Lunar New Year or Tsagaan sar 2023 Tour

7 days from $840 Next Departure Date Feb.20th 2023

Tsagaan Sar is a family festival, which is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar new year to put some cheer in the endless winter months and mark the beginning of spring. This could be any date from late January to early March depending on the Lunar calendar. The celebration happens over several days, with feasting on the night of the new moon. Everyone dresses in their best clothes to visit family members. Throughout the ages the festival has been celebrated traditionally - family ties are renewed and in particular, it is a time to honor the elderly.

As a sign of respect, the younger adults greet their elders in a certain way, with a special arm-hold embrace, which symbolizes both support and esteem. The gesture is accompanied by the exchange of a ceremonial pale blue or white silk scarf. Gifts are usually given and received with both hands. Whole carcasses of a fat lamb are cooked in advance, and there is a lot of food including steamed dumplings, fermented milk, vodka, milk tea, salads, and sweets. Traditionally after long bouts of feasting, the Mongols settle down to hours of storytelling and wisdom sayings, and in this way, oral histories have been passed on from one generation to the next.

Highlights

  • Lunar New Year
  • Visit to Nomad Family 
  • Making Mongolian Traditional Food
  • Winter Horse Racing

Key Info

Physical level: Easy Physical level: Easy
Overlanding & Discovering Overlanding & Discovering

Tour Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1.

/Jan 31/. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Short city tour available depending on the flight schedule. Transfer to the hotel and relax. (L/D)

in the hotel

Day 2.

/Feb 1/. New Year Eve called BITUUN.
  • Arrive in Mongolian Secret History tourist complex 
  • A trip around the complex:
    • Visit a ger library to learn about nomadic literature along with its heritage and culture 
    • Visit the statue of shaman called “Tev Tenger”, to be introduced with fascinating customs of ancient shamanism, treated by Mongolian traditional drink and skiing
  • Lunch 
  • Traditional music concert & Mongolian traditional dress show
  • Visit herder’s family to take a part in preparing traditional food (buuz) and enjoy local culture on the event of “Lunar New year Eve” 
  • Dinner 
  • Learn traditional knucklebone games and participate in competitions of
    • “Colored turtle” game
    • sheep or goat knuckle bone arranged into a turtle shape                                                                       
    • “Horse racing” game by knuckle bone
    • “Knucklebone snatch” game            
    • “Knucklebone flicking” game

Relax in the traditional ger camp. (B/L/D)

 

in the camp

Day 3.

/Feb 2/. The first fay of Lunar New Year
  • Walk your first path of the New Year before the sun rises in accordance with a Mongolian custom relating to the individual’s birthday and year
  • Breakfast
  • Visit a herder’s family on the first day of the Lunar New Year
    • Introduction to traditional greeting called “Zolgoh” & customs of Tsagaan Sar
    • Traditional meals
    • See new calves
    • Ride a horse and camel   
  • Lunch
  • Enjoy horse racing & guess the winner
  • Free time (horse and camel riding available on request)
  • Dinner 
  • Photo with traditional costumes
  • Learn Mongolia traditional dance “Zadgai tsagaan”, “Khumuun turlukhtun” 

Relax in the traditional ger camp. (B/L/D)

in the camp

Day 4.

/Feb 3/. Visit Khustai National Park

Drive to Khustai National Park to watch wild horses takhi, widely known as “Przewalski horse ”.

Przewalski horses are the only wild horse to survive in modern times. The species were returned to Mongolia from Zooparks of many Europian Countries and reserves within Hustai National Park is 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar. (B/L/D)

in the camp 1 hour

Day 5.

/Feb 4/. Explore Terelj NP

Transfer to Terelj National Park. Lying in the valley of the Terelj River 80 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar, Terelj national park has long been a holiday resort for people from the capital and short-stay tourists. It is one of the most visited areas in Mongolia due to its magnificent scenery and its proximity to Ulaanbaatar. There are great opportunities for hiking rock climbing, riding, and visit the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex. Stay in the Nomad family. (B/L/D) 

in the family

Day 6.

/Feb 5/. City Tour

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Relaxing hours at the hotel. Option to go shopping for souvenirs and cashmere products. Farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)

in the hotel

Day 7.

/Feb 6/. Departure Day

Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)

Prices & Inclusions

Prices & Inclusions
Group size Price/Per person
2 PAX 1190$
3-4 pax 1090$
5-8 PAX 990$
9-12 PAX 890$
13-15 PAX 840$

Includes

Accommodation: Hotel****,* ger camp, nomadic stay
Guiding and interpreting service
Full board meals
Transport: 4x4 vehicle or minivan
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance
Horseback riding /optional/

Not Includes

International airfare 
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost 
Excess baggage charges
Single room supplement 
Alcoholic drinks 
Travel Insurance
The extra cost for photography in museums
Tip for a tour guide, driver, etc

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