Description
The Naadam festival is the biggest yet most jubilant national celebration for Mongolians. Originally organized from the times of the Huns/Hunnu Empire, Naadam was a kind of contest to evaluate the power and military skills of Mongol warriors. The festival consists of three main games referred to as “Three Manly Sports” such as traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery. The opening ceremony of the festival is always associated with a colorful cultural show followed by the first round of the wrestling tournament. In the aisles of the Central Stadium, both archery and the fourth Naadam game- ankle bone shooting will surely capture your interest. Hundreds of herders with their race horses will rush from various parts of the country to participate in the biggest race. Racing will take place out in the plains with varying distances of up to 15-20 miles in 6 different age categories. We kindly recommend booking in advance our Naadam Festival Tour People of Central Asia have become NOMADS due to the harsh and extreme climate of their habitat. Nomads seek out the best pastures and water sources for their livestock and migrate accordingly. Climate, landscape, and daily challenges developed them as tough, resilient, and self-sufficient nomads during centuries of struggle. Nomads created a rich and diverse cultural heritage unique to the world.
What's included
- Excursions as per itinerary
- Guide service at all times.
- Mongolian Traditional Lunch
- Water supply
- Entrance fees
- Traditional show
- All transfers
- Breakfast and Lunch
What's not included
- Accommodation in a hotel or hostel in Ulaanbaatar
- Hotel extras, such as telephone calls, bar bills and laundry services
- Dinner
- Travel insurance, medical insurance
- Visa application fees
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuity to guides and drivers
- Additional services
- Any charges of major force beyond our control (e.g. imposition, quarantine restrictions, etc…)
Packing list
This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.
- This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.
- Rain coat or warm coat depending on the weather
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- In the morning, we will drive to Mongol Nomadic camp at 8am from Ulaanbaatar
- Mongol Nomadic Show starts at10am
- Demonstration of everyday life of a traditional Mongol family and herders which is almost non-existent nowadays
- Watching the production of dairy products and tasting
- Demonstration of the migration of Mongolian herding family using ox carts and camel caravan
- Demonstration of milking yaks, tying together goats and ewes and milking them, catching and tying foals to a long tether, and milking mares
- Felt making and producing ropes from cow hide
- Concert of traditional musical instruments and folk songs
- Horsemanship show
- We will have a Mongolian Traditional lunch
- The Mini Naadam Festival will be officially opened with the welcoming speech of the President of Mongolia. Following the opening ceremony, a grand cortege is held including the ceremonial parade of adults and children representing nomadic culture, history, and ethnic people of the country eventually escorted by folk music and dance. Further, you can pay a visit to archery competitions where participants can only rely on their sharp eyes, firm hand, and rich experience to release the arrow. The targets are usually fist-sized leather balls which are placed at 60ms distance from women and 70ms for men contestants. Enjoy the game of ankle bone shooting. The first round of the wrestling match starts right after the opening ceremony
- It’s hard to imagine a Mongolian or a nomad without their horses. Mongolians possess a great heritage of horse culture as part of their daily living. The best-winner horses across the country gather in Ulaanbaatar for the most important National race. Mongolian people have been training their horses genuinely in their nature and winning the race during the State Naadam festival will definitely bring them tremendous joy and glory.
- Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, since all the viewers of the horse race will return towards the city, driving may be a little longer than expected.
