Naadam Festival journey
- Region
- Ulaanbaatar & Terelj · Central Mongolia
- Duration
- 12 days
- Difficulty
- Easy Gentle walks and short rides. Long drives are the main effort.
- Season
- Summer · Jul
- Style
- Small group or Private · Max 12 travellers
- Per person
- From $4,450Plan this adventure
Timed for Naadam: July; national celebrations usually 11-15 July, local naadams throughout the month (dates vary, verify yearly)Verify yearly
The adventure
The stadium roars as wrestlers circle and slap their thighs; out on the steppe, child jockeys thunder in through a haze of summer dust. Afterwards you head west into quieter country, where the same games play out at a smaller, local scale.
- 01Naadam opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, with reserved seats
- 02Horse racing on the open steppe outside the city
- 03Wrestling, archery and ankle-bone shooting
- 04Terelj and the Chinggis Khaan statue complex
- 05Takhi in Khustai National Park
- 06Erdene Zuu and the Orkhon Valley
Day by day
Every itinerary is a starting point. Your specialist can add rest days, swap camps or change the pace.
Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel, with the city already decked out for the festival. Welcome dinner and briefing.
- Activities
- Airport welcome
- Trip briefing
- Welcome dinner
- Tonight
- 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- Meals
- Dinner
The route
Distances in Mongolia are big and roads are often tracks. Expect some long days in the 4x4, broken up by stops with herders, picnics and leg-stretching walks.
- 1Ulaanbaatar
- 2Terelj
- 3Khustai
- 4Elsen Tasarkhai
- 5Kharkhorin
- 6Orkhon waterfall
Where you'll sleep
A mix of family gers, small ger camps and a city hotel, chosen for their hosts, their setting and how well they look after the land.
What's included
- English-speaking local guide throughout
- Driver and 4x4 (Land Cruiser or Russian UAZ furgon)
- Reserved seats for the Naadam opening ceremony
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Hotel and ger camp accommodation
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- A dedicated Steppe & Sky specialist to plan your trip before you go
Not included
- International flights
- Visa, if required for your nationality
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
- Tips for guide and driver
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Single supplement
Good to know
- Naadam is Mongolia's biggest holiday. Ulaanbaatar is busy, and roads to the racing grounds are slow; patience is part of the day.
- Book early: hotels and camps fill months ahead for July.
- The pace is easy, with short walks and optional riding, but there are two long drive days.
- July is warm, 20-30°C by day, with afternoon thunderstorms. Bring sun protection and a light waterproof.
Dates & prices
Per person sharing, excluding international flights. Private trips run on any date you choose.
| Dates | Style | Availability | Per person | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul – 19 Jul 2027Naadam expected 11-15 July 2027. Festival dates are checked every year. | Small group | Limited spaces | From $4,450 | Enquire |
| 8 Jul – 19 Jul 2027Second group on the same dates, with its own guide and vehicles. Festival dates are checked every year. | Small group | Available | From $4,450 | Enquire |
| 7 Jul – 18 Jul 2027Private trip around Naadam. Price per person for two travellers. Festival dates are checked every year. | Private | Available | From $5,850 | Enquire |
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Ready when you are
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