Mongolia Naadam Festival

Mongolia Naadam Festival Tour

4.9/5 353 Latest reviews
Tour Code: ODY-MN-002
Destination: Mongolia
  • Duration 10 Days
  • Tour Type Private & Bespoke
  • Tour Style Cultural

About This Trip

What better way to immerse yourself in the centuries-old tradition of Mongolia than by attending the famed Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar? This 10-day fantastic festival tour will show you the exciting atmosphere of the Naadam Festival with the "Three Manly Games": wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Besides, you can try the country's iconic experiences like horse riding, camping, and wildlife searching by visiting the national parks - Hustai National Park, Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, and Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Highlights of Ulaanbaatar like the Gandan Monastery and Bogd Khan's Palace Museum will also include in your journey.

Itinerary Summary

DAY PLACE HIGHLIGHTS
1 Ulaanbaatar Arrival
2 Hustai National Park Seek out Przewalski's Horses, Local Information Center
3 - 6 Ulaanbaatar Naadam Festival, Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square
7 Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve Baits Mountain, Search for Argali, Ger Camp for Night
8 Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Turtle Rock, Ariyabal Meditation Temple, Bird Watching
9 - 10 Ulaanbaatar Bogd Khan's Palace Museum, Departure

Suggested Itinerary

Expand All

Arrive in Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar on an international flight. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to relax after your long-haul flight.
  • Ulaanbaatar

Today you'll set out to run into the last remaining wild horses, the Takhi, commonly known as Przewalski's horses, in their native grassland within Hustai National Park, about 2-3 hours drive away. Featuring a unique landscape of arid steppe, forest, and gentle slopes, this park is also home to other animals including red deer, Mongolian gazelle, grey wolves, and over 200 species of birds. Venture through the unspoiled wilderness of this protected zone to seek out the wildlife, followed by a visit to a local center with great informative displays about the park. The evening promises the chance to go horse riding and experience camping in an accommodating ger.
  • B L D
  • Hustai National Park

Return to Ulaanbaatar this morning, and an exciting day commences as you explore the city's highlights. First, head to the country's largest and most important Buddhist temple Gandan Monastery. Continue to visit the National Museum of Mongolia for an immersive dose of the country's history and culture, followed by a stroll around the nearby Sukhbaatar Square, the city's central square, home to historical statues, ex-Soviet buildings and modern skyscrapers.
  • B L
  • Ulaanbaatar

Today, the eve of the Naadam Festival, also marks Mongolian State Flag Day. Start at Sukhbaatar Square to see the flag-raising ceremony and military parade. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the square and enjoy Deeltei Mongol traditional costume show and parade. You will see the locals in different types of traditional costumes. Head back to your hotel and get rested up for the grand Festival of the next day.
  • B L
  • Ulaanbaatar

The highlight of your journey begins as you experience the traditional celebration of the grand Naadam Festival. After the grand opening ceremony featuring a colorful parade along with song and dance performances, the competitions of Mongolia's three main sports wrestling, archery, and horse racing begin. You will then watch the first round of Wrestling in the Central Stadium, followed by Archery and Ankle bone shooting competitions held nearby. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the festival grounds and take in the joyful atmosphere. End this wonderful day with a spectacular fireworks display at Sukhbaatar Square.
  • B
  • Ulaanbaatar

Early in the morning, travel outside the city to enjoy the second day at the Naadam Festival. At the Khui Doloon Hudag field, you can see the cross-country horse racing near the stop line and cheer with the locals in a carnival-like atmosphere. Change your tempo to see how the horse trainers help the young riders - usually between the ages of 5 and 13 - prepare for the races. Return to Ulaanbaatar, and you are then free to relax for a while before heading out in the evening to enjoy Mongolian traditional performances of dancing and Khoomei throat singing.
  • B L
  • Ulaanbaatar

A 2-3 hours road transfer brings you to the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve. This harmonized complex of high mountains, steppes, rivers, lakes, and wetlands provides varied wildlife habitats for some endangered creatures. You'll go for a hike or horseback ride into the imposing Baits Mountain to seek out wildlife including big-horned wild mountain sheep Argali. Overnight in a ger camp.
  • B L D
  • Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve

Continue your journey - just after 1-2 hours driving - to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, known for its magnificent alpine scenery, outstanding rock formations, and various outdoor activities. After checking in at a ger camp, head out to see the well-known Turtle Rock, before visiting the Ariyabal meditation temple in spectacular surroundings. As you explore the park, be sure to prepare your camera and seize the great opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, flower and bird watching.
  • B L D
  • Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Depart from the picturesque national park and drive back to Ulaanbaatar within 2 hours. Spend the rest of the day further exploring the city: visiting the Bogd Khan's Palace Museum with royal relics on display and climbing up to Zaisan Hill for great views over the city. You are then free to do some souvenir and cashmere shopping.
  • B L
  • Ulaanbaatar

Bid farewell to Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your homebound flight.
  • B
Inquire Now

What's Included in Your Private Tour

  • A dedicated travel expert will work with you to design and arrange your itinerary based on your interests, travel style, schedule, and budget. Your trip can be adjusted as your plans take shape.
  • Accommodation is selected based on location, quality, your preferences, and budget. Depending on the destination and itinerary, options may include international hotel chains, boutique hotels, and locally distinctive properties.
  • Local guides are arranged in each destination, with strong language skills and in-depth local knowledge. Your guide will help you make the most of each destination while sharing local history, culture, and everyday life.

    Guide arrangements may vary depending on your destination and itinerary. Please refer to your Tour Program for the specific guide arrangements for your trip.

    If you have any special requirements for your guide, such as in-depth historical and cultural interpretation or expertise in a particular industry or subject, please let us know in advance so we can take your preferences into consideration when arranging your trip.
    • Private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver, as specified in the itinerary
    • Domestic trains as specified in the itinerary
    • Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
    • International flights for selected multi-country tours, as specified in the itinerary.

    Transportation arrangements can be adjusted to suit your itinerary and travel needs.

    *As each trip is tailor-made, transportation arrangements may vary by itinerary and destination. The final arrangements will be detailed in your Tour Program.

    *International flights to and from your home country are normally not included in the initial Tour Program. If you would like, your travel expert can also help arrange these flights upon request.

    • Breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) as specified in the itinerary
    • Additional meals can be arranged upon request
    • Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request

Your Travel Partner Every Step of the Way

  • Before You Travel
    • Personalized itinerary planning
    • Professional advice from local experts
    • Smooth booking support from start to finish
    Every great journey starts with thoughtful planning. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to understand your travel style, interests, and expectations. Whether you’re looking for iconic highlights, local experiences, or a more relaxed pace, we help design a trip that truly fits you.
  • While You Travel
    • Expert local guides with deep knowledge
    • 24/7 support for any on-the-go needs
    • Flexible arrangements to suit your pace
    Once your trip begins, we're right there with you behind the scenes. Our local guides, trusted partners, and support team work together to make your journey smooth, comfortable, and worry-free. From airport pickups to flexible day-to-day arrangements, we help you travel with confidence and ease.
  • After You Return Home
    • We welcome and value your feedback
    • A travel team you can return to anytime
    • Special benefits for your next journey
    For us, the journey doesn’t simply end when the trip is over. We love staying connected with our travelers, hearing your feedback, and learning more about your experience. Your insights help us continue improving our services while also inspiring future travelers. Many of our guests travel with us again, or recommend us to family and friends, and that’s something we truly value.

What Our Clients Say

Explore the latest verified reviews of Odynovo's travel services on Tripadvisor, Google, Trustpilot, Product Review and more trusted platforms.

You May Also Like

Quick Question

* Your Trip Ideas:
* Email Address:
* Phone Number:
X
Your Name:
We take your privacy very seriously.
awards
Inquire Now

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on our website. Continue browsing if you're ok with this. For more information, please see our cookie policy