Naadam 2027: Mongolia's Great Festival from Australia & New Zealand

Naadam is Mongolia's great summer festival — three days of wrestling, archery and horse racing that bring the country together in a major national celebration of its nomadic heritage. In 2027, the national festival runs from 11 to 13 July.

If Naadam is on your list, now is a good time to start planning. The festival dates are established, the main visitor season is relatively short, and tours built around the celebrations operate on fixed dates. Starting early gives you more time to coordinate flights, accommodation and the right itinerary.

What is Naadam?

Naadam is traditionally known as the "Three Manly Games" — Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing — although women compete too, most visibly in the archery. The main national festival takes place in Ulaanbaatar, opening with a grand ceremony at the National Sports Stadium. Smaller local Naadams are also held in towns and districts across Mongolia.

• Wrestling — competitors in traditional dress meet in elimination rounds, with wrestlers performing the distinctive eagle dance before and after bouts.
• Archery — men and women compete with traditional bows, aiming at small targets while judges call out the scores.
• Horse racing — horses race over long distances across the open steppe, ridden by young jockeys. Watching the races outside the city is one of the festival's great experiences.

When is Naadam in 2027?

The national Naadam Festival runs from 11 to 13 July 2027, and the public holiday period extends beyond the three main festival days. The festival dates are established; the detailed event programme and arrangements should be reconfirmed closer to departure.

Our itinerary combines the festival with the highlights of Central Mongolia, with the schedule arranged around the key Naadam events.

How our Naadam tour works

Our Mongolia Naadam Festival Tour is a seven-day trip combining the festival with Central Mongolia's landscapes, history and nomadic culture. The 2027 departure is scheduled to arrive in Ulaanbaatar on 6 July, so that the final full day falls on the festival's opening day. The itinerary includes:

• Day 1 — arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel.
• Day 2 — travel to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, visit a nomadic family and stay at a ger camp.
• Day 3 — explore Karakorum, Mongolia's ancient capital, and Erdene Zuu monastery.
• Day 4 — visit Hustai National Park, home to the reintroduced Przewalski's horse, or takhi — one of the last remaining wild horses.
• Day 5 — head to the Naadam horse-racing grounds on the steppe, then on to Ulaanbaatar for archery and ankle-bone shooting.
• Day 6 — attend the Naadam opening ceremony and the first rounds of wrestling, then visit the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex outside the city.
• Day 7 — transfer to the airport.

Because the detailed festival programme is set each year, the order of the festival days may be adjusted to match the official 2027 schedule; we will confirm the final itinerary before you travel.

The trip is rated Easy in terms of activity, with comfortable hotels in Ulaanbaatar and ger-camp accommodation in the countryside. Distances in Mongolia are large, though, so expect some long days on the road between stops. See the tour page for inclusions, accommodation details and booking information.

Want the Gobi as well?

Many travellers want to experience both Naadam and the Gobi Desert. Our Highlights of Central Mongolia and Gobi Desert & Karakorum Explorer tours do not operate across the Naadam period.

The options are to combine the festival itinerary with a Gobi extension, or to arrange a longer departure that includes both. Tell us how many days you have available and we can help work out the best combination.

For more inspiration, read our guide to the Gobi and Central Mongolia.

Getting there from Australia and New Zealand

There are currently no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Ulaanbaatar. Seoul is one of the main connection options, alongside Beijing, Hong Kong and other Asian hubs, depending on airline schedules and your departure city.

Flights and accommodation can be in strong demand around Naadam, so it makes sense to coordinate international flights with your tour arrangements. A stopover in Seoul can also be a worthwhile addition.

Visa requirements for Australian and New Zealand passport holders should be checked for your 2027 travel dates before booking. We will confirm the applicable requirements as part of your trip arrangements.

Frequently asked questions

When is Naadam in 2027?
The national festival runs from 11 to 13 July 2027. The detailed event programme and arrangements should be checked closer to departure.

What will I see at Naadam?
The main celebrations include the opening ceremony at the National Sports Stadium, wrestling and archery competitions, and horse racing on the steppe outside Ulaanbaatar.

Can I see Naadam and the Gobi on the same trip?
Yes. We can put together a festival itinerary with a Gobi extension, or a longer departure that combines the two. Our standard Gobi and Central Mongolia tours do not operate over the Naadam period.

How do I get to Mongolia from Australia or New Zealand?
There are currently no direct flights. Seoul, Beijing and other Asian hubs offer connecting options, depending on your departure city and travel dates.

Plan your Naadam trip

Browse our Mongolia tours, or talk to your travel agent about a Pack Ya Bags itinerary.

You can also contact us at info@packyabags.com. Tell us when you would like to travel and who is coming, and we will help you work out the next steps.