Winter Horse Festival Tour: Sacred Steeds and Snow
For the first time ever, Meanwhile in Mongolia is going to the Winter Horse Festival! Join our founders Aagie and Breanna on this inaugural scouting trip and be a part of this one-of-a-kind winter event! Travel to Khentii Province, the home of Chinggis Khaan, with us from November 21 – 24, 2025 (4 days, 3 nights).
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For years we’ve heard of the magic of the annual Winter Horse Festival in Khentii Province, Mongolia.
How the festival is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in Mongolia, not just as a tourist, but as a local, as well!
So, we’ve finally decided to experience this one-of-a-kind festival for ourselves!
Join Meanwhile in Mongolia founders Aagie and Breanna on this unique experience from November 21 – 24, 2025.
Highlights of joining us for this winter tour will include:
- Experience the Winter Horse Festival 2025, Mongolia’s ultimate celebration of horses and nomadic culture.
- Watch riders parade in traditional deels during the grand opening ceremony.
- Witness epic competitions like wild horse taming, “Strength of the Steppe” wrestling, and “Silken Hoof” horse races.
- See unique events including the “Steppe Eagle” accuracy challenge and “Mongol Taiga Dog” speed race.
- Enjoy live performances such as the “Ballad of Setsen Khan”, followed by a public dance with locals.
- Visit the Khentii Museum and Tengeriin Andgai Monument, connecting Mongolia’s past to its living traditions.
Are you planning your trip last minute?
🚕 Book a Cheap Airport Transfer (great, budget-friendly option when landing in Mongolia)
🛌 Best Places to Stay:
Hostel One (favorite overall hostel with central location and clean facilities)
Urgoo Hotel (local boutique hotel with clean rooms and great location)
H9 Hotel Nine (boutique hotel located next to Sukhbaatar Square)
👉 Top Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar:
Cooking Class in a Local Home (unique way to spend a day and meet a local family!)
Mongolian Calligraphy Class: 1-Hour Lesson (try your hand at traditional Mongolian script)
Ulaanbaatar City Tour (best way to get to know the city with a local guide)
🐴 Most Popular Day Trips from Ulaanbaatar:
Brief Introduction to Mongol Horse (the most Mongolian experience you can have!)
Day Trip to Terelj National Park and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (the perfect day trip for active travelers)
Bogd Khan National Park Hiking Day Trip (a beautiful hike with views of the city in the world’s first ever national park)
The Itinerary for this 4-Day Winter Horse Festival Tour
Head east to Khentii Province, the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan and the beating heart of Mongolia’s horse culture, for the Winter Horse Festival 2025, a thrilling celebration of riders, horses, and heritage.
Over four unforgettable days, you’ll witness flag parades, wrestling tournaments, eagle challenges, and wild horse taming. Between events, enjoy local music, dance, and the warmth of Mongolian hospitality, a rare glimpse into nomadic life when the winter steppe comes alive.
It’s not just a festival, it’s Mongolia’s living story of strength, pride, and spirit.
Below you’ll find a day-by-day breakdown of this adventure and what it includes. To book this tour please fill out the Google Form linked below.
Meals included in this tour are indicated as Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
All hotel accommodations are double occupancy.
Day 1 / November 21, 2025: Journey to Khentii, the Land of Legends
Your driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning as you begin your journey east toward Khentii Province, homeland of Chinggis Khaan. The road winds through open steppe and frozen rivers, revealing Mongolia’s quiet winter beauty.
By afternoon, arrive in Chinggis City, check into your hotel, and head to the Khentii Museum to explore the region’s royal and nomadic past. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and rest up for the festival ahead.
- Depart Ulaanbaatar and arrive in Chinggis City
- Visit the Khentii Museum
- Dinner with the Group and Evening at Leisure
Stay: Hotel in Chinggis City (Double Occupancy)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 / November 22: The Festival Begins
After breakfast, head out to the Winter Horse Festival grounds, where the excitement builds as riders, wrestlers, and herders from across the province gather to compete.
The festival opens with a grand flag parade and a rider procession, followed by lively performances of traditional song and dance. Throughout the day, the field comes alive with competitions — from colorful horseback displays to the daring spectacle of wild horse taming.
In the evening, return to Chinggis City for dinner and attend the “Ballad of Setsen Khan” performance, an incredible showcase of Khentii’s cultural pride. End the night with a festive community dance alongside locals before heading back to your hotel.
- Winter Horse Festival Opening Ceremony and Parade
- Enjoy Traditional Song and Dance Performances
- Competitions Begin!
- Attend the “Ballad of Setsen Khan”
- Mingle with Locals at a Community Dance
Stay: Hotel in Chinggis City (Double Occupancy)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 / November 23: The Spirit of the Steppe
Today the festival continues with even more energy and excitement. Watch as wrestlers face off in the “Strength of the Steppe” tournament, hunters demonstrate skill in the “Steppe Eagle” competition, and riders thunder across the field in the “Silken Hoof” horse race.
You’ll also see the adorable and impressive Mongol Taiga Dogs compete in breed showcases and short-distance sprints. The day wraps up with the final round of the “Shurguu” competition and an awards ceremony celebrating the best of Mongolia’s horsemen and herders.
Return to town for a relaxing evening and a final dinner in Khentii.
- Wrestling “Strength of the Steppe” Tournament
- “Silken Hoof” Horse Race
- Mongol Taiga Dog Showcases and Sprints
- Award Ceremony for the Best Horsemen and Herders
- Group Farewell Dinner
Stay: Hotel in Chinggis City (Double Occupancy)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 / November 24: Return to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, begin your journey back to the capital. The team will drop you off at your hotel, marking the end of your unforgettable winter journey through Khentii.
- Return to Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What's Included
- Private transportation.
- A translator/guide who will be with you at all times.
- Hotel accommodations during the trip dates. Please note these are basic hotel accommodations, but all rooms have private bathrooms and hot showers.
- All meals* including at the festival.
*Please let us know of any dietary restrictions before booking.
What's Not Included
- Accommodations in Ulaanbaatar are not included in this tour package.
- 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.
- Activities at the Winter Horse Festival (horse riding, games, etc).
- Tips and additional gratuities.
Visit our tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
Book Now
The price to book this 4-day Winter Horse Festival Tour is $1,100 USD per person (2 person minimum).
Highlights of joining us for this winter tour will include:
- Experience the Winter Horse Festival 2025, Mongolia’s ultimate celebration of horses and nomadic culture.
- Watch riders parade in traditional deels during the grand opening ceremony.
- Witness epic competitions like wild horse taming, “Strength of the Steppe” wrestling, and “Silken Hoof” horse races.
- See unique events including the “Steppe Eagle” accuracy challenge and “Mongol Taiga Dog” speed race.
- Enjoy live performances such as the “Ballad of Setsen Khan”, followed by a public dance with locals.
- Visit the Khentii Museum and Tengeriin Andgai Monument, connecting Mongolia’s past to its living traditions.
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.
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