the dunes. Return to Ulaanbaatar (approx. 280 km/174 miles, +5 hours, depending on traffic upon entry). 1:00PM-Lunch included in route at LUN. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the selected and confirmed hotel. Dinner not included, on your own. (B+L)
JULY 6, Day 5: Breakfast. 09:00AM-Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. Join the Main Naadam Festival Group. Grand City Tour in Ulaanbaatar. 1:00PM-Welcome Lunch at a traditional local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel. Dinner not included, on your own. (B+L)
JULY 7, Day 6: 07:00AM – Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. Then departing towards the West to attend an Authentic Mongol Nomadic Show (35 km/22 miles, +2.00 hours of travel, depending on traffic in Ulaanbaatar), from 10:00AM until 01:00PM. The Authentic Mongol Nomadic Show demonstrates the traditional lifestyle of Mongolia’s nomads, the breeding and use of five types of livestock while moving from one place to another, using ox carts, yaks, camels, and horses. Mongolian Lunch included at the camp. Return to Ulaanbaatar (35 km/22 miles, +2.00 hours of travel, depending on traffic in Ulaanbaatar). Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B+L).
JULY 8, Day 7: 09:00AM – Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. Ulaanbaatar – Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue – Ulaanbaatar. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B+L).
JULY 9, Day 8: 09:00AM/10:00AM – We will attend the Traditional Costumes Parade (MONGOL DEEL) at the Central Square “Sukhbaatar” (Pre-Naadam Festival activity). The “Mongol Deel” Parade, also known as “Deeltei Mongol”, is an annual event in Ulaanbaatar that celebrates traditional Mongolian clothing. It takes place at Sukhbaatar Square and is an important part of the Naadam Festival. The “Mongol Deel” aims to promote Mongolian cultural heritage, encourage the use of the deel among younger generations, and attract tourists. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B+L).
JULY 10, Day 9: 07:00AM – Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. Departure towards Western Mongolia (35 km/22 miles, +2.00-04:00 hours of travel, depending on traffic leaving Ulaanbaatar). Ulaanbaatar – Naadam Festival Horse Races – Ulaanbaatar (35 km/22 miles, +2.00-4.00 hours of travel, depending on traffic upon entering Ulaanbaatar). Picnic lunch included at the site. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B+L).
JULY 11, Day 10: 08:00AM – Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. Departure to the Central Stadium. 11:00AM – Opening of the Grand Naadam Festival. Competitions begin. 13:00 – Lunch included at a local restaurant. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B+L).
JULY 12, Day 11: 09:00AM – Meeting with the Samar Magic Tours team at the hotel reception. City Tour. 13:00 – Lunch included at a local restaurant. Departure to the Central Stadium. Continuation of the Naadam Festival Competitions. Closing of the Grand Naadam Festival. Last Shopping. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B+L).
JULY 13, Day 12: Rooms must be vacated before 12:00 noon on the departure day. Meeting with Samar Magic Tours at the hotel reception. Transfer to Ulaanbaatar’s new airport “Genghis Khan” (52 km/32.3 miles, 4-5 hours’ drive, depending on traffic). Departure from Mongolia. END OF THE GRAND TOUR! (B).
