The most significant event of the year in Mongolia is the Naadam Festival, well known as the Eriin Gurvan Naadam. Nomads comfit with Three games of men, wrestling, archery, and horse racing for the Naadam. However, women participate in archery and girls in the horse-racing games, but not in Mongolian wrestling.
It was celebrated for centuries as a test of courage and strength of nomadic people and warriors. People coming from all corners of the country and abroad enjoy watching the Naadam festival. The festival is held across the country, normally between 11 and 13 July, the anniversary of the 1921 Mongolian Revolution. The major events take place during the first two days. It is a wonderful time to experience the culture and people of this amazing land.
Highlight:
Attend grand opening ceremony of Naadam festival, Archery, wrestling & horse racing contests, Terelj national park excursion, 13ht Century Park, Chinggis khaan Equestrian Monument, horse riding, and cross-cultural experience.
Day 1. Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Meet our guide and driver. Check in hotel for relaxing. Visit Sukhbaatar square, Chinggis khan monument. Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Naadam Festival
Visit Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony in the central stadium. See Mongolian wrestling and archery. During this event, you will see the National White Banner Sacrifice on the stadium from Parliament house and it holds till the end of the Closing Ceremony of the festival. Mongolian used 81 white horses hair from all over Mongolia for this banner since Chinggis khan period for the meaning of peace. Visit the National Historical Museum. Evening event of Gala Concert and Ceremony at the Main Square. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Naadam Festival/Horse Racing
The second day of Naadam festival that, including wrestling, archery and traditional ankle bone shooting game finals. Closing Ceremony. Visit Zaisan Hill- panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar city, and Bogd Khaan Winter Palace, Visit the Ulaanbaatar city’s biggest monastery Gandan. Dinner and evening art performance. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4. Terelj National Park
Transfer to Terelj National Park and arrive at Terelj Lodge. Have an excursion to Turtle rock and Ariyabal meditation temple. In the afternoon visit a ger “museum”. Try the traditional drink of the nomads, mare’s milk (airag) or perhaps sampling the yak cheese or butter, staple foods of the Mongolian steppe. Following dinner, clients will be given a demonstration and training class for the traditional Mongolian sport of archery. Trails and competition will be held. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 5. Horse Riding
After breakfast, you will have a demonstration and be asked to assist in the disassembling and building of a smaller Mongolian ger. Then have a short horse riding tour to Tuul River, where we will continue the adventure by rafting along the river with rafting guide and safety equipment provided. Transfer back the camp by vehicle.
Day 6. Ulaanbaatar
Early in the morning, you will see wild ass and if lucky we can see some wild animals like wolf, fox and many birds as well. Afternoon drive back to Ulaanbaatar transfer to hotel. Shopping at Souvenir and Cashmere, farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 7. Departure
Check out hotel and transfer to the airport. Departure.
