🗓 Season & Travel Style

The Naadam Festival Journey takes place every July, when Mongolia celebrates its most treasured national holiday. This is the country’s most festive time of year — Ulaanbaatar comes alive with performances, parades, traditional clothing, and the excitement of thousands of families gathering for the annual games. Expect a balanced combination of cultural events, countryside nature, and relaxed urban experiences. This itinerary is designed for travelers who value comfort while experiencing authentic traditions such as horse racing, nomadic hospitality, traditional music, and the beauty of national parks. Transportation is by private vehicle with scenic day trips around the capital, with one countryside night in the Mini Gobi and one night inside Terelj National Park.

🏨 Accommodation: Modern Comfort & Countryside Charm

Hotel in Ulaanbaatar – Comfortable & Convenient

Your first and final nights are spent in a centrally located 3★ hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Rooms include private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, heating or air-conditioning, and breakfast service. The location offers easy access to city highlights, shopping areas, and dining options. Examples include:

• Premium Hotel
• Aurora Hotel
• Millennium Plaza (or similar based on availability)

Tourist Ger Camps – Mongolian Nature Experience

Two nights are spent in well-managed tourist ger camps outside the capital. Each camp features:

• Private twin beds with clean linens
• Restaurant ger serving hot meals
• Electricity available in the evenings
• Shared bathroom facilities with hot water
• Scenic natural landscapes perfect for sunrise or stargazing

Ger stays allow you to connect with nature, enjoy fresh air and quiet evenings, and appreciate the peaceful rhythm of countryside life. Please note:

• Ger camps do not provide one-time amenities such as toothbrushes, robes, shampoo, or conditioner (a few upgraded camps may).
• Bring personal toiletries and a towel.
• Some camps have Starlink Wi-Fi, but signal strength and reliability vary.
• Camps are clean, quiet, and well-managed, offering a balance of comfort and nature immersion.

🍽 Meals: Simple, Hearty & Local

Meals are included as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner). During the trip you will enjoy a variety of meals including restaurant lunches, camp dinners, and a traditional BBQ with nomadic hosts in the countryside. Expect: Breakfasts at hotel/camp cafés – eggs, bread, pancakes, coffee & tea Lunches – soup, salad & main dish at local restaurants or picnic style Dinners – hot, filling meals at ger camps or city restaurants Special notes:

• Vegetarian meals available upon request
• Gluten-free options limited outside the city
• Bottled drinking water is provided daily

🚙 Transportation & Road Conditions

Private air-conditioned vehicles are used throughout the journey. Daily driving varies from short city transfers to scenic drives of 2–5 hours to reach countryside destinations. Roads are mostly paved near Ulaanbaatar, with occasional gravel sections on rural approaches. Expect smooth highway travel mixed with gentle countryside driving — always with scenic stops and photo opportunities. Your professional driver ensures a comfortable, safe journey at a relaxed pace.

🕒 Typical Daily Schedule

Time	Activity
07:30–08:30	Breakfast
09:00	Depart for the day’s activities
12:00–13:30	Lunch at local restaurant or camp
14:00–17:00	Visits, light hikes, cultural experiences
18:00	Arrive at camp/hotel & rest
19:30	Dinner & evening free time

During festival days, timing adjusts depending on ceremony and race-field events.

📶 Connectivity

Wi-Fi available in hotels and in some camp lounge areas. Mobile signal strong in UB, moderate to weak in rural valleys. Local SIM cards recommended for better coverage. Some evenings in the countryside may have limited connection — a perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy Mongolia’s peaceful nature.

👩‍💼 Guides

A professional English-speaking Travel Buddies guide accompanies you throughout the tour, organizing logistics and sharing cultural insight. Additional local guides/wranglers assist during camel riding and country experiences. Guides in other languages available on request (French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, etc.)

🧭 Best Time to Travel

Naadam Festival departures run from July 8–12, and horse-race events are held around this period. Weather is warm, atmospheric, and ideal for outdoor events. Typical conditions:

• Daytime: +20°C to +28°C
• Evenings: +10°C to +15°C
• Mostly sunny with light breezes

Bring comfortable layers and sun protection — hats are recommended for festival days.

💼 What to Expect

This journey offers a cultural-immersion experience blended with nature, city exploration, and festival excitement. You will witness centuries-old traditions, meet nomadic families, hear ancient musical instruments, and walk among crowds in colorful deels. Travel is relaxed but full of meaningful moments — from peaceful mornings among sand dunes to cheering crowds at horse-racing grounds. Mongolia’s Naadam is not simply an event — it is a celebration of identity, history, and pride. Come as guests, leave as buddies — and carry home the spirit of Naadam

Booking & Payment

To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit is required, payable via online payment (Visa or Mastercard) or bank transfer. Please note that card payments incur a 3% processing fee, which is borne by the client. Bank transfers do not have any additional charges. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your tour departure. There are no hidden fees beyond the card processing cost. Please review our Terms & Conditions for full details. Kindly note that bookings close one month before the tour departure date. 💛 Come as Guests, Leave as Buddies.