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South Gobi, Mongolia From 3 nights 4 days From $ 700.0

CAMEL FESTIVAL

Destination

Southern Mongolia

Group size

Min 2 - Max 8

Activity level
(i)
Activities

Overview

Experience Mongolia’s Thousand Camel Festival on a 4-day journey through the South Gobi, home to the world’s only high-altitude, lively desert and the fifth largest on Earth. Timed with the February festival near Dalanzadgad, this tour blends camel races, nomadic games, and herder traditions with visits to the new South Gobi Natural History Museum, the frozen Mukhar Shivert Ice Canyon, and a Gobi mountain-zone family who raise yaks, sheep, and goats. It’s a rare chance to see the Gobi in winter alive with culture, celebration, and desert beauty.

Highlights

  • Three Beauty National Park - Mukhar Shivert Ice Canyon
  • Thousand Camel Festival
  • Dalanzadgad capital town-- South Gobi Natural History Museum
  • Visit nomadic family

Itinerary

Duration

3 nights 4 days

Tour Price

USD 800 per person based on 2 pax

USD 750 per person based on 4 pax

USD 700 per person based on 6 pax

CAMEL FESTIVAL
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07:00 AM Start drive from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad, gateway to the South Gobi, where your journey begins with a visit to the spacious South Gobi Natural History Museum, home to dinosaur fossils, desert wildlife, and nomadic heritage. Continue to the Mukhar Shivert Ice Canyon in the eastern range of Three Beauties National Park, and walk through its frozen curves and sculpted cliffs, a striking winter wonder in the desert. Then visit a nomadic family living in the Gobi Desert mountain zone, herding yaks, sheep, and goats; share milk tea and stories in their ger, and learn about winter herding life. Return to Dalanzadgad for overnight in a local hotel 

Accommodation: Local hotel 
Meals: Lunch, Dinner  

The Thousand Camel Festival features a colorful opening ceremony with a camel parade, flag procession, and welcome speeches. Over two days, guests witness camel races across the snowy steppe, fast-paced camel polo matches, and the “Most Beautiful Camel & Couple” contest. Herders compete in a timed caravan-loading challenge—shearing wool, crafting halters, and packing camels with speed and skill. Visitors enjoy ice anklebone shooting, wool craft displays, and tastings of camel milk and yogurt. Evenings include cultural concerts and dance parties with songs performed by local schoolchildren and herders. The festival closes with a prize ceremony, music, and shared celebration.

Accommodation: Local hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Lunch on the way in Mandalgovi, the capital of Middle Gobi province is best known for its role as a gateway to the Gobi Desert and its traditional livestock-based economy, reflecting Mongolia's nomadic heritage. The town has a population of approximately 12,300. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar around 7 PM, drop off at your preferred location, and end the tour. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Price and departures

Starting Ending Status Prices from
2026/02/06 2026/02/09 Available $ 700.0
2 pax

$ 800.0

/per person

Travel van

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4 pax

$ 750.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR
6 pax

$ 700.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR

Service included

  • Local hotel * in Dalanzadgad (3 nights)
  • Tour guide (May choose your preferred language: English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese.)
  • All meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transportation
  • Road taxes and fees, NP & NR tickets
  • Travel drinking 1-2 L bottled water per day per person
  • Entry tickets to the festival, local museums, temples and statue
  • Animal riding

Service excluded

  • International transportation
  • International travel insurance
  • Single occupancy supplement
  • Taxes/Fees for photography and video recording in museums, sites, and entertainment venues
  • Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and professional-grade coffee
  • Extra activities are not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities :Tipping your guide and driver is optional but appreciated for excellent service. Recommended: $10 USD per person, per day.

Know Before You Go

<p><!--StartFragment --></p> <p><!--StartFragment --></p> <p>Hotels in Dalanzadgad offer a warm and welcoming stay, with clean rooms, reliable heating, and friendly service&mdash;ideal for resting after a day in the desert. While they may not match the polish or amenities of hotels in Ulaanbaatar or international standards, they provide comfort, character, and proximity to key sites like the museum and festival grounds. <strong>Mir Expeditions carefully selects the best available hotel or ger camp for each tour</strong>, ensuring guests enjoy a smooth, restful experience that reflects the spirit of the Gobi while meeting essential travel needs.</p> <p><!--EndFragment --></p> <p><!--EndFragment --></p>

<p>Some our tours include airport transfers, while others do not&mdash;this depends on the tour type and logistical arrangements. Please review your itinerary carefully to understand what is included.</p> <p>If your tour includes an airport transfer, it applies only to arrivals on Day 1 of the scheduled program. To ensure a smooth pickup, please enter your flight details accurately in the How To Book form. Upon arrival, look for our representative holding a sign with your name in the Arrivals area&mdash;they will guide you to the designated vehicle or bus.</p> <p>If your tour does not include transfers, or if you arrive before Day 1, you&rsquo;ll need to arrange your own transportation to the hotel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In cities and towns, guests can enjoy a wide range of familiar foods and drinks. At Ger camps, meals are prepared based on your booking and location&mdash;meats may include sheep, goat, camel, yak, horse, or cow, depending on the region. Mongolian livestock graze freely, making the meat naturally healthy and flavorful. Dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, lactose intolerance etc.) must be submitted in writing during booking, as they cannot be arranged on arrival. Tea, water, and morning coffee (instant or brewed) are served; espresso drinks may cost extra. Camp bars offer alcoholic beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, and canned sodas for purchase.</p>

<p>During our tours, overland travel is arranged using vehicles suited to group size and terrain. We use Japanese 4x4 off-road jeeps for up to 4 people total (including driver), larger jeeps for up to 5, travel vans for 6&ndash;7, and buses for up to 16. All vehicles are equipped with left-hand steering, in line with Mongolia&rsquo;s right-side driving regulations.</p> <p>Our drivers are responsible for maintaining daily cleanliness and tidiness of the vehicles, managing luggage loading, and ensuring water supplies are stocked. Any forgotten belongings are carefully returned to their owners by our team.</p>

<p>We recommend carrying Mongolian Tugrug (MNT) during your tour, as it is widely accepted at markets, shops, ger camp bars, and souvenir stalls. Debit and credit cards are generally usable in cities and towns and Ger camps but POS machines may be unreliable in remote areas. For convenience, it&rsquo;s best to carry both cash and cards. While prices are shown in foreign currency for reference, payments should be made in Tugrug, as foreign currencies are not commonly accepted.</p> <p>As a guide for the&nbsp;2026 season:<br /> - A handmade souvenir may cost around USD 7<br /> - A loaf of bread USD 1,5&nbsp;<br /> - A cashmere scarf USD 35<br /> - A 500 ml beer at a ger camp bar around USD 4</p>

<p>Our tours include optional riding experiences on horses, camels, or yaks, depending on the region and itinerary. When mounting, guests should approach the animal from the left side, place one foot in the stirrup and hold the reins securely, and sit balanced on the saddle or carpet. The reins are used to guide the animal&mdash;pulling left turns the head left, pulling right turns the head right,&nbsp; releasing allows free movement, and gently pulling inward signals the animal to stop.</p> <p>For safety and comfort, we kindly ask guests to avoid loud noises, waving scarves, or loose hats. Flip-flops and shorts are not recommended; closed shoes and long trousers are preferred. Please apply insect repellent and handle cameras or phones carefully, as sudden drops may startle the animal.</p>

<p><!--StartFragment -->This tour takes place during Mongolia&rsquo;s winter season, in the high-altitude Gobi Desert where conditions are dry cold and often windy. Daytime can be crisp and sunny, but temperatures drop sharply in the evenings especially in open desert and mountain zones. To stay comfortable and safe, we recommend layered clothing for flexibility and warmth, insulated waterproof boots for snow and uneven terrain, and windproof outerwear to block desert winds. Thermal base layers, warm socks, gloves, a hat, and a scarf are essential, along with sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against the strong winter sun reflecting off snow and sand.</p> <p><strong>You&rsquo;ll find a comprehensive packing guide in our Mongolia Travel Guide section, and experienced travelers with their own gear preferences and winter routines are welcome to follow their personal setup.</strong><!--EndFragment --></p> <p><!--{C}%3C!%2D%2DStartFragment%20%2D%2D%3E--><em>Since this is a festival tour, guests are encouraged to bring small items from their home country like flags, pins, travel bumper stickers, or souvenirs. They&rsquo;re great for exchanging with locals and spark friendly conversations during gatherings and celebrations.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>