Mongolian Lunar New Year and Shambala Winter Tour 2025
Meet local families and spend Mongolian Lunar New Year learning the ancient traditions associated with this important holiday. Plus, travel to the Gobi Desert to Shambala and Khamariin Monastery to get a better understanding of Mongolian Buddhism, February 27–March 6, 2025.
Highlights of this Tsagaan Sar tour and experience include:
- Meeting and spending time getting to know local families.
- Learning the ancient traditions surrounding Tsagaan Sar, Mongolia’s most celebrated holiday.
- Travel by train with the locals to the energy center of the Gobi Desert.
- Visit Shambala, one of the world’s energy centers and an important pilgrimage for Mongolian Buddhists.
- Hear the monks chanting at Khamariin Monastery and have prayers read for you.
- Make an offering at the Breast Monument.
- Make a wish at Khan Bayanzurkh Uul, Wish Mountain.
- Free time to explore Ulaanbaatar.
Table of Contents
Tsagaan Sar, more commonly known as Mongolian Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holidays on the Mongolian calendar. Like the Chinese celebrations, Tsagaan Sar is filled with many traditions and is a holiday that emphasis visiting family members, especially the elders.
As a foreigner who lives here, Tsagaan Sar is one of my favorite holidays in Mongolia for several reasons.
First, Mongolians dress up in their best new deels (traditional Mongolian coats), boots, and hats. They all look incredibly chic and cool. Wearing a new deel brings good fortune to go into the new year with.
Second, it’s a time to appreciate the elders of the country and the cultural heritages they continue to pass down from generation to generation. There are a lot of little things to keep in mind when you greet the elders in a family, which I’ll teach you all about during this trip!
Tsagaan Sar translates to White Moon and the holiday mark’s the beginning of spring. While temperatures are still well below zero, usually between -30 C and 0 C, Mongolian winter isn’t as intimidating as you might think. As long as you have the right clothes and you come here with an open mind, it’s one of the best times to be here. Especially as a foreigner! Traveling in Mongolian winter always earns the respect of the locals instantly!
Plus, did you know Ulaanbaatar is the world’s coldest capital? Something else you can cross off your bucket list!
The dates for this trip are February 27 to March 6, 2025, and are coordinated around Tsagaan Sar, which is March 1 – 3, 2025. This trip is eight days and seven nights.
What's Included
- All airport transfers.
- Transportation costs during the trip dates, including train tickets to/from Sainshand (Gobi Desert).
- Support crew that includes a local translator and local guides, along with Breanna as your on-the-ground magic maker.
- All accommodation during the trip dates including a hotel in Ulaanbaatar (Best Western or similar) and in Sainshand.
- All activities listed on the itinerary, including entrance fees, museum ticket fees, local guide fees, etc.
- Most meals* (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as outlined on the trip itinerary.
*Please let me know of any dietary restrictions before booking.
What's Not Included
- 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 my tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
The price to book this Tsagaan Sar small group tour is $3,300 USD per person.
Book Now
Join me and attend Tsagaan Sar holiday celebrations during Mongolia’s Lunar New Year. During Tsagaan Sar we’ll also travel to the Gobi Desert to visit Shambala and Khamariin Monastery. Two very important sites for Mongolian Buddhists, especially at the beginning of the new year.
This small group trip takes place February 27 – March 6, 2025.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, I will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
About Breanna, Your Tour Host
Sain baina uu! I could not be more excited to have you join my first winter trip I’ll be hosting in Mongolia!
Tsagaan Sar is a magical time to be in the country, and this trip will throw you right into the celebrations. The itinerary will leave room for us to go with the celebration flow, meaning if there’s something special going on, we’ll be able to go check it out!
By joining my trip we’ll have a one-on-one call so I can explain everything you should pack and bring to survive Mongolia’s winter temperatures. Trust me when I say that with the right gear, you’ll be completely ready to take on -30 C! I want everyone to have the most comfortable, safe, and enjoyable trip possible – that’s always my main priority with these experiences.
Part of this small group tour includes taking the overnight train to Sainshand in the eastern Gobi Desert. Mongolia’s trains aren’t the modern bullet-trains you’ll find in other parts of Asia, these are a real part of Mongolia’s history. We’ll sleep on the train before hitting the ground in Sainshand, getting energy from the sights, sounds, and pure, fresh air we’ll find in the Gobi.
I’m looking forward to hosting you on this experience and showing you a side of Mongolia most other people will never experience.
Is this trip right for me?
This trip is meant for anyone who is interested in learning more about Mongolia’s unique festivals and holidays. This trip will focus on the traditions, history, and things that make Tsagaan Sar such a special time to be in this part of the world.
This trip also focuses on Buddhism and Mongolia’s monks and monasteries. You do not need to be a practicing Buddhist to join this trip – travelers from all religious backgrounds and belief systems are welcome!
Hotel accommodation for this trip will be shared. I will pair you accordingly and by gender.
Train compartments are four people (beds) to a berth. We will spend two overnights on the train during this trip.
This trip will be limited to 8 participants.
The Itinerary for this Small Group Tour
You will need to arrive into Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar on or before February 27th to participate in this trip.
If you choose to arrive earlier than February 27th, I’m happy to arrange experiences around the city on your behalf. We can talk about this after you book your flights. There are plenty of things to do in Ulaanbaatar and ways to stay busy before this trip kicks off.
The trip officially starts with a Welcome Dinner on the night of February 27th.
Below you’ll find a day-by-day breakdown of this small group winter trip, and what it includes. For the full itinerary, including pricing, and more, please fill out the form below.
Meals included in this tour are indicated as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D).
Day 1: Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Checked in, bundled up, and ready to explore, the trip officially kicks off with our Welcome Dinner this evening.
Meals: D
Day 2: Bituun
The day before Tsagaan Sar is called Bituun and it’s when locals finish all their preparations for the holiday. Today we’ll meet with a local family, help with the last of their meal preparations – including learning how to make buuz, traditional Mongolian dumplings. There’s also a wrestling tournament in the evening we’ll attend. We’ll end the day preparing for the deeds each of our horoscopes say we need to do to bring us luck in the new year.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 3: Tsagaan Sar Day 1
Tsagaan Sar begins at sunrise when you’re meant to make “good tracks” and complete the deeds that will bring you luck throughout the year. We’ll take the morning slow before going to meet local families, offering our respect to each, spending the day celebrating the first day of the Mongolian New Year.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 4: Tsagaan Sar Day 2
Today we will go pay our respects at the local monasteries, where the monks will be chanting and offering prayers. This is your chance to wipe your bad deed slate clean and begin the year with a fresh start! Later in the day we’ll head to the train station to take the overnight train to Sainshand.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 5: Shambala and Khamariin Hiid
Arriving bright and early in Sainshand, we’ll take a few minutes to gather ourselves before heading 30 km into the Gobi to Shambala and Khamariin Hiid. This is an important pilgrimage for Mongolian Buddhists and today you’ll begin to understand why! After visiting these two special places we’ll eat lunch so we have enough strength to climb the Wish Mountain and make our wishes for the year. You’ll have the evening at the hotel to spend at leisure.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 6: Danzaravjaa Museum and Explore Sainshand
The name Danzaravjaa doesn’t mean anything to you now, but it will. We’ll visit the museum where the 8th generation family curator has carefully protected his personal belongings since his death in 1856. We’ll also visit the Sainshand local museum, have lunch with a local family in town, and explore life in this small Gobi town. In the evening it’s back to the train station to take the overnight train back to Ulaanbaatar.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 7: Ulaanbaatar Free Day
Arriving back in Ulaanbaatar early in the morning, you’ll have an early check in at the hotel so you can take today at leisure. Museums will be open and people will be out and about as usual.
Meals: B/D
Day 8: Goodbye Mongolia
With your bags packed and your airport transfer arranged, it’s time to say goodbye to Mongolia, until the next time!
Meals: B
Additional days and experiences can be added to this itinerary. If you’re interested in an Ulaanbaatar Winter Tour, visiting the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, or something else, just let me know.
The price to book this Tsagaan Sar small group tour is $3,300 USD per person.
Book Now
Join me and attend Tsagaan Sar holiday celebrations during Mongolia’s Lunar New Year. During Tsagaan Sar we’ll also travel to the Gobi Desert to visit Shambala and Khamariin Monastery. Two very important sites for Mongolian Buddhists, especially at the beginning of the new year.
This small group trip takes place February 27 – March 6, 2025.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, I will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
Join my Private Travel Group on Facebook
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