US$

6815 / pp

DATES & RATES

China, Mongolia & Naadam Festival The Greatest Local Event of the Year

China

Mongolia

Dates:
26 June - 13 July 2023

Activity level:

1 of 3 - Easy. No much walking, no long driving, take your time and relax

2 of 3 - Moderate. Consider some walking, some days may include long drives

3 of 3 - Challenging. You may have to take some risks and to fit the requirements

Duration:
18 days

Group:
10-20 ppl

US$ 7660 / pp

Two sides of Asia

China and Mongolia. Two amazing countries, two ancient cultures, taking different ways millennia ago. Don’t miss a unique chance to see where historical choices led these neighbouring nations. China is rivalling to lead the modern world today yet Mongolia will embrace you with its nomadic, vagabond style and tranquillity. Who would dare to choose that’s best? We have collected the best of the best in both countries from Avatar filming location to the world’s longest cable car, from fascinating Gobi desert to greatest Mongolian national festival, Naadam, to produce this truly unique adventure of a lifetime.

Itinerary

China & Mongolia (18 days)

Naadam Festival

Visa Info

Day 1: Arrival at Shanghai

Arrival at Shanghai. Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel in the downtown. In the evening, meet your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner (Chinese and European cuisine options available on your choice). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Shanghai

Breakfast at the hotel. Take off for a full-day guided sightseeing tour: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Yuyuan Garden. After lunch, continue the tour visiting Temple Jade Budda, Shikumen, Oriental Pearl Tower. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Shanghai — Zhangjiajie

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Zhangjiajie (2h30m). Transfer to the hotel. The evening is free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

After delicious breakfast at the hotel, get ready for the exclusive adventure in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a full day. Take a ride on the world highest and fastest elevator in the Bailong Elevator to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Here we shall visit the famous Avatar filming location, Natural Bridge under Heaven. Then take a Public shuttle bus to marvel the natural treasures of the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Helong Park, Xihai Stone Forest, Imperial Brush Peak, Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, Ten-mile Gallery in the Suoxigu Valley. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Zhangjiajie — Xian

After breakfast at the hotel, start the guided half-day sightseeing tour to Tianmen Mountain. You will take a ride on the World’s longest cable car to the mountaintop and try Sky Walk 1430 meters above the ground. Take an escalator through the mountain to Tianmen Cave and enjoy splendid views. Free time in Zhangjiajie. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xian (1h40m). Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Xian

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide for a sightseeing walking tour. Get to know the secrets of world-famous Terracotta Army, see City Wall, Great Mosque. Take a stroll along 1110-meter long Muslim street where architectures in the style of Ming and Qing are well preserved. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Xian — Beijing

After breakfast at the hotel, continue the tour around Xian. Today we will visit the Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. At 16.00 take a bullet train to Beijing. Arrival at Beijing at 21:31. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Beijing

After breakfast at the hotel, start with a half-day guided sightseeing tour: Square Tiananmen, Museum Gugong, Temple of Heaven. Lunch. The evening is free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Beijing — Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide to take the Great Wall tour for a full day. After the tour, transfer to the airport to take a direct flight to Ulaanbaatar at 21.10 (21.10- 23.40). Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 10: Karakorum

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive towards to Kharkhorin, formerly known as Karakorum. Embrace the wilderness of Mongolia when visiting Khogno Khan Nature Reserve with mountains, steppes, Gobi-type desert and mineral water sources all in one location, Uvgun monastery or Erdene Khamba khiid. After lunch, continue to travel to Kharkhorin, the legendary city founded by Genghis Khan in 1220 in Orkhon Valley, on the Silk Road. Those days it was a political, economic, administrative and religious centre. But after Khublai Khaan moved the Mongolian capital to Beijing, Karakorum was abandoned and then completely destroyed by Chinese soldiers in 1388. There we shall visit Kharkhorin museum, and the Mongolian oldest and largest monastery Erdene Zuu. Overnight at the Ger camp.

Day 11: Ongi Monastery ruins

After traditional breakfast at the camp, we will continue our journey to discover Ongi Monastery ruins through the great Ongi steppe. Ongi monastery was one of the 7 biggest Mongolian monasteries. There are 2 temple ruins which were built up in the 1780s. During repression in 1930s’, these two temples were destroyed and over 200 monks were killed, and many surviving monks were imprisoned. In the 1990s, it was decided to rebuild the monastery. The first temple was inaugurated in 2004. There is a small museum in a ger in front of it. One of the stupas has just been reconstructed as well. We travel like real nomads from one Ger to another just like Mongolians do for a thousand years. Overnight at the Ger camp.

Day 12: Bayanzag

After breakfast at the camp, you will go further to Bayanzag, known as Flaming Cliffs. We shall hike through the cliffs (east trail, suitable for any fitness level) to see the Gobi tree grove named “Bayanzag”.The American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews arrived here in 1922, on an expedition for the American Museum of Natural History. His team found hundreds of fossilised remains, and Bayanzag became known as a dinosaur graveyard. After lunch, we will watch the short documentary about these excavations. After dinner, return to the Bayanzag to see the sunset, find out why the area is called Flaming Cliffs. Overnight at the Ger camp.

Day 13: Gobi Desert

After breakfast at the camp, we travel through the stunning Gobi Desert to see amazing Khongor sand dune at sunset. There is no landscape equal to it in Mongolia, Khongor sand Dunes last for impressive 180 km. The Gobi desert is one of the world's greatest, it is a no-sand desert of gravel plains and rocky outcrops. Great Gobi National Park is one of the largest World Biospheres, with an area larger than Switzerland. It contains the last remaining wild Bactrian (two-humped) camels and a small population of Gobi bears, the only desert-inhabiting bear. The Khongor Sand Dunes are some of the largest and most impressive white sand dunes in Mongolia with the largest dunes up to 800 metres high. The dunes make a sound like a plane engine on a windy day so it has been named as "Singing Dunes". Visit the local camel herding nomad family and experience the nomadic life in the Gobi, have a camel ride through the sand dunes of Khongori. Overnight at the Ger camp.

Day 14: Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park

After breakfast at the camp, continue the journey to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Yol Valley is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountains (Three Beauties of Gobi) are three Rocky Mountains, the highest of which is 2815 meters above the sea level. After lunch, take a ride to Yolyn Am, a picturesque place with ice fields even in summer, and surrounded by sheer rocky walls, forming incredible canyons. You will visit a Gobi museum and if you wish to get some hiking to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Late afternoon, we return to the camp for dinner and time at leisure. Overnight at the Ger camp.

Day 15: Terelj National Park

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Ulaanbaatar (1h 30 m). Transfer to Terelj National Park. We shall see Turtle Rock, have lunch with a nomadic family, visit Temple of Aryavalokiteshvara and Aryabal Monastery. Dinner & overnight at the Ger camp at Terelj National Park.

Day 16: Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, we will take the transfer to Ulaanbaatar, en route stop at Genghis Khan’s Statue Complex in Tsonjin boldog, visit some souvenir shops, a small museum, after we will drive to the city and start the guided tour visiting Zaisan Memorial and Buddha Garden. In the evening, enjoy 6 pm-Tumen Ekh-traditional folklore concert. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17: Naadam Festival

Full-day guided touring the festival, watching competitions, performances, the national culture of wonderful Mongolia: archery, horse riding, nomad culture at its best. We book special seats to allow maximum comfort today, however, please mind we will need to walk to and from the stadium. Please note that while we’re doing everything possible, the schedule of the day might change at late notice due to logistics complications and restrictions implied by the local authorities.

Day 18: Departure

After breakfast, an optional half-day Naadam festival visit. Transfer to the airport/railway station.

Show less

Show more [{"id":220,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"297","name":"Day 1: Arrival at Shanghai","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"Arrival at Shanghai. Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel in the downtown. In the evening, meet your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner (Chinese and European cuisine options available on your choice). Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-09-04 14:57:28","order":"10"},{"id":221,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"298","name":"Day 2: Shanghai","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"Breakfast at the hotel. Take off for a full-day guided sightseeing tour: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Yuyuan Garden. After lunch, continue the tour visiting Temple Jade Budda, Shikumen, Oriental Pearl Tower. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"20"},{"id":222,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"299","name":"Day 3: Shanghai \u2014 Zhangjiajie","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Zhangjiajie (2h30m). Transfer to the hotel. The evening is free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"30"},{"id":223,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"300","name":"Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After delicious breakfast at the hotel, get ready for the exclusive adventure in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a full day. Take a ride on the world highest and fastest elevator in the Bailong Elevator to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Here we shall visit the famous Avatar filming location, Natural Bridge under Heaven. Then take a Public shuttle bus to marvel the natural treasures of the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Helong Park, Xihai Stone Forest, Imperial Brush Peak, Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, Ten-mile Gallery in the Suoxigu Valley. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"40"},{"id":224,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"301","name":"Day 5: Zhangjiajie \u2014 Xian","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the hotel, start the guided half-day sightseeing tour to Tianmen Mountain. You will take a ride on the World\u2019s longest cable car to the mountaintop and try Sky Walk 1430 meters above the ground. Take an escalator through the mountain to Tianmen Cave and enjoy splendid views. Free time in Zhangjiajie. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xian (1h40m). Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"50"},{"id":225,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"302","name":"Day 6: Xian","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide for a sightseeing walking tour. Get to know the secrets of world-famous Terracotta Army, see City Wall, Great Mosque. Take a stroll along 1110-meter long Muslim street where architectures in the style of Ming and Qing are well preserved. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"60"},{"id":226,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"303","name":"Day 7: Xian \u2014 Beijing","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the hotel, continue the tour around Xian. Today we will visit the Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. At 16.00 take a bullet train to Beijing. Arrival at Beijing at 21:31. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"70"},{"id":227,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"1028","name":"Day 8: Beijing","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the hotel, start with a half-day guided sightseeing tour: Square Tiananmen, Museum Gugong, Temple of Heaven. Lunch. The evening is free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"80"},{"id":228,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"305","name":"Day 9: Beijing \u2014 Ulaanbaatar","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide to take the Great Wall tour for a full day. After the tour, transfer to the airport to take a direct flight to Ulaanbaatar at 21.10 (21.10- 23.40). Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"90"},{"id":229,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"306","name":"Day 10: Karakorum","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive towards to Kharkhorin, formerly known as Karakorum. Embrace the wilderness of Mongolia when visiting Khogno Khan Nature Reserve with mountains, steppes, Gobi-type desert and mineral water sources all in one location, Uvgun monastery or Erdene Khamba khiid. After lunch, continue to travel to Kharkhorin, the legendary city founded by Genghis Khan in 1220 in Orkhon Valley, on the Silk Road. Those days it was a political, economic, administrative and religious centre. But after Khublai Khaan moved the Mongolian capital to Beijing, Karakorum was abandoned and then completely destroyed by Chinese soldiers in 1388. There we shall visit Kharkhorin museum, and the Mongolian oldest and largest monastery Erdene Zuu. Overnight at the Ger camp.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:06:52","updated_at":"2019-08-06 11:01:52","order":"100"},{"id":230,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"1131","name":"Day 11: Ongi Monastery ruins","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After traditional breakfast at the camp, we will continue our journey to discover Ongi Monastery ruins through the great Ongi steppe. Ongi monastery was one of the 7 biggest Mongolian monasteries. There are 2 temple ruins which were built up in the 1780s. During repression in 1930s\u2019, these two temples were destroyed and over 200 monks were killed, and many surviving monks were imprisoned. In the 1990s, it was decided to rebuild the monastery. The first temple was inaugurated in 2004. There is a small museum in a ger in front of it. One of the stupas has just been reconstructed as well. We travel like real nomads from one Ger to another just like Mongolians do for a thousand years. Overnight at the Ger camp.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-13 10:43:27","order":"500"},{"id":231,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"308","name":"Day 12: Bayanzag","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the camp, you will go further to Bayanzag, known as Flaming Cliffs. We shall hike through the cliffs (east trail, suitable for any fitness level) to see the Gobi tree grove named \u201cBayanzag\u201d.The American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews arrived here in 1922, on an expedition for the American Museum of Natural History. His team found hundreds of fossilised remains, and Bayanzag became known as a dinosaur graveyard. After lunch, we will watch the short documentary about these excavations. After dinner, return to the Bayanzag to see the sunset, find out why the area is called Flaming Cliffs. Overnight at the Ger camp.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-06 11:01:52","order":"500"},{"id":232,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"309","name":"Day 13: Gobi Desert","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the camp, we travel through the stunning Gobi Desert to see amazing Khongor sand dune at sunset. There is no landscape equal to it in Mongolia, Khongor sand Dunes last for impressive 180 km. The Gobi desert is one of the world's greatest, it is a no-sand desert of gravel plains and rocky outcrops. Great Gobi National Park is one of the largest World Biospheres, with an area larger than Switzerland. It contains the last remaining wild Bactrian (two-humped) camels and a small population of Gobi bears, the only desert-inhabiting bear. The Khongor Sand Dunes are some of the largest and most impressive white sand dunes in Mongolia with the largest dunes up to 800 metres high. The dunes make a sound like a plane engine on a windy day so it has been named as \"Singing Dunes\". Visit the local camel herding nomad family and experience the nomadic life in the Gobi, have a camel ride through the sand dunes of Khongori. Overnight at the Ger camp.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-06 11:01:52","order":"500"},{"id":233,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"310","name":"Day 14: Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast at the camp, continue the journey to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Yol Valley is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountains (Three Beauties of Gobi) are three Rocky Mountains, the highest of which is 2815 meters above the sea level. After lunch, take a ride to Yolyn Am, a picturesque place with ice fields even in summer, and surrounded by sheer rocky walls, forming incredible canyons. You will visit a Gobi museum and if you wish to get some hiking to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Late afternoon, we return to the camp for dinner and time at leisure. Overnight at the Ger camp.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-06 11:02:57","order":"500"},{"id":234,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"311","name":"Day 15: Terelj National Park","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Ulaanbaatar (1h 30 m). Transfer to Terelj National Park. We shall see Turtle Rock, have lunch with a nomadic family, visit Temple of Aryavalokiteshvara and Aryabal Monastery. Dinner & overnight at the Ger camp at Terelj National Park.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-06 11:01:52","order":"500"},{"id":235,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"312","name":"Day 16: Ulaanbaatar","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast, we will take the transfer to Ulaanbaatar, en route stop at Genghis Khan\u2019s Statue Complex in Tsonjin boldog, visit some souvenir shops, a small museum, after we will drive to the city and start the guided tour visiting Zaisan Memorial and Buddha Garden. In the evening, enjoy 6 pm-Tumen Ekh-traditional folklore concert. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"500"},{"id":236,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"938","name":"Day 17: Naadam Festival","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"Full-day guided touring the festival, watching competitions, performances, the national culture of wonderful Mongolia: archery, horse riding, nomad culture at its best. We book special seats to allow maximum comfort today, however, please mind we will need to walk to and from the stadium. Please note that while we\u2019re doing everything possible, the schedule of the day might change at late notice due to logistics complications and restrictions implied by the local authorities.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"500"},{"id":237,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"314","name":"Day 18: Departure","name_option":"China & Mongolia (18 days)","text":"After breakfast, an optional half-day Naadam festival visit. Transfer to the airport\/railway station.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-06-14 15:29:06","updated_at":"2019-08-05 14:08:08","order":"500"}]

National Naadam

The biggest festival (National Naadam) is held in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, during the National Holiday, in the National Sports Stadium. It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the ceremony, the competitions begin. The competitions are mainly horseback riding. Naadam is also celebrated in different regions of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia in July and August. In the Tuva Republic, Naadam is on 15 August.

Three games

Naadam is a traditional festival in Mongolia. The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and are held throughout the country during midsummer. Women have started participating in the archery and girls in the horse-racing games, but not in Mongolian wrestling.

Wrestling

Mongolian traditional wrestling is an untimed competition in which wrestlers lose if they touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet or hands. When picking pairs, the wrestler with the greatest fame has the privilege to choose his opponent. Wrestlers wear two-piece costumes consisting of a tight shoulder vest (zodog) and shorts (shuudag). Only men are allowed to participate.

Horse racing

Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2 km, Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15–30 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for ten miles and seven-year-olds for seventeen miles. Up to 1000 horses from any part of Mongolia can be chosen to participate. Racehorses are fed a special diet. Children from 5 to 13 are chosen as jockeys and train in the months preceding the races. While jockeys are an important component, the main purpose of the races is to test the skill of the horses.

Archery

In archery competition, both men and women may participate. It is played by teams of ten. Each archer is given four arrows; the team must hit 33 "surs".Men shoot their arrows from 75 meters away while women shoot theirs from 65 meters away. Traditionally the archers wear their national clothing (Deel) during the competition. All the archers wear leather bracers up to the elbow on their outstretched arm, so that the deel’s cuff does not interfere with shooting.

Cultural Heritage

In 2010, Naadam was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

Show less

Show more {"18":{"id":572,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"947","name":"National Naadam","name_option":"Naadam Festival","text":"The biggest festival (National Naadam) is held in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, during the National Holiday, in the National Sports Stadium. It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the ceremony, the competitions begin. The competitions are mainly horseback riding. Naadam is also celebrated in different regions of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia in July and August. In the Tuva Republic, Naadam is on 15 August.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-07-17 17:33:46","updated_at":"2019-07-17 17:43:40","order":"500"},"19":{"id":573,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"948","name":"Three games","name_option":"Naadam Festival","text":"Naadam is a traditional festival in Mongolia. The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and are held throughout the country during midsummer. Women have started participating in the archery and girls in the horse-racing games, but not in Mongolian wrestling.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-07-17 17:33:46","updated_at":"2019-07-17 17:43:40","order":"500"},"20":{"id":574,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"942","name":"Wrestling","name_option":"Naadam Festival","text":"Mongolian traditional wrestling is an untimed competition in which wrestlers lose if they touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet or hands. When picking pairs, the wrestler with the greatest fame has the privilege to choose his opponent. Wrestlers wear two-piece costumes consisting of a tight shoulder vest (zodog) and shorts (shuudag). Only men are allowed to participate.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-07-17 17:33:46","updated_at":"2019-07-17 17:36:15","order":"500"},"21":{"id":575,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"946","name":"Horse racing","name_option":"Naadam Festival","text":"Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2 km, Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15\u201330 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for ten miles and seven-year-olds for seventeen miles. Up to 1000 horses from any part of Mongolia can be chosen to participate. Racehorses are fed a special diet. Children from 5 to 13 are chosen as jockeys and train in the months preceding the races. While jockeys are an important component, the main purpose of the races is to test the skill of the horses.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-07-17 17:33:46","updated_at":"2019-07-17 17:39:51","order":"500"},"22":{"id":576,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"1006","name":"Archery","name_option":"Naadam Festival","text":"In archery competition, both men and women may participate. It is played by teams of ten. Each archer is given four arrows; the team must hit 33 \"surs\".Men shoot their arrows from 75 meters away while women shoot theirs from 65 meters away. Traditionally the archers wear their national clothing (Deel) during the competition. All the archers wear leather bracers up to the elbow on their outstretched arm, so that the deel\u2019s cuff does not interfere with shooting.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-07-17 17:33:46","updated_at":"2019-07-18 15:48:34","order":"500"},"23":{"id":577,"ture_id":"22","image_id":"949","name":"Cultural Heritage","name_option":"Naadam Festival","text":"In 2010, Naadam was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.","active":"1","created_at":"2019-07-17 17:33:46","updated_at":"2019-07-17 17:43:40","order":"500"}}

Mongolia

To apply for a visa, citizens of the UK should apply personally through an authorized company (40 GBP for a standard visa, issued in 5 days). Сitizens of New Zealand can apply for a visa only by mail (160 $ NZ for a standard visa, issued in 2-5 days). Citizens of Australia can apply for a visa by mail (230 AUD, issued in 4-5 days). Citizens of the USA and Canada can travel to Mongolia without a visa in case a travel period is less than 90 days.

China

To apply for a visa, citizens of the UK should apply personally (85 GBP for a visa, issued in 4 days). Сitizens of New Zealand can apply for a visa by mail (140 $ for a visa, issued in 5 days). Citizens of Australia should apply for a visa through Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (109,5 $ AUD, issued in 4-5 days). Citizens of the USA and Canada should apply for visa personally (140 USD for the USA citizens and 100 USD for the citizens of Canada).

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Travellers and rooms

Persons:

Rooms:

Accommodation

3-star hotels in China and Ulaanbaatar 4-star hotels in China and Ulaanbaatar

Total:

US$ 7660 /per person

Apply price for Club Members This discount will be applied only if you provide a valid World of Discoveries Club Member certificate on your name

Send an enquiry

Map

What's included

Accommodation

3* or 4* hotels In Shanghai (2 nights), Zhangjiajie (2 nights), Xian (2 nights), Beijing (2nights); Ulaanbaatar (3 nights)

5 Nights in deluxe Ger camps (twin share) with en-suite facilities

1 night (days 11-12) in a comfort Ger camp on a twin basis with shared facilities

Meals

Welcome dinner in Shanghai

Lunch during Shanghai city tour and Beijing city tour

Full breakfast in the hotels and Ger camps

Lunches and dinners during Mongolia tour

A bottle of water on each day of the Mongolian tour

Guided tours

Shanghai guided tour

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park guided tour

Tianmen Mountain guided tour

Xian guided tour

Beijing guided tour

The Great Wall guided tour

Khogno Khan Nature Reserve guided tour

Uvgun monastery guided tour

Kharkhorin guided tour

Ongi Monastery guided tour

Bayanzag guided tour

the Gobi Desert guided tour

Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park guided tour

Sightseeing and Entrance fees according to the itinerary

English-speaking guides and tour manager

Transport

Services of comfortable a/c transportation, including airport - hotel - airport transfers

Local flight (economy class) Shanghai - Zhangjiajie

Local flight (economy class) Zhangjiajie - Xian

Bullet train (standard class) Xian-Beijing

International flight (economy class) from Bejing to Ulaanbaatar

4 WD vehicles in the countryside of Mongolia (3 persons per car)

Local flight (economy class) from South Gobi to Ulaanbaatar

Support

24/7 phone/WhatsApp support line

The tour is fully escorted by English-speaking Tour Director

Travel tips brochure

Experienced local English-speaking guides

Not Included

Visa fees

International flights

Meals not mentioned

Optional tours and activities

Personal expenditures

Highlights

The world-famous Terracotta Army

Boundless Gobi Desert

The Great Wall of China

Real Gear Camp Experience

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Naadam festival - nomad culture at its best

Book

Our reviews

Rick, Emily and John Stewart

Australia

Impeccable service, incredible Trans Siberian! In fact, the great services provided by your team started from my first correspondence with Julie. She has been very professional with providing details of the itinerary and assuring and re-assuring that the trip will be well-planned, It was because of her assurance that gave us the confidence to take the next step and book our Trans Sibetian holiday. And everything ran like clockwork from Moscow to Vladivostok. The Russian people were extremely friendly throughout. The Trans Siberian was a great experience and fulfilled our dreams. The scenery and ever changing vistas were spectacular. The train facilities were adequate but perhaps a shower facility in 1st Class would have been nice. I will recommend your services in the future!

Oliver William

Australia

Central Asia, beyond ordinary I was very precise regarding locations to visit and things to do and Julie was very attentive putting our private itinerary together. We skipped Tashkent and went straight to ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, each worth a week stay to explore in detail! We then traveled to Pamir Highway which is a restricted access area, lots of papers need to be prearranged. It was well worth. Striking natural beauty absolutely recommend. From Osh, we travel through the most stunning landscapes to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Each parts of the trip, cultural and adventitious, was very well prepared – as much as it was possible for Pamir, of course, with it’s changing weather, severe driving conditions etc. However our local guides served us very well and we really had no stress as all.

Jacinta Ami

Australia

Highly recommend!! Well organised, friendly and knowledgeable staff who go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience! If you ever intend on visiting Russia, definately try this company!

Brett B

Australia

I am a very active person and did have some hesitation about the amount of driving which was required to complete this tour. However, despite bumpy roads, I found it pretty bearable overall. Distances are big, country is vast and underdeveloped but once it’s get more developed, you will not this sense of freedom and tranquility any more. I recommend going to Mongolia if you’re looking for a varied, culturally enriching experience of a life time framed by unbelievably beautiful landscapes. Locals were very welcome and guides were great and were always ready to help to explore more of their home country. Very safe country, very friendly people. Interesting food, but vegans might be starving.

Stacey Filrose

Australia

Me and my family just returned from an Easter break to Moscow. I found the tour very good value for money and the company's assistance with the visa application was also helpful. Reservations, payment, visa letter, and pre-departure correspondence prior to trip (via email) was prompt and well explained with no problems. Final arrangements information were detailed. We knew exactly what to expect, who will be waiting for us, time and venue to meet even with any guides with us. Transport transfers and driver were punctual.

J. Stone

New Zealand

Xmas in Georgia and Armenia. We wanted a personalized custom vacation to a rarely visited area of the world and found World of Discoveries tour of Armenia and Georgia fit just perfectly. Very well organized and planned, and guides were awesome. Our tour guides in both countries were packed with knowledge of architecture and cultural history, but above all they were friendly and helpful. Rafik in Armenia even took us to his parent’s home in the centre of Yerevan and we enjoyed home-made meals and talks with the locals. It was a very special evening. Be prepared for some long journeys to reach the most exciting destinations in both countries.

Our reviews

Victoria Peck

Australia

Thank you to Varya and her team for organising our trip to Russia for World Cup (June 2018). Before the trip, Alex was our main contact. He was very responsive to all our needs and developed a bespoke itinerary for us. Our trip took almost 2 months of planning, thank you Alex for being so patient. During the trip, Varya had a team of dedicated consultants, working 24 hours a day to ensure we were where we needed to be and safe. What was particularly impressive was that every transfer was taken care of and her team rang the drivers to confirm we had been picked up. Thank you World of Discoveries for making our trip to Russia an unforgettable and amazing holiday.

Dave Kendall

Australia

Just travelled to Russia for the World Cup. World of Discoveries was the most organised and professional travel agency I have ever used. Everything was well organised by World of Discoveries from hotels, tours to transportation. Highly recommend anyone travelling to Russia to book through World of Discoveries!!

Chris Balogh

Australia

World of Discoveries has made my World Cup dream a reality and also provided a spectecular tour of Kazan, Samara & Sochi along the way! The team who made it happen were fantastic, organised, attentive and even fulfilled requests like having window seats on all 3 of my domestic flights not to mention the smooth transportations to and from airports.

Steve Giannoress

Australia

Traveled to Russia for the world Cup 2018 with Angelo. Alex and myself with World of Discoveries. They were exceptional in every way, I want to thank Varya , Alex Tati and there team for there support and service during our trip there in Russia. I highly recommend anyone that wants to travel with Discovery to Russia or Balkans to use the great service of the above people, contact Varya to book you in now. Thanks again guys, well done and we all look forward to catching up again in the near future.

Alison Dannish

USA

We just returned from the World Cup in Russia where we followed Team Iran. This involved travel to three different stadiums many miles apart. Thank goodness we booked through World of Discoveries. They arranged our lodging and transport. They even set us up with local English speaking guides to take us to see the interesting and historical sights of this beautiful land. We had a blast. We met new friends, ate great food, drank great vodka and cheered our team on. It was a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Varya, Tim, Ury, Ruslan, Daria, Alex and the others who helped us to enjoy this part of the world.

Chris McCabe

Australia

Varya and the World of Discoveries staff were amazing. Any pre trip trepidation was quickly dissolved by how safe we felt through our travels. We saw the sights and partied hard with not even a hint of any trouble. The Russian people were so eager to help and make our trip memorable. The language barrier was over come with their willingness to make us feel safe. Thanks Russia memories for ever

William Watt

Australia

What a trip ... the World Cup, five cities, amazing camaraderie, and great tour leadership against the background of one of the globe’s most amazing countries ... Russia. My World Cup tour with World of Discoveries was one of the great experiences of my travel life. The World of Discoveries team provided a wonderful platform with an itinerary both practical and flexible. The local tours in each of the venue cities - Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Sochi and St Petersburg were informative and,importantly, fun. Considering the accommodation pressures created by the huge influx of Cup tourists, the hotels selected by World of Discoveries were more than adequate. Special mention goes to the Grand Hotel Tchaikovsky In St Petersburg. The tour leadership provided by the company was both expert and considerate. Importantly each traveller’s individual enjoyment and safety appeared to be the paramount consideration. This World Cup holiday was meant to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience for me but I am now planning for the next Cup. Bring on 2022 in Qatar!

RobynChris Haynes

Australia

We travelled to Russia for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 to follow the Australian Socceroos with World of Discoveries. We had the most fantastic time in an amazing country visiting 5 cities and attending all 3 Socceroos pool games. All travel, accomodation,sightseeing and pre and post game entertainment was organised expertly by the team at World of Discoveries, all travel was coordinated extremely well including airport transfers to and from hotels. Not knowing what to expect in Russia we were pleased with the standard of our accomodation, the locations were excellent and the standard of hotel was great.The great team from World of Discoveries looked after our every need and are to be congratulated for their level of commitment to ensuring our Russian experience was the very best. Thank you all.

Linh Taylor

Australia

We had such a wonderful time traveling with World of Discoveries. We were there for the World Cup in addition to touring. The company did an amazing job at communicating before, during and after. We felt very safe and taken care of our entire stay. We would highly recommend the company.

Gabriel Carvajal

Mexico

My cousin and I attended the first Mexico soccer games of the 2018 World Cup and World of Discoveries was excellent. The lodging accommodations were great and centrally located. The personnel were wonderful. Thank you Tim for taking care of all our request. I was very surprised to received a message at 3 am informing me that our car was outside waiting to transfer us to the airport. That is the level of service that we received from World of Discoveries. Great company that made our trip even more memorable since it was absolutely hassle free.

Rami Selim

Egypt / Australia

Thanks you Abby and Varvara and all the other staff members of World of Discoveries for making our stay in Russia over 2 and a half weeks easy, comfortable and memorable. Thanks for the great organisation with transfers and accommodation. Thanks also for organising a phone sim card for each one in our group. It made our life much easier to stay in touch with each other and with our family and friends back home. We loved our stay in Russia and will certainly come back soon.

Jacinta Ami

Australia

Santiago Angulo

Colombia

We joined the Colombian Team tour during the Russia World Cup. The package was extremely well planned, we got to enjoy 5 cities, museums & attractions, and specially we were able to follow our team during the classifying phase. The World of Discoveries coordinator, Phillip, was excellent, he answered all our inquiries, helped us resolving any issues with the tour and with any other parties, and he was committed to help us have a great time. I will recommend World of Discoveries to anyone looking to visit remote countries, not just from the tourist point of view, but from the authentic local culture!!!

Alison Danesh

Iran / USA

We just returned from the World Cup in Russia where we followed Team Iran. This involved travel to three different stadiums many miles apart. Thank goodness we booked through World of Discoveries (World of Discoveries branch)! They arranged our lodging and transport. They even set us up with local English speaking guides to take us to see the interesting and historical sights of this beautiful land. We had a blast. We met new friends, ate great food, drank great vodka and cheered our team on. It was a trip of a lifetime.

Francisco Caycedo

USA

Travelled to Russia FIFA World Cup 2018 with a family of 4 including (2 boys: 4 and 12 y/o) . What an amazing experience it was! Super well organized, transfers were always on time, hotels were good, we couldn’t ask for a more responsible tour guide, Phillip was awesome and in care of every little detail to make us feel like at home, would recommend the company with no hesitation at all!

Gordon Ketelbey

Australia

World of Discoveries put an excellent tour together. All well organised with lots of side events all unplanned but the focus was on fun. Pity Australia can’t score goals but the party made up for it.

Andrew Wiefler

Australia

I decided to use the World of Discoveries Tour Service of the World Cup after some extensive research into the tour alternatives.
World of Discoveries seemed to differentiate its tour Service by providing a more culturally based service with a healthy dose of Football and Fun.
My experience was that it as well run ie they delivered on their promises. They have a health mix of local staff and Australian staff. The Russian staff had a great empathy for the challenges for us Aussies traveling in a country where you had no language skills they bridged that gap with there wonderful help.
I know there are many alternative tours but World of Discoveries certainly lived up to its name. I felt I discovered part of Russia but there’s plenty more to go!
Overall just a great experience.

China, Mongolia & Naadam Festival The Greatest Local Event of the Year

Two sides of Asia

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Map

What's included

Highlights

Our reviews

Our reviews

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