Our curated guide to Mongolia around the Naadam Festival (11–13 July 2026): the wrestling, archery and child-jockey horse races, plus the Gobi dunes, Terelj ger camps, Lake Khövsgöl and where to eat and sleep in Ulaanbaatar.
Curated by Epic Itineraries · 19 saved links · updated 29 June 2026
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19 saved links · 8 articles · 4 videos · 3 stays · 2 activities · 2 restaurants · from youtube.com, meanwhileinmongolia.com and 12 more

Naadam Festival 2026 runs July 11–13 at the National Central Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, with the grand opening ceremony beginning at 11:00 AM on July
Naadam 2026. Travel to Mongolia with Blue Silk Travel in July 2026 and experience traditional Mongolian horse racing during Mongolia's annual Naadam Festival.
The definitive reference on the 'three games of men' - the bokh wrestler ranks of zaan (elephant) and arslan (lion), 15-30km horse races by age class, and the archery surs - and Naadam's 2010 UNESCO listing.
With planning and booking tips along with info on health, safety and etiquette, here's what first-time visitors should know before traveling to Mongolia.

Most commonly asked Gobi Desert travel questions answered: when to visit, driving tips and advice, and more.

Plan a trip to Mongolia's Khövsgöl Lake: 136 km alpine lake, Tsaatan reindeer herder camps, summer horse trekking from Hatgal, kayaking, taiga forest, and the March Ice Festival.

FCDO travel advice for Mongolia. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

The best restaurants for eating local Mongolian food in Ulaanbaatar. Try suutei tsai, buuz, khuushuur, tsuivan, and more.

Discover essential Mongolian cuisine - from traditional buuz dumplings to fermented mare’s milk - plus where to eat in Ulaanbaatar and beyond.

Experience the beauty and culture of Mongolia at Three Camel Lodge. Our luxury lodge offers comfortable accommodations and authentic experiences in the Gobi Desert.

Book a stay at Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace located in Ulaanbaatar and enjoy 5 star luxury. Book direct for the best rates.

Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace is a luxurious 5-star hotel located just 1.4 mi from Chinggis Khan Square in the heart of Ulaanbaatar.

Best Ever Food Review Show's full-length Mongolia food documentary - camel, the meat-heavy nomad diet and the Gobi - a vivid, high-production window into what you'll actually eat on the steppe.

Al Jazeera's 101 East documentary on the child jockeys who ride the long Naadam steppe races - the most arresting, honest look at the human heart of Mongolian horse racing.

A second Best Ever Food Review Show Mongolia episode digging into rare regional meats - useful, watchable colour on Mongolian cuisine for the curious traveller.

Discover one of Asia’s most under-explored regions on a 16 DAYS adventure through Mongolia.

The best small group tour means you'll travel the local way. Affordable travel packages and the experience of a lifetime. Book an Intrepid tour today.

To some degree, the protein-based diet may be accurate, although within the capital diets are changing, and there are some tasty restaurants in Mongolia in the offering.

Lonely Planet's cinematic case for Mongolia topping its 2024 Best in Travel list — endless steppe, sand dunes, gers and the long scenic drives that define the country.
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