Road Trip to the Ten Thousand Camel Festival 2026
Book this 9-day small group tour to the Ten Thousand Camel Festival in Umnugovi, Mongolia. Attend the camel festival and visit the best sights in the Gobi. This trip takes place February 2 – 10, 2026 (9 days, 8 nights).
Highlights of this 9-day small group tour to the Ten Thousand Camel Festival includes:
- Experience Mongolia’s iconic Ten Thousand Camel Festival, held near Dalanzadgad in the South Gobi — a vibrant celebration of camel culture and nomadic heritage.
- Visit the White Stupa cliffs and explore the largest petroglyphs in Mongolia, ancient rock carvings that whisper stories from thousands of years ago.
- Watch the sunrise from the White Stupa, a moment locals believe renews the spirit and strengthens the soul.
- Stay with a camel-herding family and learn how nomads live in harmony with their animals across the vast desert.
- Ride two-humped Bactrian camels across the Khongoryn Els dunes, one of the few deserts on Earth that sometimes sees snow.
- Join the festival’s camel parades, polo matches, archery, and races — all while enjoying traditional dance, throat singing, and local food.
- Spend your nights in cozy ger camps and nomadic family homes, surrounded by silence, stars, and the heart of the Gobi Desert.
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In recent years, the Ten Thousand Camel Festival has become the festival to attend in Mongolia. Just ask Travel & Leisure, who did an amazing feature (with fantastic photos) on what it was like to attend the festival in 2024.
Each year, in January, February, or March, this unique winter festival takes over Umnugovi (South Gobi) Province to celebrate their most famous residents – the Bactrian Camels!
Camel polo matches, shooting archery from atop a giant camel, camel races, and awards for the prettiest camels and best-dressed herders are just a few of the highlights of this wonderful festival.
And since we’re already there, we’ve decided to design our tour to include not only the festival, but to visit some of the most famous places in the Gobi, while we’re at it! It would be a shame to miss the singing sands half-covered in snow, afterall!
This tour is personally led by me (about Breanna) along with a local Mongolian guide and translator. We will depart from Ulaanbaatar in Land Cruisers on February 3, 2026 and return to the capital on February 9. If you plan to join me on this adventure, you will need to be in Ulaanbaatar on or before February 2, 2026. You can book your departure flight from Ulaanbaatar on February 10, or you can stay a few extra days and book one of our Ulaanbaatar tours.
Along the way we’ll stay two nights with a nomadic herding family, as well as sleep in warm and cozy hotels and gers (yurts). Join me for this once in a lifetime celebration and photographer’s dream trip!
Want to extend your trip? Add-on these Experiences
🐴 Day Trip to Terelj National Park and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (Book for any day, it’s the perfect day trip to get into the spirit of Mongolia.)
🤝 Visit the Black Market with a Local (Book for any day except Tuesdays (closed), great for gear shopping, souvenir browsing, and feeling like a local.)
The Itinerary for this 9-day Ten Thousand Camel Festival Tour
Experience Mongolia’s camel culture in the most authentic way possible — by journeying deep into the Gobi Desert for the Thousand Camel Festival, a celebration of the Bactrian camel and the nomads who depend on them.
This 9-day trip combines Mongolia’s striking desert landscapes with one of its most meaningful cultural events. Explore the White Stupa’s otherworldly cliffs, spend time with a camel-herding family at the snow-covered Khongoryn Els dunes, and learn how these gentle giants sustain life in the harsh desert. Then, join hundreds of herders near Dalanzadgad for the Camel Festival — where racing, music, and tradition come together in the frozen Gobi.
Day 1 / February 2, 2026: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and meet your airport transfer driver at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Enjoy a private transfer from the airport to the city center and check into the Best Western Premier Tuushin hotel near Sukhbaatar Square.
- Private Airport Transfer from Chinggis Khaan International Airport
- Check into the Best Western Premier Tuushin
- Day at Leisure
- Meet the Group and Welcome Dinner!
Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin (Double Occupancy)
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 / February 3: Into the Ancient Gobi
Leave Ulaanbaatar early and begin your journey south. Watch the scenery shift from rolling steppe to desert plains as you arrive at the White Stupa, a breathtaking formation of pale cliffs once part of an ancient ocean floor.
Check into your Gobi ger camp, then head out to see the largest petroglyphs in Mongolia and a nearby cave. Return to camp for dinner and your first peaceful night surrounded by desert silence and a brilliant star-filled sky.
- Drive out of Ulaanbaatar Early in the Morning
- Check into Gobi Ger Camp (Shared Gers)
- Visit the Largest Petroglyphs in Mongolia
- Brave the Cold and Watch for Shooting Stars in the Crisp Clear Skies Above
Stay: Gobi Ger Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 / February 4: Sunrise Over Stone & Sand
Wake before dawn and hike up the White Stupa to watch the sunrise over the desert horizon. Locals believe greeting the first sun from this sacred site brings strength and renewal. After breakfast, begin your drive deeper into the Gobi toward the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes.
Start driving towards your camel-herding host family, who will welcome you with milk tea and warmth. Learn about nomadic desert life, then settle in for dinner and your first night in a traditional family ger.
- Sunrise at the White Stupa
- Drive to Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes
- Stay with a Camel-Herding Family
- Traditional Milk Tea Welcome
Stay: Nomadic Camel Herder Family Ger Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 / February 5: A Day in the Life of a Camel-Herder
Spend the day immersed in the camel-herding lifestyle. Learn how to care for the camels, help with daily chores, and join in the rhythm of nomadic life.
In the afternoon, set out for a camel ride across the Khongoryn Els dunes, one of the few deserts in the world where snow sometimes settles on the sand. As the sun sets, enjoy the quiet majesty of the dunes glowing gold and white.
- Spend the Day with a Camel Herder, Helping with Chores and Experiencing Nomadic Life
- Ride Bactrian Camels into the Khongoryn Els Dunes
- Experience the Magic of these Dunes Half-Covered in Snow
Stay: Nomadic Camel Herder Family Ger Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 / February 6: Drive to Dalanzadgad, it’s Camel Festival Opening Day!
Say goodbye to your hosts and drive toward Dalanzadgad, where the Thousand Camel Festival begins.
Arrive at the festival grounds and witness the opening parade, with herders proudly showcasing their camels dressed in colorful deels and ornaments. Enjoy the first rounds of camel polo, short-distance races, and archery on camelback before returning to the hotel for dinner and a comfortable bed.
- Early Drive to Dalanzadgad
- Camel Festival Opening Day!
- Enjoy a Camel Parade
- Camel Polo Matches Begin
- Cheer on Riders during a Camel Race
- Witness Archery on Camelback
- Spend the Evening in a Hotel with Hot Showers and Private Bathrooms (a True Luxury after Staying with a Nomadic Family!)
Stay: Hotel in Dalanzadgad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 / February 7: Races, Games & Cultural Concert
The festival continues with long-distance camel races, relay events, and herding challenges that highlight the deep bond between nomads and their animals.
Between events, explore local art and craft stalls or chat with herders over cups of warm camel milk tea. In the evening, enjoy the Camel Festival Cultural Concert — a magical night of dance, music, and throat singing beneath the desert stars.
- Camel Festival Festivities Continue
- Deepen Your Admiration for the Bonds Between Camels and Herders
- Shop Local Art and Craft Stalls
- Chat with Herders Over Cups of Camel Milk Tea
- Attend a Cultural Concert with Throat Singing, Dancing, and Traditional Music
Stay: Hotel in Dalanzadgad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 / February 8: Festival Finale & Farewell Dinner
Celebrate the final day of the festival with championship races and the crowning of the best camels and herders. The air is filled with joy, pride, and laughter as the festival concludes.
Return to hotel for a farewell dinner, reflecting on your time spent with Mongolia’s camel herders and their incredible culture.
- Camel Festival Closing Ceremony
- Final Camel Race Championships
- Crowning of the Best Camels and Herders
- Farewell Group Dinner
Stay: Hotel in Dalanzadgad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 / February 9: Drive Back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, begin your drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping for lunch along the way. Watch as the desert fades back into open steppe, arriving in the city by evening, marking the end of your Gobi adventure.
- Long Driving Day back to Ulaanbaatar
- Stop for a Local Lunch Along the Way and See the World’s Largest Murin Khuur
- Evening at Leisure (Dinner Not Included Today)
Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin (Double Occupancy)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 / February 10: Depart Ulaanbaatar
Book your flight to depart Mongolia today. We will arrange your private transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport to catch your international flight.
- Private Airport Transfer from Chinggis Khaan International Airport
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
- Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
- Private transportation.
- A translator/guide who will be with you at all times.
- Ger camp accommodations during the trip dates. Please note these are basic accommodations, but are traditional and authentic to the way we live here.
- All meals at the ger camp, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
*Please let us know of any dietary restrictions before booking.
What's Not Included
- International flights.
- Visa costs and fees.
- Travel Insurance that covers medical evacuation and cost of participation (required).
- Personal expenses such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, optional activities, and meals which are not included in the trip itinerary.
- Tips and additional gratuities.
Visit our tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
Book Now
The price to book this 9-day Ten Thousand Camel Festival Tour is $3,400 USD per person. We are looking for at least 2 travelers to run this tour.
Highlights of this 9-day small group tour to the Ten Thousand Camel Festival includes:
- Experience Mongolia’s iconic Ten Thousand Camel Festival, held near Dalanzadgad in the South Gobi — a vibrant celebration of camel culture and nomadic heritage.
- Visit the White Stupa cliffs and explore the largest petroglyphs in Mongolia, ancient rock carvings that whisper stories from thousands of years ago.
- Watch the sunrise from the White Stupa, a moment locals believe renews the spirit and strengthens the soul.
- Stay with a camel-herding family and learn how nomads live in harmony with their animals across the vast desert.
- Ride two-humped Bactrian camels across the Khongoryn Els dunes, one of the few deserts on Earth that sometimes sees snow.
- Join the festival’s camel parades, polo matches, archery, and races — all while enjoying traditional dance, throat singing, and local food.
- Spend your nights in cozy ger camps and nomadic family homes, surrounded by silence, stars, and the heart of the Gobi Desert.
About Aagie, Your Local Mongolian Guide & Trip Leader
My name is Aagie (short for Agarmaa) and I am a professional certified tour guide and the head of tours at Meanwhile in Mongolia.
Born into a second-generation city life, I rediscovered my roots through travel and guiding. After three years and 30+ tours across the country, I’ve connected deeply with my heritage, from the Gobi to Mongolia’s diverse ethnic groups like the Kazakhs.
Along the way, I’ve encountered snow leopards, hunted with eagles, and explored Mongolia’s vast landscapes. I’m proud to share the beauty and traditions of my country while continuing to learn from it every day.
I will do everything I can to guide you on your adventures with what I’ve learned so far, but there’s also a good chance we’ll discover new things together along the way.
Is this trip right for me?
There are a few important things to know about this trip.
- Accommodations will be shared. This is typical in Mongolia and is part of the experience. No single supplements are available once we leave Ulaanbaatar.
- The temperature in February in southern Mongolia can reach -40 C. We will do our best to keep you as warm and comfortable as possible, but please keep in mind that we will be spending a lot of time outside. If you need help deciding what to pack, shop some of my favorite winter clothing and gear.
- You will be living off-grid during our 2-night stay with the nomadic camel-herding family. That means running water, regular electricity, hot showers, and reliable data and cellular service will not be available. This is your chance to disconnect from the outside world! Please pack and plan accordingly.
- We will be driving off-road. It’s not easy to get to these remote corners of Mongolia, but the journey is always worth it. I promise! Please let me know in advance if you get car sick. If you do, I recommend purchasing these motion sickness glasses.
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