Many horse lovers go to Mongolia to see the famed Naadam Festival in early July. The event - featuring the three “manly arts” of horse racing, archery, and wrestling - is spectacular, and stadium seats are hard to come by. But for a unique thrill, try sampling Naadam in a small provincial city. You’ll see the same competitions but instead of watching them from assigned seats, you will be part of the crowd watching them ON horseback. Everything is set up for viewers on horseback -- the height of the wrestling “stadium”, the stands dispensing cold drinks, the hawkers with souvenirs (geared to Mongolian tastes; there aren’t many foreigners who experience Naadam this way).

To arrive at a provincial celebration, expect several dusty days of travel and nights in snug tents under a blaze of stars. You won’t be expected to ride on wooden saddles as the locals do, but the fierce-paced trot of the indefatigable Mongolian double ponies calls for some adaptation. I traveled with Boojum Expeditions, boasting decades of experience running trips to Mongolia:

More details about Claudia's trip.

Written by  Claudia Flisi.

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