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A Naadam Week: The Festival in Ulaanbaatar plus Central Mongolia

Short answer

Arrive by 10 July, see the national Naadam opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar on 11 July and the horse racing at Khui Doloon Khudag, then head west for Hustai, Elsen Tasarkhai and Kharkhorin while the city celebrates — possibly catching a local Naadam on the way. Book hotels, tickets, drivers and camps well ahead; July is Mongolia's busiest month.

By Mongolia Relay · Updated

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Route: Ulaanbaatar → Hustai NP → Elsen Tasarkhai → Kharkhorin. Locations approximate. Outline: Natural Earth.
Length
7 days
Route
Ulaanbaatar → Hustai NP → Elsen Tasarkhai → Kharkhorin
Driving load
Moderate
Pace
Festival days in the city, then a steady countryside loop
Good for
Festival lovers, Photographers, First-time visitors in July

Naadam is the one time of year when timing your trip around a date really pays off. This plan gives you the big national spectacle and then the quieter countryside.

Why this shape

  • The opening ceremony (11 July) is the main event in the city.
  • The horse racing is outside the city — a good way to start the drive west.
  • After the first days, many city residents head to the countryside too; local Naadams take place in various places through July.

Book early

Stadium tickets, Ulaanbaatar hotels, good drivers and camps all get scarce. Planning 3–6 months ahead is sensible.

See the full Naadam guide.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 (10 July)

    Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

    Night: Hotel

    Arrive, collect stadium tickets if arranged, early night.

  2. Day 2 (11 July)

    Naadam opening ceremony

    Night: Hotel

    Opening ceremony at the National Sports Stadium, wrestling, archery next door. Khuushuur for lunch.

  3. Day 3 (12 July)

    Horse racing → Hustai

    Driving: Race ground, then ≈ 2 hNight: Ger camp near Hustai

    Early start for the horse racing at Khui Doloon Khudag, then out to Hustai for evening takhi watching.

  4. Day 4

    Hustai → Elsen Tasarkhai

    Driving: ≈ 3–4 hNight: Ger camp

    Steppe and dunes; your driver may know of a local Naadam nearby.

  5. Day 5

    Elsen Tasarkhai → Kharkhorin

    Driving: ≈ 1–1.5 hNight: Ger camp

    Erdene Zuu and the Kharkhorin Museum.

  6. Day 6

    Kharkhorin area

    Driving: Optional short tripsNight: Same camp

    Riding in the Orkhon area or a herder visit; slow day.

  7. Day 7

    → Ulaanbaatar

    Driving: ≈ 5–6 hNight: Hotel

    Return. Fly home on day 8.

Ask about this itinerary We'll adapt it to your dates, group and pace.

Questions travelers ask

What are the Naadam dates?

The national Naadam opens on 11 July in Ulaanbaatar; in 2026 the main events ran 11–13 July. Confirm dates and the race-day schedule for your year.

Is it crowded?

Yes, at the stadium and the race ground. Go with a driver who knows the parking and timing; bring sun protection and patience.

Mongolia Relay

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