Festivals

Festivals are one of Things to Know Before Traveling to Mongolia. Mongolian festivals can range from small village gatherings to massive national events. You'll enjoy the local experiences and social connections of the smaller events, so plan your trip so that you may join the festivities with a family or community; there's nothing like cheering on the eagle hunter or wrestler with whom you've just spent the last few days. Here are several festivals that you might like to attend.

To begin, Mongolian New Year (Tsagaan Sar) is usually observed between the end of January and the beginning of February. Dairy items, mutton and horse meat, and rice with curds are all part of the traditional Tsagaan Sar feast. Families pay compliments to one another and consume mounds of dumplings. The Thousand Camel Festival, held in the Gobi Desert, is a celebration of the endangered Bactrian camel and its importance to the nomads of the Gobi. This yearly festival features camel racing and polo games, as well as displays of traditional Mongolian music and dancing.