A 14-day small-group journey for up to 12 travellers, from the Gobi's Flaming Cliffs and Khongor Sand Dunes to the ancient ruins of Kharkhorin and the authentic Naadam Festival celebrated in the Mongolian countryside.
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Ask travellers why they want to visit Mongolia and often you will be told that it is to experience the world famous Naadam Festival which takes place every July. Indeed, it is an incredible festival and an excellent time to visit the country. But rather than enjoying Naadam in Ulaan Baatar, which can be overcrowded and touristy, we will travel instead to the countryside where the real flavour of this epic event can be experienced and enjoyed with the local people. The Naadam is one of several ancient festivals that define Mongolian culture and draw travellers from around the world. On this tour we will visit the cultural city of Ulaan Baatar before travelling south to the Gobi. Head to the Khongor sand dunes, the tallest dunes in Mongolia before discovering the flaming cliffs of Bayanzag, where dinosaur eggs were found in 1922 by Roy Chapman Andrews. Make our way north to the Ongi Monastery before heading to the town of Arvaikheer located on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. Here you will experience an authentic Naadam Festival, away from the crowds. Finally, your adventure ends with a visit to Hustai National Park which is home to the only truly wild horses on earth, the Takhi horse.
Mongolia – Naadam Festival
Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.
Experience Mongolia's most celebrated national event in a genuinely local setting — attending the Naadam Festival's opening ceremony in Arvaikheer rather than the capital, with horse racing, wrestling, and archery unfolding across the open steppe in an atmosphere untouched by mass tourism.
Traverse the vast southern Gobi from the dramatic White Stupa cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga to the 40km-long Yol Gorge, the sweeping Khongor Sand Dunes — whose sands emit an eerie singing sound in the wind — and the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, one of the world's most significant dinosaur fossil sites.
Follow Mongolia's spiritual and imperial heritage from the evocative twin-complex ruins of Ongi Monastery to Kharkhorin — the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire — and the walled sanctuary of Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the country.
Begin and end in Mongolia's vibrant capital, visiting the Chinggis Khaan Museum and the towering 45-metre equestrian statue, before returning via Hustai National Park — home to the rare Przewalski's horse, the last truly wild horse breed in the world.
Key moments for Mongolia – Naadam Festival
Full itinerary · 14 days
Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.
| Departs | Returns | Status | Price pp | Single supp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 2027 | 13 Jul 2027 | Guaranteed | £3,045 | +£450 | Book now |
Every one of our Mongolia journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mongolia. Mongolia is a safe destination for travellers; basic precautions against petty crime in Ulaanbaatar apply. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.
Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Mongolia – Naadam Festival. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.
“I cannot recommend Undiscovered Destinations enough — this was our 13th trip with the operator over ten years. Up there amongst the very best in the market.”
Grete Howard
Mongolia
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“I cannot recommend Undiscovered Destinations enough — this was our 13th trip with the operator over ten years. Up there amongst the very best in the market.”
Grete Howard
Mongolia
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
Make Mongolia – Naadam Festival your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Mongolia specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
Common questions
Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.
Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.
Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.
The next available departures are 30 June 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.
Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.
This tour visits Mongolia. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.
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