MNNT Kod: 01
Naadam Festival Tour
The biggest event and national pride of the year for Mongolians is the well known Naadam Festival, occurs at the height of summer in July. The festival is also called “Eriin Gurvan Naadam,” meaning “Three Manly Games”. It is a true test of manhood in such traditional games as horse racing, archery and wrestling.
This ancient festival dates back many centuries and was originally created as a celebration during weddings or spiritual gatherings. After 1921, the Naadam Festival became an official celebration of the National Revolution Victory. On July 11 the revolutionaries mounted a successful attack, Urguu, a capital city, and expelled Chinese military garrison.
Wrestling – The tournament is the focal point of the festival. Altogether 512-1024 wrestlers step onto the arena at the start of the wrestling tournament. Wrestlers come up slowly and imitating the flight of mythical Phoenix bird. Wrestlers then divide into two groups on two sides of the arena. After a signal they converge in a fierce battle. After half an hour the weakest ones are knocked out and the winners of the first round emerge, proudly waving their hands imitating eagle's flights. The tournament lasts for two days and after eight matches only the strongest ones remain to wrestle for the title of a Titan, the highest rank. Each Mongolian wrestlers has a title of his own; Lion, Elephant and Falcon.
Horse racing – Naadam festival's horse race opens with a parade of all participants, and young jockeys sing Tumnii Ekh or Leader of Ten Thousand Horses. The number of horses to race is not limited, and some two thousands horses race for 30 km in five age groups. Though, young, two-year-old colts run for shorter, only 15km distance. As for riders, only children aged 4-12 are allowed to be jockeys. The racing takes place not on a special track but across a rugged terrain. The first five winning horses are called airag ones according to old tradition. A young jockey is given cup of airag, some of which is poured over the horse's head and back.
Archery – Archery was an inseparable part of Mongolian history. Mongolian bows are very tight ones, so that it requires a pure strength to stretch. The team of 5-7 archers should hit 33 leather fist-sized basket targets from a distance of 75 meters. During the game, judges stand in two sides next to the target. Each time archer prepares for a short, they would start slowly the so called Uukhai song. As soon as the arrow hits the target, the song's melody changes and an experienced archer immediately learns about how many targets were hit. The winning archer is titled mergen, meaning sharpshooter, the one who hits the targets the most times.
The Essentials
- Length of tour: 8 days
- Group size: 3 -15 people, plus tour guide
- Tour cost: 3-5 pax 6 and more pax
- Accomodatrion: Hotels- 4 nights (twin share) for this tour we will be using 3-4 star hotels. Mongolian Ger- 3 nights (shared)
- Meals: 3 meals per day
- Schedule 2019: July 07- July 14
Itinerary
July 7
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Our Sod Namnaa Company's guide will meet you at the “Mongolian railway” train station or Airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. City sightseeing tour, Sukhbaatar Square, Gandantegchilen Monastery, Last King's Winter Palace Museum, Zaisan Hill Memorial, Buddha's Statue. Overnight at the hotel.
July 8
Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai through the green grassland with a stop in Ulaanbaatar for lunch, arrive at the stunning sand dunes, streams and rocky mountains, hiking around. Overnight at the Ger camp.
July 9
After breakfast we will drive to Kharkhorin; an ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire and main treasure of Mongolian Buddhism, an Erdenezuu Monastery. Kharkhorin was established in the valley of Orkhon River in 1220. It was one of the stopovers of legendary Silk Road for 140 years. Kharkhorin played significant role in Mongolian history; was a capital city of Mongolian Great Empire until Khubilai Khaan, a grandson of Chinggis Khaan moved the capital to Beijing of Yuan Dynasty.
We will see the 800 years old worshipping Turtle Rock near the temple. Erdenezuu Monastery – the first Buddhist monastery was founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, a descendant of Chinggis Khaan, on the ruins of Kharkhorin in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by beautiful looking white walls with 108 stupas. For centuries it was a spiritual and intellectual centre of Mongolia. The monastery has an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, special dresses for Tsama religious dance and excellently made Buddhist iconography with Mongolian and Tibetan style. Overnight in the ger camp.
July 10
Drive back towards Ulaanbaatar, transfer to Hustai National Park,w e will spend the day at the park to photograph the Takhi, or Przewalski's horse, and other wildlife including Moose, Elk, and wolves. You can also see marmot and many other small mammals in the park, as well as a wide variety of bird life. Evening back to the Ulaanbaatar. Overnight at the hotel.
July 11
Go to Sukhbaatar Square to see the Opening Ceremony of Naadam Festival. Watch Mongolian Wrestling and Mongolian Archery at the Central Stadium. Transfer to Horse Racing Area to watch the Horse Racing. Traditional Folk Song & Dancing Performance in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
July 12
After breakfast we will drive to the Terelj National Park. Terelj was founded as a national park in 1994 and is located on the edge of Khan Khentii mountain range. Terelj is the name of a plant (Latin ledum) which is very abundant in the area and which flowers at the end of the spring. Edelweiss is also very common here. The rock formations of the park are fascinating, while more than 250 bird species make it an enchanting place to relax.
Buddhist meditation centre called Aryabala Temple. Nestled in hills, Aryabala offers a unique and wonderful view of the Terelj area. Some of the rock formations resemble the bodies of prehistoric animals. Visit in the gigantic Turtle Rock. Overnight in the ger camp.
July 13
In the afternoon drive to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to hotel. Visit to Fine Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
July 14
Our guide and driver will deliver you at the “Mongolian Railway” train station for departure to Irkutsk, Russia. (back train or flight to country)
What’s included
- All transportation as specified in the itinerary.
- Meals
- Excellent English-speaking local guide
- Comfortable well located tourist class hotels and Ger camps
What’s not included
- Visa fees
- Vaccinations
- Tipping
- Insurance
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