Mongolian Olympics: Wrestling, Archery & Wild Horse Racing 🏇
Dates: July 9th – 17th 2026
Cost: €2,350
Countries: Mongolia
This isn’t just any Mongolia adventure. We’ve built this entire 9-day journey around Naadam, Mongolia’s ancient Olympic Games that have been celebrated for over 800 years! Wrestling matches with hundreds of competitors, thrilling archery competitions, and the absolutely mental sight of hundreds of child jockeys racing horses across the open steppe.
Picture this: sitting in the stadium for the grand opening ceremony and watching powerful wrestlers in traditional costumes, skilled archers hitting targets from horseback distance, and the main event: horse racing, where kids as young as 5 race up to 30km across the grassland!
We’ll also escape to the stunning landscapes around Ulaanbaatar. You’ll sleep in traditional Mongolian Gers, feast on local specialities, witness throat singing performances, and experience a culture that still thrives thousands of years after Genghis Khan.
Mongolia can feel absolutely overwhelming to tackle solo, but with our group? You get front-row seats to the Mongolian Olympics plus all the adventure, without any of the stress, language barriers, or logistical nightmares.
What’s Included
Nadaam Festival tickets
All domestic transport
All accommodation
Airport pick-up on the day trip starts
Airport drop-off on the day the trip ends
All Activities, as listed
All Meals, as listed
Janet’s Journeys leader
Expert local tour guide
Excluded
Visa fees
Personal expenses
International flights
Travel insurance
Tips for guides
Accommodation
Throughout our trip, we will stay in a mix of 4-star hotels in Ulaanbaatar, authentic tourist Ger camps (traditional Mongolian yurts), and even one night with a nomadic family to experience real nomad life!
All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends! You’ll be moved around to pair up with a new friend every couple of nights.
All rooms will be twin-sharing, private rooms.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Ulaanbaatar
Welcome to Mongolia!
Someone will meet you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport and take you to our hotel in Ulaanbaatar, where you can settle in. The afternoon is yours to either beat jet lag or explore the capital.
Save your energy, though. The festival action starts tomorrow!
Meals Include: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 - East Mongolia
Today we head east to explore before the festival madness begins!
First stop: the absolutely massive Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, a 40-metre tall stainless steel monument where you can climb up to the horse’s head for incredible views. Try on traditional Mongolian warrior or queen costumes for epic photos!
Then we’re off to Terelj National Park with its stunning rocky mountains and green valleys. We’ll visit Turtle Rock, hike up to the beautiful Ariyapala Meditation Temple, and saddle up for a horseback ride through the grasslands.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 - Start of Nadaam Festival Day
This is what we came for!
We’ll head to the national stadium for the grand opening ceremony. It’s a spectacular show with traditional music, dancing, colourful costumes, and cultural performances that’ll give you goosebumps.
Then the games begin! We’ll watch the wrestling competition where hundreds of men compete in traditional costumes, in wrestling competition and archery.
The atmosphere is absolutely electric: locals in their finest traditional dress, the smell of traditional food, and the roar of the crowd. It’s Mongolia’s biggest party of the year!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Horse Racing & Mini Gobi Adventure
Early morning excitement as we head to the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar for the horse racing. This is a true highlight of Naadam!
Picture hundreds of horses thundering across the steppe with young jockeys (some as young as 5!) riding bareback. It’s absolutely wild and completely authentic – this tradition hasn’t changed in centuries.
After the races, we’ll drive to Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as the “Mini Gobi.” This stunning area combines sand dunes, rocky mountains, and grassland all in one place. You’ll ride a two-humped Bactrian camel across the dunes and get your first taste of what the real Gobi Desert feels like.
We’re also staying with a nomadic family in their guest Ger. Learn about their lifestyle, help with daily chores if you like, and experience genuine nomad hospitality.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 - Tsenkher Hot Springs
Leaving the Mini Gobi, we’ll drive through the countryside to Tsenkher Hot Spring.
This is exactly what we’d need after the festival madness – soaking in natural hot sulfur springs surrounded by beautiful mountains. The water is naturally heated from deep underground and is seriously relaxing.
Stay overnight in a tourist Ger camp with the hot spring facilities right there.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 - Kharkhorin
Today we explore Mongolia’s ancient capital!
Kharkhorin was once the center of the Mongol Empire. This was where Genghis Khan’s descendants ruled half the world! We’ll visit Erdene Zuu, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery with its stunning architecture and colorful temples.
Then we’ll check out the well-curated Kharkhorin Museum to learn about the empire’s incredible history.
Afterwards, we head to beautiful Ugii Lake nestled in the grasslands. The lake is home to tons of migratory birds and offers stunning sunset views. Our Ger camp is right on the shore!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Hustai National Park
We’ll drive to Hustai National Park, home to the Przewalski Horse (called “takhi” in Mongolian). These are the ONLY truly wild horses left on Earth.
We’ll visit the information center to learn about the conservation efforts, then head out for wildlife viewing. With about 400 horses in the park, plus deer, marmots, and eagles, you’re in for incredible wildlife spotting.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 - Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar with a stop at Zaisan Memorial Hill for panoramic views over the city and visit the peaceful Buddha Garden nearby.
In the evening, get ready for a treat – a traditional Mongolian concert! You’ll experience mind-blowing throat singing, the horsehead fiddle, traditional folk dances, and contortionists. It’s the perfect way to end our adventure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Farewell Dinner
Day 9 - Departure Day
After one final breakfast together at the hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to incredible Mongolia.
Have a safe trip and we hope to see you again on another trip!
Meals Included: Breakfast
FAQ & Itinerary Note:
This itinerary, as always, is open to small changes depending on the weather, flights, etc. Fear not, if we have to make any adjustments, it will be to swap something out with an equally, if not better, experience!
Please note: this trip begins and ends at Ulaanbaatar.
I'm ready! How do I book?
Ready for an unforgettable adventure in Mongolia? Click the BOOK NOW button to head to our payment portal and secure your spot with a €750 deposit. The remaining balance will be divided into two equal payments, due 2 and 3 months before departure.
Need a custom payment plan? No problem! Reach out to us, and we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs. Remember, spots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!
How many people are on the trip?
This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and this minimum must be met at least 4 months before departure to be guaranteed. If the minimum number of guests is not met by then, a full refund will be issued.
Expect to travel with 6-14 new friends!
Why are deposits non-refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable due to several important factors. Firstly, when you book a spot, we immediately begin the process of planning and preparing for your journey. This involves engaging staff who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of your trip is meticulously organised. These preparations often involve upfront costs that are incurred from the moment your booking is confirmed. Additionally, by requiring a non-refundable deposit, we aim to ensure that all participants are committed to the trip.
We understand that plans can change, which is why we insist all travellers have trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that might affect their ability to participate.
What about my other payments? Are they refundable?
All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled.
Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. At the end of the day, we are a small business, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the importance of adhering strictly to this policy.
How much money will I need for non-included meals, alcohol, and souvenirs?
All meals are included in the itinerary, but you may want to pick up snacks along the way, which are very affordable. Alcohol is available in most cities and tourist camps, though prices can vary. Expect to pay around €2–5 for local beer and €10–15 for wine or cocktails, depending on where you are.
For souvenirs, Mongolia is known for its beautiful cashmere, handmade leather goods, felt crafts, and traditional artwork. Budgeting will depend on your personal spending habits, but it is easy to find unique and meaningful pieces to take home.
How does tipping work?
To make things smooth and stress-free, we will be collecting a kitty of €50-100 at the beginning of the trip. This ensures all of our incredible on-the-ground vendors are taken care of, including guides, drivers, meals, and activities that are listed in your itinerary.
For any additional meals or personal expenses not included in the itinerary, you should expect to pay a separate tip. We will guide you on what is appropriate throughout the trip so you feel confident and comfortable.
How physically demanding is the trip?
The trip is designed to be accessible to most people in good health. Activities include moderate walks, visits to historical sites, and some optional light hikes. The Naadam festival involves standing and walking. It’s not overly strenuous, but a basic level of fitness will help you get the most out of the experiences.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Absolutely! Mongolian cuisine features a lot of meat and dairy, but we can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice. Vegetarian and other options are available. Please inform us of your specific needs in advance.
What if I want my own room?
We believe that rooming is one of the best parts of the experience. It feels a little like adult summer camp and has always been a highlight for our guests, with nothing but positive feedback in the past.
That being said, if you feel that sharing does not suit your travel style, we are happy to discuss the option of a single room supplement. Simply reach out to us at janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What are the health and vaccination requirements?
There are no required vaccinations to enter Mongolia. However, it’s always wise to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations. We recommend to consider vaccinations for MMR, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and yellow fever (if travelling from a country with yellow fever risk). Please consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
Who’s leading the trip?
Janet and the local tour guide will be with you every step of the way.
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