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Mongolia: Nadaam Festival
offered by supplier M16884 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 15
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 22
people
Destination(s):
Mongolia
Specialty Categories:
Festival Tours
Horse Riding
Season: July
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 2775 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2900 US Dollar (USD)
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The Naadam festival, celebrated each summer, was organized many centuries ago as a test of courage, strength, daring, horsemanship and marksmanship - all necessary for nomadic people and warriors. The largest celebration is held in Ulaanbaatar, July 11-13, to commemorate the Mongolian People's Revolution.
The three manly sports: wrestling, horse racing, archery and also traditional anklebone shooting competition, make up the core program of the Naadam Festival. Mongolian wrestling contests, involving over 500 contestants, are an exciting spectacle. As there are no weight classes and 16 contests are held simultaneously, the competition progresses quickly. Before the contest, wrestlers perform eagle dances to limber up and display their fine physiques. Each wrestler has a second who acts as a coach and herald to announce his charges heroic deeds.
Archery contests have inherited a tradition dating from the time of Chingis Khan when they were intended to sharpen military skills. Men fire 40 arrows made from willow branches and griffin vulture feathers from a distance of 75 meters and woman deliver 20 arrows from 60 meters at a target consisting of 360 leather rings fitted to a wall. In accordance with ancient custom, several men stand on either side of the target singing a folk song to clear the contestants and then use hand signals to indicate the results.
Horse - racing is the favorite sport of the herds who bring their best horses from great distances. Races, which take place on the steppe over distance from 15 to 30 km, are a test of endurance for the horses and riders, boys and girls, some as young as six years old. The races are organized according to the age of the horses. Mare's milk is poured over the heads of the winning horses that are also honored with songs.
Though the competitions are interesting to view, it is really the spirit of the people that makes the trip so immensely worthwhile.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: July 9
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to hotel. After freshen up, visit National Museum of Mongolian History, which presents Mongolian history and culture from the dawn of humans to the present day. Enjoy traditional art performance and welcome dinner at the Ger Restaurant. Bayangol hotel. Includes: (D).
Day 2: July 10
Ulaanbaatar morning visit Gandan Monastery, where we will attend ceremony and meet with the monks. Gandan is the largest monastery and temple complex in use in Mongolia. Built in 1810, partly destroyed and reconstructed 1990, it contains one of the biggest standing Buddhas in Asia (26m high). Afternoon visit Zanabar Gallery and free time to browse and shop. Your hotel is centrally located.
Day 3: July 11
Naadam! Naadam! Mongolian national day is celebrated throughout the country. The Naadam Festival, celebrated each summer, originated many centuries ago as a test of courage, strength, daring, horsemanship, marksmanship, all skills necessary for nomadic people and warriors. The largest celebration is held in Ulaanbaatar on July 11-13th to commemorate the Mongolian People's Revolution. The three manly sports: wrestling, horse racing and archery and also traditional anklebone shooting competition make up the core program of the Naadam Festival. This morning the Naadam festival is opened officially by the President of Mongolia. Soldiers on horseback, sometimes dressed in Chinggis Khan warriors regalia, will get the nine white horsetail banners at the Parliament house 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. At the stadium, a huge procession is held including hundreds of adults and children dressed in costumes representing Mongolia's numerous ethnic groups. The opening ceremony features a colorful show with folk music and dance, parachute show and more. 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 1000! After that you will see the archery competitions where contestants can only rely on his keen eye, firm hand and experience, take aim at a target of fist-sized baskets. Also you will enjoy seeing ankle bone shooting competition. Overnight in the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 4: July 12
In the morning travel to Khuu Doloon Khudag, the horse racing field. The horse races continue over the two main Naadam days. Mongol horse racing is part of a living cultural heritage, similar to the equestrian tradition that brought the Mongol armies to faraway places during medieval times. Horse racing is an interesting challenge to experience. There are seven categories of races depending on the age of a horse. Two or three hundred riders ages 5-12 compete in every age category in a distance of 15 to 35km. We will see the four year old horse racing around 11 am. The horse race is actually a bit far from the barriers set up for visitors, so bring binoculars! However, the fun of attending is really seeing the locals. We can visit nomadic tented camps that have sprung up behind the race track 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. Picnic lunch at horse racing field. Travel back to Ulaanbaatar. Visit Natural Museum (time permitting). In the evening enjoy public dances and music show and other Naadam festivities. Visit the Zaisan Memorial Hill, erected on the 50th anniversary of the Communist Revolution-serves to honor the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers and you can see whole city Ulaanbaatar from the top of the hill. Overnight in the hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Days 5-10: July 13-18
Travel in the Mongolian countryside including visits to Khustain Nuruu National Park, a beautiful reserve that protects the takhi, Mongolian wild horses known as Prjewalski's horses; ruins of 16th century capital Kharakhorum and Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery, Tsetserleg and Zayayn Gegeenii Khuree, built in 1586; currently houses an active community of 70 monks; the Great White Lake. Opportunities for hiking, horse and camel riding.
Day 11: July 19
Return to Ulaanbaatar.
Day 12: July 20
Fly to Gobi Desert. Drive to Khongoriin els sand dunes. Known as Singing sand dunes, ''Khongoriin els'' sand dunes are up to 300 ms high, 15 km wide, and 180 km long. Camel back riding around area. Overnight in the tourist ger camp. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: July 21
Gobi: Travel to Yol Valley via Bayanzag, the saksaul forest and sand dunes which are nearby. Bayanzag is an area of red cliffs which have been formed from the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. It is also the site of several successful dinosaur excavations. The drive to Bayanzag from the Ger camp will take about one hour and you will see some wide open desert scenery on the way. You will also visit Moltsog Els (sand dunes) today. Visit Nomadic family by camel ride. Overnight in the Ger camp. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: July 22
Early morning trekking through Eagle Valley. This approx 40kms from your Ger camp and will take 45 minutes drive. The valley is a about 10kms long and is completely shaded from the sun in some parts due to the high cliff walls. Visit Gobi museum.
Fly to Ulaanbaatar. Afternoon visit Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khaan, home of the last Mongolian King and religious head Bogd Javzundamba who ruled from 1911 until 1924. It displays objects used by the Bogd Khaan and religious and cultural items from the 17th century to the beginning of 20th century.
Day 15: July 23
Fly home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Mongolia
Festival Tours
Horse Riding
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