Ulaanbaatar-/ LUNAR NEW YEAR-Horse racing game / Hustai National Park- Terelj National park /Eagle festival - Ulaanbaatar- Moron-Khuvsgul lake/ ICE FESTIVAL – Ulaanbaatar - South Gobi / CAMEL FESTIVAL -Ulaanbaatar Breif summary: 5 nights in hotel in Ulaanbaatar 8 nights in ger camp Ulaanbaatar- Moron- Ulaanbaatar domestic flight Ulaanbaatar-South gobi-Ulaanbaatar domestic flight 4x4 overland driving Participation in festival events Visits to nomad families, meeting with locals Horseriding activity, photoshooting Traditional cultural performance

Ice Festival at the khuvsgul lake Camel Racing in Gobi Desert Eagle festival in Terelj National Park

ITINERARY:

DAY 1. / February 12. ULAANBAATAR
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to Hotel. Short city sightseeing tour. Museum of National history. Hotel

DAY 2. / February 13. BITUUN'S DAY - The last day of the finishing year.
Today we will travel to “Mongolian Secret History” Ger camp, located 114kms to the west of Ulaanbaatar. The last day of the old year Mongolian people widely celebrate the “Bituun” - Lunar New Year Eve, all members of families are gathered around richly served table and have dinner together. You will visit nomad family and celebrate the “Bituun” with them. Then you will be invited to play traditional game called “Shagai” by ankle bones of animals. Stay overnight in Ger camp.

DAY 3. / February 14. LUNAR NEW YEAR
First month of the Lunar New Year called as Tsagaan Sar by Mongols. It celebrated as nation-wide holiday as a greeting of the end of severe winter and beginning of spring time, when nature and people awaken and are inspired for new life and deeds.
On “Shiniin Negen”, the first day of Lunar New Year we will enjoy and experience many of the meaningful traditional culture and customs. Start a new day with morning sun rise and have new energy at fresh air. Today everybody wears their best clothes and goes to visit the oldest person in the family, a group of families to get him or her give respect and wish the best.
The first greeting of the year is expressed through very specific ritual gestures and mutual salutations. Under this ritual, called Zolgokh, the oldest person places, his or her arms out straight, with the palms turned down, on the outstretched arms of the youngest person, and both pronounce traditional formulae of good wishes while gently touching cheeks. This gesture indicates that the elder can count on the support and respect of the younger. We would celebrate the New Year with nomads and be offered to drink Mongolian tea-“Suutei tsai”, eat steamed dumpling-“Buuz”, and other main dishes prepared for the celebration.
Stay overnight in Ger camp.

DAY 4. / February 15.
Drive to Hustai national park. Explore the park activity by visiting wild takhi project info center. Take the park guide and drive to catch a site of wild horses. Free time. Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 5. / February 16. HORSE RACING
Attend Horse race competition specially organized for the winter travellers which will be held at the “Moltsog els” camp site on the road to Ulaanbaatar. Prevailing mongolian horses and courageous young horse- jockeys would be an interesting attraction for the spectators. Beside the horse race there will be organized different traditional contests and activities. After the event drive to Ulaanbaatar to have overnight in hotel.
Overnight in hotel.

DAY 6. / February 17. EAGLE FESTIVAL
Drive to Terelj National park (65km) for the EAGLE FESTIVAL. The opening ceremony commences, as the participants join the parade on horse ride with their eagles. Then festival begins with each Kazakh displaying his hunting outfit and accessories. The Golden eagles will be released from a cliff and their owner will stand below and signal for them to land upon their arm, as they do during hunting. Then eagles will be released from a cliff to attack fox skins that will be dragged by their owner on horseback. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 7 - 8./ February 18-19 . CAMEL FESTIVAL
Early morning flight to South Gobi. The local team will meet you and transfer to the camp. Camel Festival Days! This event will be organized by “Tumen Temee” (“Ten Thousand Camels”) - association in order to protect two humped Bactrian camels and reproduce camel herders, to increase their productivity, to increase herder’s income by tourism. In those days we will “breathe” by camels. You will enjoy authentic festival program including, camels racing, children s concert, camel wool product exhibition, camel polo, parade on camels and nice couple competition. Also you will enjoy relay competition with camel. An entertaining competition which shows camel training methods and customs of “Heroes of great Gobi” people, overcomes severe climate and harsh condition of Gobi by their effort and endurance. Teams each having 5 members participate in it and show many methods and techniques of catching camel with lasso, tying and bringing down, putting wooden peg into camel’s nose and loading camel. Short excursion to the famous sites of the Gobi. Optional camel riding is available. Stay overnights at the camp.

DAY 9./ February 20. ULAANBAATAR Flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Relax in hotel and have free time for the personal explorations. Hotel.

DAY 10. / February 21. ULAANBAATAR- HUVSGUL LAKE
Flight to Moron town and transfer to Khatgal village at the shore of Khuvsgul lake. First experiences at the lake. See crystal clear ices of the lake. Ger camp.

DAY 11-12./ February 22-23. ICE FESTIVAL
Ice festival opening ceremony, Ice creation competition, Ice Sumo wrestling, Ankle bone shooting and Shaman Ceremony. In the afternoon visit to reindeers camp to explore their traditions and isolated lifestyle. Attend Reindeer sleigh event, Competition of horse sledding and reindeer sledding on ice of lake, Competition of driving jeep on ice, International skating marathon, fishing and lots of games. Short Horse sledding trip on the ice of Khuvsgul lake. Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 13./ February 24. HUVSGUL LAKE- ULAANBAATAR
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Shopping in State department store for Mongolian souvenirs and natural products. Amazing performance of the traditional folk art. Hotel.

DAY14. / February 25.
Transfer to the Railway station/or Airport. Tour ends.

TOUR PRICE