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Photo from one of our recent Mongolia winter tours to Khovsgol Ice Festival

Exploring the frozen landscapes of Khovsgol Nuur on our 3-day horse sleigh expedition during our Khovsgol ice festival, Mongolian winter tour

Khovsgol Ice Festival

The Khovsgol Ice Festival takes place annually on or around March 3rd and 4th in northern Mongolia, showcasing the winter beauty and rich culture of the region.

Discover Khovsgol Nuur National Park

The festival is hosted in Khovsgol Nuur National Park, located in Khovsgol Province. At the heart of this magnificent landscape lies the 136-kilometre-long Khovsgol Lake, often referred to as Mongolia’s “Blue Pearl.” However, locals have a more fitting name for it: Dalai Ej (Mother Sea). This lake, a younger sibling to Siberia’s Lake Baikal, is part of the same ancient Rift System. On clear days, can stand on the shoreline and see the snow-capped Sayan Mountains, which mark the border with Siberia. The park’s highest peak, Munkh Saridag, rises 3,491 meters within this stunning mountain range.

At the southern tip of the lake lies Khatgal, a charming community connected to Murun – the provincial capital – by a relatively new asphalt road. Although often bypassed by visitors, Khatgal becomes the centre of activity during the Ice Festival, offering an authentic glimpse into local life and culture.

(All the following images were taken by our guest Kairi Aun.)

Ice slides are not just for kids you know! Khovsgol Ice Festival, March 2018

The Spirit of the Khovsgol Ice Festival

The festival was created to promote tourism during the quieter winter season, celebrating the unique features of the region. Unlike heavily commercialised events, the Khovsgol Ice Festival retains a strong community focus, with enthusiastic participation from locals. It feels less like a tourist spectacle and more like a joyful celebration for and by the people of Khatgal and surrounding areas.

Local Mongolians at Khovsgol Ice Festival

The Khoridol Saridag Mountains and western shoreline provide a backdrop to the frozen lake surfaces of Khovsgol Nuur.

Mongolian woman in winter

But don’t arrive expecting a rigid schedule or perfectly timed events. While there are plenty of activities and competitions over the two days, the Khovsgol Ice Festival is less about perfect timing and more about celebrating community, fostering connections, and working together for the future of the region and its herding families.

So, leave your watch behind, dress warmly, and let yourself soak up the festive atmosphere. Highlights of the festival include Ice Sumo, tug-of-war, ice sculpting, an ice-driving rally, and ice skating. There is often a shamanist ceremony and, like most Mongolian festivals, a musical concert to enjoy.

This festival is not just a series of events—it’s an invitation to be part of a community celebration, to meet locals, and to experience the joy and warmth of rural Mongolian life during the depths of winter.

Competition is fierce for the Khovsgol Ice Festival tug-of-war. Tactics include forming a brake by putting boot to boot. At the Khovsgol Ice Festival, March 2018.

 

A local Darkhad man taking the shortest route possible - across the frozen surfaces of Khovsgol Nuur. At the Khovsgol Ice Festival, March 2018.

Community, Culture, and Connection

The festival also provides a unique opportunity to meet the Darkhad people, a distinctive ethnic group of predominantly herders, with a cultural identity and dialect that set them apart from the majority Khalkh Mongols. They inhabit the Khovsgol region, where their lifestyle is deeply tied to the rhythms of nature. During the summer, their pastures are located in the expansive grasslands of the Darkhad Valley, while in winter, many migrate through the Khoridol Saridag Mountains to their seasonal camps near Khovsgol Nuur.

One of their most striking traditions is the use of horse sleighs to traverse the frozen expanse of Khovsgol Lake during the winter months. This traditional mode of travel is not only practical but also offers a glimpse into the Darkhad way of life, perfectly adapted to the harsh Mongolian winters.

For an unforgettable experience, consider joining our Khovsgol Horse Sleigh Expedition. This hauntingly beautiful adventure takes you across the frozen surfaces of Khovsgol Nuur, immersing you in the stunning winter landscapes and the Darkhad’s rich cultural heritage. The expedition is thoughtfully timed to conclude with the ice festival, making it an extraordinary way to experience Mongolia’s winter magic.

Freedom! Throughout the winter, the Darkhad travel over the frozen surfaces of Khovsgol Nuur using their homemade horse sleighs. Khovsgol Ice Festival, March 2018.

Slow Travel with Eternal Landscapes

‘Love the slower travel philosophy that gave us more time to experience the amazing landscapes’

EL guest Yi-Hsin, Khovsgol Ice Festival Expedition

You may find other companies offering tours that combine Mongolia’s Ice Festival with the Camel Festival. However, these often involve multiple domestic flights. Flights contribute disproportionately to carbon emissions due to the energy-intensive nature of takeoffs and landings, making them a less sustainable travel option.

At Eternal Landscapes, we take a different approach. For our Ice Festival experience, we arrange a road trip to and from Khovsgol, ensuring a journey that is not only more sustainable but also deeply immersive. Flying from place to place may be faster, but it provides little sense of location or connection to the country. By traveling overland, you gain the opportunity to experience the ‘places in-between’—the landscapes, communities, and everyday moments that aren’t mentioned in guidebooks.

Winter transforms Mongolia’s landscapes into something truly extraordinary, and the best way to appreciate this beauty is to slow down and be a part of it. Overland travel offers a chance to connect with the rhythm of the land, creating a richer, more meaningful experience. It’s not just about the destination—it’s about the journey and all the incredible moments along the way.

As one guest, Sally-Anne, reflected:

“The opportunities to meet local people were so important in getting to know Mongolia. The slower travel philosophy gave us more time to experience the amazing landscapes.”

Join Us at the Khovsgol Ice Festival

If you’re inspired to experience the Khovsgol Ice Festival, why not join the Eternal Landscapes team as we celebrate alongside the rural community of Khatgal? Our Khovsgol Ice Festival Small Group Winter Trip offers an immersive journey into the heart of this winter wonderland. You can also explore our diverse range of Mongolian winter tours to find other adventures that we offer.

With so many companies offering tours, you might wonder why to choose Eternal Landscapes. We’ll let one of our guests, Yi-Hsin, explain it best:

“I’ve been trying to travel in ways that give back to the local communities whenever possible, instead of funneling money to overseas owners while paying locals a minimum wage. Also, I’ve traveled with other companies, where when you ask questions about the tour it’s obvious that the person answering your question has probably never been to the country you’re going to. I really like that EL is a small company, and the people in charge are still really connected with what’s happening on the ground.”

At Eternal Landscapes, we prioritise meaningful connections and creating positive impacts for the communities we visit. By choosing us, you’re not just booking a trip—you’re supporting a sustainable approach to travel that values local partnerships and cultural authenticity. Join us for an unforgettable winter adventure!

‘Everything was a revelation. The scenery of Mongolia is stunning and driving through it was so enjoyable. Visiting the monasteries and seeing the creativity in the landscape’

EL guest Sally-Anne, Khovsgol Ice Festival Expedition

Jess @ Eternal Landscapes.

Jessica Brooks
Jessica Brooks
I'm Jess Brooks, the founder of Eternal Landscapes Mongolia and the voice behind EL's blog posts. For almost two decades, since 2006, I've been based in Mongolia, working closely with my beloved Mongolian team to advocate for a tourism approach that brings about positive change.. What sets our blog apart is our deep understanding of Mongolia—our home. Unlike content from influencers or creators, our posts prioritise authenticity and firsthand knowledge as guiding principles.