National Naadam

Please arrange your arrival date for this day. Our national escort staff will pick you up from the airport/train station and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. If your arrival time allows, please join the welcome dinner with your tour guide, where a brief tour introduction will be provided.

To spend the day before Naadam in a fun way, travel about 50 km outside the city. It’s an exciting day to see the rural horse race. Immerse yourself in the Naadam-like atmosphere and celebrate together with charming local people, as the unique culture where children ride horses for long distances only exists among nomadic Mongolians. Today, lunch will be eaten at the Naadam field. Return to Ulaanbaatar.

Experiencing the annual Naadam festival in person is something special. Your journey’s highlight begins as you gather with locals and nomads at the Central Stadium to watch the opening ceremony of Naadam. From here, you can witness highlights such as wrestling, horse racing, and archery. The first round of the wrestling competition begins, and you can watch the procession of athletes, officials, and monks. Tickets for all entertainment venues are distributed by the local government tourism office during the week before the opening ceremony, so it is not possible to provide the Naadam program before the tour.
After the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival, in the afternoon, the first rounds of wrestling and archery will be held at the Naadam stadium.
Prepare your bag each day and include everything needed for the day — sun hat, sunscreen, drinking water, camera memory card, etc. It is usually hot at this time of year and the seats are not covered, so you will be exposed to sunlight all day. Since you’ll be walking among many people on your way to and from the stadium, valuables should be stored in the hotel safe or a money belt under your clothes.
Lunch during this time will typically be a packed lunch arranged by the hotel, so you can enjoy a “picnic style” meal without missing the excitement of the festival.
Evening: Naadam Gala Dinner.

Begin your journey early in the morning to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a place with a unique formation. Visit a nomadic Mongolian family and explore the area in the afternoon. Picnic lunch.

After breakfast, visit the ruins of the Sum Khukh Burd temple. Continue to Tsagaan Suvarga, a white limestone cliff that resembles a stupa. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at a ger camp.

Continue heading south. Arrive at the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains within the Gobi’s protected area. Spend the day hiking and exploring Yol Valley, enjoying stunning photo opportunities. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at a ger camp.

After breakfast, drive to Khongoryn Els, also known as the Singing Dunes. Climbing the dunes will reward you with breathtaking views. In the evening, watch the beautiful sunset—prepare your camera. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at a ger camp.

Head to Bayanzag, famous for its saxaul trees and globally known as the Flaming Cliffs. Follow the trail of American explorer and naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews (Jan 26, 1884 – Mar 11, 1960), where Mongolia’s first paleontological discoveries were made. Visit a nomadic camel-herding family and experience the warm hospitality of Mongolian nomads. Take a short camel ride. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at a ger camp.

After breakfast, head north and visit the ruins of the once-great Ongii Monastery and a locally restored temple. Stroll around the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at a ger camp.

After breakfast, travel to Kharkhorin, the former capital of the 13th-century Mongol Empire. Explore Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first and largest monastery built on the site of the ancient capital. Visit several temples featuring excellent examples of 17th-century Buddhist thangka paintings and sculptures. Visit the Kharkhorin Museum.

Drive to Tsenkher Hot Springs. Spend the day relaxing in the natural hot springs and exploring the nearby forest. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear for this day. The ger camp also offers optional massage and beauty treatments. Enjoy the hot springs again after dinner.

Start by driving to the memorial sites of Prince Kül Tigin (685–731), one of the oldest and most important Turkic relics. Then head to Ogii Lake. You may choose from horse riding, boating, or fishing activities.

Drive to Hustai National Park. Venture deep into the reserve to search for the Takhi (Przewalski’s horse), the ancestor of all modern horses. Please bring binoculars if available. Watch a short documentary film and visit the museum.