The Lunar new year is the one of the biggest national holidays of Mongolia which was continued from the ancestors.

In 1206, Chinggis Khan established the Great Mongolian Empire and decreed that the Lunar new year should be celebrated in the early spring when cattle give birth, when the plants and vegetables are blooming. But before that, this festival was called the dairy festival and was celebrated in autumn. In the 10th century, when Buddhism was developing in Mongolia, and Zanabazar became the first Bogd, this state holiday was combined with a religious holiday. The fact that the lunar new year has been celebrated for many centuries can be considered as one of the main factors that have written the name Mongolia in the history of mankind. The main meaning of this holiday is to recognize and respect your elders and relatives. Therefore, it is customary to visit each other.

 DAY 1. ULAANBAATAR

Pick up you at airport, guide make warmest greetings for you and start wonderful trip. Drive to “Chinggisiin Khuree” tourist camp. Name of this camp means “Resident of Chinggis Khaan” and there is museum with costumes, weapons and armory. Have a lunch in this camp. Restaurant was decorated with skin of bear and leopard, furnished handmade and embroidered felt craft. Camp complex was built as XIII century theme. Traditional Mongolian and international dishes are served in the restaurant. Many famous people of the world have visited to this camp like His Holiness Dalai lama and so on. 

After lunch drive to Ulaanbaatar and have a half day city tour which is included Gandan monastery and Sukhbaatar square. The Gandan is the center of Mongolian Buddhism and the only working monastery during the entire communist period. It contains a statue of Megjid-Janraiseg (Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara - called Chenrezig in Tibetan) by 26.5 meters high.

Sukhbaatar Square is the central square of Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar. The official name was changed in 2013 in honor of Chinggis Khaan. Here you will see the Government Palace, a bronze colonnade monument to Chinggis Khaan, Mongolian stock exchange building, State Ballet and Opera House, Gallery and a number of other buildings. Beautiful Parliament building and a huge monument to Genghis Khaan, surrounded by skyscrapers, are an interesting contrast to the historic past and the present of the country. 

Have a dinner at restaurant then check in hotel and relax. /L/D/

DAY 2. TUV PROVINCE 

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will go to the nomadic family in Tuv province. Visit to nomadic family and help to them with nomadic family during the Lunar New Year celebrating. The Lunar New Year ceremony consists of two main parts: lunar new year eve and lunar new year first day. On Eve day, Mongolians try to be as abundant as possible, which symbolizes the good life of that year. They worship their idols in their houses, sweep the dirt from their homes, clean the houses and feed their pets and clean their fences. Even changes the leash and collar of his dog. The men groom and cut horse’s crest . The women prepare their food and clothes and prepare the things they need to welcome the New Year's morning. In the evening of the eve day, everyone in the house prepares foods and sets the table with lot of foods, and the host starts the ritual of sealing. There is a unique custom of cutting the stuffed marrow, and the family delivers the dumplings to their neighbors. After eating, you will play a traditional games by ankle bone. /B/L/D/

 DAY 3. ULAANBAATAR  

Wake up early in the morning and celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year according to Mongolian traditions. Lunar New Year is the most symbolic day for Mongolians, and it is widely believed that how this day is spent is the same every year. On this day, people go out early and hike to nearest hill and mountain with Ovoo to do rituals to restore their spirit (by Buddhist religious). It is often analyzed to determine the color of the new year according to the sky on New Year's first morning. For example, on the morning of New Year's Day, a wife would go out early to observe the color of the sky, the state of the livestock lying down, the signs of summer and winter, how much rain would fall, and how much grass would grow.

On the morning of this day, the family goes out with tea and food, and prays to the sky to the Ovoo. Men usually participate in this ritual. In some areas, there is a tradition of taking a baby lamb out of the house and performing a ritual to purify the sheep. Then all went to the oldest person or relatives in the area, with a sample of new tea and a plate of food, leaned under the elder's elbow, held the palm of his hand up, held a Khadak and gifts, and then sat and talked with happiness and smoked his pipe and snuff. When celebrating and make greetings in this way, the children and siblings build a wall in honor of their parents, and they kiss their foreheads and spread their gifts by saying good wishes such as long life and happiness. Elder people give back the gift to the guests.

In the afternoon, return to Ulaanbaatar city and rest at the hotel. In the evening, we will have dinner at the hot pot restaurant. /B/L/D/

DAY 4. CHINGGIS STATUE – TERELJ NATIONAL PARK

Get up early in the morning and visit the Chinggis statue located 54 km from Ulaanbaatar. Then we will arrive at Terelj National Park and go on a dog sledding trip. Dog sledding is one of the most exciting winter trips among the majestic mountains covered with fresh air and fluffy snow. You don’t need to go for distant Alaska or the Pole for dog sledding. Two people will sit in one sled, and on average 5-9 dogs will speed. Husky dogs can run five kilometers at a time for 30-40 minutes without stopping. During this time, hot tea, coffee and hot wine will be served. Have lunch at Terelj tourist camp and return to UB city in the afternoon. Shopping for cashmere and souvenirs.

DAY 5. DEPARTURE

After breakfast check out hotel and drive to airport. Departure. /B/

Thank you and enjoy Mongolia. 

Tour cost inclusion:

·         3 nights hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar

·         1 night at local nomadic family 

·         All transfers 

·      All entrance fees 

·      All meals as listed 

·      Taxes for National Park

·         Guide