Mongolia's Naadam Festival Tour by Intrepid Travel

15 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ends

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Highlights

Visit the athletes’ training camps as they prepare to compete in the Naadam Festival.

Live the nomad life with a family stay at a horse breeder's camp – a rare and rewarding cultural experience to remember.

Attend the Naadam Opening Ceremony and watch athletes compete for glory in wrestling, horse racing and archery.

Encounter Mongolia's stunning natural landscape with visits to places such as the Flaming Cliffs and sand dunes of Khongor.

Spend time in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s fascinating capital city, where traditional Mongolian life mingles with modern ways.

Itinerary

Step into Mongolia’s rich heritage with the Mongolia’s Naadam Festival tour—a 15-day moderate trip timed to showcase the country’s most exuberant celebration. Start and finish in Ulaanbaatar, journeying through dramatic landscapes, ancient monasteries, and storied cities.

The heart of this adventure is the Naadam Festival, where the fabled “three manly sports”—wrestling, archery, and horse racing—take center stage. Go behind the scenes to meet local competitors and gain insights into traditions dating back to Genghis Khan’s era. Explore flaming cliffs, wild outback, and the ruins of Mongolia’s dynastic past for a deeper connection to this enigmatic land.

For travelers seeking a rare cultural immersion, the unique selling point is exclusive festival access and the chance to witness Mongolia’s living history in action—a vibrant blend of sport, pageantry, and nomadic spirit.

day 1 - Ulaanbaatar

Sainbainuu! Welcome to Mongolia. You can arrive at any time before your welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, you'll have the option to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. If you arrive in town earlier and have time, be sure to get out and explore 'UB', a fascinating town where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young business elite. A great place to start is Gandan Khiid, Mongolia's largest and most important monastery. The Fine Arts Museum, Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khan and Intellectual Museum are also well worth visiting.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Archery & Wrestling Training Camp

Mongolia’s annual Naadam Festival is a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the era of the great Khans and their dynasties. Wrestling, archery and horse racing – the three skills that Genghis Khan considered essential for any Mongol warrior – are showcased today at the country’s largest celebration of the ‘three manly sports’. You’ll get a special insight into each of these sports over the next couple of days with visits to the training camps taking place in preparation for the festival. You’ll observe Mongolian archers lining up their shots, learn how precision and technique play a key role in successful archery and have a go at using the traditional bow and arrow yourself. You’ll also watch the wrestlers practice. Your leader will explain the rules of Mongolia wrestling and the various techniques and tricks. Some of these wrestlers are huge national celebrities! Learn to cook a Mongolian BBQ and share it with the wrestlers for lunch or dinner. Tonight, you’ll either stay at the wrestler’s camp or a ger camp nearby.

included:Archery Training Camp, Wrestling Training Camp

accommodation:Tourist Ger Camp