Thousand Camel Festival
🐫 Thousand Camel Festival in Mongolia: Celebrating the Last Great Camel Culture
Every year in early March, as the last snow still dusts the desert, Mongolia’s vast Gobi becomes the stage for one of the most unique and captivating cultural events in the world — the Thousand Camel Festival. This vibrant, community-run celebration pays homage to the endangered Bactrian camel and the proud herders who preserve its traditional way of life on the steppes of Southern Mongolia.
Held in Dalanzadagat city, Umnugovi Province, the festival brings together camel herders, travelers, and photographers for a colorful showcase of heritage, resilience, and camel-powered pageantry.
📜 History & Purpose
Founded in 1997 by the local NGO “Gobi Camel Association”, the Thousand Camel Festival was created to protect and promote the cultural and economic value of Bactrian camels, which were in rapid decline. These magnificent two-humped animals are uniquely adapted to Mongolia’s harsh climate, and their traditional role in nomadic life — as transport, milk source, wool provider, and spiritual symbol — is essential to desert communities.
Today, the festival has become a global event, drawing visitors from all over the world while still maintaining its authentic, grassroots charm.
📍 Location & Dates
When: Annually in early March (typically around March 6–8)
Where: Dalanzadagat city in Umnugovi Province, South Gobi, Mongolia
Access: 1-hour domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar + 2–3 hour drive to the site
🎉 Festival Highlights & Activities
🐫Camel Races
Watch as skilled herders race across the frozen Gobi on powerful Bactrian camels — a thrilling and iconic scene.
🎭Traditional Costume Parade
Camel riders dress in vibrant ethnic garments and decorate their animals in colorful gear, showcasing tribal styles from across the desert.
🏇Camel Polo (Buzkashi)
A rare chance to see Mongolia’s answer to polo — played on camelback! Herders demonstrate incredible coordination, skill, and humor.
👪Family Relay Competitions
Herders and their families compete in fun, team-based games including loading gers, herding calves, and milking camels.
🧵Cultural Performances & Handicrafts
Enjoy throat singing, folk dances, and browse hand-made camel wool products like rugs, ropes, and clothing.
📸Photography & Film Opportunities
The festival’s surreal desert backdrop, vivid costumes, and human–animal interactions make it a dream for photographers and documentary filmmakers.
🐫 Why Visit the Thousand Camel Festival?
🌍 Support Cultural Conservation: Your attendance helps preserve Bactrian camels and the livelihoods of herder families.
🐪 Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience: A rare cultural event found nowhere else in the world.
📸 Photographer’s Paradise: Golden camels against white dunes, vibrant outfits, and glowing desert light.
👨👩👧 Meet Real Nomads: Stay in ger camps and share meals with families who live in the world’s last great camel culture.
❄️ Travel During Winter’s End: Enjoy the crisp, clear Gobi without the extreme heat or summer crowds.
📦 Tour Packages & Logistics
We Offer: 🐪 CAMEL FESTIVAL MONGOLIA TOUR 5-DAY CULTURAL ADVENTURE IN GOBI
Private 4x4 transport and local driver
Accommodation in tourist ger camps or homestays
English-speaking guide
Full meals during the tour
Festival entrance and coordination with local organizers
Optional: camel riding, desert photography sessions, nomadic experiences
📅 Recommended Tour Duration: 5–7 days (includes South Gobi highlights like Yolyn Am, Bayanzag, Khongor Dunes)
🌤️ Weather in March (South Gobi)
Daytime: 0°C to +10°C
Nighttime: -10°C to -20°C
Conditions: Dry, sunny, with occasional strong winds
Packing Tips: Layered thermal clothing, windproof jacket, warm boots, gloves, hat, sunglasses
🤔 FAQs
Is the Thousand Camel Festival suitable for families?
Yes! It’s family-friendly and filled with fun, interactive events.
Can I ride a camel during the festival?
Yes. Many herder families offer short camel rides for visitors.
Are accommodations warm and comfortable?
Yes. Tourist ger camps are equipped with wood stoves and warm bedding.
Is the festival touristy?
No. It remains an authentic, community-run celebration with only a modest number of visitors.
🎒 What to Bring
DSLR or phone camera + extra batteries
Warm, wind-resistant clothes
Reusable water bottle
Snacks (limited shops)
Mongolian cash for local purchases
Respectful attitude and curiosity
🧭 Join the Thousand Camel Festival Tour
Celebrate the legacy of the Mongolian camel herder and witness one of the world’s most unique cultural festivals. Whether you’re a culture-seeker, photographer, or adventurer, the Thousand Camel Festival offers a window into a rare way of life — and an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Gobi.
👉 Book your Thousand Camel Festival Tour today with Kerege Travel!