Mongolian Naadam Festival Tour (3 days)
Overview
Although the event happens in Ulaanbaatar, every village and province celebrates the Naadam festival in their own way.
Just like Brazil’s Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Germany’s Oktoberfest, our Naadam festival is our most popular and largest celebration here in Mongolia. Because of its significance and exoticness, we see more people come to take part in year after year.
During this three-day festival, there are tournaments of three traditional Mongolian sports – horse racing, archery, and wrestling taking place. The festival’s opening ceremony is the highlight with many shows and artistic performances.
Almost everyone dresses in their most beautiful and traditional outfits known as ‘Deel’, which are created in rich colors. Even though the main event is held in Ulaanbaatar, it is celebrated all over the country.
Schedule 2024 & 2025
Price based on pax
- Be exhilarated by this three-day festival which incorporates horse racing, archery, and wrestling.
- Come see the colorful traditional wear of the Mongolian people, also known as “Deeltei”. You may also buy one to take home with you.
- Take a tour across the beautiful Ulanbator city, and see the historical sites found in the city.
- This colorful event requires that you carry your camera with you at all times to capture the amazing color and atmosphere.
- Come join people from all over the world who come for this globally renowned festival.
- Std twin room at 4* hotel
- Private transfers
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Letter of Invitation
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
- Single supplement
Itinerary
First day of the Naadam: Depending on the program at that time, you will enjoy the military parade, traditional costume show “Deeltei Mongol” and State Banner Raising Ceremony on central square. The first round of archery and ankle bone shooting competition takes place in the central stadium. You will enjoy a live Traditional Folklore music and dance performance before dinner. Discuss with your guide where to start.
Meet in Ulaanbaatar. You will go out with your guide to see the preview of the Naadam Festival. You will visit the horse-racing arena to watch a race of foals and archery, “Shagai” shooters. You can enjoy a national folklore performance.
Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)
Main event day: At Central square, 9 o’clock, Chinggis Khaan’s 9 knights will carry the State Nine Banners on the horseback and take them to the Naadam Court. After the official Opening Ceremony in the Central Stadium at 11 o’clock, stay around the Naadam court and enjoy 3 manly games: wrestling, archery and ankle bone shooting games. Get soaked into the holiday atmosphere, grab food and enjoy around our traditional culture.
Overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D)
According to the fact, The Mongols always celebrated The Naadam in the countryside. Today we will drive to the horse racing court “Khui doloon khudag”, which is located in west side of Ulaanbaatar. Be ready for the real experience and see how passionate the locals are when the racing horses rush into the finish line. Horses are our symbolic animals that we have been breeding for thousands of years. Racing horses are divided in 6 age division and you will see 1 or 2 divisions today. Discuss the timing with your guide.
End trip. (B+L)
Good to know
- The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
- Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
- Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
- Transport:
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
- Personal things to bring with you:
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
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