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Travel to Mongolia and discover the iconic Naadam Festival.

The ancient Greeks may have the Olympics but the Mongols have Naadam. Mongolia’s annual circus-like Naadam Festival is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the era of the great Khans and their dynasties. Wrestling, archery and horse racing — the three skills that Chingis Khan considered essential for any Mongol warrior — are showcased at the country’s largest celebration of the “three manly sports”. Come behind the scenes as we meet the competitors in the lead up to the festival and discover some of Mongolia’s wild outback, visiting ruined monasteries, flaming cliffs and historic cities.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Finish
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Destination
Mongolia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer, Festivals and Events
Code
CBSOS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Go behind the scenes of Mongolia's Naadam Festival and visit the athlete's training camps as they prepare to compete in the 2017 Naadam Festival.

  • Live the nomad life with a family stay at a horse breeder's camp.

  • Experience the phenomenal landscapes of central Mongolia.

  • Attend the Naadam Opening Ceremony and watch athletes compete for glory in wrestling, horse racing and archery.

  • Encounter Mongolia's stunning natural landscape with visits to places such as the Flaming Cliffs and sand dunes of Khongoriin.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Staying in various tourist ger camps, you will experience basic conditions which may take some getting used to. Most gers sleep up to six people, with comfortable beds and plenty of blankets.

  • You will have an overnight family stay at a horse breeder's camp and will need a sleeping bag for this night. This is an authentic local experience, so be prepared for basic, but very real conditions.

  • This trip involves long drives across some rough terrain and to remote areas, away from modern facilities and conveniences. As you'll spend a lot of time on the road, it is important to realise that the emphasis on this trip is on the journey. You'll travel through amazing landscapes and stay in some stunning locations.

  • Depending on group size, you may be split into multiple vehicles throughout this trip. The leader will make an effort to rotate travellers through the vehicles so that everyone spends some time together on the drives.

  • Vegetarians can be catered for, though choices may be limited. Please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements when you book your trip. Some food will be traditional Mongolian style, but as the traditional diet consists solely of meat and dairy products, most meals are less challenging and based more on Russian or Western cuisine, which is now also common in the Mongolian diet.

Map of Mongolia's Naadam Festival including Mongolia
Wrestlers at Naadam festival in Mongolia
mongolia farmer amended cart transport carriage horse camel
Mongolian Riders at Naadam festival

Itinerary
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Sainbainuu! Welcome to Mongolia. You can arrive at any time before your group meeting at 6pm. The location of this meeting can be found at the hotel reception. Please have your passport, insurance and next of kin information ready to give to your leader at this meeting. The hotel is located in a quiet residential area within walking distance to Sukhbaatar Square. After the welcome meeting, you'll have the option to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. If you arrive in town earlier and have time, be sure to get out and explore 'UB', a fascinating town where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young business elite. A great place to start is Gandan Khiid, Mongolia's largest and most important monastery. The Fine Arts Museum, Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khan and Intellectual Museum are also well worth visiting.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Due to the fact that much of Ulaanbaatar's infrastructure lacks regular maintenance, you may on occasion only have access to cold water at your hotel.

Mongolia’s annual Naadam Festival is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the era of the great Khans and their dynasties. Wrestling, archery and horse racing — the three skills that Chingis Khan considered essential for any Mongol warrior — are showcased today at the country’s largest celebration of the “three manly sports”. We will get a special insight into each of these sports with visits to the training camps that take place in preparation for the festival.

Today drive approximately 3 hours to an archery training camp, where you will observe Mongolian archers lining up their shots. Learn how precision and technique play a key role in successful archery and have a go at using the traditional bow and arrow yourself. At the end of the day, drive back to our tourist ger camp. A ger is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by nomads on the steppes of Mongolia and Central Asia. Spend your first night in a ger tonight.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Archery Training Camp
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Take a two hour drive to a wrestling camp and spend the day watching the athletes practice. Your leader will explain the rules of Mongolia wrestling and the various techniques and tricks. Some of these wrestlers are huge national celebrities! Learn to cook a Mongolian BBQ and share it with the wrestlers for lunch or dinner.

Tonight we drive to another camp where the horse trainers and riders live during their Naadam preparations. This is truly authentic experience and we will be staying with locals in their gers. The conditions will be basic, but you will get a very real insight into local Mongolian life. Bed down early tonight to rise at dawn with the trainers and riders tomorrow morning.
Accommodation
  • Family Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wrestling Training Camp
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
It's important to remember that many Mongolians are quite superstitious and ordinarily no photography is allowed in homes and of individuals. Please follow your leader's guidance on this and respect the wishes of the local community.

A sleeping bag is required for our family ger stay tonight as no bedding is provided. Be prepared to sleep on the floor of a local ger and with basic conditions (ie. no bathroom facilities).

Wake up at the crack of dawn as the campsite comes alive with preparations for the horse racing events of Naadam. Spend the day watching the horses and jockeys train. Some of the jockeys are children as young as 7 and you'll be amazed at the skill and strength on display in handling their animals. Your leader will tell you about why horses are so treasured by the Mongolian people. Mongolian nomads have developed deep relationships with animals over thousands of years and you will witness some of this during your time here today. Return to Ulaanbaatar (approx 2.5 hours drive) this afternoon for some free time.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Horse Racing Training Camp
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today drive around six hours from Ulaanbataar to Baga Gazriin Chuluu a series of granitic formations located in the Middle Gobi province. Ruggedly beautiful, the rocks are worshipped by locals, who are known to make pilgrimages here, and it is rumoured that Genghis Khan also traveled to this site during his conquests. Here the group will encounter ancient rock paintings, natural springs, and a ruined monastery. You will have the opportunity to hike in the area and take in the awe-inspiring views before heading onwards to a ger camp for the night. 
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Drive to Tsagaan Suvarga today (approximately 5 hours). Also known as the "white stupa”, the region is well known for its formation of rocky cliffs that are composed of different ores. When exposed to oxygen, the rock turns different shades of pink, red and orange. The cliffs dates back as far as 10 million years, with the different coloured layers indicating different times in the rock's history. Hike and explore the nearby caves after lunch. Stay in the ger camp again tonight.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tsagaan Suvarga - Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Pay a visit to Yoliin Am, a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of southern Mongolia more commonly known as the Vulture Canyon. Enjoy a two hour walk through the narrow gorges, with soaring cliffs on either side and bearded vultures sailing high above. Stop for a packed lunch. Drive to our ger camp in the afternoon, where the group will overnight. After dinner, pack a camera and walk to the Flaming Cliffs, so named for the vibrant colours of red and orange that flicker on the cliffs at sunset. Ger camp stay again tonight.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Sunset walk
  • Vulture Canyon - Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today you will drive to the giant sand dunes known as Khongoriin, Mongolia's largest and called the ‘singing sands’ by the locals (approx 4 hours). These monster dunes stretch for over 100km and can reach up to 300 meters in height. This is the quintessential landscape that one would picture if asked to imagine a desert. Sweeping, wave-like patterns of sand framed by a bright blue sky and lit by a relentless sun. The dunes’ nickname comes from the sound produced by small avalanches of sand on a windy day, and the noise has been likened the distant hum of an aircraft propeller. There'll be time to do a walk up to the top of the dunes, and watch sunset.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Khongoriin Sand Dunes - Sunset walk & camel ride
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today you will have a chance to ride a two humped camel along the iconic singing sand dunes. Enjoy this typically Mongolian experience while you make your way through this remote landscape and take in the views. The rest of the day is free time. Perhaps go for a walk, read a book, catch up on some sleep or just relax around the ger camp.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

A long travel day today. Drive to the Ongiin Khiid (approximately 8 hours). Ongiin Khiid refers to two ruined monasteries: Bari Lam Khiid, which was built in 1810 on the north bank of the river near the tourist ger camps, and Khutagt Lam Khiid, which was built in 1760 on the south side of the river and is only accessible when the water is low or frozen over. Once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, the complex was destroyed in 1937 as part of a communist purge. Since 1990, a small but growing contingent of monks has resettled amid the ruins, gradually restoring the ancient site. Spend the day exploring the ruins and visit the small museum. Retire to the ger camp in the afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ongiin Khiid - Ruins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Drive to the ancient city of Karakorum (approximately 4 hours). The city twice served as a capital during the reign of the Mongol Empire and at the creation of the Northern Yuan province. We will stop in Övörkhangai Province and visit Erdenezuu Monastery, which is one of the earliest surviving Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. The monastery was closed until 1965, when it was permitted to reopen as a museum but not as a place of worship. It was only with the collapse of communism in 1990 that religious freedom was restored and the monastery became active again. Today Erdene Zuu Khiid is considered by many to be the most important monastery in the country, though no doubt it’s a shadow of what it once was. While here we will also visit the Karakorum Museum. The exhibits include dozens of artefacts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, which were all recovered from the immediate area surrounding Karakorum. Exploring the open market in town is also an option today. Overnight in a ger camp again today.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karakorum - Erdenezuu Monastery & Museum
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Return to Ulaanbaatar today (approximately 6 hours) and make the most of a restful night, for tomorrow marks the beginning of the Naadam Festival! If you're feeling restless, perhaps pay a visit to the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, a complex of five temples showcasing a wealth of Mongolian architecture and history, or the quirky Beatles Square. Surprisingly, the Beatles are credited as playing a large role in bringing democracy to Mongolia and have been honoured with a special monument. There's also usually a lot going on at Sukhbaatar Square today as people get ready for the festival starting tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

The Naadam Festival begins today and the group will get the opportunity to witness the opening ceremony, which features extravagantly costumed parades, traditional music, dance and historical reenactments. Truly a sight to behold! The archery competition also takes place today. You might recognise some of the competitors from visiting their training camps at the start of the trip. Who will be crowned champion?
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naadam Festival - Opening Ceremony
  • Naadam Festival - Archery events
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Naadam is the busiest and most popular time for foreign travellers to visit Mongolia. Tickets to Naadam events are included in the price of your trip and will be booked for you in advance.

Watch horse racing and wrestling today on the second day of the Naadam Festival. Cheer for your favourites as you watch them wrestle and ride for glory!
After a big day at the festival head out for an optional final night dinner with your group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naadam Festival - Wrestling events
  • Naadam Festival - Horse Racing events
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Say 'bayartai' to your group as your adventure draws to a close. There are no activities planned for the day. If you'd like to stay longer in Ulaanbaatar, it's recommended that you book additional accommodation well in advance due to it being peak season.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Tourist Ger Camp (8 nights), Family Ger Camp (1 night)

Included activities

  • Archery Training Camp
  • Wrestling Training Camp
  • Horse Racing Training Camp
  • Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Hike
  • Tsagaan Suvarga - Hike
  • Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Sunset walk
  • Vulture Canyon - Hike
  • Khongoriin Sand Dunes - Sunset walk & camel ride
  • Ongiin Khiid - Ruins
  • Karakorum - Erdenezuu Monastery & Museum
  • Naadam Festival - Opening Ceremony
  • Naadam Festival - Archery events
  • Naadam Festival - Wrestling events
  • Naadam Festival - Horse Racing events

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is available on this trip for hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar only.
2. A sleeping bag may be required for the family ger camp stays - please check at time of booking.
3. Please provide your full passport details to your booking agent no later than 40 day prior to departure. This is required for booking Nadaam festival tickets.

Essential trip information

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Reviews

Our Mongolia's Naadam Festival trips score an average of 4.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews in the last year.

Mongolia's Naadam Festival, June 2017

Alexandra Hyatt

Review submitted 15 Aug 2017

Mongolia's Naadam Festival, June 2017

Madeleine Smith

Review submitted 18 Jul 2017

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