Khuvsgul Lake Ice Festival Tour
Khuvsgul Lake sits in North Mongolia under the direct influence of cold winter winds from Siberia, with average winter temperatures around -25°C and annual lows below -35°C. Its pure waters freeze completely over, creating ice so clear that the rocks on the lakebed are visible meters below the surface. Each March, for about a week, the Khuvsgul Lake Ice Festival draws visitors onto the ice for winter sports and outdoor activities — downhill and cross-country skiing, ice-fishing contests, an ice sculpture competition, sumo wrestling, ankle-bone archery, horse sled racing, and a shamanism ritual offering a glimpse into Tsaatan reindeer-herder culture and Mongolian National Folklore. Reindeer people bring their herds to the festival site as part of the celebration. Easier–moderate difficulty; no experience necessary, and suitable for most ages and abilities. Runs as a join tour — the price depends on the number of travelers, so this trip cannot be booked by a single traveler.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Fly to Murun Town & Uushig Deer Stone
Pick-up from your accommodation (time confirmed in advance) and transfer to the airport for the 1-hour flight to Murun town. Our local guide and driver meet you and drive 15 km on the dirt road to Uushig Deer Stone — a complex of 30 deer stones and burial mounds from the ancient Hun period, over 3,000 years old, carved from long blocks of granite with Bronze Age funerary and sacrificial imagery. From there, drive to Khuvsgul Lake (110 km, about 3 hours on paved road) — nearly 110 km long and almost 40 km wide, holding 3% of the world's fresh water, roughly midway along the Mongolia–Russia border. Its winter view is spectacular. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Ice Festival — Opening Day
After breakfast, head to the festival site for the opening ceremony, followed by a full day of competitions on the clear ice — an ice sculpture competition, sumo wrestling, and ankle-bone archery — plus a shamanism ritual offering a glimpse into Tsaatan reindeer-herder culture, and a National Folklore concert. One of the trip's highlights is riding horse-drawn sleds across the frozen lake, bells jingling against a backdrop of endless frozen waves (included in the price). Reindeer people bring their herds to the festival site. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Ice Festival — Final Day & Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, return to the festival site for the remaining competitions — the horse sled racing competition is a must-see. After lunch, drive to Murun airfield (110 km, about 3 hours on paved road) and fly back to Ulaanbaatar (1-hour flight). On arrival, your driver transfers you to your accommodation. Tour ends on arrival; exact timing depends on the day's flight schedule.