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Ancient
medieval games still survive in Mongolia and are part of the Living
Cultural Heritage of our country. Wrestling, horse races and archery are
still the most popular sports. In July, the National Naadam is held in
our capital and all across the country. The largest being in Ulaanbaatar
itself. Herdsmen arrive on horseback from distant provinces,
simultaneously training their horses.
Such a journey
lasts for anything between one to three months! A giant nomadic camp is
being set up on the Jarmag Steppe area, between the city and the Bogd
Khan Mountain Biosphere Reserve during the night of July 10th.
This program is a close
encounter with the Mongol Three Manly Games of horseracing, wrestling
and archery. Skills required and practiced during the medieval times of
Gengis Khan armies, and perhaps as way back as during the time of the
Huns.
PRICES ex Ulan Bator
$ 430 per person
In combination with our
riding tours $ 395
Single room on request
DATE: July 10 to 13
Includes: All meals. All local transport and transfers. Hotel in
shared double with private bath or ger camp accommodation in Bogd Khan
Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Accommodation not specified until a few
weeks prior to arrival. Local English speaking guide.
Brief suggested Outline Itinerary
This is a brief encounter with the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar and
its immediate surroundings during Naadam times. The itinerary should be
understood as tentative in order to accommodate any changes in the
Naadam programs made or change of restricted areas by the police.
Overbooking of hotels is likely.
We have the experience of Naadam every year, and we know how to
anticipate any problems. It is a time everyone wants to be there which
includes the Mongolian government inviting VIPs and other official
guests, why accommodation and transport are in short supply.
Tue 10 July: Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in the Mongolian capital. Transfer to the hotel. Ulaanbaatar
was a migrating ger city (yurt city) until 1778, when the town finally
settled on the Tuul River where it stands today. Today more than half
the population still lives in gers in the city.
The minor archery competitions may have started already today,
especially different styles such as children’s archery, Buryat style
archery etc. and training sessions. If there is time these will be
visited during this day, allowing for good photography. In the evening
the horsetrainers move their horses with their mobile camps near to the
city, and pitch camp at the Jarmag Steppe area.
Wed 11 July: Naadam
A.m. Naadam is being opened officially by the President of Mongolia.
Soldiers on horseback, sometimes dressed in Chinggis Khan warrior
regalia, will bring the nine white horsetail banners. They will get the
banners at the Parliament where they are normally displayed and will
then ride in procession through the city, later to be placed in the
center if the National Stadium, from where we will be viewing the
Opening Ceremony. Usually 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 700! No judges, no time limits and no
weight limits!
There is a chance to attempt to see the archery competitions (if not
done the previous day) and later find our way out to the Jarmag Steppe
area on the fringes of the city. Visit to the nomadic tented camps that
have sprung up, 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. Stroll around the area and you are likely to be invited
in somewhere. You may also try your luck at the finals of the horseraces,
but prior instructions are necessary, since the coming of a full
horserace of several hundred, is a potentially hazardous situation.
Thu 12 Jul: Naadam
A.m. The horseraces are continuous over the two main Naadam days, and
today we will try our luck early and find a site beyond the restricted
zone, where a close up encounter is possible with some 700 children on
horseback. Otherwise, with the crowds and restrictions of the police, a
real close up experience is not possible. Mongol horseracing is part of
a living cultural Heritage, similar to the equestrian tradition that
brought the Mongol armies to faraway places during medieval times.
P.m. This is a buffer time, to accommodate personal requests, but we
will continue our quest to experience the Naadam Games, possibly
repeating some of the previous experiences. We will catch up with
something that failed earlier or other elements of Naadam, or
opportunities that we have come across earlier.
Fri 13 Jul: Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to the airport for your flight out of Mongolia or join any of
our other trips.
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