🏹 Mongolia’s Naadam Festival

Experience Mongolia’s Greatest Celebration

If you want to experience the heart of Mongolia’s nomadic culture, there’s no better time to visit than during the spectacular Naadam Festival.

Often called the ‘Three Manly Games’, Naadam is Mongolia’s most important national festival, celebrating centuries of history, tradition and sporting excellence. Held every July, it’s a unique opportunity to witness ancient customs that remain central to Mongolian life today.  

What to Expect

Naadam is famous for its three traditional sporting events:

  • 🤼 Mongolian Wrestling
  • 🏹 Archery competitions
  • 🐎 Horse racing across the vast steppe

But the festival is about far more than sport. Expect colourful opening ceremonies, traditional music and dance, local food, bustling markets and people proudly wearing their beautifully embroidered deel, Mongolia’s traditional clothing.  

Beyond the Festival

Many itineraries combine Naadam with the incredible landscapes that make Mongolia one of the world’s last great wilderness destinations.

You could experience:

  • Staying in traditional ger camps
  • Meeting nomadic families
  • Riding horses across endless grasslands
  • Exploring the Gobi Desert
  • Visiting ancient monasteries
  • Watching golden eagles soar overhead
  • Sleeping beneath some of the clearest night skies on Earth

Small Group Adventure

One of my favourite ways to experience somewhere like Mongolia is on an Intrepid Travel small group tour, where you’ll not only enjoy the excitement of Naadam but also venture into the country’s spectacular landscapes, staying in traditional gers and meeting local communities along the way. It’s an unforgettable combination of culture, history and adventure.  

Interested in booking for 2027?

Dates: 29 June – 13 July 2027 from £3495pp

27 June – 11 July 2028 from £3565pp

These are tour only prices, we can add flights for you to create an ATOL protected package.

Approximate flight cost from the UK: From £950–£1,250 per person (return, economy). Prices vary depending on departure airport, airline and how far in advance you book

Deposit £200pp

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