Thousand Camel Festival in the Gobi Desert

We set out for Dalanzadgad, the capital of Mongolia’s southern Gobi province.

Stretching across Mongolia and northern China, the Gobi Desert is the world’s fifth-largest desert and Asia’s most expansive, spanning about 1,610 kilometers from southwest to northeast and 800 kilometers from north to south. Unlike the classic image of endless sand dunes, much of the Gobi is a striking landscape of bare rock and gravel plains.

In winter, the Gobi transforms into a cold desert, with frost and snow dusting its dunes. Its high elevation—ranging between 910 and 1,520 meters above sea level—contributes to frigid conditions, while Siberian winds bring snow and added moisture. On average, the desert receives only about 194 millimeters of precipitation annually. Temperature extremes are legendary here, plunging to –40°C in winter and soaring to +50°C in summer.

By late evening, we will arrive in Dalanzadgad and check into a local hotel.

• Hotel L, D

Today we journey to Bayanzag, famously known as the “Flaming Cliffs. This striking site gained worldwide fame when palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews unearthed dinosaur fossils and eggs here. The landscape is a dramatic mix of red sandstone cliffs, scrub vegetation, and open desert, perfect for a short hike and exploration.

Later, we continue to Bulgan village, where our host family will warmly welcome us. The entire community is abuzz with preparations for two days of celebration. Nomadic families arrive on camels, dressed in traditional winter attire, including furs made from wolf, fox, marmot, and hare.

As evening falls, gather around the fire with steaming hot drinks—and perhaps a few shots of vodka in true local fashion—while lively conversations swirl about the upcoming camel races and festivities.

• Yurt / Ger stay B, L, D

After breakfast, we’ll head to the village center for the festival’s opening ceremony.
In front of the administration building, camel herders from near and far gather as the village mayor officially launches the celebrations. Camels approach from every direction, their riders bundled warmly between the twin humps.

This unique festival pays tribute to the Bactrian camel, an animal that has sustained desert herders and shaped nomadic life for centuries. Throughout the day, local schools transform into bustling marketplaces, where herders and women artisans sell handmade crafts and beautiful camel wool products. Traditional foods and drinks—including the distinctive fermented camel milk—are part of the experience.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to pick up authentic souvenirs and take home lasting memories of Mongolia and its beloved camel festival.

• Yurt / Ger stay B, L, D

Today’s festival highlights are packed with excitement and tradition.

The program features a 15-kilometer camel race, fast-paced camel polo, and unique competitions that showcase the skills of herders and their animals—including the impressive challenge of loading and unloading an entire ger onto camels. Experienced riders will also demonstrate their talent in lassoing young male camels; once caught, they attempt to mount and train the wild animals, providing a thrilling spectacle as the camel’s buck and twist to throw them off.

Prizes are awarded not only for skill but also for beauty—recognizing the most elegantly decorated couple and the most lavishly adorned camel, complete with traditional ornaments and jewels. In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance by the village schoolchildren, adding a warm and festive note to the day’s celebrations.

• Yurt / Ger stay B, L, D

After a hearty breakfast, we set out on a 150-kilometer journey westward to Khongoryn Els, home to Mongolia’s largest sand dunes.
These majestic dunes, some rising as high as 275 meters, stretch for over 100 kilometers from east to west. Behind them, the dark rocky mass of the Sevrey Mountains creates a striking contrast to the golden sands.

Along the way, we’ll visit families who breed Bactrian (two-humped) camels and experience their warm, hardworking, and resilient way of life. The Gobi Desert, known as the coldest desert in the world, is shaped by harsh winds that sweep across its plains through autumn, winter, and spring. Survival here requires remarkable endurance and ingenuity, qualities that Gobi nomads are famed for across Mongolia.

This is also the perfect moment to taste camel milk products—from the traditional fermented drink to locally brewed camel milk vodka—while sharing an evening of stories and hospitality with our hosts.

• Yurt / Ger stay B, L, D

After breakfast, once the morning chill has lifted, we’ll enjoy a camel ride along the sweeping dunes.

From there, our journey continues into Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, traveling through the dramatic gorges of the Altai Mountain Range. One of the highlights is Yolyn Am, a deep, narrow valley carved long ago by ancient rivers, where towering cliffs create a breathtaking landscape.

Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife—Argali sheep, ibex, desert gazelles, and golden eagles are all possible sightings in this rugged habitat.

By evening, we’ll arrive in Dalanzadgad and settle in for the night.

• Hotel B, L, D

Today, we’ll make the journey back to Ulaanbaatar—a full day of scenic driving across the Mongolian landscape.

• B, L