Mongolia’s Thousand Camel Festival: A Unique Winter Celebration in the Gobi Desert
Discover the fascinating world of Mongolia’s camel herders at the Thousand Camel Festival, one of the country’s most distinctive winter cultural celebrations. Held in the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert, this remarkable event brings together camel herders, traditional sports, colourful costumes, local music and centuries-old nomadic traditions.
For travellers seeking an experience beyond Mongolia’s famous summer Naadam Festival, the Camel Festival offers a rare opportunity to witness the enduring relationship between Mongolian people and the two-humped Bactrian camel.
What Is the Thousand Camel Festival?
The Thousand Camel Festival, also known as the Ten Thousand Camel Festival or Tumen Temee, is a celebration of camel culture and traditional herding life in southern Mongolia. The festival was first organised in 1997 in Ömnögovi Province to support camel breeding, preserve traditional knowledge and promote winter tourism in the Gobi region.
Camels have played an essential role in the lives of Gobi nomads for generations. They provide milk, wool, meat and transportation, while their ability to withstand cold temperatures and challenging desert conditions makes them particularly valuable to pastoral communities.
The festival brings this heritage to life through camel races, camel polo, traditional clothing competitions, camel parades and demonstrations of herding skills. It also provides an opportunity for herders from different communities to meet, exchange knowledge and celebrate their shared traditions.
Where and When Is the Camel Festival Held?
The main Thousand Camel Festival takes place in Ömnögovi Province in southern Mongolia, with Dalanzadgad serving as an important regional centre. Activities and venues may vary depending on the annual programme.
The festival is usually held during winter, most often in February, although dates can change.
The 2026 Thousand Camel Festival took place on 6–8 February in Dalanzadgad. Travellers planning for 2027 should check the official announcement before booking flights or accommodation, as the next edition’s dates and programme need to be confirmed.
Winter is an especially interesting time to visit the Gobi. The desert takes on a different character from its summer appearance, with crisp air, expansive horizons and the possibility of snow across the dunes and rocky landscapes.
Highlights of the Camel Festival
Exciting Camel Racing
Camel racing is one of the festival’s main attractions. Riders guide their Bactrian camels across open terrain, while spectators gather to cheer for their favourites.
The races celebrate the endurance, speed and training of these remarkable animals. Different competitions may feature camels of different ages, depending on the programme.
In 2016, a race involving 1,108 camels in Dalanzadgad set a Guinness World Record for the largest camel race. The achievement remains a memorable milestone in the festival’s history.
Camel Polo
Camel polo adds an unusual sporting spectacle to the celebrations. Riders compete on two-humped camels, using mallets to move a ball towards the opposing team’s goal.
The combination of traditional riding skills, teamwork and the distinctive movement of camels makes this a particularly memorable event for visitors. Camel polo is included in some festival programmes, although the exact schedule varies each year.
Traditional Mongolian Costumes
The festival is also an opportunity to admire traditional Mongolian clothing, particularly the deel, a long garment worn by both men and women.
Camel herders and their families often attend in their finest traditional clothing. Competitions and parades may showcase distinctive garments, accessories and riding equipment associated with Gobi life.
These colourful celebrations offer excellent opportunities for photography, provided visitors ask permission before taking close-up photographs of individuals.
Camel Parades and Herding Demonstrations
Camel parades bring together animals and herders from different communities, creating an impressive display of Mongolia’s pastoral traditions.
Depending on the programme, visitors may also see demonstrations of camel handling, training, loading equipment and other practical skills used in everyday herding life.
These activities help explain why camels remain important to the economy and cultural identity of southern Mongolia.
Camel Milk and Traditional Products
Camel milk and dairy products are important parts of traditional life in the Gobi. Festival activities may include tastings, exhibitions and demonstrations related to camel milk, wool and other camel products.
Availability depends on local arrangements, and some products may be seasonal.
Meet Mongolia’s Two-Humped Bactrian Camels
The domestic Bactrian camel is well adapted to Mongolia’s demanding climate. Its two humps store fat reserves, while its thick coat provides protection against cold winter temperatures.
Unlike the one-humped dromedary associated with many Middle Eastern deserts, the Bactrian camel is particularly suited to the cold and arid environments of Central Asia.
For Gobi herders, camels are more than a means of transport. They provide useful resources for households, support livelihoods and carry cultural significance passed down through generations.
The festival celebrates this relationship and encourages younger generations to continue learning the skills and knowledge associated with camel husbandry.
Combine the Camel Festival with a Gobi Desert Tour
A visit to the Camel Festival can become the highlight of a longer journey through southern Mongolia. Travellers can combine the celebrations with dramatic landscapes, ancient geological formations, desert wildlife and overnight stays in traditional-style ger accommodation.
Bayanzag — The Flaming Cliffs
Visit the famous red sandstone cliffs of Bayanzag, where important dinosaur fossil discoveries have helped make Mongolia internationally renowned for its palaeontological heritage.
The colourful rock formations and surrounding desert landscapes are particularly striking in changing light.
Khongoryn Els — The Singing Sand Dunes
Explore the vast Khongoryn Els dunes, one of the Gobi’s most impressive natural landmarks. Depending on weather and road conditions, visitors may enjoy walking on the dunes, photography and optional camel experiences arranged with local providers.
Yolyn Am — The Vulture Valley
Discover the dramatic mountain gorge of Yolyn Am in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Its rocky walls and rugged scenery offer a striking contrast to the surrounding desert plains.
Winter conditions can make access challenging, so the route should be assessed locally before departure.
Meet a Nomadic Camel-Herding Family
A guided visit with a local herding family can provide insight into daily life in the Gobi. Learn about camel care, seasonal movements, traditional equipment and the practical knowledge required to raise livestock in an arid environment.
Visits should be arranged respectfully and in advance, with local guidance and appropriate arrangements for hospitality.
Suggested Camel Festival Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad
Travel to Dalanzadgad by suitable domestic flight, if operating on your chosen date, or by an organised overland journey. Depending on arrival time, explore the town and prepare for the festival.
Day 2: Experience the Thousand Camel Festival
Spend the day watching camel races, parades, traditional costume competitions and other scheduled activities. If included in the programme, enjoy camel polo and local cultural performances.
Day 3: Explore the Gobi Desert
Travel into the surrounding desert region to explore local landscapes or visit a nomadic camel-herding family, depending on road conditions and the chosen route.
Day 4: Discover Yolyn Am or Continue the Gobi Journey
Visit Yolyn Am if weather and access permit, or extend the journey towards other Gobi attractions. Depending on the available time and road conditions, a longer tour can include Bayanzag and Khongoryn Els.
Day 5: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Travel back to Ulaanbaatar by domestic flight, if available, or continue by road according to the agreed itinerary.
This is an illustrative itinerary. A more comprehensive Gobi journey generally requires additional days, especially when including the major desert attractions.
Practical Travel Information
What to Wear
February in the Gobi can be extremely cold, particularly in the early morning and evening. Visitors should bring thermal layers, a warm insulated jacket, gloves, a hat, a scarf and insulated footwear.
Wind protection is important, and outdoor events may involve prolonged periods of standing in exposed conditions.
Transport and Accommodation
Dalanzadgad is the main regional centre for the festival. Accommodation should be reserved early because rooms and transport can be limited during major events.
Domestic flights may be available depending on the seasonal schedule, but visitors should verify operating dates and baggage arrangements before booking. Overland travel from Ulaanbaatar is a much longer journey and requires a suitable vehicle, an experienced driver and flexibility for winter road conditions.
Photography and Cultural Etiquette
The festival offers wonderful opportunities to photograph camels, traditional clothing and local celebrations. Always seek permission for close-up portraits, follow the organisers’ instructions and keep a safe distance from racing camels.
Visitors should dress appropriately for local conditions, respect private property and follow their guide’s advice when visiting herding families.
Why Visit the Camel Festival?
The Thousand Camel Festival offers a distinctive perspective on Mongolia’s nomadic heritage. It combines the excitement of traditional sporting competitions with the everyday knowledge, skills and livelihoods of Gobi camel herders.
For travellers interested in cultural festivals, photography, winter landscapes and authentic encounters with local communities, the festival provides a memorable alternative to Mongolia’s better-known summer attractions.
Whether you visit for the camel races, the unusual spectacle of camel polo, the traditional costumes or the chance to explore the Gobi Desert in winter, the experience reveals a fascinating side of Mongolia’s living cultural traditions.
Plan your Mongolian Camel Festival journey and discover the remarkable world of the Gobi’s camel herders.