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Ulaanbaatar, Northern Mongolia From 3 nights 4 days From $ 700.0

NORTHERN ICE FESTIVAL

Destination

Northern Mongolia

Group size

Min 2 - Max 6

Activity level
(i)
Activities

Overview

During Mongolia’s deep winter, Lake Khuvsgul transforms into a vast, frozen wonder, hosting the joyful Blue Pearl Ice Festival in Khuvgul province. This vibrant celebration features horse sled races, ice wrestling, archery, ice sculpture contests, and reindeer encounters, all set against a breathtaking icy landscape. The festival takes place on Lake Khuvsgul for good reason: it’s Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake, renowned for its crystal-clear purity. Once frozen, the ice becomes strikingly transparent so clear you can often see the lakebed beneath your feet. Guests witness shamanic fire rituals rooted in Mongolia’s original spiritual tradition, long before Buddhism. Those interested may meet a practicing shaman for a personal reading an optional, respectful glimpse into ancient beliefs. The mood is festive yet relaxed, with locals sharing music, games, and warm hospitality. Visitors enjoy hot Mongolian dishes along with a taste of Nermel, the traditional milk-distilled spirit, offered in moderation to warm the spirit. To reach the festival, guests take a scenic domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Murun, followed by a drive to the lakeshore. With Mir Expeditions, you experience it all in comfort heated private lodging, flexible pacing, and thoughtful support ensure you enjoy the magic without braving the cold alone.

Highlights

  • Blue Pearl Ice Festival
  • Traditional Ice Competitions
  • Ice Art & Games
  • Reindeer Encounters
  • Shamanic Rituals
  • Cultural Performances
  • Local Flavors

Itinerary

Duration

3 nights 4 days

Tour Price

USD 850 per person based on 2 pax

USD 750 per person based on 4 pax

USD 700 per person based on 6 pax

NORTHERN ICE FESTIVAL
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Meet your guide in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the airport for a scenic domestic flight to Murun, the capital of Khuvsgul province. Enjoy lunch in town and visit the local museum for a glimpse into the region’s culture. Then drive north to the frozen shores of Lake Khovsgol and check into your cozy winter ger camp. As evening falls, relax under a sky filled with stars and unwind with a warm sauna, an ideal way to settle in before the festival begins.

Accommodation: The Ger camp in the lake area
Meals: Lunch, Dinner  

Wake to crisp mountain air and step onto the frozen surface of Lake Khovsgol, where the Blue Pearl Ice Festival begins with a lively opening ceremony featuring music, dance, and colorful costumes from across Mongolia. The day unfolds with horse sled races, ice wrestling, archery, ankle bone shooting, and jeep slalom contests. Guests can join the fun by riding a horse sled or dog sled across the crystal-clear ice, with stunning photo opportunities that seem to float above the lakebed.

Explore intricate ice sculptures, play tug-of-war, and meet Tsaatan reindeer herders visiting from the taiga. Enjoy hot local dishes and a taste of Nermel  Mongolia’s traditional milk-distilled spirit, offered in moderation to warm the spirit. In the evening, witness a shamanic fire ritual an ancient tradition still practiced today with optional personal readings available.

The second day continues with more competitions, cultural showcases, and playful ice games. The festival closes with a heartfelt ceremony celebrating unity, tradition, and winter joy. Return to camp each night for warmth, rest, and stories shared under a sky full of stars.

Accommodation: The Ger camp in the lake area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Drive to Murun airport for the domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. 

Drop off at the preffered location tour ends. 

Meals: Breakfast 

Price and departures

Starting Ending Status Prices from
2026/02/15 2026/02/18 Available $ 700.0
2 pax

$ 850.0

/per person

Travel van & airplane

JOIN TOUR
4 pax

$ 750.0

/per person

Travel van & airplane

JOIN TOUR
6 pax

$ 700.0

/per person

Travel van & airplane

JOIN TOUR

Service included

  • Ger camps in the countryside (2-3 occupancy )
  • All transportation
  • Tour guide (May choose your preferred language: English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese.)
  • All meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • Road taxes and fees, NP & NR tickets
  • Travel drinking 1-2 L bottled water per day per person
  • Entry tickets to the festival, local museums, temples and statue
  • Domestic flights 2 round
  • Animal riding and horse or dog sledging

Service excluded

  • International transportation
  • International travel insurance
  • Single occupancy supplement
  • Taxes/Fees for photography and video recording in museums, sites, and entertainment venues
  • Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and professional-grade coffee
  • Extra activities are not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities :Tipping your guide and driver is optional but appreciated for excellent service. Recommended: $10 USD per person, per day.

Know Before You Go

<p>At Ger camps, you&rsquo;ll stay in traditional felt-covered dwellings called Ger&mdash;meaning &ldquo;home&rdquo; in Mongolian. Each Ger is typically furnished with 2&ndash;4 single beds or a double bed, plus basic furniture. Most camps offer hot showers and flush toilets in shared facilities located a short walk from your Ger. Meals are served in on-site restaurants, featuring both Mongolian and Western cuisine.</p> <p>Some camps offer Ensuite Gers with private bathrooms. Electricity is supplied either by the state grid, or by generators, solar panels, or wind turbines, depending on location. In camps relying on alternative power sources, device charging is limited to shared areas&mdash;usually in the restaurant or common spaces&mdash;and available only during designated hours. Camps connected to the grid allow unlimited charging directly in your Ger.</p> <p>Wi-Fi is typically available in common areas, often powered by Starlink for strong connectivity. However, in remote regions with no mobile reception, internet access may be unavailable.</p>

<p>Some our tours include airport transfers, while others do not&mdash;this depends on the tour type and logistical arrangements. Please review your itinerary carefully to understand what is included.</p> <p>If your tour includes an airport transfer, it applies only to arrivals on Day 1 of the scheduled program. To ensure a smooth pickup, please enter your flight details accurately in the How To Book form. Upon arrival, look for our representative holding a sign with your name in the Arrivals area&mdash;they will guide you to the designated vehicle or bus.</p> <p>If your tour does not include transfers, or if you arrive before Day 1, you&rsquo;ll need to arrange your own transportation to the hotel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In cities and towns, guests can enjoy a wide range of familiar foods and drinks. At Ger camps, meals are prepared based on your booking and location&mdash;meats may include sheep, goat, camel, yak, horse, or cow, depending on the region. Mongolian livestock graze freely, making the meat naturally healthy and flavorful. Dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, lactose intolerance etc.) must be submitted in writing during booking, as they cannot be arranged on arrival. Tea, water, and morning coffee (instant or brewed) are served; espresso drinks may cost extra. Camp bars offer alcoholic beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, and canned sodas for purchase.</p>

<p>During our tours, overland travel is arranged using vehicles suited to group size and terrain. We use Japanese 4x4 off-road jeeps for up to 4 people total (including driver), larger jeeps for up to 5, travel vans for 6&ndash;7, and buses for up to 16. All vehicles are equipped with left-hand steering, in line with Mongolia&rsquo;s right-side driving regulations.</p> <p>Our drivers are responsible for maintaining daily cleanliness and tidiness of the vehicles, managing luggage loading, and ensuring water supplies are stocked. Any forgotten belongings are carefully returned to their owners by our team.</p>

<p>We recommend carrying Mongolian Tugrug (MNT) during your tour, as it is widely accepted at markets, shops, ger camp bars, and souvenir stalls. Debit and credit cards are generally usable in cities and towns and Ger camps but POS machines may be unreliable in remote areas. For convenience, it&rsquo;s best to carry both cash and cards. While prices are shown in foreign currency for reference, payments should be made in Tugrug, as foreign currencies are not commonly accepted.<br /> <br /> As a guide for the&nbsp;2026 season:<br /> - A handmade souvenir may cost around USD 7<br /> - A loaf of bread USD 1,5&nbsp;<br /> - A cashmere scarf USD 35<br /> - A 500 ml beer at a ger camp bar around USD 4</p>

<p>Our tours include optional riding experiences on horses, camels, or yaks, depending on the region and itinerary. When mounting, guests should approach the animal from the left side, place one foot in the stirrup and hold the reins securely, and sit balanced on the saddle or carpet. The reins are used to guide the animal&mdash;pulling left turns the head left, pulling right turns the head right,&nbsp; releasing allows free movement, and gently pulling inward signals the animal to stop.</p> <p>For safety and comfort, we kindly ask guests to avoid loud noises, waving scarves, or loose hats. Flip-flops and shorts are not recommended; closed shoes and long trousers are preferred. Please apply insect repellent and handle cameras or phones carefully, as sudden drops may startle the animal.</p>

<p>This tour takes place during Mongolia&rsquo;s winter season, in the high-altitude Khuvsgul frozen laka and surrounding high mountains where conditions are cold, dry, and often windy. Daytime can be crisp and sunny, but temperatures drop sharply in the evenings. To stay comfortable and safe, we recommend layered clothing for flexibility and warmth, Ninnslipper winter boots&nbsp;&nbsp;for ice and snow&nbsp;and uneven terrain, and windproof outerwear to block northern&nbsp;winds. Thermal base layers, warm socks, gloves, a hat, and a scarf are essential, along with sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against the strong winter sun reflecting off snow.</p> <p><strong>You&rsquo;ll find a comprehensive packing guide in our Mongolia Travel Guide section, and experienced travelers with their own gear preferences and winter routines are welcome to follow their personal setup.</strong><!--{C}%3C!%2D%2DEndFragment%20%2D%2D%3E--></p> <p><!--{C}%3C!%2D%2D%7BC%7D%253C!%252D%252DStartFragment%2520%252D%252D%253E%2D%2D%3E--><em>Since this is a festival tour, guests are encouraged to bring small items from their home country like flags, pins, travel bumper stickers, or souvenirs. They&rsquo;re great for exchanging with locals and spark friendly conversations during gatherings and celebrations.</em></p>

<p>For your domestic flight between Ulaanbaatar-Murun-Ulaanbaatar, please arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before departure, check-in closes 30 minutes prior. Baggage allowance is 10&ndash;15 kg for checked luggage and one small carry-on under 5 kg. Excess weight is charged at around $3 USD per kilo, so pack minimalistic&nbsp;but practical.The airport is small and basic, so clearly label your bags, keep valuables in your carry-on, and have your passport ready. Flight time is approximately 1&nbsp;hour and 15&nbsp;minutes.</p>