Mongolia Naadam Festival 2024
Mongolia tour package - Enza Tours LLC

$170 per person

The Naadam Festival, a unique celebration in Mongolia, is a profound and eloquent manifestation of nomadic culture. It is a revered commemoration of national independence, blending arts and sports in a remarkable way.

Historically, the Naadam Festival served as a military competition during the Hunnic Empire and Great Mongolia. The three games of horse racing, wrestling, and archery, documented in the 13th-century book “The Secret History of the Mongols”, were proof of this. Since the 1921 Revolution, when Mongolia declared independence from China, the festival has been celebrated annually, symbolizing the achievements of the new state.

The National Naadam is held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, during the National Holiday from July 11th to 14th. The festival takes place in the Mongolian National Sports Stadium and commences with an elaborate introduction ceremony. This ceremony features a beautiful array of dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. The competitions include horse racing, wrestling matches involving 512-1024 wrestlers, and traditional arrow bow shooting. Additionally, there are unique games such as ankle bone shooting, serving of traditional fast food, and offering of traditional Mongolian beverages.

The nomadic Mongolians have a knack for timing their celebrations. The Naadam Festival is held during the most pleasant season, providing an enjoyable experience for all. This is a time when people seize the opportunity to travel to the countryside, camp out, and gather with their closest herds. This festival is not just a celebration, but a living testament to Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage and nomadic traditions.

THE PROGRAM THAT WE OFFER YOU MONGOLIA NAADAM FESTIVAL 2024!

8:00 Breakfast: We will meet at the Enza Tours LLC and our tour guide will introduce our Naadam tour to you.
08:30 We will drive to Chinggis Square. There we will see the ceremony of placing The National Nine White Banner in the Central Mongolian Stadium

TO DISCOVER THE CEREMONY, WRESTLING AND ARROW SHOOTING

10:00 directly drive to Central Stadium to see the ceremony.

We will watch the Opening Ceremony of the Naadam festival, and it will be opened officially by the President of Mongolia. At the stadium, a vast procession held including hundreds of adults and children dressed in costumes representing ethnic groups. It features a fantastic and colourful show with traditional Mongolian folk music, dancing and theatrical performance.

LET´S DISCOVER THE MONGOLIAN BOW SHOOTING COMPETITION - NAADAM FESTIVAL 2024

The archery competitions at the Naadam Festival are a testament to the precision and focus of the archers. They aim at targets the size of a fist, relying solely on their keen eyesight. Historically, bows and arrows were used for hunting by ancient civilizations. As time progressed, these tools evolved into weapons used in battles. Around the 11th century, men were encouraged to hone their archery skills in preparation for combat. This practice has led to the development of archery as a sport that we see today. In these competitions, the targets are placed on the ground at distances of 75 meters for men and 60 meters for women. Mongolians have traditionally used three types of bows: the “big size” (165-170cm), the “average size” (160cm), and the “small size” (150cm). Today, the average size bow, which requires a force of 22 to 38kg to pull, is most commonly used. The arrows, typically made from pine wood, can reach distances of approximately 900 meters. This tradition of archery, deeply rooted in Mongolian history, continues to be a significant part of the Naadam Festival, showcasing the marksmanship skills that were crucial for the survival and success of the Mongolian Empire.

LET´S DISCOVER THE MONGOLIAN WRESTLING COMPETITION - NAADAM FESTIVAL MONGOLIA 2024

Following the opening ceremonies of the Naadam Festival, the first round of the wrestling competition commences. This round consists of ten bouts, culminating in the crowning of a champion by evening. The tradition of wrestling in Mongolia is deeply rooted in history, with evidence dating back to the Bronze Age (7000-11000BC). Ancient rock carvings found in Ulziit soum of Dundgobi province depict a wrestling festivity, indicating that the sport has been practiced in Mongolia for over 7000 years. The vast open spaces and nomadic culture of Mongolia have contributed to the unique characteristics of Mongolian wrestling. Notably, there are no weight or field limitations, and the bouts are not timed, allowing for a wide range of techniques.

Mongolian wrestling has evolved into three main styles over its history: Mongolian bull wrestling, Khalkh wrestling, and Inner Mongolian wrestling. These styles share similarities in the wrestlers’ costumes, wrestling dances, rituals of judges and attendants, and the wrestling field. However, they differ in their rules for winning and losing. In Khalkh wrestling, touching the ground with the head, knees, or elbows is considered a loss. In contrast, in Mongolian bull wrestling, reaching back is deemed a defeat. This diversity in rules adds to the richness and complexity of the sport, making it a captivating spectacle during the Naadam Festival.

LET´S DISCOVER THE MONGOLIAN HORSE RACING COMPETITION - Naadam Festival 2024

12:30 We will drive to Khui Doloon Khudag (the place for racing) the horse racing field. There we will feel the most fantastic feeling with locals.

Mongol horse racing is part of the unique heritage in the world. Mongolian herders train their horses via conventional technique, and it is not easy to win, but everyone feels immense glory. We will enjoy the first race. Mongolians enjoy horse racing throughout the year. However, the most extended and exciting one happens during the Naadam Festival. During the festival, horses are divided into six categories based on their ages. The distance of the race varies in each type:

two-year-old horses race for 10-12 km (6-7,5 miles),
stallions race for 23 km (14,5 miles) on average,
seven-year-old one's race for 25-26 km (15,5-16 miles).

Moreover, though, the distance varies from track to race depending on the surface of the race field in different locations.

Horse riders are usually between the age of 5 and 13. Due to the long distance of the horse racing, jockeys are preferred to be light, yet experienced. During the race, riders not only ride horses. They are responsible for cherishing their horses with a particular song called “Giingo”. This song is raising their spirits.

NAADAM 2024 CONCERT ON THE CHINGGIS KHAAN SQUARE

After the horse arrives, we will drive back to the Hotel. After that having some rest to continue to visit the show on the Chinggis Khaan square. There you can enjoy Mongolian traditional music, modern music, and dancing, singing.

Information

Our travel route: Ulaanbaatar – Central Stadium – Khui Doloon Khudag – Ulaanbaatar
Travel length: circa 60km
Available: July 11th, 2024
Duration of tour: A day tour
Breakfast and traditional Mongolian food
Bottle of water, tea, beverages
Driver and English speaking guide included

Packing List for the tour

This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.