2 Days Naadam Festival 2020

The Naadam festival is the biggest yet most jubilant national celebration for Mongolians. It annually takes place between 11-13th July. Originally organized from the times of 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 as “Three Manly Sports” such as traditional wrestling, horse racing and archery. Opening ceremony of the festival is always associated with colorful cultural show followed by the first round of 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 the biggest race. Racing will take place out in the plains with varying distances of up to 15-20miles in 6 different age categories. We kindly recommend booking in advance our Naadam Festival Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Participate in the Naadam Festival

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
• Departure from “Mongolia Vision Tours”.
• Breakfast provided at local restaurant.
• Stop at Chinggis Khaan Square to view the marching of 9 White Banner of State from Parliament House to Central Stadium escorted with colorfully dressed Mongolian National Army.
• Arrive at Central Stadium. The Festival will be officially opened by the welcoming speech of President of Mongolia. Following the opening ceremony, a grand cortege is held including the ceremonial parade of adult and children representing nomadic culture, history and ethnic people of the country eventually escorted with folk music and dance.
• Further, you can pay a visit to archery competitions where participants can only rely on their sharp eye, firm hand and rich experience to release the arrow. The targets are usually a fist-sized leather balls which are placed in 60ms distance from women and 70ms for men contestants.
• First round of wrestling match starts right after the opening ceremony
• 12:30 We have a lunch which one is Naadam main dish Huushuur /to cook dumplings on steam/
• 1st Round of the children’s wrestling tournament
• Enjoy the game of ankle bone shooting.
• Souvenirs, traditional clothes and much more
• See Tumen-Ekh folk song and dance ensemble
• Transfer to Mongolian Vision Tours

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: The festival continues, see horse race

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
• In the morning, drive to the horse racing area, 30 km west of Ulaanbaatar.
• The horses race on the open steppes by age category (6 ages): from two-year-old horse to full-grown stallions. The racing distance depends on horses’ age. For example, two-year-old horses race 15 km, while the full-grown horses race 30km in the open field. Today, we can have a choice of 4 years old horses’ race or 2 years old horses’ race.
• Have a picnic a lunch
• Visit Horseman’s family’s ger
• Return back to Ulaanbaatar.
• Optional: Transfer to your accommodation /Central Stadium

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.