Date: 01 Mar – 03 Mar
In March for just a week the trails leading to Khuvsgul Lake becomes crowded with tens of tourists. Khuvsgul Lake is located in North Mongolia under the direct influence of the cold winter wind from Siberia. The average temperature in -25 degrees Celsius in winter. Annual low temperatures below -35C are not uncommon. The pure waters freeze completely over in the winter time to create clear ice with up to meters of visibility of ground rocks. The festival will provide opportunities for Lake Khuvsgul visitors to enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities including downhill and cross-country skiing, ice-fishing contests etc.
- Festival of Ice at -35°C on the Khovsgol Lake
- Reindeer people takes part of the event
- Experience on horse sleighs
Length: 3 days
Potential date and weather condition: 01 March – 03 March, each year.
Tour type: Mongolia Group Tours
Area: North Mongolia
Difficulty: easier – moderate (No experience necessary. Trips suitable for most ages and abilities)
Prices
This tour is a join tour. The price of the trip is calculated according to the number of travelers participating in the trip. The trip cannot be taken with one traveler.
570 usd p.p for 2pax
490 usd p.p for 3pax
450 usd p.p for 4pax & up
Included: 2 nights in the tourist ger camp, food service, land transportation, English speaking guide service, mineral water, all entrance fees and Government charges, all activities costs
Not included: round trip domestic flight (Air ticket prices are determined in January, so they are not included in the price. However, our company will book the flight ticket for you at cost price as soon as it becomes clear.) gratuities for staffs, personal expenses, travel insurance
Detailed itinerary
Day1. 01 Mar. Fly to Murun town & Uushig Deer Stone
Day2. 02 Mar. Ice festival: First day
Day3. 03 Mar. Ice festival: Second day & fly back to Ulaanbaatar
Day1. 01 Mar. Fly to Murun town & Uushig Deer Stone
We will pick you up from your accommodation (pick up time will be confirmed) & transfer to the airport. Fly to Murun town (1 hour flight). After you landed there, our local guide & driver will pick you up & drive to Uushig Deer Stone (15 km on dirt road). A complex of 30 deer stones of Uushig Valley and its burial mounts belong to the ancient Huns period and over 3000 years old. The Bronze Age funeral practice, sacrificial ritual and ideology and animal style art, which were spread among ancient nomads, are all together represented through deer stones made by long block of granite. Then we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake (110 km – 3 hours on the paved road). About midway along border between Mongolia and Russian Siberia, in a gigantic stone bowl nearly 110km long and almost 40km wide, lies 3% of the all the fresh water on earth – Lake Khusgul. Its winter view is magnificent. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day2. 02 Mar. Ice festival: First day
After breakfast time, we will go to the event site. Today we will see the opening ceremony. Then we will see or participate (of course, if you like) some different types of the competition such as ice sculpture competition, sumo wrestling, ankle bone archery on the clear ice. There is also a shamanism ritual worshiping ceremony which offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the Tsaatan people’s way of life and the shaman culture and National Folklore concert etc. The sled sliding on the ice, punctuated by the trotting horses, and the tinkling of bells attached to the harness in the incredible universe of frozen waves is one of the highlights of this trip (this activity is included in the price). Reindeer people bring their reindeer to the festival site and we will also interest it. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day3. 03 Mar. Ice festival: Second day & fly back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast time, we will go to the event site. Today we will also see rest competition of the event. Horse sledding competition is must see. After lunch time, we will drive to the Murun airfield (110 km – 3 hours on the paved road) & fly back to Ulaanbaatar (1 hour flight). After you landed in the city, our driver will pick you up and transfer to your accommodation.
End time: Depends flight schedule. Usually in the evening.
Total driving distance: 260 km
Information
- Above prices are changeable by changing components (kind of services) of the itinerary.
- This is a private tour and you or your travel buddies will be in the tour.
- Domestic flight companies accept only 10kg-15kg lugguge incuding your carry on bags too for free transfer.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you are in correct pick up location at correct time as stated on your booking form.
- No smoking in travel vehicles or aircraft.
- Khuvsgul can be as cold as -25°C at night in Feb. Thermal protection is essential, especially for feet, fingers and face. Also, UV protecting sunglasses are required for eye protection. The ice of the lake is min. 2m thick and can hold a car or even a large lorry easily. Horse racing competition
Please let us know should you have further inquiries! We are looking forward to assist you with organizing your stay in Mongolia and answering any questions you might have about this tour. We want your holiday experience in Mongolia to be as amazing as it is possible.
