Last updated 4 weeks ago by Jessica Brooks | Published: February 21, 2019
Mongolia’s Thousand Camel Festival is an extraordinary annual event that now takes place from February 1-3 each year. This vibrant celebration is Mongolia’s only festival dedicated entirely to the Bactrian camel, an iconic species vital to the lives of the nomadic herders of the Gobi Desert. Mark your calendars—it all currently happens in Dalanzadgad Soum, a district of Umnugobi Province, in the heart of the southern Gobi Desert.
The festival dates were permanently changed in autumn 2023, moving from March 6-7 to February 1-3. The organisers of the event, the Amazing Gobi Tourism Association (Гайхамшигт говь аялал жуулчлалын холбоо), explained that the change was prompted by climate change and other key factors, ensuring the festival continues to thrive under shifting conditions.
You’ll often see the phrase “a celebration of culture and community” in descriptions of the Thousand Camel Festival—and for good reason. Since its inception in 1997, initiated by a local NGO and the Governor’s Office of Umnugobi Province, the festival has stood as a vibrant tribute to the Bactrian camel and its essential role in shaping Mongolia’s culture, economy, and heritage. Beyond its focus on camels, the festival serves as a vital gathering for nomadic herders, offering a rare opportunity to unite, celebrate, and foster a sense of community during the harsh, isolating winter months in the expansive beauty of the Gobi Desert.
The Thousand Camel Festival offers three incredible days of entertainment, blending tradition, community, and celebration.
The Thousand Camel Festival offers three days of events, with a variety of contests and cultural celebrations. Highlights include camel races, camel polo competitions, and the always intriguing camel beauty pageant—a spectacle made even more amusing by the mysterious, unexplained criteria for selecting the winner.
You’ll also experience the traditional ankle bone (knucklebone) shooting competition, an ancient Mongolian game that’s far more thrilling than its simple description suggests. Adding to the festive atmosphere, there’s often an evening concert featuring traditional music and dance.
This isn’t just a tourist attraction—it’s a festival for locals by locals, offering an authentic, joyous atmosphere. It often feels like a community fete, complete with the delightful unpredictability of local events. Forget your watch, embrace the spontaneity, and enjoy immersing yourself in the warmth and celebration of the Gobi’s nomadic culture.
For centuries, Bactrian camels served as reliable pack animals, even traversing ancient trade routes like The Tea Road. Their remarkable adaptations include:
Mongolian herders also utilise camels for their milk, creating khoormog, a fermented camel’s milk similar to the mare’s milk drink, airag, enjoyed in other parts of the country.
Mongolia is also home to the critically endangered wild camel (Camelus ferus). With fewer than 1,000 individuals left worldwide, they represent a rare and ancient species. Approximately 600 wild camels reside in the Gobi Desert of northwest China, while around 450 live in Mongolia’s Gobi.
The Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) is the only organisation globally dedicated to preserving this extraordinary creature and its untouched desert habitat, ensuring the survival of one of the world’s most unique and resilient animals.
If this unique and fascinating festival speaks to you, join us at Eternal Landscapes for our annual Thousand Camel Festival small-group experience. Learn more about our Winter Tours in Mongolia, including our Thousand Camel Festival Tour.
This is your chance to immerse yourself in and support the culture, landscapes, and traditions of the Gobi.
We look forward to welcoming you!
— Jess @ Eternal Landscapes