Ice Festival
Date: March 2nd and 3rd
Venue: Khatgal village, Khuvsgul province
Have you ever dreamt of experiencing one of the coldest, but still mild winter on earth or wanted to explore a mystery of how nomads survive within temperature as low as -30 degree or tried to ride Mongolian horses and horse sleigh in the snow covered vast white steppe or skated on frozen fresh water lake? If so, your winter dream may come true in Mongolia during its Ice festival!
Ice festival, annually held at Khuvsgul lake-fresh water lake, khatgal village of Khuvsgul province, is a famous celebration or entertainment among locals and visitors organized by local community and government. This festival has been held one of the biggest events to promote the winter tourism in Mongolia. The “Ice festival” highlights tradition, customs of reindeer herders, Shaman rituals, competition of horse sleighs and skating, ice ankle bone shooting game and offers great opportunities to take part in optional trips of dog sledding, horse sleighing, horse riding, visiting reindeers and nomad families as well.
Khuvsgul lake
Known as “Blue pearl of Asia” or Khuvsgul lake is located in Northern Mongolia. The surrounding terrain is mountainous and peaks which have panoramic views of Khordil Sardig ranges and Bayan mountain ranges, along the west shore of the lake. The water is so pristine and crystal clean.
Climate is much changeable because of surrounding territory and cold winter climate dominates in the area. Winter air temperatures average -25C, and summer temperatures average +20C. The lake surface freezes in September but completely covered by 1.0-1.5m thick ice in November and thaws in May.
Khuvsgul lake is the most outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem on the basis of natural criteria as well as the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful during winter and summer.