Ice Festival in the Khuvsgul Lake for 7 days

Ice Festival in the Khuvsgul Lake for 7 days

For many people Mongolia has always been associated with its cold winter, but did you know that Mongolia has not the coldest winter and has a lot to offer together with its scenic beauty and specialties. Mongolia has been successfully organizing various thrilling winter activities in the recent years. Ice festival is the one of those winter events which has been held since 2002 every first weekend of March in northern Mongolia on the western shore of frozen Lake Khuvsgul.

Itinerary

Day 1: Uran Togoo Extinct Volcano

Stop At: Uran Beach, Navi Mumbai India
Ulaanbaatar – Uran Togoo Volcano 565km Start to drive towards to Uran Togoo an extinct volcano crater which is located in Bulgan province on the way to Khuvsgul Lake. Uran literally meaning artistic is a crater almost looks like that its ridges has been carved in very fine craftsmanship. Diameter of circled crater ridge almost about 500ms with 15m depth and surrounded with trees will add color to the scenery. Optional climbing and hiking Lunch at a local restaurant
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a nomadic family

Day 2: Uushigiin valley- Khuvsgul Lake

Stop At: Uran Togoo Volcano, Khutag-Undur, Mongolia
Uran Togoo- Khuvsgul Lake 410km Continue driving to Uushigiin valley where you can see complex of deer stone monuments erected besides the burial sites dating back to early Bronze Age era over some 4000 years ago. Deer stones were part of the ancient funeral practices and were mainly dedicated to express common people’s mourning over their great warriors and military leaders. There are 14 deer stones and one of the exclusive monuments is a deer stone with a human face. Lunch picnic Drive to Khuvsgul Lake which respectfully referred as “Blue Pearl” or “Mother Sea “by locals. In the winter lake freezes over rapidly and creates an amazing crystal clear ice. The Lake is situated at the altitude of over 1650ms above sea level at the eastern foothills of Sayan Mountains close to Russian border. Khuvsgul Lake is the second voluminous lake that makes up 1% of world and 70% of Mongolia’s freshwater.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at local guesthouse

Day 3: Opening of Ice Festival

Stop At: Khovsgol Nuur, Mongolia
After breakfast, you will attend the Opening Ceremony of Ice Festival. Today games such as Ice carving competition and Ice Sumo wrestling will be taking place. As one of the traditional games to be played on the Ice, you will see Ankle Bone shooting. The Festival will also present Shaman Ceremony by reindeer people and national folklore performance. Later in the evening you can join locals and other guests for bonfire assisted with shaman rituals.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at local guesthouse

Day 4: Ice Festival

Stop At: Lake Hovsgol National Park, Khatgal Mongolia
Today festival will continue with skater’s marathon and horse sled racing on the ice. On the sidelines of festival many other entertaining traditional games will be played, You would always have opportunity to enjoy or participate. It’s a perfect occasion to hang out with locals and have fun. Later on organizers will grant prizes for winners.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at local guesthouse

Day 5: Khutag Undur

Stop At: Lake Hovsgol National Park, Khatgal Mongolia
Khuvsgul Lake – Khutag Undur -340km Today we will gradually head back towards Ulaanbaatar. It’s a beautiful area of Bulgan province where you will herds of horses and yaks.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a local herder’s family

Day 6: Amarbayasgalant Monastery

Stop At: Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Amar Hiyd Mongolia
Khutag Undur- Amarbayasgalant Monastery -335km Continue our journey to one of the biggest and best preserved Buddhist Monastery Amarbayasgalant which means a place of “Tranquil Felicity”. This place of pilgrimage was built between 1727-1736 by the order Manchurian King as token of his respect for Mongolian religious leader Zanabazar. The complex consists of 30 temples. During the communist purges, the monastery was able to survive for its great contribution in Mongolian architectural art and invaluable cultural heritage. Upon arrival at the site you have opportunities to go for a short hike.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a local family

Day 7: Ulaanbaatar

Stop At: Ulaanbaatar Railway Station, Teeverchid Street, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
Amarbayasgalant – Ulaanbaatar -350km After breakfast, start our excursion around the monastery. To attend a morning chanting ceremony. Continue driving back to Ulaanbaatar. Return in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your accommodation.
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.