The Naadam Festival tour

Meet your guide and head to the Central Stadium. The Naadam Festival is not only famous among locals – many visitors, tourists, and journalists come to Mongolia to experience the celebrations. The festival starts with a transferring ceremony of the nine white banners by soldiers on horse-back from the Parliament Building to the Central Stadium. Nine white banners were used during festive and peaceful times. A vibrant opening ceremony begins followed by the first-round of wrestling matches. Just outside the stadium lies a field where the archery competition takes place. And also, a sheep anklebone flicking side-game takes place nearby. Horse-racing happens outside the city in a wide-open grassland valley. On the walkway around the Central Stadium, merchants sell souvenirs, snacks and drinks, the staple food of the festival – huushuur – which are deep fried flour meat-pockets, and the national drink – airag – which is fermented mare’s milk.

Our guide and driver will pick you up early in the morning and drive outside west of Ulaanbaatar to the horse-race field. There are 6 races categorized by the horses’ age and race distances are between 15 and 30 kilometers depending on the age group. The jockeys are children usually between the ages of 9 and 12. While waiting for the race, the area is bustling with interesting activities such as folk and horse shows, festive foods, souvenir sales, and mini-games for spectators to partake. Return to Ulaanbaatar.