Ice festival tour Mongolia

Ice festival Mongolia

Adventure Tours

Ice festival tour Mongolia :  A 13-day adventure across Mongolia, combining cultural immersion, unique wildlife experiences, and exciting festivals. The journey begins in northern Mongolia, traveling to Tsagaannuur, home of the Tsaatan (Reindeer) herders, a small and resilient community living in the remote taiga forests. Here, you will stay with a nomadic family, learning about reindeer herding, daily life, and traditional practices that have been preserved for generations. Hiking through the surrounding forests and observing the reindeer up close offers a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most unique nomadic lifestyles.

From the northern taiga, we travel south to Lake Khuvsgul, the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” where the Ice Festival takes place. Over two days, you will experience cultural performances, traditional competitions, and sporting events on the frozen lake, including horse sled races, ice shooting contests, and stunning ice sculpture displays. In the evenings, enjoy bonfire gatherings and shamanic ceremonies, providing insight into Mongolia’s spiritual and winter traditions.

The journey continues south to the Elsen Tasarkhai Mini Gobi, a striking desert landscape of sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and open steppe. Here, you can hike across the dunes, ride camels, and explore the serene desert environment, experiencing the vastness and beauty of Mongolia’s arid regions.

Finally, the tour concludes near Ulaanbaatar with the two-day Eagle Hunter Festival, where you will witness golden eagles in action, traditional horseback competitions, archery contests, and vibrant cultural performances. Interacting with Kazakh eagle hunters provides a deeper understanding of this ancient and revered practice.

This immersive 13-day journey offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, allowing travelers to experience Mongolia’s remote wilderness, nomadic traditions, and legendary festivals, creating unforgettable memories in the Land of the Eternal Blue Sky.

ACCOMODATION:Yes DURATION:13 days 12 nights Group size:3-24 TOUR DISTANCE:3000km TOUR OPERATOR:Idre Tour Mongolia

Itinerary

Tour price

Included

Not included

Route

Ulaanbaatar – Bulgan Province -Murun province -Reindeer herders-Khuvsgul Lake - Ice Festival - Khugnu khan Mini Gobi- Hustai National park - Ulaanbaatar- Ice Festival - Ulaanbaatar.

Activities

Horse sled, ice shooting competition, a contest of the nicest traditionally dressed people, Mongolian winter clothes show, horse sled competition and a contest of ice sculptures. In the evening, we will enjoy bonfire festival and see the shamanic ceremony.

Day 1 23th February, Day 1 City tour- 70km
24th February, City tour- 70km We will pick you up at the airport and drive to Ulaanbaatar for breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit Gandan Monastery, the main temple in Mongolia. Next, we will head to the National History Museum to explore Mongolia’s rich heritage. After the museum, we will have lunch. Following lunch, you can either take a 3-hour rest at the hotel or visit the Bogd Khan Winter Palace, the former residence of Mongolia’s last king. Later, we will visit the Tsagaan Lavai Ensemble before
Day 2 24th February, Bulgan This day is mostly driving
We will head north toward Northern Mongolia, enjoying the changing landscapes as we leave the central steppes behind and travel through rolling hills and small villages. Along the way, you will have the chance to see glimpses of rural life and the vast, open scenery that Mongolia is famous for. We will spend the night in Bulgan Province, where you can relax and rest after a full day on the road. This day is primarily dedicated to driving, allowing us to cover the distance while soaking in the country’s unique scenery and preparing for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day 3 25th February, Murun Province and Ulaan Uul village, This day is mostly driving
We will drive to Murun, the capital of Khuvsgul Province, traveling through Northern Mongolia’s beautiful and varied landscapes. As we move farther north, you will see rolling hills, rivers, and small villages, offering a glimpse into rural Mongolian life. This day is mostly dedicated to driving, but the journey itself is a chance to enjoy the peaceful scenery and watch the landscape gradually change from steppe to forested highlands. Upon arrival in Murun, you will have time to rest and prepare for the adventures awaiting in the stunning Khuvsgul Lake region. Then we will heading to Ulaan Uul village.
Day 4 26th February, Horse Herder family and Reindeer herders
After breakfast, We will go to horse herder family. Then we will hiking to the Reindeer herders. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teepee
Day 5 27th February, Reindeer herders.
The Tsaatan reindeer herders live in the remote taiga of northern Mongolia and are among the last reindeer-herding cultures in the world. Their lifestyle depends entirely on their reindeer for transport, food, and survival. Visitors can stay with Tsaatan families, learn about shamanistic traditions, and experience daily nomadic life. Reaching the area requires trekking or horseback riding, offering a true off-the-grid adventure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teepee
Day 6 28TH FEBRUARY Horse herder family and Jargalant river and Ulaan uul village.
After breakfats, We will heading back to Horse herder family and go to Jargalant river. Which is not frozen in -40 degrees. Then go to Ulaan uul village. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Mongolian ger
Day 7 1st March, Khuvsgul lake
Ice Festival will take place on Khuvsgul lake when it's frozen. The festival include dog sled, horse sled, different kinds of traditional games, competitions etc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Mongolian ger
Day 8 2nd March, Ice festival
After breakfast, we will attend the Ice Festival, which begins with lively cultural performances and a parade of dog sleds, horse sleds, and ice skaters. At the festival, we will admire beautifully carved ice sculptures and watch a variety of traditional and sporting competitions, including the ice bike challenge, ice shooting contest, horse sled races, and a competition for the best traditional attire. There will also be a Mongolian winter clothing show and a contest of ice sculptures. In the evening, we will enjoy a bonfire festival and witness a shamanic ceremony, providing a fascinating insight into Mongolia’s spiritual traditions and winter celebrations.
Day 9 3rd March Ice Festival
Ice Festival will take place on Khuvsgul lake when it's frozen. The festival include dog sled, horse sled, different kinds of traditional games, competitions etc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Mongolian ger
Day 10 4th March, Bulgan
We will head back to Bulgan Province, enjoying the changing landscapes as we leave the central steppes behind and travel through rolling hills and small villages. Along the way, you will have the chance to catch glimpses of rural life and the vast, open scenery that Mongolia is famous for. We will spend the night in Bulgan Province, where you can relax and rest after a full day on the road.
Day 11 5th March, Khugnu Khan and Elsen Tasarkhai.
We will drive to Khogno Khan Nature Reserve, a region home to hundreds of birds, deer, and gazelles. You will have the opportunity to hike around the area or take a camel ride for a couple of hours to explore the nearby small sand dunes, known as Elsen Tasarkhai. In the evening, we will spend the night in a nomadic family’s ger, experiencing traditional Mongolian nomadic life firsthand.
Day 12 6th March, Hustai National Park and Ulaanbaatar.
We will drive to Khustai National Park, located on the north side of the Tuul River, about a two-hour drive west of Ulaanbaatar. Although situated in the central grasslands, Khustai means “with birch,” as birch trees and aspen groves are plentiful in the area. The terrain is hilly, with the Tuul River forming the southern boundary. The national park was originally established in 1993 as a nature reserve for the first reintroduction of the Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii) into Mongolia. Today, the park is managed by the Khustai Trust, primarily funded by tourism. After exploring the park, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar.
Day 13 7th March, Eagle hunter festival near by the Ulaanbaatar.
AftYou will have the opportunity to watch golden eagles in action as they compete with each other one by one demonstrating their hunting skills and returning to their handlers. There are going to be variety of different competitions that'll entertain you for sure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14 9th March, Back to Home
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Tour Price

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Per person pricing

From $250
Join Group / Private 4+ guests $250
Private 1-2 guests (1 billed as 2) $250
Private 3 guests $250
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  • Driver + 4WD vehicle + Gas
  • English speaking tour guide/cook
  • National park entrance fee
  • 1.5L drinking water a day per person
  • Accommodation
  • All meals B,L,D
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for the driver and the guide
  • Alcohol drinks
  • DURATION 13 days 12 nights
  • From $3300 USD
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