people sitting on grass field during daytime

NAURYZ FESTIVAL 2026

DON’T MISS NAURYZ – A MUST-SEE FESTIVAL AND THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE KAZAKH HOSPITALITY, CULTURE, AND NOMADIC TRADITIONS WITHIN MONGOLIA.

NAURYZ KUTTU BOLSUN!

Nauryz (also spelled Nowruz) is the traditional celebration of the New Year and the arrival of spring according to the solar calendar. The word “Nauryz” means “new day” in Persian, symbolizing renewal, harmony, and prosperity. It is not only a festive occasion but also a cultural event deeply rooted in values of family, hospitality, and community.

Nauryz is celebrated each year on March 21–22, during the spring equinox, when day and night are equal. People believe that how one spends Nauryz days will set the tone for the year ahead, so the festival is filled with joy, generosity, and good deeds.

Families prepare special dishes, visit relatives, exchange gifts, and make wishes for health and prosperity. One of the most heartfelt greetings you will hear during the festival is “Nauryz kuttu bolsun!” – meaning May your Nauryz be blessed!

Nauryz is widely celebrated across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of the Middle East. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkiey and Mongolia all mark the occasion with various traditions, games, and cultural performances.

In Mongolia, Nauryz is primarily celebrated by the Mongolian Kazakhs in Bayan-Ulgii province, located in the far west of the country. Local Kazakh families open their homes, share traditional dishes like Nauryz Kozhe (a soup made from seven symbolic ingredients), and enjoy games, horse riding, music, and dances.

Traditional activities of the NAURYZ festival with over 3000 years of history:

Traditional Sports competitions
Folk games
Altybakan swings
Artistic performance
Craft workshops
Purification rituals

The culinary traditions of Nauryz:

Nauryz-Kozhe /A must-have soup during the celebration. It is made from seven ingredients—meat, water, flour, oil, grain (such as millet, rice, or corn), salt, and milk. Each ingredient represents one of the seven values of life: growth, luck, happiness, wealth, health, wisdom, and protection./
Beshbarmak /it means “five fingers” because it is traditionally eaten with the hands/
Baursaks /fluffy fried dough balls/
Kumis /the drink of nomads made from fermented mare milk/

During Nauryz, food is very important. Families prepare special traditional dishes, each with their own family recipe, giving visitors the chance to taste many different flavors.

The Nauryz festival has been recognized globally by UNESCO for its cultural importance and as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

TRAVEL MONGOLIA, CELEBRATE NAURYZ!

Location: Ulgii city, Western Mongolia

Tour type: Photography, Local traditions, Unique Culture

DISTANCE: 4,010 KM

DATE: 20-27 MARCH

DURATION: 7N 8D

TOUR ITINERARY

Pick-Up from airport and meet your guide
Drive to UB by paved road /50 km/
Check-In at the hotel
Short city tour may be arranged depending on the flight schedule /Sukhbaatar square, Gandantegchilen Monastery, Chinggis Khaan National Musuem/
Dinner
Meals: --/L/D

DAY 1 ARRIVAL DAY - ULAANBAATAR CITY /20 MAR, Fri/

Breakfast
Head to Chinggis Khaan International airport
Take a domestic flight to Ulgii city, approximately 2 hours in duration. /07:25am – 08:40am/
Arrive in Ulgii city and check-in at the hotel
OPENING CEREMONY of NAURYZ FESTIVAL begins with colorful parades, traditional music, and dance performances in the city center.
Cultural shows – Local musicians play dombra (two-stringed Lute) and perform epic songs, while dancers showcase traditional Kazakh choreography, including the lively Kara Jorga circle dance.
Lunch break
Visit the Bayan-Ulgii Museum to explore the rich history, culture and traditions of Western Mongolians. The exhibits showcase archaeological artifacts, traditional costumes, musical instruments, eagle hunting heritage, and displays about the unique lifestyle of nomadic herders in the Altai region.
Dinner
In the evening, enjoy a special concert dedicated to the NAURYZ Festival. The performance brings together traditional Kazakh music, dance, and modern interpretations, creating a lively cultural atmosphere.

Meals: B/L/D

DAY 2 UB - ULGII, NAURYZ FESTIVAL /21 MAR, Sat/

Breakfast
Visiting a Kazakh family celebrating the NAURYZ Festival. – Guests are warmly welcomed into the household, where you will experience the spirit of this important holiday through their hospitality, customs, and festive traditions.
Lunch at the Kazakh family - Taste authentic dishes prepared for NAURYZ, including Nauryz Kozhe, the symbolic main dish made from seven ingredients representing renewal, prosperity, and unity. You’ll also enjoy dairy products, meat specialties, and homemade delicacies.
Travel to the Frozen Beauty of Lake Tolbo – Located just outside Ulgii, Lake Tolbo is a breathtaking high-altitude lake that transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months. In October – April, its surface freezes into a vast sheet of ice, creating a surreal landscape surrounded by the majestic Altai Mountains. The frozen Tolbo offers a rare chance to experience silence and wilderness at its purest.
Back to Ulgii city and having dinner
Stay at the hotel
Meals: B/L/D

DAY 3 ULGII CITY, NAURYZ FESTIVAL /22 MAR/

Breakfast
Journey to Sagsai soum – Explore the Eagle Hunting Culture. Sagsai soum is the heartland of the famous Kazakh eagle hunters, where the ancient tradition of falconry has been preserved for centuries. This cultural experience offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the nomadic way of life and witness the unique bond between hunters and their golden eagles. Observe how these majestic eagles of prey are trained, cared for, and used in traditional hunting practices.
Enjoy a traditional Kazakh lunch hosted by a welcoming eagle hunter family /local and nomadic cuisine/
Horseback riding tour – Embark on a horseback riding adventure across the wide-open steppe and snow-dusted landscapes of Sagsai soum. March is a special time when winter slowly gives way to spring, offering a unique mix of crisp air, snowy valleys and the first signs of new life.
Back to Ulgii city
Dinner
Stay at the hotel
Meals: B/L/D

DAY 4 ULGII – SAGSAI - KAZAKH EAGLE HUNTER /23 MAR/

Breakfast
Visit a Nomadic herder family in the countryside – Experience the authentic lifestyle of Mongolia’s countryside and learning about their daily routines and traditions. This is a unique opportunity to witness how nomads live in harmony with nature and their animals, especially during the winter months. Observe herds of sheep, goats, yaks, and horses, and learn how they play a vital role in the family’s livelihood.
Lunch with a Nomadic Herder family – This is more than just a meal, it is a chance to connect with the nomadic way of life and enjoy the simplicity, warmth, and authenticity of rural Mongolia.
Back to Ulgii city and SHOPPING /Souvenir shops/
Dinner
Stay at the hotel
Meals: B/L/D

DAY 5 ULGII, ULAANKHUS - NOMADIC HERDER FAMILY /24 MAR/

DAY 6 ULGII – UB CITY, GORKHI-TERELJ NP /25 MAR/

Breakfast
Depart for UB city from Ulgii city by domestic flight /09:20 am/
Arrive in UB /12:20 pm/
Drive to Gorkhi, Terelj National Park which is one of Mongolia’s most beautiful and accessible natural reserves. Known for its dramatic granite rock formations, alpine scenery, and wide open valleys.
Check-In at the tourist camp and lunch
Dog-Sledding tour – Glide across the snowy landscape on an exciting dog-sledding ride, led by trained huskies through frozen trails and valleys /Reindeer – You’ll also have the chance to meet reindeer brought by Tsaatan herders, learn about their way of life, and take memorable photos with these gentle animals.
Turtle rock /Melkhii Khad/ - One of the most famous natural landmarks and a giant granite formation that resembles a turtle. Over centuries, wind and weather have shaped this unique rock, making it a beloved symbol of the park. – A perfect spot for photography surrounded by alpine forests.
Ariyabal Meditation Temple – From the top, enjoy sweeping panoramas of Terelj’s valleys and granite formations. To reach the temple, you walk across a long bridge and hike a series of steps, symbolizing the path to enlightenment.
Head back to tourist camp
Dinner
Meals: B/L/D

DAY 7 TERELJ – TSONJIN BOLDOG – UB CITY /26 MAR/

Breakfast
Travel to Tsonjinboldog, Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue – It is a must-see and an unforgettable photography stop.
Drive to UB city and check-in at the hotel
Lunch – Hot pot
Free time – Shopping
Closing dinner
Special cultural performance – Showcasing Mongolia’s rich artistic heritage. The program includes: Khoomii (Throat singing), Morin khuur (Horse-head fiddle), Bii Biyelgee (Traditional dance) and others.
Meals: B/L/D

DAY 8 DEPARTURE DAY /27 MAR/

Breakfast
Drive to Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
Check-in at the airport for your departing flight. Once you are seated on the plane, our tour services will officially conclude.
Meals: B/--/--

TOUR DETAILS

Certified

GUIDE & DRIVER

DISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION

Alphard MPV/Hiace

Land LC/Russian Van

4,010 kms

7N 8D

DURATION

GER CAMPING

HOTEL

1 Night

6 Nights

Group size

3-4

5-6

7-8

Price

2,190 USD

1,850 USD

1,650 USD

LAND PRICE

Pick up and Drop-Off shuttle services
Domestic flight tickets /Round-trip/
Transportation:
- Alphard MPV / HIACE (in UB city)
- Land LC / Russian Van (in Ulgii city)
Experienced tour drivers
Professional local English/Chinese-speaking tour guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel in UB /2 nights/
- Hotel in Ulgii /4 nights/
- Tourist camp /1 night/
Meals:
- Breakfast /7 times/
- Lunch /7 times/
- Dinner /7 times/
Museum Entrance ticket
Nauryz Festival - Evening concert ticket
Visiting an Eagle hunter family
Taking photo permission with eagle
Horseback riding tour
Gorkhi, Terelj National park entrance ticket
Dog-Sledding tour
Riding reindeer
Ariyabal Meditation temple entrance ticket
Equestrian Statue entrance ticket
Traditional perfromance
Daily bottled water

INCLUSION

EXCLUSION

Travel Insurance
International flight tickets
Other meals that not mentioned
Other services that not mentioned
Tips for guides and driver

TRAVEL'S CHECKLIST AND REMINDERS

Passport
Luggage Advice: Avoid bringing oversized suitcases.
Power bank
Warm, winter clothing
Medication Reminder: If you have regular medications or suffer from high blood pressure, ensure you have them with you at all times.
Dietary Requirements: Please inform us in advance if you are a vegetarian.
Etiquette Reminder: Kindly refrain from consuming excessive amounts of alcohol during the trip to avoid disturbing fellow travelers.
Relaxation: Wind down and relax by midnight.