Mongolia & the Naadam Festival — Summer 2026

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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.

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Areas (73)

Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia
Gobi Desert
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Alaska
Alaska, USA

Sights (32)

Black Market, Ulaanbaatar
Shangri-La Mall, Ulaanbaatar
Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar
Aglag Monastery, Ulaanbaatar

Food & drink (20)

Modern Nomads, Ulaanbaatar
Hazara, Ulaanbaatar
Altai Mongolian Grill, Ulaanbaatar
Altan Gadas, Ulaanbaatar

Stays (11)

Best Western Premier Tuushin, Ulaanbaatar
H9 Hotel Nine, Ulaanbaatar
Hostel One, Ulaanbaatar
Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace, Ulaanbaatar

Getting around (10)

Altanbulag, Mongolia
Bichigt, Mongolia
Bulgan, Mongolia
Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Ulaanbaatar

Things to do (2)

Naadam Festival, Mongolia
Tsaatan Community and Visitors Center, Tsagaannuur

124 more places in this collection

Article

Naadam Festival 2026: Dates, Where to Watch, and an Insider Guide from Ulaanbaatar

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

atlasmongoliatravel.com

Article

Naadam Horse Racing | Blue Silk Travel

Naadam 2026. Travel to Mongolia with Blue Silk Travel in July 2026 and experience traditional Mongolian horse racing during Mongolia's annual Naadam Festival.

bluesilktravel.com

Article

Naadam - Wikipedia

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.

en.wikipedia.org

Article

17 things to know before traveling to Mongolia

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.

lonelyplanet.com

Article

Guide to the Gobi: Ultimate Gobi Desert Travel Guide

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

meanwhileinmongolia.com

Article

Khövsgöl Lake Travel Guide — Tsaatan Reindeer, Horse Trekking & Ice Festival

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.

mapsorted.com

Article

Entry requirements - Mongolia travel advice

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

gov.uk

Food

7 Best Places To Eat Mongolian Food In Ulaanbaatar

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

meanwhileinmongolia.com

Article

A Taste of Mongolia: What to Eat on Your Journey

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

threecamellodge.com

Stay

The Three Camel Lodge

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

threecamellodge.com

Stay

5 Star Luxury Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace

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

kempinski.com

Stay

Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

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

booking.com

Video

Giant Camel Heart!! Eating extreme Meat Across Mongolia!! (Full Documentary)

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.

youtube.com

Video

🇲🇳 Born to ride: Mongolia's child jockeys | 101 East

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.

youtube.com

Video

Bizarre Mongolian Meats!! This Should Not Be Allowed!!

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

youtube.com

Activity

Journeys: Mongolia & The Naadam Festival

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

nationalgeographic.com

Activity

Mongolia's Naadam Festival | Intrepid Travel

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.

intrepidtravel.com

Food

Restaurants in Ulaanbaatar | Mongolia Travel Guide - Koryo Tours

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.

koryogroup.com

Video

MONGOLIA: The ULTIMATE Far-Off Road Trip | Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2024

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.

youtube.com

Mongolia & the Naadam Festival — Summer 2026

Places in this collection