In recent years, the Ten Thousand Camel Festival has become the winter festival to attend in the Gobi Desert.

Mongolia has the largest population of domesticated Bactrian camels in the world, with approximately 430,000 of these two-humped giants roaming the steppes and deserts.

This festival is a testament to the region’s most famous resident, who nomadic herders have lived in harmony with for hundreds of thousands of years.

While thousands of locals attend the Ten Thousand Camel Festival each year, this unique cultural gathering is still relatively unknown to foreigners. For any intrepid traveler who is looking for a one of a kind experience, not spoiled by mass tourism, this festival – and Mongolia – are it.

Camel polo matches, archery competitions, camel races, and awards for the prettiest camels and best-dressed herders are just a few of the highlights of this 3-day long festival.

Dates for the Ten Thousand Camel Festival 2027 are January 29 – 31, 2027.

As part of this group itinerary to the Ten Thousand Camel Festival, not only will you get to attend this vibrant event and rub elbows with the locals of the Gobi, but you’ll also get to experience the most beautiful wonders of the Gobi Desert.

A highlight of this journey is living with a local camel herding family, where you’ll get an intimate understanding of this traditional way of life. During this homestay, you’ll have the chance to ride and get to know these two-humped giants in a way that you’ll remember and cherish forever. This is more than just a tour, this is an immersion into nomadic life and camel herder culture that will change the way you look at the world.

Highlights of this 9-day group tour to the 2027 Ten Thousand Camel Festival includes:

• Experience Mongolia’s iconic Ten Thousand Camel Festival, held in the South Gobi. Be a part of this vibrant celebration of camel culture and nomadic heritage.
• Visit the White Stupa cliffs and explore the largest petroglyphs in Mongolia, ancient rock carvings that whisper stories from thousands of years ago.
• Watch the sunrise from the White Stupa, a moment locals believe renews the spirit and strengthens the soul.
• Stay two nights with a camel herding family and learn how nomads live in harmony with their animals across the vast desert.
• Ride two-humped Bactrian camels across the Khongoryn Els dunes, one of the few deserts on Earth that sometimes see snow. You won’t believe your eyes when you see it in person!
• Join the festival’s camel parades, polo matches, archery, and camel races all while enjoying traditional dance, throat singing, and local food. This festival isn’t just about Bactrian camels, it’s a Mongolian party!
• Spend your nights in cozy ger camps and nomadic family homes, surrounded by silence, stars, and the soul of the Gobi Desert.