The Naadam Festival: Mongolia's Premier Cultural Celebration
Experience Mongolia’s most spectacular and nationally cherished festival, Naadam, where the country’s best athletes compete in the “Three Manly Games”—wrestling, horse racing, and archery. This all-inclusive 8-day tour provides Signature access to the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies while also exploring Mongolia’s history, nomadic culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
Beyond the festival, journey to Terelj National Park, Kharkhorin, Orkhon Valley, and the Semi-Gobi, where you will ride camels, stay with nomads, and visit ancient monasteries.
Inclusions
• Access to Naadam Festival (opening ceremony)
• Private 4x4 transportation throughout the trip
• Domestic transportation as required for itinerary
• 3 nights in a 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
• 4 nights in traditional Mongolian ger camps
• All meals (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners)
• English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees to all cultural sites and national parks
• Naadam horse racing, wrestling, and archery viewing
• Cultural performances, including throat singing and contortionists
• Nomadic family stay and cultural immersion activities
• Camel riding and horseback riding
• Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
• Bottled water throughout the trip
What’s Not Included
• International flights to/from Ulaanbaatar
• Optional activities in Ulaanbaatar on Day 7
• Visa fees (if applicable)
Pricing & Group Discounts
• Double Occupancy: $4,000 per person
• Single Occupancy: $4,800 per person (private ger accommodation)
• Private Tour Surcharge: +40% for 1-2 pax | +25% for 3-4 pax
• Larger Group Discount: -10% for 11-20 pax | -15% for 21-30 pax
Departure Dates (2025)
• Fixed Dates: July 9 – July 16, 2025
• Guaranteed Departures – This tour runs regardless of participant numbers
Extend Your Journey
Extra nights in Ulaanbaatar are available for $100 per night . Additional services, including seamless transport, guided day tours, and private excursions, can be arranged separately.
The Naadam Festival Tour is the ultimate way to experience Mongolia’s most vibrant and exciting cultural event while also exploring its stunning landscapes, ancient history, and rich nomadic heritage.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival & Terelj National Park Retreat
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to a lodge retreat in Terelj National Park. Visit the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, the world’s largest equestrian statue, before settling into your accommodation. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Mongolian cuisine and an orientation session about the Naadam Festival.
Begin the day exploring Terelj National Park, home to dramatic rock formations, Buddhist temples, and vast landscapes. Take a short hike to Turtle Rock, a famous natural landmark. Return to Ulaanbaatar for a city tour, visiting Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery, and the National Museum of Mongolia. In the evening, attend a Naadam Festival briefing to understand the history and traditions behind Mongolia’s most anticipated event.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Day 3
Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony & Competitions
Experience the grand opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival at the National Stadium with Signature seating. Watch the parades, cultural performances, and official start of the festival. Spend the afternoon witnessing archery competitions, knucklebone games, and Mongolian wrestling matches. In the evening, travel to the horse racing fields outside the city for an overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Ger camp
Day 4
Naadam Horse Racing & Nomadic Family Stay
Mongolia’s legendary horse races take place in the vast steppes outside Ulaanbaatar. Witness the long-distance races, where young jockeys ride across the open terrain. Later, visit a nomadic family, experiencing firsthand their hospitality, traditions, and way of life. Take part in milking livestock, preparing traditional dairy products, and riding Mongolian horses.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Ger camp
Day 5
Semi-Gobi Sand Dunes & Camel Trekking
Travel through Mongolia’s Semi-Gobi desert, where the landscapes shift from grasslands to rolling dunes. Ride two-humped Bactrian camels, an iconic symbol of Mongolia’s nomadic heritage. Enjoy a peaceful evening under the vast desert sky, learning about the nomads’ desert survival skills.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Ger camp
Day 6
Kharkhorin & Orkhon Valley Exploration
Visit Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Explore the legendary Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, built on the ruins of Genghis Khan’s capital. Continue to Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning waterfalls and historical significance.
Day 7
Journey Back to Ulaanbaatar (Overnight in Camp)
Enjoy breakfast in Orkhon Valley, then begin the drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping at scenic locations along the way. Arrive at a traditional ger camp for an overnight stay outside the city.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Ger camp
Day 8
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar & Departure
Wake up early and arrive in Ulaanbaatar around noon. If you have time before your departure, explore the city further with an optional guided day tour. Private excursions and additional services are available upon request. Transfer to the airport for your international flight.
Day 9
Optional Adds
Day 10
Optional Adds
Photos
Entertainment
Highlights:
Immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities of Naadam, Mongolia’s most iconic festival. Witness age-old traditions come alive through wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and journey through the heart of Mongolia’s cultural and natural wonders