Ice Festival at the Khuvsgul Lake
Each March residents of the Huvsgul Lake area celebrate the Festival of Ice. The festival involves a great variety of activities and competitions, including Ice Sumo, ger building with ice, ice skating and sleigh rides, all on or by the shores of the beautiful Lake Huvsgul. This two-day event is also a shamanist ceremony of offering and provides a fascinating insight into the Tsaatan people's way of life. Day 1. In the morning, meet at your hotel lobby. Drive to the airport and we will have a flight to Murun, (Approx. on air 560 km, 1.5 hour & dirt road 120 km, 2 hours) Arrival in Murun, a local driver will take you and will drive to Huvsgul National Park. Optional dog sledding. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day 2. After breakfast, attend Ice festival opening ceremony, Ice carving competition, Ice Sumo wrestling, Ankle bone shooting, and Shaman Ceremony and National Folklore concert. You will watch bonfire and sacrificing shamanic ceremony. Free hiking by the lake shore and horse sledding. Overnight in Ger camp.
Day 3. After breakfast, watch a marathon of skaters and a horse sled racing on the lake. After lunch, you will be driven back to Murun for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. (Approx. on air 560 km, 1.5 hour & dirt road 120 km, 2 hours) Back to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar.