How to Attend Naadam 2026: Join this Small Group Tour
Experience Mongolia’s famous Naadam Festival during this 9-day small group tour. Live with a nomadic family, ride horses, and attend a local Naadam July 5 – 13, 2026. (Book now before it sells out, this is our most popular group tour!)
Table of Contents
As the most important festival in Mongolia, Naadam is one of the best times of year to visit. It’s also our favorite time to show off the culture, traditional foods, and people who make this country such a unique and special place.
The origins of Naadam date back more than 800 years to the days of Genghis Khan. During his reign, the leader of the world’s greatest empire used the ‘three manly sports’ as a way to keep his warriors in shape.
Today, competitors still compete in these sports, showing off their skills in archery, wrestling, and horse racing.
As a part of this small group tour, we attend the local Naadam celebrations in Arkhangai, a province known for its beauty (and wrestlers!) in Central Mongolia. Attending this countryside Naadam offers a more local feel than what you experience attending the Opening Ceremony in Ulaanbaatar.
Prior to attending Naadam, this trip includes a 2-days of horseback riding through this diverse and dynamic province.
Following the lead of our local nomadic herder guide, and saddled up on his horses, we’ll ride closely with him to learn the riding ways of the Mongols!
For two nights, we will stay with our nomadic herding guide and his family (and 5 kids!), eat Mongolian food, and sleep in yurts (or gers,’ as we call them).
The dates for this small group trip are July 5 – 13, 2026. This trip starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city.
During this horse riding and Naadam small group trip we will:
- Ride semi-wild Mongolian horses for two days alongside our nomadic herder host.
- Sleep in yurts (gers) and eat local Mongolian cuisine like tsuivan, buuz, and khuushuur.
- Attend the Arkhangai Province Naadam. During these celebrations we’ll watch horse races, wrestling matches, archery competitions, and ankle bone shoot-outs.
- This trip is limited to 8 participants.
Plus, we like to include plenty of surprises and cultural touches along the way. Maybe our friend across the valley is hosting a hair cutting ceremony, or another family wants to invite us over for khorhog. Since we spend a lot of time in the area, you never know exactly what we’ll be invited to get into. But, whatever it is, we can guarantee it will be fun!
Want to extend your trip? Add-on these Experiences
🏹 Train Like a Mongol Warrior: 3-Day Horseback Archery Tour (Jump right into the action and join this small group heading out July 1 – 3 or July 14 – 16, 2026.)
🐴 Day Trip to Terelj National Park and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (Book for any day, it’s the perfect day trip to get into the spirit of Mongolia.)
🤝 Visit the Black Market with a Local (Book for any day except Tuesdays (closed), great for gear shopping, souvenir browsing, and feeling like a local.)
The Itinerary for this Naadam Small Group Trip
Most travelers choose to land in Ulaanbaatar a few days before the itinerary officially begins. This helps with jetlag and getting acclimated to being 4,432 ft above sea level. If you choose to do this, there are plenty of things to do in Mongolia’s capital city.
Once the trip begins, we’ll kick off our time together with a welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Ulaanbaatar.
The following morning, we’ll set off towards the green landscapes of Arkhangai, leaving the comforts (and traffic) of modern civilization behind.
The journey to Arkhangai will take a full day, arriving early in the evening. We don’t give journey times in Mongolia as it can mean bad luck, just know that our destination lies 476 kilometers to the west.
Below we’ve broken down the day-to-day itinerary for this immersive cultural experience. Please read through the details carefully and thoroughly.
Meals included on this group tour itinerary are outlined below.
*Marks when single supplement private rooms are available.
July 5 / Day 1: Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Today you’ll land in Ulaanbaatar and get your first glimpses into life in Mongolia. You’ll have the day to rest, exchange money, get a SIM card, and explore at will. In the evening we’ll all meet for a welcome dinner before you melt into your hotel bed for the night.
- Private Airport Transfer from Chinggis Khaan International Airport
- Day at Leisure
- Welcome Dinner
Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin or Similar (Double Occupancy, Single Supplement Available)*
Meals: Dinner
July 6 / Day 2: Drive from Ulaanbaatar to Meet Your Nomadic Host Family
Bags packed and road trip playlists ready, it’s off to Arkhangai and our countryside home for the next three nights. We’ll spend the day driving to this part of Central Mongolia, taking the journey as it goes.
Arrive in the evening and meet your nomadic family hosts.
- Scenic Drive through the Mongolian Countryside
- Homestay with a Nomadic Family (5 children!)
Stay: Nomadic Homestay (Shared Ger)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Homestay Notes: There are a few important things to know about these accommodations. First, beds may or may not be available for every guest. Please pack a sleeping pad and be prepared to sleep on the ger floor. Second, toilets are outhouse, long-drop style. Showers are also not available. And third, electricity for charging your phone and other devices will not be available. Please pack portable power banks and solar charges for all of your personal charging needs. No single supplement is available during this part of the tour.
July 7-8 / Day 3-4: Horse Riding + Nomadic Family Homestay
The adventure begins! After breakfast at the guesthouse, we’ll drive to meet the local nomadic family we’ll be staying with. Once we’re there, he’ll help us saddle our steeds and get used to this new style of riding. We’ll spend the day riding through the valley before heading back to the family’s ger for the evening.
- Wake up with Family and Jump into Milking and Herding
- Play Traditional Games with Ankle Bones
- Learn how to Horse Ride Like a Mongol
Stay: Nomadic Homestay (Shared Ger)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 9 / Day 5: Off to the “Big City” (& Hot Springs!)
On our final morning, we’ll say goodbye to our nomadic family hosts and begin the drive back to Tsetserleg. After several days in the countryside, this is our chance to return to a bit of comfort — hot showers, real beds, and cold drinks.
Once we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel, freshen up, and enjoy a celebratory group lunch together.
In the afternoon, we’ll set out for the famous Tsenkher Hot Springs, one of central Mongolia’s natural wonders. Here, surrounded by forested hills and open sky, we’ll soak in the natural geothermal pools — the perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate before the Naadam festivities begin.
We’ll have dinner at the resort before driving back to Tsetserleg, arriving just in time to crawl into bed feeling relaxed and refreshed.
- Spend One Last Morning with your Nomadic Family
- Drive Back to Tsetserleg and Check into a Comfortable Hotel
- Celebrate with a Group Lunch
- Relax in the Natural Hot Springs at Tsenkher Hot Springs Resort
- Dinner at the Resort Before Returning to Town
Stay: Ashid Bekhi Hotel (Double Occupancy, Single Supplement Available)*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 10 / Day 6: Arkhangai Naadam Opening Ceremonies
Today is the day, Naadam begins! We’ll attend the opening ceremony where we’ll learn about the nuances of the festival, including how it dates back to the days of Chinggis Khaan. Our next two days will be filled with non-stop horse racing, wrestling, archery, and anklebone shooting action.
Please note that lunch is not included on today’s itinerary. Food stalls with plenty of options will be available at the Naadam Festival grounds. We recommend bringing cash to buy lunch today.
- Attend the Arkhangai Province Opening Ceremony
- Watch the Morning Horse Races
- Jump into the Naadam Celebrations
Stay: Ashid Bekhi Hotel (Double Occupancy, Single Supplement Available)*
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
July 11 / Day 7: Naadam Festivities Continued
Taking in your last breaths of countryside air, today we set off back to Ulaanbaatar. We’ll put the pedal to the metal to get back to the capital for you to enjoy one last evening in the city at leisure.
- Drive back to Ulaanbaatar
Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin or Similar (Double Occupancy, Single Supplement Available)*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
July 12 / Day 8: Drive from Kharkhorin to Ulaanbaatar
Taking in your last breaths of countryside air, today we set off back to Ulaanbaatar. We’ll put the pedal to the metal to get back to the capital for you to enjoy one last evening in the city at leisure.
- Drive back to Ulaanbaatar
- Check into the Hotel and Evening at Leisure
Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin or Similar (Double Occupancy, Single Supplement Available)*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
July 13 / Day 9: Depart Ulaanbaatar
You can book your flight home for today. We’ll arrange an airport transfer and say, see you again soon, because this won’t be goodbye.
- Private Airport Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
- All airport transfers.
- A private driver and all transportation costs during the trip dates.
- Support crew that includes a licensed local guide and translator (Aagie) and assistant guide.
- All accommodations during the trip dates (double occupancy).
- All activities listed on the itinerary, including everything during the 2-days of horse riding (saddles, horse guides) as well as costs to attend Naadam.
- Most meals** (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as outlined on the trip itinerary. We are able to accommodate some dietary restrictions, including vegetarian diets.
**Please let us know of any dietary restrictions before booking.
What's Not Included
- Flights.
- Visa costs and fees.
- Travel Insurance that covers medical evacuation and cost of participation (required).
- Personal expenses such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, optional activities, and meals which are not included in the trip itinerary.
- A sleeping bag and sleeping pad are required for this trip. These items will not be provided and should be brought from home. If you would like to rent a sleeping bag and sleeping pad for the trip, the cost is $40 USD.
- Horseback riding helmets are required to participate in this trip. Helmets will not be provided and should be brought from home.
- Tips and additional gratuities.
Visit our tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
Book Now
Join us and attend Naadam, Mongolia’s biggest national festival. This adventure of a lifetime takes place July 5 – 13, 2026.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, we will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
About Aagie, Your Local Mongolian Guide & Trip Leader
My name is Aagie (short for Agarmaa) and I am a professional certified tour guide and the head of tours at Meanwhile in Mongolia.
Born into a second-generation city life, I rediscovered my roots through travel and guiding. After three years and 30+ tours across the country, I’ve connected deeply with my heritage, from the Gobi to Mongolia’s diverse ethnic groups like the Kazakhs.
Along the way, I’ve encountered snow leopards, hunted with eagles, and explored Mongolia’s vast landscapes. I’m proud to share the beauty and traditions of my country while continuing to learn from it every day.
I will do everything I can to guide you on your adventures with what I’ve learned so far, but there’s also a good chance we’ll discover new things together along the way.
Is this trip right for me?
Do you consider yourself one of the following? (And, please be brutally honest with yourself.)
- An adventure traveler looking to get off-the-beaten path in an authentic way.
- A solo traveler that just isn’t sure how to start tackling a Mongolia trip.
- Someone who is open to new experiences and embracing challenges.
- A person interested in earning about nomadic culture by jumping right into it.
- Someone who never joins group tours (yuck!) because they don’t feel they are experiential enough.
- A traveler who embraces the unfamiliar and is ready and open to having the adventure of a lifetime.
If you said yes to any of the above, then great! Mongolia, and this trip, is just the place for you.
This trip requires a medium level of physicality as well as horse riding experience.
This experience is designed for active, curious travelers who are open to everything Mongolia has to offer. Including outhouse and pit toilets, long days outside, shared sleeping arrangements (we’ll all sleep together in one yurt), shared bathrooms (the guesthouse we stay in is more dorm-style), and meat and dairy heavy meals.
During this trip you’ll have the chance to disconnect from your phone and reconnect with yourself. We’ll spend two days living with nomadic families during our horse riding expedition before settling down in a guesthouse while we experience everything the local Naadam has to offer.
Trip Background: What to Know About Horse Riding in Mongolia
Since we’ll be spending two days riding horses across the plains of Mongolia, there are a few important things to know.
The first is, don’t let the small statue of these horses fool you. They may be small, but they are certainly mighty. There’s a reason Genghis Khan’s world domination was mostly attributed to these trusty steeds.
Since these horses are semi-wild, spending most of their days running free, they spook easily. You always have to be on guard when horseback riding in Mongolia. Wearing rain jackets that make noise, large backpacks, and wearing loose clothing is a surefire way to see what your horse is made of. (And what you aren’t made of.) Most accidents on horses here happen when someone tries to fumble with their backpack, take off a sweater, or do something else that should have been done on the ground in the first place.
Because of all these things, we ask that you have a basic level of horseback riding experience. This is for you. Not us. This makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
We recommend taking lessons before the trip if it has been a few years since you’ve been in the saddle.
The last important thing to note is that helmets are required for the horseback riding days. I do not provide helmets for this adventure. You will need to bring this with you from home.
Proper attire is also required. Long pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended. Half chaps or tall boots that cover your ankle are essential to a comfortable riding experience. Your boots must have a flat sole and must not be too bulky in size. Again, this is for your safety and for your comfort during this part of the trip.
We will send a complete packing list prior to the trip’s start date. You can also check out my recommended packing list.
Single Supplements Available
Do you prefer to have your own room in Ulaanbaatar and in Tsetserleg during the Naadam Festival?
Single supplement private rooms are available for these nights for an added $650 USD.
Book Now
Join us and attend Naadam, Mongolia’s biggest national festival. This adventure of a lifetime takes place July 5 – 13, 2026.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, we will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
Prepare for your Trip:
Join my Private Travel Group on Facebook
Proudly Based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
© 2024 Meanwhile in Mongolia
We were on the 2025 Nadaam Tour. Breanna’s attention to detail in the pre planning stage and quick responses to questions was outstanding. Her tour leader, Aagie consistently went above and beyond for the group. She knew what we needed before we did and her ability to problem solve was so good we didn’t know there had been a problem! Her passion for her country shone through. It felt like a totally authentic experience, not something artificial made for tourists. Great company to travel with.
What is the minimum age you recommend for this itinerary? What specific activities are or are not appropriate for children?
I joined the Nadaam Tour this year with Breanna and Aaegie who are just amazing human beings and made this a memory that will last a lifetime. Both are passionate travellers through Mongolia and this trip gives you a chance to join them and see a real side from Mongolian country side life and experience and meet the Nomad people and culture in a family setting that is unique and amazing. Combine hanging with these lovely people with a true Mongolian experience and you never want to leave!
Meanwhileinmongolia.com and their Naadam Festival tour was exactly what I was looking for and so much more.
Breanna and two of her native Mongolian tour guides, Aagie and Nara (both are fluent English speakers and very proud and passionate about their culture) took us on an epic adventure filled with information about history,culture,traditions,food.
Two day horse trekking and staying with herder families was a highlight.
Naadam festivities in small towns,very authentic.