Ancient Karakorum, Nadaam Festival, and the Gobi
In the Realm of Genghis Khan
Overview
Mongolia is magnificently remote, its unfenced grasslands dotted with nomad camps and herds of yaks and horses. In this mesmerizing realm, we'll see the wild horses of Khustain Nuruu National Park and explore the ruins of ancient Karakorum, once the capital of Genghis Khan's empire. In the Gobi, we hike in the dramatic gorge of the Yol Valley, watch the sun set over the fabled Flaming Cliffs, and even ride a Bactrian camel. Along the way, we'll be welcomed into an authentic nomadic culture as we spend nights in our cozy traditional gers (yurts) and attend a local Naadam festival, a quintessentially Mongolian celebration with archery, wrestling, and cross-country horse races.
Arrive: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Depart: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Highlights
- Witness an authentic local Naadam Festival, an exuberant expression of Mongolia's ancient culture
- Visit the ruins of Karakorum, Genghis Khan's capital, meet traditional nomad families
- See the wild horses of Khustain Nuruu National Park
- In the Gobi, explore Yol Valley and the famous Flaming Cliffs
Itinerary
We explore the sites of the capital, including the thriving Gandan Monastery, home to several hundred monks, then head out across the grasslands to Hustain Nuruu National Park, established for the takhi, the last remaining species of wild horse. Extinct in the wild in the 1970s, this sturdy native is making a comeback here through international conservation efforts. One of our hikes brings us to the great standing stones at Ongot, a site that dates back to 500 AD. Each departure of our journey will feature a day at a Naadam Festival (the actual day varies with each trip), where we watch traditional Mongolian sports dating back to Genghis Khan's time.
In the Orkhon Valley, the cradle of Mongolian civilization, we are welcomed into the home of a nomad family, and we visit the chanting halls at 16th century Erdene Zuu Monastery, the “Jewel Temple,” built over the ruins of Karakorum, capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. This has been a place of Buddhist worship for over 500 years.
In the vast Gobi Desert, we walk the trails of Yol Valley National Park and visit the renowned site of the “Fighting Dinosaurs,” where fossils of a Protoceratops and Velociraptor locked in combat were discovered. We can ride a Bactrian camel in this dramatic desert, and explore the legendary fossil site of the Flaming Cliffs—stunning when illuminated by the oranges and golds of sunset. Flying back to the capital, we overnight in a traditional ger camp amid the rock formations and alpine mountains of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a wonderful chance to experience local nomad hospitality on the steppes. Depart on Day 13 via Ulaanbaatar.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Although there is only minimal hiking, this trip involves rugged travel conditions in remote locations, simple accommodations in gers (yurts), and rough roads.
Review Trip Level Details
Mongolia has a relatively cool climate with short, mild summers and long, severe winters that last from October to April. Mountain weather is always unpredictable. We'll have many beautifully clear and sunny days with bright blue skies, but come prepared for at least some rain, wind, and some very cold nights and mornings. At high altitudes, nighttime temperatures can drop to 30°F! A dusting of snow is not uncommon here at this northern latitude, even in the summer.
Roads outside Ulaanbaatar are unpaved and often very bumpy and dusty. In most cases, travel on these roads will be done in Toyota Land Cruisers, which are reasonably comfortable.
Mongolia is an exciting destination, and while tourism is growing rapidly, the infrastructure remains limited. The country is modernizing quickly from its Soviet-era standards, but they are not yet up to the level of many countries (particularly felt by travelers on the bumpy roads!). Roads outside Ulaanbaatar are unpaved and often very bumpy and dusty. Travel on these roads might be done in Russian four-wheel drive vans, which are not up to western SUV standards, but are reasonably comfortable. Essential requirements for travel in Mongolia are flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity, enthusiasm about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected.
Client Testimonials
"A comprehensive journey into Mongolian culture, with absolutely delightful guides. The high level of amenities did not go unnoticed: food was very good and far more varied than we'd expected, and the accommodations were incredible! The hotel is 5-star, and even the ger camps were remarkably luxurious—we did not anticipate showers and western restrooms in remote camps, but they provided these and many more creature comforts."
Scott S.
Freestone, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.