Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Naadam Festival
Experience Overview
The rolling steppe of Central Asia makes way to stark desert; across this vast landscape, nomadic ger camps are peppered, camels and goats are herded on horseback, fermented mare’s milk is the tipple of choice, dunes sing and the first intact dinosaur eggs were found. Genghis Khan went forth from here to conquer the biggest land empire in history and, to this day, Buddhist and Animist traditions mix. In July, all over the country, people unite to compete in wrestling, archery, horse racing and ankle-bone flicking during the Naadam Festival but traditions can be witnessed throughout the year. We travel through steppe, mountain and the Gobi Desert exploring the nature and culture of this fascinating, yet little known, country.
This itinerary is for the departure starting in Ulaanbaatar on 30 June 2025.
For a departure on 9 July 2025, please click here for an alternative itinerary.
Profile
— Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels), 8 Simple nights (traditional nomadic ger camps) — Travel by 4×4 Jeeps, bus and one internal flight — Some long drives through very remote country — Eagle Festival and non-festival departures also available — Alternative Naadam itinerary for 9 July departure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels), 8 Simple nights (traditional nomadic ger camps) — Travel by 4×4 Jeeps, bus and one internal flight — Some long drives through very remote country — Eagle Festival and non-festival departures also available — Alternative Naadam itinerary for 9 July departure
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Mongolia is six and a half times larger than the UK but with a population 21 times smaller. Understandably, this means that large tracts of the country do not have much infrastructure. Much of our time is spent in areas where roads are barely tracks through the landscape.
We go further into the wilderness than the average visitor to Mongolia and, while this allows us to travel through stunning parts of the country, encountering few people other than the odd nomad, it does mean some days involve long and bumpy drives. These drives are balanced with time to relax and take in the incredible surroundings often with the option of going for a walk or, sometimes, a horse or camel ride.
There are some scheduled hikes, looking for wild Przewalski's (takhi) horses and visiting the singing dunes, Vulture’s Mouth canyon and the Flaming Cliffs, for instance. These are relatively short, no more than one or two hours, on mostly flat or rolling terrain. The Flaming Cliffs hike may not be suitable if you have an acute fear of heights and can involve some scrambling; however, it’s still possible to enjoy great views of the cliffs and opt out of the walk.
The climate in central Mongolia is generally pleasant in summer when the trip runs. In the Gobi Desert, however, temperatures can get well above 30C (86F), even approaching 40C (104F).
This trip goes off the tourist trail and encounters local nomads. It takes us through spectacular and diverse wilderness and gives us an insight into a fascinating country unlike any other.
Group Description
We are led by a local tour leader who is accompanied by an experienced Mongolian guide. Other trip staff include drivers and local assistants as needed.
Eating Drinking
Traditional Mongolian diets are very meat and dairy heavy. While there are opportunities to try some of these products, such as dry curd and fermented mare’s milk, the meals provided in the ger camps are generally Western meals, at times with an Asian influence. There is normally some form of soup and salad plus a main course and desert. Vegetarians are generally well catered for; if you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements, please inform us in advance.
Breakfasts can vary from place to place, some are buffets while others are set, normally cereal, bread and possibly a hot dish. On some days, a pack lunch is provided, this is often still a proper meal (though without the soup). Water is provided and is generally from large water containers, so make sure to bring a refillable water bottle. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, vodka and (most of the time) wine are available to buy at the ger camps. There is the opportunity to buy snacks in Ulaanbaatar and on a couple of other occasions along the way when we drive through towns or villages.
Transportation
We travel in a convoy of 4x4s (four passengers per vehicle) as we make our way around central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert.
Driving in the wilderness can be hard going on minivans/larger vehicles. They may experience punctures and may need to be cooled down as overheating is common. We use Jeeps as they are much more reliable and able to navigate rough roads better than the larger minivans often used. Although rare, punctures/issues can occur so please come with an open mind.
We may also use a coach for getting around Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park.
We also use one internal flight.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Bayangol Hotel, Chinggis Avenue-5, Ulaanbaatar 14251, Mongolia
Phone: +976-11-312255
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 1hr 30min drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
July and August are summer in Mongolia and daytime temperatures should be a pleasant 20C (68F) in Ulaanbaatar and central regions. Temperatures can reach a maximum of 33C (91F) in the capital and high 30Cs (around 100F) in the Gobi Desert in July. Although the average is lower, expect some very warm weather. Evening temperatures are uniformly 15C-20C (59F-68F). Humidity is very low. These months are also the wet season. Over a trip of this duration, expect some rain but showers do not normally last long and the total rainfall during this period is very low.
Spending Money
Budget an extra US$150 for incidental expenses such as laundry, telephone and excursions into the nightlife of Ulaanbaatar. Cashmere, leather products, carpets, woodcarvings, watercolour paintings and traditional Mongolian dolls all make great souvenirs – US$150 is a modest souvenir budget.
Optional excursions
Horse riding (for experienced riders) may be available at some locations within the itinerary. The price will be confirmed at the time as these are operated independently by local horsemen. Please note, riding helmets and instruction are very unlikely to be available and, where they are provided, the quality may not be the highest standard. Mongolian ponies are generally unpredictable and more suited to confident and experienced horse riders. Any horse riding undertaken in Mongolia is done entirely at your own risk.
Song and dance show in Ulaanbaatar: US$15
Tipping
Tipping is at your discretion but is customary in Mongolia and has become standard for tourism. We have found that a tipping kitty is the easiest way to ensure the correct levels are given out. This includes tips for local staff at the camps, hotels and airports plus your driver. Your leader will advise the amount, which will depend on the group size. Budget around US$80-US$110 for this.
This tip kitty will not include the tip for your leader, which is discretionary, though US$35-US$55 is common.
Highlights
— Discover the spectacularly varied Mongolian landscape: rolling steppe, mountains and deserts — Sleep in traditional-style ger camps (Mongolian tents) — Experience Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire — See the rolling dunes and landscape of the Gobi Desert — Interact with one of the last remaining nomadic cultures in the world — Enjoy the wrestling, archery, horse riding and bone flicking of the Naadam Festival
Trip Details
Product Code: 4298
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: l flight.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: ACMB
Starts: Ulaanbaatar, Gobi Desert
Finishes: Ulaanbaatar, Gobi Desert
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts, lunch and dinners — All accommodation — All transport, including 4x4s, and listed activities — Tour leader throughoutAccommodation
Hotels and ger campsWe use hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Arvaikheer and ger camps elsewhere. This traditional accommodation is airy and usually contains a central wood-burning stove (in the summer the stoves are not normally needed). The bathrooms are normally shared and all have hot water (due to the remoteness of the camps, this can be erratic at times). Many of the ger camps now have 24-hour electricity in the ger itself for charging batteries. If there is no charging facility inside the ger then there are charging facilities in the common area (though this may be during limited periods, when the generator is turned on). There is normally no more than two people per ger; however, due to availability issues, we may need to have triples in the ger in some cases. There may also be rare occasions when a single cannot be guaranteed in a particular ger camp.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,690 ($646 /day)
Itinerary
The adventure begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. There are no activities planned for today to allow for different arrival times and to rest after the flight. However, if you arrive into Ulaanbaatar early, you could explore some of the city sites, including: Sukhbaatar Square (the main square), the National Museum and the landmark State Department Store Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)
As we head out of Ulaanbaatar city, we visit the giant Genghis Khan statue at Tsonjin Boldog. Standing 130ft (40m) tall, the statue depicts the Mongolian ruler astride his horse and sits atop the visitor centre (itself 33ft/10m tall). It is possible to climb onto the horse’s head to get a closer look at Genghis Khan’s face. After, we continue to Terelj National Park, a large, protected area of green mountain meadows filled with edelweiss and other wildflowers. The contrast to the Gobi Desert is striking and it feels like being in a different country. We visit the Tibetan-style Aryabal Temple, a mountainside meditation centre with sweeping views over the national park. As we follow the walk up to the temple, we can read the inspirational sayings on placards every few steps. The climb to the temple is not difficult but does involve many steps and can be tiring. Tonight, we have our first night sleeping in a ger. Accommodation: Ger camp
We drive towards Kharkhorin, making a detour to Khustain Nuruu National Park, two hours’ west of Ulaanbaatar. Khustain Nuruu is famous for the re-introduction of Przewalski’s horses (also known as takhi horses), which were once native to Mongolia and almost became extinct earlier in the 20th century. Through the efforts of several Mongolian and international organisations, these magnificent wild horses now roam in the steppes of the national park once again. We visit the Project Information Centre and take a guided hike to see the wild horses. Accommodation: Ger camp
We continue our drive to Karakorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire, making a brief stop to see the dunes of the Little Gobi along the way. Karakorum was established by Ogedei Khan and remained the Mongol powerbase until Khublai Khan established Beijing as the capital. Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery was the largest monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital. Much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalin’s purges of the 1930s, but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and several temples remain. After lunch, we visit the monastery, the modern Karakorum Museum and the surrounding area. Accommodation: Ger camp
We continue along the paved road to Arvaikheer, the capital of Ovorkhangai Aimag, on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. On the way, we visit the Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theologist Zanabazar. We should arrive at Arvaikheer mid-afternoon. In the afternoon, we have time to visit the local museum, which contains nature collections, stone figures and Turkic scripts, and possibly go to a local market. Accommodation: Hotel
Today is a long day as we head properly off the tourist route into some of the wilder parts of the Gobi Desert. After an early breakfast, we start our journey and rapidly leave the paved road behind. The landscape changes as we head deeper into the Gobi and the majestic Ikh Bogd should be visible in the distance, the highest mountain in the Gobi Altai mountain range. Eventually, after about nine hours of travelling (with stops), we arrive at our ger camp in the wilderness. This is the longest day’s driving but is also a trip highlight as we pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in Mongolia. Accommodation: Ger camp
After going over a desert pass and visiting the quartz-rich White Cave, our journey continues through classic Gobi Desert scenery of flat stony plains mixed with small rocky outcrops and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. We stop for a picnic lunch on the way, with views of Arts Bogd mountain to the north. We head off to the Kongoriin Els dunes, arriving in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Ger camp
We have a full day to explore the dunes and surrounding area. The Khongoriin Els stretch for 125mi (200km) and are as high as 985ft (300m) in places. They are known as the Singing Dunes because of the beautiful sound that resonates through them on a windy day. The South Gobi has 100,000 camels, typically used by herders for transportation of their gers. We have the opportunity today to visit a camel-breeding family and glimpse the way of life of the nomadic herders of these parts. Accommodation: Ger camp
This morning, we drive through Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Gobi Gurvansaikhan means Three Beauties of the Gobi and this range marks the eastern end of the Gobi Altai range. The park landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs and ravines, salt pans and oases. We visit a spectacular natural sight of this region, Yolyn Am. The name means Vulture’s Mouth and it is a canyon so deep and narrow that winter ice can remain on the valley floor even in the height of summer. This region is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife and many endangered species live here, including khulan, ibex, argali and elusive snow leopards. We visit a museum and explore the canyon before transferring to a nearby ger camp for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Ger camp
Today we have time to relax in our luxury ger camp. Either in the morning or afternoon, we drive 45mi (70km) to Bayanzag. Known as the Flaming Cliffs, their red/ochre colour can be striking and we have the opportunity for a short hike among sands of red, yellow and orange. Bayanzag is a world-renowned dinosaur fossil exploration site, discovered in the 1920s by Mongolian and American palaeontologists. We are free to explore the region and may even be lucky enough to spot dinosaur fossils. We later return to our ger camp. Accommodation: Ger camp
We leave the Gobi Desert and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Our flight time determines when we get back to Ulaanbaatar. Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)
We visit the Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning lamasery in Mongolia and the seat of Buddhist studies in the country. Here we may see monks praying and the 65ft (20m) gold-and-bronze statue of Migjid Janraisig. You also attend the horse racing in Khui Doloon Khudag and witness cultural events in Sukbaatar Square ahead of the Naadam Festival opening. Accommodation: Corporate Hotel (or similar)
The tour ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home, full of tales and magnificent photos to share.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Lesley Greenhill - Traveled, July 2023
A wonderful mix of beautiful scenery and fascinating culture This is an amazing adventure, from lush green steppe to mountains, sand dunes and Gobi plains. There are temples, excellent museums and the modern city of Ulaanbaatar ,and of course the Naadam festival. One of the best Exodus trips I have done. Most Inspirational Moment Everything! But if I had to choose- driving across the Gobi in 4x4s, so off the beaten track that sometimes there’s was no track! Beautiful vast expanses of mountains and desert. Stunning! Or the Naadam festival opening ceremony which was a wonderful mix of music, dance and horses. As good as, or better than an Olympic opening ceremony. You could feel the excitement of the crowd especially when the horses were galloping around the stadium. A very special memory. Thoughts on Group Leader Munkhbold was fantastic. Friendly, easy going and with a great sense of humour. He has vast knowledge of Mongolian history, culture and way of life, and made it all so interesting. He was well organised as well. One of the best leaders I’ve had. Advice for Potential Travellers Expect the unexpected! The gers are all excellent, but take your own shampoo and shower gel as they don’t supply any (the hotels do) A head torch is very useful for going to the toilets at night and for finding things in your bags as the Ger lighting is adequate but only in the centre of the room. Go to the optional cultural show in Ulaanbaatar. It is really good, very high quality dancers, singers, and musicians.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2023
Linda Howard - Traveled, June 2019
Mongolias great. Mongolia has been recommended to me by various travelers over the years, also to include the Nadaam Festival….they were right. If you are looking for something different….this is it. The vastness and the ever changing terrain in the Gobi is fascinating. Most Inspirational Moment Climbing sand dunes in the Gobi desert in the rain! The desert was fascinating, different to others I have seen. The opening ceremony of the Nadaam festival was superb, it was so well done, it was worthy of an Olympic opening ceremony. The kids racing the horses..wow. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was very good, he took his job seriously, occasional language misunderstandings. Advice for Potential Travellers Just enjoy it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/21/2019
Lucinda Francis - Traveled, June 2019
This trip had everything We loved Mongolia! This was our first holiday as part of a guided group trip, and it really worked for us. We found the itinerary to be just right, long days with lots to see and do, interspersed with just enough downtime to recharge our batteries. The accommodation in hotels and gers was of a high standard. We were very well fed with meals ranging from traditional Mongolian to modern European and Asian cuisine at the accommodations and local restaurants in UB. Box lunches were provided for the long days crossing the Gobi and for the Naadam Festival. All the Mongolian people we met made us feel very welcome to their country. Most Inspirational Moment It is so hard to pick a single most inspirational moment. Every day was full of things to see and do, from vast desert landscapes, mountains, cliffs and valleys, to monasteries, temples, monuments and statues. Highlights for us were the visits to nomadic families, the amazing Nadaam Festival Horse Racing, the Morin Tolgoi Horse Memorial and the Chinngis Khaan Statue. Thoughts on Group Leader Odka really made the trip. Her English was very good enabling her to pass on her immense knowledge of and passion for Mongolia, and answer all our questions. She was very good at managing the group’s expectations, keeping everyone happy and taking a democratic approach to decisions. Nothing was too much trouble for her, and she went the extra mile to ensure that everyone in the group had a great holiday, including juggling the itinerary when rain was forecast. She was also brilliant company. Our four drivers were also amazing, working through the night to repair one of the cars. They were all number one drivers to us! Advice for Potential Travellers Very few ger camps have wifi, so maybe consider buying a local sim card if you need to keep in touch. Hot water availability was an issue at some ger camps, the trick is to avoid showering at busy times. Take a seat belt pad to protect your neck and ladies consider wearing a sports bra forthose long bumpy car rides across the Gobi!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/23/2019
Rose Langley - Traveled, June 2019
Amazing Mongolia We saw only a small portion of such a huge country , within days we’d seen Steppe, desert ,mountains and cliffs , perfect sunrises and sunsets and the never ending stars in the sky. Most Inspirational Moment The vast nothingness , looking for miles ahead and seeing nothing but scenery with the odd Ger. 2 whole days driving the Gobi and seeing only the odd goat farmer, no other tourists or cars. Visiting the camel and horse breeders and seeing the nomad way of life and of course the Genghis Khan statue . Thoughts on Group Leader Odka was great , she kept us informed of all the plans for the day ahead and has so much knowledge about the amazing history of Mongolia. Her English was very good and nothing was too much trouble for her. Advice for Potential Travellers The Ger camps were very comfortable but be prepared for no phone signal or WiFi for most of them perfect for switching off completely (bliss) There is a lot of travelling on a few days but stops were around every 1.5 to 2 hrs ,on our trip the cars were comfortable with air-conditioning and 4 people to a 6 seater so roomy enough too. I went for vegetarian meals as I’m not a big meat eater and it’s a very meat heavy country mostly mutton and chicken , my meals were lovely ,rice,pasta,vegetables and fruit so a perfect choice for me.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2019
Richard Hazlehurst - Traveled, June 2018
Not for the faint-hearted A fabulous trip to a very interesting country. Thoroughly recommended, but please note the reservations about travelling discomforts, below. Most Inspirational Moment Probably climbing the singing sand dunes. The views were astonishing. Thoughts on Group Leader Odka was wonderful. She never stopped smiling and she was always looking after us and ensuring we were comfortable, well-informed, well-fed and well-watered. Advice for Potential Travellers The website explains that there is a lot of travelling involved with this trip. That is inevitable, given the size of the country and the distances between the various places to be visited. What is perhaps not made clear enough is the fact that the journeys in the desert are almost entirely off-road and the distances make in necessary to travel at quite high speeds. You can be hurtling along at 50, even nearly 60, m.p.h. for many hours on packed sand, gravel or stone with bumps, jumps, swerves and sudden braking. After 10 or 11 hours of this, we felt shaken, not stirred, and had aches and pains to remind us of it. If you go on this trip, you will see some remarkable places and have some wonderful experiences. But do be warned about the discomforts of the travelling. Everything else was good, great, often excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2018
Christine Holyhead - Traveled, June 2018
A world apart The nothingness of the desert was full of life. We just needed to be shown it. Talking with three ladies in their own gir was such a good explanation of a lifestyle we couldn’t fathom before this. The gir camp sites were well run and 12/14 days we had excellent meals tho I would take some bottle of my choice of sauce next time. The driving distances were very long on 2 days. In 11 hours you can’t have a bad back or any hint of travel sickness. I am on my 19 th exodus trip and at 70 found these really hard work even tho it was unimaginably interesting. My respect for the huge Mongolian empire grew and all I wanted to see was a dinosaur…we saw bones and eggs! The guide was of vital importance at the Naadam festival He showed how centuries of skills were being displayed to a slowly modernising country. A real time-warp holiday! Most Inspirational Moment Naadam festival , seeing a well in the Gobi desert supplying water from nowhere for 300 goats. The hugeness of the country. Thoughts on Group Leader As a young man he is learning very fast to become a caring and knowledgable guide Advice for Potential Travellers Take a rain mac and factor 50! Warm pyjamas and fleece you can sleep with and nudity. Don’t always expect electricity ty or any internet/ phone contact. Revel in nothingness.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2018
Debra Dance - Traveled, June 2018
Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts and Nomads - Nadaam Festival An amazing trip to an amazing country. Most Inspirational Moment The tour programme was well-planned and interesting and I enjoyed the variety and contrast of the experiences from the busy Nadaam to the sparsely-populated wide open spaces of the steppe and desert; the sense of having travelled long distances during the day, followed by a reminder of how small we are under the billions of stars in the clear night sky; and the opportunity to enjoy the sophisticated accomplishments of the singers, musicians and contortionists, as well as the raw beauty of the sand dunes. Thoughts on Group Leader Namjaa was an excellent tour leader, who was knowledgeable, calm, friendly, good-humoured and responsive to the group's requests. For example, at our request he organised for us to visit a nomadic family that was less used to receiving tour groups, as well as a cashmere factory shop. Advice for Potential Travellers * Be prepared for some very long drives (11 hours) across bumpy tracks. * You will not go hungry on this trip. On the contrary, the food was plentiful (often four courses at lunch and the same again for the evening meal) and the lunchtime and evening meals started with a delicious salad. * Mongolia is the world's second largest producer of cashmere, so take some extra money and treat yourself (and/or someone else) to a gorgeous, easy to carry gift.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/14/2018
Elspeth Berry - Traveled, July 2017
Unique Mongolia Fascinating and unique country. The Nadaam Festival was amazing, especially the opening ceremony. Lots of long road journeys. Most Inspirational Moment The Nadaam opening ceremony, seeing the Mongolian competitors and the crowd response during the rest of the games; seeing the wild takhi horses' seeing dinosaur bones in various musuems. Thoughts on Group Leader He got us from place to place efficiently, and was always really pleasant. But he rarely gave us much information about plans for the day or the next few days, or about what we were seeing, or so we were often a bit confused about what was happening, and didn't get the most out of our time or our visits to particular places and sometimes missed things. At the Naadam festival he didn't tell us where we were heading, or where and when we should meet if we got separated in the huge crowds, and on one occasion he simply went off with part of the group without telling the rest of us - so we got really lost more than once, which was a bit unnerving and wasted precious time. On the road, he didn't ensure that the vehicles kept together - so when ours broke down we were with a driver who didn't speak English, totally alone in the Gobi. He also swapped activities around which made sense from a driving point of view, but meant that our hike around the Flaming Cliffs took place in a torrential downpour which made walking pretty treacherous - and as he simply left us there we weren't clear on where we were supposed to hike (by the time we worked it out it was too late to do it). The following day, when it wasn't raining, we went to the local town museum (which was good - but a better rainy day activity) and the market (which wasn't - tiny and nothing of interest). The 2 hikes (cliffs and canyon) need to be prioritised around the weather, as they are potential highlights, and could have been done on the same day if necessary, and the town omitted entirely (it's not in the itinerary anyway) Advice for Potential Travellers Do plenty of research about what you want to see in Ulaanbaatar as there quite a bit of time there and our guide didn't give us any information about what to see or where it might be located. Take a copy of the itinerary because the guide might not keep you posted on what is happening. Consider not taking the group flights - Air China seems to have delays routinely (we were delayed by about 6 hours on the way out and at no time did anyway give us a definitive answer about why we were delayed or when the flight might take off), and no guarantee you'll get your connection in Beijing - and if you miss it there is no-one to help as staff are thin on the ground, mostly don't speak English and frequently don't care and are rude and unhelpful. If you are delayed don't leave the allocated gate for more than a few minutes (unless you think it might have changed) as the flight might suddenly be called without warning and they won't wait or make an announcement. Lots of driving inc 2 full days driving (11 hours) so take lots of books or load up your mp3 player (etc). In July take a rainjacket and a brolly for rain - often too hot for the jacket, but sometimes it rained so persistently that it cooled down and a brolly wouldn't hack it. Hardly any bugs so insect repellent not necessary. In most ger camps you can wash clothes and they will be dry the next morning. There are only a few times where you need closed and grippy shoes - but then you do really need them. Food is generally quite good but often bland so consider taking some sort of hot sauce or spice. Take plenty of tissues and antibacterial gel for toilet stops. Take spare batteries for anything important as electricity can be limited in the gers so you can't rely on being able to recharge stuff overnight. Take a torch make sure it is easy to find in your packing. Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads – Naadam Festival Reply from Exodus We would like to thank Elspeth for her insightful review, we rely on customer feedback to ensure the quality of our trips and make improvements where necessary. We are currently looking into what happened on this departure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/10/2017
Lorraine Grant - Traveled, June 2017
Mongolia, Nadaam, Gobi. Great experience Fantastic trip. Huge statues, more goats, sheep, horses and cows than you can imagine. A vastness that boggles the mind. The Gobi desert is to be experienced just to get an idea of the size of it. Living in ger camps is worthwhile too. You get to sample what nomadic life can be like. The local people were friendly and open to us visiting their ger homes, and we were offered goats cheese, fermented milk and simple vodka. It’s rude to decline the offer! It’s hard to pick one particular highlight but I think the Nadaam Festival comes out top. Most Inspirational Moment Witnessing the Nadaam Festival was a highlight. The two hour opening ceremony was terrific with displays depicting Mongolia's history. While we didn't understand the language, the display was clear. The men, women and children wore very ornate and colourful national dress and were happy for their photos to be taken. The newly elected President officially opened the festival. A goodly number of children released white doves at the start and balloons were realised at the end. Thoughts on Group Leader Our leader was a very pleasant man but perhaps due to us being in four vehicles, it was hard for information to be given regarding the country or the people. This would normally be expected when the group travels in one vehicle. That said, he tried to accommodate the wishes of group members, which did at times prove challenging. Not his fault though! Our tour leader arranged for two facilities to open when they ought to be closed which was very appreciated. One was a monetary and the other a museum. Advice for Potential Travellers The weather was much warmer than I had expected given I'd been checking weather updates prior to travel. A few days while we were in the Gobi were around 40 degrees and very windy indeed. Driving in the Gobi is very rough indeed as no tarred roads and dirt tracks the only routes. The ground is very hard and rough and car passengers get a lot of jostling around. A word of warning if you have back issues! Accommodation in the capital was fine but some of the ger camps didn't have hot water for showers and/or was restricted to certain times of the day, as was electric. This isn't a problem though as you expect such restrictions in rural areas. Meals were excellent throughout. Usually three course set lunch and dinner, with small portions. Mutton dishes were offered most often. The vegetarians were catered for too. Bottled water was provided at each meal and the guide gave water to each guest to use in their own water bottles. When driving long distances in the Gobi, toilet stops are infrequent due to simply not being a toilet to go to! You have to make do with a boulder or bush.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2017
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