February 19. WHITE MONTH NATIONAL HOLIDAY - Traditional Mongolian Lunar New Year

Tsagaan Sar or White Month is one of Mongolia's two major and long-awaited holidays, the other being Naadam in July. For Mongols, Tsagaan Sar is not only an ancient holiday marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new year's cycle, but is also a time for unification and reinforcing social bonds. Preparations for the festive start well ahead of time. Several families usually gather in the eldest man's ger ( traditional dwelling), where the holiday will take place. Since the holiday means all relatives, neighbors, friends and guests will be treated to a lavish meal, women make more than a thousand buuz and dumplings. Ready dumplings are lined on wooden plates and put outside. The next day, the frozen buuz are ready to be steamed. Families all across the country stock-up on food, dairy, mild milk vodka and other specialties for the occasion.

February 23-27. THOUSAND CAMEL FESTIVAL

Travel south to the Gobi Desert to attend the renowned "Thousand Camel Festival," organized by a local non-governmental organization working to protect and preserve the Bactrian camel population, which has been steadily declining over the past twelve years. This extraodinary festival allows travelers a rare opportunity to interact with and learn first-hand about these amazing animals and the camel herders' nomadic lifestyle. Highlights of the festival include camel races, performances by traditional Mongolian musicians and dancers, and visits to significant paleontological and cultural sites of the Gobi. Attend the camel races at the Thousand Camel Festival, a unique opportunity to witness the speed and agility of Bactrian camels. Enjoy performances by traditional Mongolian musicians and dancers, and visits to significant paleontological and cultural sites in the Gobi.

July 11-12. The GREAT NAADAM FESTIVAL - Biggist National Holiday

The Naadam festival is the biggest and most joyful celebration for Mongolians. It takes place on the 11-12th of July each year. The festival originated from the era of Khunnu Empire and was originally organized as a competition to test the skills of Mongolian Warriors of different tribes. The festival comprises the "Three Manly Sports": wrestling, horse racing and archery. A fascinating and interesting event for all is where the 9 White Flags of Chinghis Khan are carried in a ceremonial parade from the State Parliament House to the Central Stadium. 512-1024 wrestlers compete on the green field of the State Central Stadium-there is no time limit, no weight category. There are 6 different categories of horse racing depending on the age of horses. The riders, both boys and girls are aged between 7-12 and the distance of the race ranges from 15-30 km. Archery, originating from time immemorial, is the oldest sport of the Mongols. Traditionally, this was only men's sport but nowadays both men and women compete in separate divisions.

September 17-18. The "NOMADS' DAY" FESTIVAL

Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, Tuv province
The two-day event will be held near the Steppe Nomads Ger Camp in the tranquil and scenic surroundings of the Kherlen River and Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve. Let's see, hear, feel, taste and experience the nomadic lifestyle of real Mongols! We are presenting different types of the nomadic customs and ceremonies including challenging games between kids, horsemen, women and families. You will be a true nomad only on this day. Under the starry sky of the night you will enjoy watching Mongolian unique culture, such as long song, dancing, horse-head fiddle melody and throat singing as well as ritual ceremony of "Fire and Sky worshipping", reflecting the people's feeling towards Mother Nature.