Mongolian Lunar New Year Festival

Lunar New Year Celebration 6 days

Dear travelers

As in many Asian countries Mongols partisanship the Lunar calendar. An accordance of the lunar calendar, 60 years calendar cycle makes one era. An era is divided to 5 main principles like Fire, Water, Soil, Space, and Chimerical. Also 12 years with names of rate, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and pig are used in it. Mongols celebrate the Lunar New Year in the end of January or in the beginning of February but it often falls on the first new moon in February. For example in 8th of February in 2008 ends Pig year and starts Rate year. Mongols call Lunar New Year as Tsagaan Sar-White moon. Marks the start of the 'white' month; the name could originate from the white winter or milk dishes. But, by and large, Mongolians associate the color white with happiness and health...
Like other traditions and religious activities, every Mongolian family acts a specific ceremony, especially in countryside to reaffirm traditional values. Incredible Mongolian teams inviting you in Lunar White Moon celebration to act like Mongols

Highlights:

City orientation tour, horse riding trial, National park Terelj, Khustai, regular family visit in New Year’s Eve day, nomadic family visit in New Years day and much more funs.

Duration: 5 nights/ 6 days
Days available: January or February (depends lunar astrological date of each year)

Itinerary:

Day1. New Year’s Eve Bituun- city tour
 Incredible Mongolian crew will meet with you at the Chinggis Khan International Airport then transfer you centrally located hotel.  City tour with full sightseeing begins after accommodating at the hotel. Visit to Gandan monastery- Mongolian Buddhist religious centre where spectacular 25 meters tall Megjid Janaraisan Buddha’s statue and monks live chanting ceremony specially for today’s new year eve all day round calls goodness for next year. Then explore Sukhbaatar main square- situated in the centre of Ulaanbaatar. Afterwards visit to National history museum.

The day before New Years Day is the celebration of Eve of the old year, called Bituun meaning “to close down”.  Today you participate in Bituun celebration of Mongolian family, the last diner of the outgoing year. The bituun evening is mainly celebrated in close family. In the evening, when all the family members gather, the women start to set the table. All guests straighten their clothes, put on their caps and take a seat around the table, according to their age and family hierarchy.
That evening, one must try all the dishes: boiled meat, a variety of milk products, meat dumplings and dessert... That means a long dinner late into the night. Usually airag (a mild beverage made of fermented mare's milk, often called "white beer"), mild vodka and tea with milk are served with the dinner.
Overnight at the hotel (L, D)

Day2. Lunar new year celebration.
In the very first morning like everyone in the Mongolian family you wake up before first sunrise of the New Year and get dressed in new ‘del’ - traditional colorful cloth, prepare for ritual congratulations. Hostess in Mongol family makes fresh milk tea and steam meat dumplings to welcome first sunrise at home. One more inseparable activity is’ Mor gargah ‘means everyone step outside and walks in a direction which is prescribed on a book of Buddhist astrology for your next year life correction. Then starts Great congratulations in the family and they come one by one to oldest one in the family; place their hands out, younger palms up and older places down. The youngest person must bow and tell him: "May you be healthy and happy!" This greeting is called Zolgoh and your zolgolt will continue even to other Nomadic neighbor families, living in that area. Participate in their warm talk about coming year.
Stay at hotel (B, L, D)

Day3. Hustain Nuruu National park
Your trip will head out of the city where snow covered nature and Mongolian nomads at Hustai National park.
National Park Khustai Nuruu is stunning nature area located in mountain ranges of Khustai, in the western side of Uaanbaatar. It is wonderful place to observe wild life, especially world famous horse Przewalski Horse- Tahi (Mongolian name ). Get introduced Takhi museum, and watch documentary short film. Then drive to core area to see Przewalski wild horses at the time of watering.  Visit nomadic family and stay in Mongolian traditional felt dwelling in tourist camp, enjoy the stars in blue sky, overnight. (B, L, D)

Day4. Terelj National Park

After breakfast drive to Terelj the 2nd National Park for you in the east of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. On the route we will cross the Ulaanbaatar city. Terelj– is most exciting spot near the city. You can explore the extraordinary formation of rocks and stones, which are some of them looks quite similar with Turtle, person who reading book and others. The Terelj National Park is continuation part of Khentii Mountain Range. The forest consists from aspen, larch and birch, which supporting bear, deer, wolf, wild boar, eagle and others. Free horse back riding will be organized during the trip.
Stay overnight at tourist camp.  (B, L, D)

Day5. Ulaanbaatar free time

Head back to the capital city, with free time for shopping and independent exploration.
Evening enjoy Mongolian barbeque. (B, L, D)

Day6. Departure
For your international departure we have private transfer back to international airport or railway station from hotel. End of the Mongolia tour. (B)

B- Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Book this tour
Tour features:
	Included in the price:		Excluded in the cost:
2 days accommodation in tourist ger camps 3 nights at hotel Special visits to Mongol nomad families during festival days Professional experienced English speaking guide Private transfer around whole trip and experienced driver Meals as listed National Parks entrance fees, monastery, museum tickets Horse riding trial Supply of 3x 0.5L bottled pure water every day		International airfare, train ticket Travel Insurance, visa fee to Mongolia Optional activity cost Personal expenses including laundry, beverage, and extra meals not mentioned in itinerary, telephone call unit, alcohol.  Single room supplement.