Intrepid Travel
Mongolia's Naadam Festival
Mongolia’s Naadam Festival
The ancient Greeks may have the Olympics, but the Mongols have Naadam. Mongolia’s annual circus-like Naadam Festival is a centuries-old tradition that dates 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 at the country’s largest celebration of the “three manly sports”. On this 15-day adventure, go behind the scenes and meet the competitors in the lead up to the festival and discover some of Mongolia’s wild outback, visiting ruined monasteries, flaming cliffs and historic cities.
Activities
- Archery Training Camp
- Wrestling Training Camp
- Horse Racing Training Camp
- Baga Gazriin Chuluu – Hike
- Tsagaan Suvarga – Hike
- Vulture Canyon – Hike
- Khongor Sand Dunes – Dune Hike & Camel Ride
- Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs – Hike
- Ongiin Khiid – Ruins
- Karakorum – Erdenezuu Monastery
- Naadam Festival – Opening Ceremony
- Naadam Festival – Archery events
- Naadam Festival – Wrestling events
- Naadam Festival – Horse Racing events
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.
Booking Dates
05/15/2025 through 06/25/2026
Travel Dates
05/15/2025 through 07/13/2026
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The capital and largest city in Mongolia, located in the northcentral region. Founded as a monestary in 1649, it has long been an important stop on the trading route between Russia and China. |
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The Gobi Desert, spanning across northern China and southern Mongolia, is one of the world’s most iconic and mysterious landscapes. Known for its vast stretches of arid plains, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains, the Gobi offers a stark, breathtaking beauty that has captivated explorers and travelers for centuries. This desert is not only the largest in Asia but also one of the most diverse, with its ecosystems ranging from sandy expanses to steppes that support a surprising array of wildlife. Visitors can witness the grandeur of this desert firsthand, exploring its ancient valleys and experiencing its unique climate, where temperatures can soar to extreme highs in summer and drop drastically in winter. The Gobi Desert is also steeped in history, having served as a critical part of the ancient Silk Road, the trade route that connected the East and West for centuries. Travelers today can still feel the echoes of this historic trade route, visiting sites like the Khongoryn Els, known as the "Singing Dunes," where the wind creates hauntingly beautiful sounds as it sweeps across the sands. The Gobi’s cultural heritage is equally rich, with ancient monasteries like Erdene Zuu, which provide a glimpse into Mongolia's deep Buddhist traditions. For those seeking adventure, the Gobi Desert offers unparalleled opportunities. From camel treks that take you deep into the heart of the desert to off-road jeep tours that navigate through its rugged terrain, there’s no shortage of ways to explore this remote region. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to spot rare species such as the Bactrian camel, snow leopards, and the elusive Gobi bear, one of the world’s rarest animals. Fun fact: The Gobi Desert is home to the world’s first dinosaur eggs discovered in the 1920s by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews. This area continues to be a hotbed for paleontological discoveries, making it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the ancient past. |
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The capital and largest city in Mongolia, located in the northcentral region. Founded as a monestary in 1649, it has long been an important stop on the trading route between Russia and China. |
| Day 12 |
Mongolia has a harsh climate, with temperatures ranging between -15° and -30° C (-5° and -22° F) in winter and 10° and 26.7° C (50° and 80° F) in summer. Winters are dry, and summer rainfall seldom exceeds 380 mm (15 in) in the mountains and 125 mm (5 in) in the desert. Mongolia's capital and largest city Ulaanbaater, includes many points of interest: Mongolia's State Archives and State Public Library, which contains about 3 million volumes; the State Central Museum, which contains art treasures and antiquities; the Fine Arts Museum, with a collection of painting and sculpture; two museums with items from the revolutionary movement; and the Museum of Religion, with a collection of Lamaist relics. |
| Day 13 |
Mongolia has a harsh climate, with temperatures ranging between -15° and -30° C (-5° and -22° F) in winter and 10° and 26.7° C (50° and 80° F) in summer. Winters are dry, and summer rainfall seldom exceeds 380 mm (15 in) in the mountains and 125 mm (5 in) in the desert. Mongolia's capital and largest city Ulaanbaater, includes many points of interest: Mongolia's State Archives and State Public Library, which contains about 3 million volumes; the State Central Museum, which contains art treasures and antiquities; the Fine Arts Museum, with a collection of painting and sculpture; two museums with items from the revolutionary movement; and the Museum of Religion, with a collection of Lamaist relics. |
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The capital and largest city in Mongolia, located in the northcentral region. Founded as a monestary in 1649, it has long been an important stop on the trading route between Russia and China. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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06/29/25 - 07/13/25 |
Starting At $4,828 |
Get A Quote | |
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06/29/26 - 07/13/26 |
Starting At $4,665 |
Get A Quote |
Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
