Naadam Holiday Mongolia 7 Days Tour

Affordable Naadam Holiday Tour Itinerary

Mongolia’s State Naadam Festival is a breathtaking cultural spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors eager to experience its vibrant blend of traditional sports, music, and food. This meticulously crafted itinerary ensures you witness the highlights of the Naadam holiday in Mongolia while also exploring Mongolia’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and nomadic lifestyle.

Highlights

Ulaanbaatar City Tour – Explore Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery, and Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace.
Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony – Witness the grand parade, Mongolian wrestling, archery, and ankle bone shooting.
Traditional Mongolian Cuisine – Taste huushuur, the must-try dish of the Naadam holiday in Mongolia.
Horse Racing at Hui Doloon Hudag – Experience the thrilling finish of Mongolia’s legendary Ikh Nas horse race.
Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes – Ride camels or horses in Mongolia’s “Mini Gobi” desert landscape.
Kharkhorin & Erdene-Zuu Monastery – Discover the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and its historic Buddhist monastery.
Hustai National Park – See Przewalski’s wild horses (Takhi) and other rare wildlife.
Nomadic Family Visit – Experience traditional Mongolian hospitality, lifestyle, and customs.
Zaisan Hill & Shopping – Enjoy panoramic city views and shop for authentic Mongolian cashmere and souvenirs.

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar – The Heart of Mongolia

Your journey begins as you land in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, where your guide will warmly welcome you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. After a comfortable transfer to your hotel, you’ll have time to relax and recover from your travels.

In the afternoon, we embark on a fascinating city tour, starting at Sukhbaatar Square, the central plaza that serves as the political and cultural heart of Mongolia. Next, we visit the National Historical Museum, where you will delve into Mongolia’s incredible history, from the days of the mighty Mongol Empire to modern times.

The spiritual journey continues at Gandan Monastery, the country’s largest and most important Buddhist monastery, home to a magnificent 26-meter-tall statue of Avalokiteshvara. Then, we head to the Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace Museum, once the royal residence of Mongolia’s last king, offering insight into the royal lifestyle and artifacts of the 19th century.

In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Mongolian folk concert, featuring mesmerizing long song singing, throat singing, Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle) performances, and dynamic folk dances. After an enchanting cultural experience, you will return to your hotel for a restful night.

Accommodation: Hotel
Distance: 45 km
Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Day 2: The Grand Opening of Naadam – A Celebration Like No Other

Today marks the most awaited moment of your journey—the grand State Naadam Festival. We will head to the Central Stadium early to secure a good spot for the breathtaking opening ceremony at 11:00 AM. The festival begins with a vibrant parade of horsemen, athletes, dancers, musicians, and military personnel dressed in dazzling national costumes.

After the opening, we witness the fierce Mongolian National Wrestling, where 512 or even 1024 wrestlers compete in traditional open-field matches. Meanwhile, outside the stadium, you can watch the Archery and Ankle Bone Shooting competitions, ancient sports that have been passed down for centuries.

Of course, no Naadam experience is complete without tasting the festival’s iconic dish—huushuur, a deep-fried meat pastry beloved by locals and visitors alike. We’ll sample some from the bustling food stalls set up around the festival grounds before heading to a traditional Mongolian restaurant for dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel
Distance: 30 km
Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Day 3: Horse Racing at Hui Doloon Hudag & Journey to Elsen Tasarkhai

Early in the morning, we drive to Hui Doloon Hudag, the thrilling venue for Mongolia’s legendary horse racing events. Here, we will witness the heart-pounding Ikh Nas (over 5 years old) horse race, where young jockeys, some as young as 6 years old, ride across vast steppes, pushing their endurance and skill to the limit.

After an exciting morning, we travel to Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as “Mini Gobi”, a picturesque region where rolling sand dunes, lush grasslands, and rocky mountains converge to create a breathtaking landscape. We’ll settle into Bayan-Gobi Ger Camp, where you can enjoy an authentic ger stay under a star-filled sky, experiencing the essence of the Naadam holiday in Mongolia.

Accommodation: Ger Camp
Distance: 287 km
Estimated Travel Time: 3-4 hours

Day 4: Exploring the Ancient Capital – Kharkhorin

After breakfast, we will visit the Temple of Erdene Khamba, a serene site near our camp. Then, we head to the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes, where you can try horseback or camel riding, experiencing Mongolia’s nomadic heritage firsthand.

Next, we travel to Kharkhorin, the historic capital of the Great Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. Here, we explore the legendary Erdene-Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery, with its stunning white stupas and centuries-old artifacts.

After absorbing the rich history of the region, we retire at our ger camp, surrounded by the peaceful countryside.

Accommodation: Ger Camp
Distance: 100 km
Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Day 5: Wildlife Adventure at Hustai National Park

Today, we journey to Hustai National Park, home to the rare and ancient Przewalski’s horse (Takhi), a wild horse species that survived extinction and now thrives in Mongolia. The park is also home to elk, bearded vultures, marmots, and various rare bird species.

En route, we will stop by a traditional Mongolian nomadic family, offering a rare chance to experience their daily lifestyle, taste airag (fermented mare’s milk), and engage in cultural exchange.

In the evening, we will enter the park to witness wild horses coming down to drink from the water sources, an unforgettable sight in the golden light of sunset, capturing the spirit of the Naadam holiday in Mongolia.

Accommodation: Ger Camp
Distance: 330 km
Estimated Travel Time: 4-5 hours

Day 6: Return to Ulaanbaatar – Final Sightseeing & Shopping

After breakfast, we head back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch before visiting:

Choijin Lama Temple Museum – A well-preserved temple filled with Buddhist art and artifacts.
Zaisan Hill Memorial Statue offers panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar, which is a perfect spot for photography.

To conclude the day, we explore the city’s finest shops for souvenirs and high-quality Mongolian cashmere, bringing home a piece of Mongolia’s heritage.

Accommodation: Hotel
Distance: 97 km
Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours

Day 7: Departure – Farewell to Mongolia

On your final day, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Chinggis Khaan International Airport. As you board your flight, you’ll leave Mongolia with unforgettable memories of the Naadam holiday, stunning landscapes, and nomadic traditions.

Distance: 45 km
Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Experience the State Naadam Festival like never before with this immersive tour that brings you closer to Mongolia’s history, culture, and untouched natural beauty.