Naadam, the `manly games´ or Suur-kharbaan as it is called in Buryatya is a festival of the three major traditional sports in Mongolia: Wrestling, Horse Racing and Archery. It is the biggest event in Mongolia.
Small Naadams are celebrated throughout the country and in the first part of July (11, 12 and 13) the National Naadam in Ulaanbaatar is celebrated. The three day event brings all the best sportsmen from over the country to Ulaanbaatar. It is the most widely watched festival in the country, and is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another.
Originally it was a religious festival as an annual sacrificial ritual honouring various mountain gods and to celebrate a community endeavour. Now it formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself a free country. The 2006 National Naadam was introduced as the as the 85th Anniversary of the revolution and the 800th celebration of Mongolian Statehood.
- Day 01 Arrival Ulaanbaatar
- Day 02 Ulaanbaatar City Tour
- Day 03 Ulaanbaatar
- Day 04 Elsen Tasarkhai
- Day 05 Karakorum - Ulaanbaatar.
- Day 06 Naadam Festival - Ulaanbaatar
- Day 07 Naadam Festival- Ulaanbaatar
- Day 08 Ulaanbaatar- U.S. or an extension to China /Tibet
Day 01 Arrival Ulaanbaatar
Upon rrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, you will be met and trasnferred to hotel.
Overnight Ulaanbaatar.
Day 02 Ulaanbaatar City Tour
The city tour of Ulaanbaatar takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. Visit the Gandan Monastery, housing a 26 meter high gilded statue of the Buddha. Your tour also takes you to the Museum of National History, which has a number of fascinating displays of traditional Mongolian clothing and weaponry, as well as exhibits charting the course of Genghis Khan's empire-building, and walk the Central Square of Mongolia named after Genghis Khan with 2 statues one dedicated to the Great Khan himself, and another to Sukhbaatar – hero of Mongolian people’s revolution in 1921.
Afterwards visit the Giant Genghis Statue (1hr from Ulaanbaatar) and return to Ulaanbaatar by 7pm and transfer to the hotel.
Overnigth Ulaanbaatar.
Day 03 Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast at the hotel, depart to the west toward Karakorum, the ancient capital city of Mongolia.
Transfer to camp near the Mongol Els Sand Dunes. Enjoy a visit to a nomadic family and see their lifestyle with some optional horse or camel riding.
Overnight Elsen Tasarkhai.
Day 04 Elsen Tasarkhai
We visit legendary monastery Erdene Zuu, the first Buddhist monastery in Central Mongolia founded in 1586, Museum of Karakorum and its surroundings the Turtle Rock and the Phallic stone.
In the afternoon we will visit the newly established Museum of Karakorum which gives a good introduction to Central Mongolia, its’ history and the UNESCO world heritage site Orkhon river valley.
Overnight Karakorum.
Day 05 Karakorum - Ulaanbaatar.
We drive to the east to Ulaanbaatar, arrive and transfer to the hotel. Rest and prepare for the Great Festival of the next day. This is a lifetime experience indeed and everyone wants to take part in it. The Mongols have the saying “If you be healthy, you will see the Naadam”.
Day 06 Naadam Festival - Ulaanbaatar
Enjoy the fantastic opening ceremony of Naadam festival and watch the first round of Wrestling, and then Archery and Ankle bone shooting competitions. On 12 July, we will drive to the horse racing place to experience the Naadam Festival horse races. We will also visit the Bogd Khan’s Palace Museum and see a traditional folk concert by magical Tumen Ekh ensemble.
Overnight Ulaanbaatar.
Day 07 Naadam Festival- Ulaanbaatar
Today we will drive to the horse racing place to experience the Naadam Festival horse races. We will also visit the Bogd Khan’s Palace Museum and see a traditional folk concert by magical Tumen Ekh ensemble.
Overnight Ulaanbaatar.
Day 08 Ulaanbaatar- U.S. or an extension to China /Tibet
Trasnfer to airprot and fly back home or extend your trip to China or Tibet.