Ulaanbaatar Naadam Games

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Ancient medieval games still survive in Mongolia and are part of the Living Cultural Heritage of our country. Wrestling, horserace and archery are still the most popular sports. In July, the National Naadam is held in our capital and all across the country. The largest being in Ulaanbaatar itself. Herdsmen arrive on horseback from distant provinces, simultaneously training their horses. Such a journey lasts for anything between one to three months! A giant nomadic camp is being set up on the Yarmag Steppe area, between the city and the Bogd Khan Mountain Biosphere Reserve during the night of July 10th.

This program is a close encounter with the Mongol Three Man Games of horseracing, wrestling and archery. Skills required and practiced during the medieval times of Genghis Khan armies, and perhaps as way back as during the time of the Huns.

Brief Outline Itinerary

This is a brief encounter with the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar and its immediate surroundings during Naadam times. The itinerary should be understood as tentative in order to accommodate any changes in the Naadam programs made or change of restricted areas by the police. Overbooking of hotels is likely.

At Nomadic Journeys we have the experience of Naadam every year, and we know how to anticipate any problems. It is a time everyone wants to be there which includes the Mongolian government inviting VIPs and other official guests, why accommodation and transport are in short supply.

Tue, 10 July: Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in the Mongolian capital by flight or join this program from any other of our trips. Transfer to the hotel. Ulaanbaatar was a migrating ger city (yurt city) until 1778, when the town finally settled on the Tuul River where it stands today. Today more than half the population still lives in gers in the city.

The minor archery competitions may have started already today, especially different styles such as children's archery, Buryat style archery etc. and training sessions. If there is time these will be visited during this day, allowing for good photography. In the evening the horsetrainers move their horses with their mobile camps near to the city, and pitch camp at the steppe area.

Wed, 11 July: Naadam

A.m. Naadam is being opened officially by the President of Mongolia.  Soldiers on horseback, sometimes dressed in Chinggis Khan warrior regalia, will bring the nine white horsetail banners. They will get the banners at the Parliament where they are normally displayed and will then ride in procession through the city, later to be placed in the center of the National Stadium, from where we will be viewing the Opening Ceremony.  Usually the first round of wrestling will start immediately thereafter.

Usually 512 wrestlers from all across Mongolia will compete in the first round! But sometimes more than 700! No judges, no time limits and no weight limits!

There is a chance to attempt to see the archery competitions (if not done the previous day) and later find our way out to the steppe area on the fringes of the city. Visit to the nomadic tented camps that have sprung up, and experience a concentration of nomadic Mongolia at one site! Herdsmen have come with their horses and all provisions for the festivities, which include airag (koumiss; fermented mares milk) for the merrymaking. Stroll around the area and you are likely to be invited in somewhere. You may also try your luck at the finals of the horse races, but prior instructions are necessary, since the coming of a full horserace of several hundred, is a potentially hazardous situation.

Thu, 12 Jul: Naadam

A.m. The horseraces are continuous over the two main Naadam days, and today we will try our luck early and find a site beyond the restricted zone, where a close up encounter is possible with some 700 children on horseback. Otherwise, with the crowds and restrictions of the police, a real close up experience is not possible. Mongol horseracing is part of a living cultural Heritage, similar to the equestrian tradition that brought the Mongol armies to faraway places during medieval times.

P.m. This is buffer time, to accommodate personal requests, but we will continue our quest to experience the Naadam Games, possibly repeating some of the previous experiences. We will catch up with something that failed earlier or other elements of Naadam.

Fri, 13 Jul: Ulaanbaatar

Transfer to the airport for your flight out of Mongolia or join any of our other trips.

Practicalities

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:

USD 695 per person
Single room supplement: USD 45 per night at the hotel.

Includes: All meals. All local transport and transfers. Hotel in shared double with private bath or ger camp accommodation in Bogd Khan Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Accommodation not specified until a few weeks prior to arrival. Local English speaking guide.

Excludes: Imported drinks.

DATES ex Ulaanbaatar:

UNG 01: 10-13July 2007

Extension Programs

Prior to and after this program we have a series of trips. These are Yak Trek in Khan Khentii, Camel Trek in the near Gobi and horse trips such as Mongol Horse Trails and Gobi Steppe Ride.

Trips available in conjunction with Naadam:

Warning: Pls. make your reservations at your earliest convenience. Especially flights in and out of Ulaanbaatar are fully booked at this time.

Hui Doloon Hudag horse races: We will endevour so that at least one of the nights is spent in temporary gers (yurts) that have been set up at the horse trainer’s camps at Hui Doloon Hudag. This feature will enable you to spend an evening out there, and also be able to see the first early start of horse races, before the traffic comes in. It is a totally different atmosphere. You need to check out of the hotel for that night. 

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