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Lunar New Year or Tsagaan sar 2023 Tour
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
Tour Itinerary
Day 1.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Short city tour available depending on the flight schedule. Transfer to the hotel and relax. (L/D)
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Day 2.
- 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)
Day 3.
- 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)
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Day 4.
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)
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Day 5.
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)
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Day 6.
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Relaxing hours at the hotel. Option to go shopping for souvenirs and cashmere products. Farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)
Day 7.
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)
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
Map & Destinations
