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Winter Nadaam - the Khovsgol Ice
Festival
Provisional Dates
(please check with us):
March 1 - 4 2012 (depending on flight schedule) (4 days) 780 US
$ (+ domestic flights)
Click
here to see
pictures of past ice festivals! |
The ice festival is held annually after Tsagann Saar (the Mongolian new year festival) some time in February somewhere along the western shores of Lake Khovsgol. From May to November, the lake is normally a magnificent mass of water, majestically stretching 127kms from the Russian border down to Hatgal and 40kms at its widest part. To experience it as a sheer plate of ice is stunning and remarkable..... not to mention slightly eerie at times! The festival is attended mostly by Mongolians who live in the area to break the monotony of winter. There is a constant array of colourful deels (local costume), excited faces, and greeting styles that have been practiced and passed down the generations in Mongolia for centuries. Ice sumo, horse sledge racing, ice skating and driving competitions are all part of this colourful
event.
1.3.: We will pick you up at your accommodation
in UB for our flight to Murun, capital of Khovsgol province. From the airport, we drive the 3 hours to Hatgal, the gateway to Khovsgol National Park at the southern end of the lake with the same name. In Hatgal, we stay in a local guest house.
2.3.:Today, we will drive
over the frozen lake to our herder friends at Jiglig and spend the rest of the
day there. The drive over the ice is an adventure in itself. Often, the ice
allows a clear view to the lake bed – a sometimes eerie experience. The ice
might build up to ridges across the lake and then everybody has to help to cut a
way through for the vehicle, using axes and metal poles. Staying in the winter
camp in Jiglig will give us a great opportunity to observe local winter life. We
sleep on the floor of the winter hut, between kids and other guests.
3.3.: In the morning, we say goodbye to the
nomads and drive back to Hatgal for the festival. The festival is held every
year at a different location, depending on where the best ice conditions can be
found. We will spend all day at the festival, watching the ice sumo, horse
sledge racing, ice skating and driving competitions. We should also have time to
explore Hatgal. At night, we stay again in Hatgal in a local guest house.
4.3.: We spend the morning again at the festival. After lunch we will drive back to Murun for our flight back to UB. Our
winter adventure will end once we have dropped you off at your accommodation in UB.
This programme is according to the current domestic flight schedule. If the
airline changes this schedule unexpectantly, (which unfortunately can and has
happened in Mongolia) we might have to adjust the programme accordingly!
Price
The price for this itinerary is 780 US $ per person. Apart from the airfare (about 280 US $)
and the possible entry fee, this is an all inclusive price. Please contact us
here for more details. This trip can run
for the stated price for two clients. For single clients, please ask us for a
quote.
Additional services and extension options
We can of course pick you up at the airport or railway station and book your accommodation in UB for you, be it a small guest house or a four star hotel. We can also offer you a programme in UB.
If you would like to stay longer in Mongolia, we can recommend a short trip to the Gobi or a few nights in a ger in Terelj national park with its amazing rock formations.
Please contact us here for any additional information.
Important notes
Winter in Khovsgol can be VERY cold and warm clothing and a very good sleeping bag are essential. Temperatures as low as minus 20 Celsius are not uncommon. However, with the right equipment this will be a fascinating experience and intriguing insight into Mongolian winter life.
Due to the cold temperatures you need to be aware
that sanitary facilities will be limited and very basic.
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