Naadam Festival And Explore Training Of National Sport
About this tour
The Mongols may not have the Olympics, but they do have Naadam—a vibrant, centuries-old festival that dates back to the era of Genghis Khan and his dynasties. Celebrated annually, Naadam showcases the "three manly sports" essential to any Mongol warrior: wrestling, archery, and horse racing. This grand celebration is more than just a sporting event; it’s a journey into Mongolia’s rich culture and wild landscapes. Explore the lives of competitors preparing for the festival, and venture into the heart of Mongolia’s rugged outback, discovering ancient monasteries, fiery cliffs, and historic cities.
Activities included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 1 ( 8th July ) Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our driver in the arrivals hall at the international airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, free at leisure and have a good rest to recover from the jet lag. Take a half-day city tour, including the Gandan Monastery and National History Museum. Available to watch the ceremony of Nine White Banner at the central square and visit the national concert tonight.. Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: None
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ger Camp office (Nomad Nature Camp LLC), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 2 ( 9th July) Archery and Wrestling Training Camp Mongolia’s annual Naadam Festival is a centuries-old tradition originating from the era of the great Khans and their dynasties. Showcasing the "three manly sports"—wrestling, archery, and horse racing—this vibrant celebration embodies the skills Genghis Khan deemed vital for every Mongol warrior. Over the next few days, you’ll gain unique insights into these traditional sports by visiting training camps in preparation for the festival. Watch skilled archers perfect their precision, try your hand at using a traditional bow, and observe wrestlers—some of whom are national icons—practicing their techniques. You’ll also learn the art of preparing a Mongolian BBQ, sharing a meal with the wrestlers, and spend the night immersed in local culture at a wrestler’s camp or a nearby ger camp. Today's journey will take approximately 3 hours. Tonight's ger accommodations typically house 3 to 4 people per ger and include shared facilities such as flush toilets and basic showers. Be aware that water pressure can be inconsistent, so hot showers may not always be available. If you stay at the wrestler camp, expect firm beds as part of the wrestler’s training regimen. The schedule for visiting the training camps may vary based on the athletes’ routines. Additionally, other Intrepid groups starting the same day may join you for certain meals or activities during the camp visits.
Day 3: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 3 ( 10th July ) Horse Training Camp. Rise early as the campsite springs to life, and set off for another camp where horse trainers and riders prepare for Naadam. On the way, make a stop at a supermarket to pick up small gifts for your hosts, such as cookies or juice—your leader can suggest suitable options. In Mongolia, it's customary to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home. Continue to the horse rider training camp, where you’ll spend the day observing the jockeys and their horses in action. Their incredible skill and strength in managing their animals are truly awe-inspiring. Your leader will explain the deep cultural significance of horses to the Mongolian people. For thousands of years, Mongolian nomads have shared a profound connection with animals, and you’ll witness this bond firsthand. Tonight, stay with a local nomadic family in their ger and immerse yourself in their way of life. This is a genuine and unique opportunity to experience authentic Mongolian culture. Turn in early, as you’ll rise at dawn tomorrow alongside the trainers and riders.
Day 4: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 4 ( 11th July ) In the morning at 9am, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and joining in naadam small tour group. Today we will be attending the opening ceremony of the Festival of Naadam in Ulaanbaatar national stadium. It’s Mongolia’s biggest, most colorful and most important annual cultural event, focusing on three sports: horse racing, Mongolian-style wrestling, and archery. It’s no coincidence that all three skills derive from the capabilities of Genghis Khan’s legendary military – a force that conquered and controlled the largest empire the world has ever known. After lunch, return to the Naadam stadium and visit naadam archery field beside central stadium. The archery field will be filled with men and women archers in colorful ethnic national costumes who shooting arrows from their bows. This kind of contest was in existence in the 13th century and was in use until recently. We reenter into the naadam stadium watching for Mongolian national wrestling, you’ll see many wrestlers wrestling onto the green field. In the usual 512 wrestler tournament, there will be nine elimination rounds of wrestling over two days. There is no weight category in Mongolian wrestling. Also, we will visit stadium of ankle-bone shooting competition. Even though naadam’s original nickname is “three manly games” meaning wrestling, horse racing and archery, a fourth game came into the naadam’s official agenda in 1998, Mongolian ankle-bone shooting (shagain harvaa), and another UNESCO registered world heritage. Ancle-bone shooting by middle finger is a team game, a sort of miniature version of bowling. We will wander around outside of Naadam stadium to watch locals who dressed their national costumes, food and trade corners etc. End of the day, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L.
Day 5: Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Day 5 ( 12th July ) Be picked up from hotel at 07:30-8 am. This morning we will take 1-1.5 hrs drive to Hui Doloon hudag (horse racing field of Naadam festival) for witness the Naadam horse races, featuring children riding bareback across the steppe. All of these racers from each corners of Mongolia. You will experience the brilliant madness of the horse race field and the unsurpassed cultural opportunity to watch the “Soyolon” (5-year-old horse) race will start for 25km – Soyolon horse is the fastest and most powerful. Mongolians often say that the one who stands in dust of Soyolon race will be blessed till next Naadam. So don’t be surprised if you see many businessmen, crowds of people wearing fancy traditional garments, as well as the Mongolia ‘strong-men’ that will wait for Mongolian fastest of the Soyolon horses. While you are waiting for next race, you will have a great opportunity to take photography local horse trainers, peoples with traditional garments and so more. After explore Hui doloon khudag, 1.5hrs drive to the Hustai National Park. The park is home of last wild horses in their natural environment in the world, known as Perzevalski horse (takhi). The National park has over 450 species of vascular plants, 200 of which are medicinal. Check-in and lunch at Ger camp, rest and relaxing. There is you can visit a small Ger museum about the national park, wild horses and how they were reintroduced into the wild some years ago now for European zoos. The best time to observe these wild horses in their natural habitat is around 2-3hrs earlier than sunset, during they come down from mountains for water to stream. We will take short drive and hiking to see the horses. There is great opportunity to take photo for these endangered horses. If you are lucky, you can see fox, deer, marmot, eagle and more wild animals. Besides of the wild animals you can find here beautiful sceneries of the Mongolian nature that features mountain and steppe.
Day 6: Terelj, Mongolia
Day 6 ( 13th July) After breakfast, we will drive to Terelj National Park – is one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia. You can see the extraordinary formation of rocks and stones; some of them look quite similar to turtles. We will arrive around 1pm at Ger camp, which is located in the most spectacular spots in the National park. In the afternoon is rest and relaxation time at the camp. You can hike around the camp; explore national park, take photos and watching wild flowers. Before dinner time, we will visit local nomadic family to experience firsthand how people live the country side, a lifestyle which has not changed for centuries. Here you can help the herders with their daily tasks to get an idea of how nomadic people alongside of their livestock.
Day 7: Terelj, Mongolia to Chingis Khaan Statue, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 7 ( 14th July ) Terelj National Park trip – Genghis Khan’s Statue Complex – UB In the morning, we will explore the national park and take a short drive to see Turtle Rock – interesting rock formation looking like a turtle and visit Ariyabal meditation temple – surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations and sits at top of the mountain. The distance between the gate and the actual temple is about 1 km and it is only accessible by walking. To get to the top, you would cross the suspension bridge and climb up on 108 stairs, according to Buddhist prayer beads. This small hike is seen as a ritual to cleanse one’s sins. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view overlooking the Terelj National Park. After lunch, we will drive to visit Genghis Khan Statue Complex, which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. There is a recreation area, restaurants, and souvenir shops occupy the base structure. From here, we use an elevator or walk to the head of the horse through chest and back neck of the horse, where we can have farseeing and good panorama view over the complex area. Upon arrival in the city, we will visit “Wonders of Mongolia” folklore show by famous Tumen-Ekh ensemble – is one of the most successful folk art groups to share traditional Mongolian music with the world, having traveled to over 40 countries. After dinner, transfered to the hotel.
Day 8: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 8 ( 15th July ) You will be free at leisure in your hotel or wander around on your own until being escorted to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight home. End of service. Meal: Breakfast
What's included
Accommodation: Hotel****,* ger camp Guiding and interpreting service Full board meals Transport: 4x4 vehicle or minivan Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks Museums and cultural performance Naadam festival tax
- Items for personal use - International travel - Alcoholic drinks and beverages - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Single supplements - Gratuity for the guide and driver
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia