Etiquette — a guest at the celebration

Around people: ask before close-up photographs of wrestlers, riders and families — a smile and a gesture to your camera is enough. Accept offered food or airag (fermented mare's milk) with your right hand or both hands; a small taste honours the host even if you do not finish it.

Around horses: approach only with the owner's invitation, never from behind, and keep drones away from the courses — they spook horses and are restricted at the races. Young riders are working athletes mid-competition; cheer them, do not crowd them.

In a ger: enter without knocking, move clockwise, receive things with your right hand, and avoid stepping on the threshold. If you are offered the seat of honour at the back, accept it graciously.

General: dress is casual, but many Mongolians wear their finest deel to Naadam — you will never regret dressing a little up rather than down. Learn two words: sain baina uu (hello) and bayarlalaa (thank you). They open every door on the steppe.