Naadam 2006 will be a very exciting time to be in Mongolia as it is the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian empire by Genghis Khan. The festival will be celebrating and reflecting this and as such will be bigger and better than ever before - a truly unique experience!
The Naadam Festival is the major Mongolian holiday and a wonderful time to experience the culture and people of this amazing land. The festival has its roots in the nomad wedding assemblies and hunting extravaganzas of the Mongol Army. The opening ceremony features marches and music from soldiers, monks and athletes before the real fun begins! In the Naadam Stadium the three sporting passions of Mongolians, horse racing, wrestling and archery, are played out over 2 days. But if you don't want to watch sport all the time, there's plenty to see and do outside – food, music, crafts or just people watching. This is the best time to see the Mongolian people and soak up the party atmosphere!
Tour itinerary
July 09. Arrive in
Ulaanbaatar
After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, you'll be greeted at
the airport and escorted to your hotel. After settling
in, you’ll be taken on a city sightseeing tour
including a visit to the Gandan Monastery with its
huge gold plated Buddha: a symbol of Mongolian national
pride and cultural revival. See the monks chanting,
spin some prayer wheels and view the intricately embroidered
thanks. On to Sukhbaatar Square, which is surrounded
by all central departments including the Government
house. After having lunch in a restaurant we will
visit the Natural History Museum, where you have a
chance to see all flora and fauna of Mongolia and
complete dinosaur skeletons and eggs. Dinner and overnight
in the hotel.
July 10. Naadam festival
preview
After breakfast at the hotel you will go out with your guide to see the preview of the Naadam Festival. You will visit the horse-racing arena to watch a race of foals and archery. You will then have 1000 horseman show and i n the evening you can enjoy a national folklore performance. Overnight in the hotel. Full board.
July 11. The ceremony
of Naadam festival
Today you will watch the inauguration ceremony of Naadam which is opened by the president of Mongolia . You will see a performance of the national instrument Morin Khuur and a choir concert before attending the horse races taking place outside the city center. Overnight in hotel. Full board.
July 12. City tour
and second day of Naadam
After breakfast at the hotel there will be an excursion
to the Zaisan Hill War Memorial to get your bearings
with a panoramic view of the whole city. Watch second
day of Naadam, including wrestling, archery and traditional
games. Overnight in hotel. Full board.
July 13. Trip to Terelj
National Park
Up early to drive to Terelj National Park (70 km).
You’ll explore the extraordinary formation of
rocks and stones, some of them look quite similar
to turtles. There is an opportunity to walk round
or ride horses rented from the local area. The Terelj
National Park incorporates parts of Khenty Mountain
Range. The forest consists of Aspen, Larch and Birch
trees which support bears, deer, wolf, wild boar,
eagles and others. Lunch in the tourist camp. Dinner
and overnight in tourist ger camp.
July 14. Visit Gunj
temple and horsemen family
After breakfast at the tourist ger camp we will visit
Gunj temple, built by Manchu’s Khan Enkh-Amgalan.
Then we will visit a local horsemen family where you
have an opportunity to experience their way of life,
their culture and traditions. Overnight at camp.
July 15. Drive back
to Ulaanbaatar and city tour
After breakfast, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar
and you can return to the National History Museum,
where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central
Asia from the Stone Age to the present. Lunch in restaurant
before visiting souvenir and cashmere shops. In the
evening you will visit a concert before having a farewell
dinner. Overnight in the hotel.
July 16. Departure
Mongolia.
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport.
Services included in
the cost
- Twin bedded rooms in a hotel***
- Shared accommodation in tourist ger camp
- Guiding and interpreting service
- All meals in countryside
- All meals in Ulaanbaatar
- Transfers by vehicle
- Local guide
- All entrance fees
- Horse ride trial
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Services
not included in the cost
- International airfare
- Optional activity cost
- Alcoholic drinks
- International airport departure tax (US$13)
- Travel Insurance
Please note: Single room is available at extra cost. (USD 30) Just book in advance.
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