What Makes the South Gobi’s Thousand Camels Festival Unique
A Mongolian herder demonstrates traditional riding skills mounted on a two-humped Bactrian camel during winter festival competitions.
When winter settles over southern Mongolia, temperatures plunge well below freezing, and a quiet stillness covers the vast expanse of the Gobi. Yet, amidst the sub-zero winds, one of the world's most extraordinary cultural gatherings comes to life: the Thousand Camels Festival (Tumen Tgemmiin Bayar).
Historically, this event was held in early March to signal the end of the harsh winter. However, the festival schedule has shifted earlier into mid-winter to embrace the raw, snow-dusted desert climate—with the upcoming 2027 festival officially set for January 24–29.
First organized in 1997 by local herders alongside the Gobi Camel Association, this winter spectacle was born not as a commercial tourist showcase, but as a critical grassroots conservation effort. In the late 1990s, modernization and changing desert life threatened the domestic two-humped Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) population, which had dropped below 200,000 head. Over the past three decades, the festival has spearheaded a remarkable cultural and ecological turnaround, helping reverse the population decline to over 460,000 camels while keeping ancient desert herding traditions alive for younger generations.
What makes this winter gathering in Umnugovi Province unlike any other festival on Earth comes down to its distinct focus, herder-led roots, and high-stakes desert sports.
Exclusively Dedicated to the Two-Humped Bactrian Camel
While horse-centric Naadam celebrations dominate the Mongolian summer, the South Gobi winter belongs entirely to the two-humped Bactrian camel. Native to the harsh central Asian deserts, these massive, thick-furred creatures thrive in extreme cold. The festival showcases the deep bond between the desert herders and their animals, starting with a grand opening parade where couples ride side-by-side on impeccably groomed camels decorated with handcrafted silver bridles, colorful woven halters, and traditional saddles.
High-Speed Bactrian Camel Polo
Polo on horseback is familiar, but seeing mounted players maneuver massive, two-humped camels across the open desert is a rare sight. Bactrian camel polo requires incredible balance, communication, and riding skill from the herders, who steer their camels through swift pivots and tactical plays while wielding wooden mallets.
World-Record Endurance Races
Camel racing is the undisputed heart of the gathering. Unlike sprint tracks, these long-distance endurance races stretch 12 to 15 kilometers across the frozen, open steppe. The event features distinct racing divisions based on camel age—such as two-year-olds (Torom), three-year-olds (Tailag), and fully grown adults (Atan).
The scale of these races made international history in 2016, when 1,108 Bactrian camels lined up to sprint across the desert together, setting the Guinness World Record for the largest camel race on the planet.
The Tavnan Herder Skill Relay
The festival puts functional nomad survival skills center stage through the Tavnan relay. In this timed competition, herding teams race against the clock to execute essential daily tasks of nomadic life:
Catching & Taming: Securing a designated gelding camel from the herd.
Crafting Wooden Pegs: Carving and fitting a traditional nose peg (khuultar).
Ger Dismantling & Caravan Packing: Taking down a full traditional felt tent (ger), packing it securely onto a camel caravan, and leading the loaded pack forward within minutes.
5. An Authentic Herder Community Gathering
Beyond the main arena, the festival operates as a vibrant community reunion. Local nomads gather to play shagai (ice anklebone shooting) across frozen ground, taste khoormog (a rich, naturally carbonated fermented camel milk), and exchange hand-woven camel wool handicrafts. Evenings bring the community together in local village halls for throat-singing performances, horse-head fiddle music, and traditional dancing.
Experience the Gobi in Comfort: Stay at Dream Gobi Lodge
To fully enjoy the sub-zero festival atmosphere without sacrificing warmth and comfort, you can base your stay at Dream Gobi Lodge. Located within easy reach of Dalanzadgad, the lodge offers heated, traditional ger accommodations featuring wooden craftsmanship and private bathrooms, complete with 24/7 electricity, hot showers, and warm regional dining. We will curate a unique, tailored Winter Gobi Desert Tour around your festival schedule, combining front-row seats at the camel races with private 4x4 winter excursions to the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag), frozen Yol Valley canyons, and intimate visits with local herder families.
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