We will attend the opening ceremony of the National Festival in Ulaanbaatar. It is the most important nomadic cultural, social, and sporting event in Mongolia. It formally commemorates the 1921 Revolution, when Mongolia declared independence from China. This is the High Season in Mongolia, when all hotels and services are congested, and large crowds gather, yet the content and vibrant colors make hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world travel to Mongolia to attend this major event.
The three games—wrestling, horse racing, and archery—were recorded in a 13th-century book, The Secret History of the Mongols. In 2010, Naadam was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Another popular Naadam activity is playing games using shagai (sheep ankle bones), which serve as game pieces as well as symbols of divination and friendship among Mongols.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Naadam Festival surcharge applies for travel from July 1 to July 20—Peak Season in Mongolia—when all services and accommodations are fully booked.
We will take a flight from Ulaanbaatar/Dalanzadgad (capital of South Gobi Province, 1 hr. 30 min. Domestic flights may be subject to cancellations or modifications without prior notice). Afterwards, we will explore the Yolyn Canyon or Vulture Gorge in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (“Three Beauties” of the eastern, middle, and western ranges), the fossil sites of the giant dinosaurs, and the beautiful sand dunes known as Moltsog. We will visit a family taking care of Bactrian camels. Excursion included: a ride atop a Bactrian camel. Return flight Dalanzadgad/Ulaanbaatar. Domestic flights pending final schedule.
Dalanzadgad is the capital of Ömnögovi Province (Gobi Desert) in Mongolia. It is located 540 km / 336 miles south of Ulaanbaatar.
Altitude: 1,470 m a.s.l.
Climate: Desert
Coordinates: 43°34′12″N 104°25′33″E / 43.57, 104.42583333333
In Central Mongolia, we will visit the Monument to the Mongol States, located on a hill overlooking the city of Karakorum (Kharkhorin), on the banks of the Orkhon River. Afterwards, visits to the Erdene Zuu Monastery (One Hundred Treasures), the Turtle Monument, and the Karakorum Museum, to see the relics of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.
The Buddhist Monastery Erdene Zuu, with its 108 stupas and the first Buddhist Lamasery (16th century), was the most important religious center. Of its more than one hundred temples, only three have survived to our era, and it remains the most prominent cultural legacy of Mongolia. Next, we will depart for Lake Ugii, a place suitable for migratory birds that gather in this area from late April, May, and throughout the summer. Covering more than 25 km/16 miles in a beautiful valley, herds of yaks, sheep, horses, and cattle graze here. We will visit a small museum dedicated to the local flora and fauna. There are opportunities here for birdwatching.
Afterwards, we will head northeast to visit the Equestrian Statue of Genghis Khan, a stainless steel statue measuring 40 meters in height. At the base of the statue, visitors can see the replica of the legendary Golden Whip of the Great Khan. Tourists may ascend by elevator inside the statue. The exit is at the height of Genghis Khan’s thigh, from where one can walk up to the horse’s head to enjoy a wide panoramic view of the steppe. We will also visit a small museum located in the basement of the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue. Finally, we will depart westward to attend an Authentic Mongolian Nomadic Show, which demonstrates the traditional lifestyle of Mongolia’s nomads, the breeding and use of five types of livestock as they move from one place to another, using ox carts, yaks, camels, and horses.
MONGOLIAN NATIONAL WRESTLING:
This spectacular event takes place in the Central Stadium. A total of 512 wrestlers participate, of which only one (1) will be the winner. A wrestler loses if he touches the ground first, except with hands and feet.
The wrestlers honour the judges and the public with the Eagle Dance before starting the round of matches, and the winner also performs the Eagle Dance after finishing each match.
The title of Nachin or Falcon is awarded to a wrestler who wins 5 rounds, Zaan or Elephant is a winner of 7 rounds. The wrestler who wins all 9 rounds becomes the national wrestling champion and is awarded the title of Arslan or Lion. A wrestler who has been Lion twice is honoured with the title of Avarga or Champion.