Naadam festival

Naadam is Mongolia's midsummer festival built around what's locally called the three games of men: wrestling, horse racing and archery. You're there for the real thing, not a staged version, watching events that draw crowds from across the country.

The opening ceremony is the main draw, and tickets for it are limited, so this trip is built around securing access early. For those who'd rather skip the crowds, there's also the option of seeing Naadam played out at village and provincial level, which tends to feel more local and low-key.

Over 12 days in Mongolia, you're guided throughout, with the festival as the centrepiece of a wider look at the country's culture and landscape.

What you'll do

• Watch the Naadam opening ceremony
• See Mongolian wrestling, one of the three traditional games
• Watch horse racing, with girls now competing alongside men
• Watch archery, now open to women as well as men
• Option to experience Naadam at a village or provincial level away from the main crowds