Naadam Festival in Mongolia: The Ultimate Nomadic Experience

By Roxy | Roxys Travel Plan | July – When Mongolia Celebrates | Reading Time: Approx. 9 Minutes

Naadam is the most authentic festival I have experienced anywhere in Asia.For three days, Mongolia comes alive with archery, horse racing, and traditional wrestling. The festival has been celebrated for more than 800 years, not only in Ulaanbaatar but in villages and communities across the entire country. If you are visiting Mongolia in July, you plan your trip around Naadam. If you do not, you are missing the very best the country has to offer.

What is Naadam?

The word Naadam literally means "games." The festival revolves around three traditional disciplines: Khuresh (Mongolian wrestling), archery, and horse racing, with children between the ages of 5 and 13 serving as jockeys. The combination has remained largely unchanged since the time of Genghis Khan.

The main Naadam Festival takes place every year from July 11th to 13th in Ulaanbaatar. The opening ceremony is held in the National Stadium, wrestling competitions run throughout the three days, archery takes place daily, and the horse races are held outside the city.

When and Where?

Ulaanbaatar – July 11th to 13th: This is the official Naadam Festival, featuring the largest opening ceremony and the country's best wrestlers.

Tickets should be booked well in advance, and we arrange them through trusted local partners. (Dates should always be confirmed each year before travel.)

Regional Naadam Festivals

Almost every provincial capital hosts its own Naadam between mid-June and mid-August. These celebrations are often more authentic, less crowded, and offer a much closer connection to local communities. My personal favorites are the Naadam festivals in Khovd and Murun.

A perfect itinerary combines both experiences: attend the opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar and then continue exploring the countryside. Or do it the other way around—spend several days in rural Mongolia before returning to the capital for the festival itself.

MONGOLIA | Sample 14-Day Itinerary

This is only an example.

Every journey is customized to match your interests.

Day 1 | Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Bigger, louder, and more modern than most travelers expect.

Spend the evening walking around Sukhbaatar Square and enjoy your first taste of Mongolian beef.

Day 2 | Monasteries and Palaces

Visit Gandan Monastery, home to around 900 monks and a spectacular 26-meter-tall golden statue.

Continue to the Bogd Khan Palace, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of Mongolia's last ruler.

Day 3 | Naadam Opening Ceremony

The biggest celebration in the country.

Traditional wrestling without weight classes and without time limits. Once seen, never forgotten.

Day 4 | Archery and Horse Racing

The horses are ridden by children between the ages of five and twelve.

It is fascinating, impressive, and at times surprising for visitors seeing it for the first time.

Days 5–6 | Into the Central Steppe

From here, the journey continues by jeep.

There are no paved roads, only tire tracks stretching across endless grasslands.

Visit Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire, and nearby Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 and still the oldest surviving monastery in Mongolia.

Days 7–8 | Orkhon Valley

A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nomadic families still spend their summers here just as their ancestors did generations ago. Taste traditional airag, observe daily nomadic life, and visit a waterfall rising unexpectedly from the middle of the steppe.

Days 9–10 | The Gobi Desert

Continue south into the Gobi.

The desert is not endless sand as many imagine, but a landscape of gravel plains, silence, dramatic red cliffs, and vast open horizons.

Khongoryn Els features dunes reaching up to 80 meters high that hum and sing when the wind moves across them. Sunrise here is unforgettable.

Day 11 | Ice Canyon and Flaming Cliffs

Yolyn Am surprises visitors with ice hidden deep within a desert canyon.

Later, Bayanzag—the famous Flaming Cliffs—glows orange and red in the evening light. This is where Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the world's first scientifically documented dinosaur eggs in 1922.

Days 12–13 | Return to Ulaanbaatar

Two days crossing the steppe once again.

Not a wasted travel day, but another opportunity to appreciate Mongolia's endless landscapes, silence, and perhaps an unexpected encounter with a nomadic family.

Day 14 | Departure

Return to Ulaanbaatar for some last-minute cashmere shopping before your flight home.

Extending the Journey to 21 Days

The additional week takes you north, away from the steppe and into the taiga.

Days 5–8 | Lake Khövsgöl

At 135 kilometers long and 262 meters deep, Lake Khövsgöl is one of Mongolia's greatest natural treasures.

The Mongolians call it the "Blue Pearl." Spend your days hiking, horseback riding, or exploring the lake by boat. Early risers often have entire stretches of shoreline completely to themselves.

An optional highlight is visiting the Tsaatan, Mongolia's last remaining reindeer herders. Only around 40 families still maintain this traditional way of life deep in the northern wilderness.

The remainder of the itinerary follows the 14-day route, with a more relaxed pace between destinations.

Staying in Ger Camps: What to Expect

A Ger is the Mongolian word for yurt—the traditional round felt tent used by nomadic families.

Tourist Ger camps are far more comfortable than many travelers expect. Most feature sturdy wooden beds with warm duvets, separate bathroom facilities, and restaurant gers for meals.

Realistically, electricity often comes from solar power, meaning no 24-hour Wi-Fi. Water supplies are limited, and showers are usually available during specific hours rather than throughout the day.

Heating is typically provided by a wood-burning stove, although during summer even that is rarely necessary.

Premium options include Three Camel Lodge in the Gobi and Khulan Resort near Lake Khövsgöl.

Costs, Access and Best Time to Visit

A privately arranged journey with a dedicated driver, domestic flights, and premium Ger camps generally costs between €5,000 and €6,500 per person for a 14-day itinerary including Naadam.

More budget-friendly options typically range between €2,800 and €3,800 per person.

Direct international flights are available from Frankfurt.

The best travel season runs from mid-June until mid-September.

Naadam itself takes place annually from July 11th to 13th in Ulaanbaatar.

Who Will Love Mongolia—and Who Might Not

You will love Mongolia if you seek silence, wide open landscapes, and genuine adventure. If you value experiences over luxury and want to do more than simply observe nomadic culture, this country will reward you immensely.

Mongolia is ideal for travelers who enjoy hiking, horseback riding, spending time outdoors, and embracing landscapes where you may travel for hours without seeing a single house.

It may be less suitable if you expect a new boutique hotel every night, prefer short travel days, or place comfort above experience.

Distances are vast. Infrastructure is simple. And that is precisely what makes Mongolia so special.

Mongolia is not a destination for ticking boxes.

It is a country that deserves time. Time to sit outside a Ger in the evening, watch horses crossing the steppe, and experience a level of silence that has disappeared from much of the modern world.

Plan Your Mongolia Journey With Us

If this guide has inspired you to experience Mongolia for yourself, we would be delighted to help.

Whether you want to attend Naadam, stay in premium Ger camps, explore the Gobi Desert, visit Lake Khövsgöl, or create a completely customized itinerary, we can design a journey tailored to your interests and travel style.

Our recommendations and initial travel consultations are completely free and without obligation. Together, we will create a Mongolia adventure that matches your pace, expectations, and sense of discovery.

Our recommendations and initial travel consultations are completely free and without obligation. Together, we will create a journey tailored to your travel style, fitness level, and personal interests—whether your dream is Everest Base Camp, the Manaslu Circuit, or simply discovering the very best Nepal has to offer.

Get your free itinerary today