Reserved festival viewing
Private positions for the parade, races, and polo, removed from the public crowd line.
Overview
The Thousand Camel Festival is one of the year's most cinematic Mongolian moments — thousands of two-humped Bactrian camels parading on the Gobi steppe, races and polo on frozen sand, and herder communities gathered for two days that exist nowhere else. Public access is rough: long unheated drives, no private viewing, and accommodations that fall well below ultra-luxury standards. Unveil produces this festival for guests who want the full cultural moment without that exposure profile.
The journey begins and ends in Ulaanbaatar, with charter flights routing south to South Gobi for the festival window. Guests stay at Unveil's reserved deluxe ger camp with full insulation, hot showers, and a private dining ger; viewing is organized with reserved positions on the parade route and direct access to a herding family who joins the camp for evening meals. Around the festival itself the itinerary builds in Yolyn Am canyon, sunrise dune photography, and a slow return.
Herder hospitality
A Gobi camel-herding family hosts an evening at camp, cooking traditional khorkhog and sharing the year's herd story.
Yolyn Am winter ice
The Eagle Valley ice river is at its deepest and most extraordinary in early February, accessible by foot from a private vehicle drop.
Photographer-led light
Sunrise and sunset desert sessions led by Saikhnaa Purevdash with prepared shot lists and warmed Land Cruiser shelters.
What to expect
Genuine Gobi cold
Daytime highs around -10°C, nighttime lows around -25°C. Ger camps are heated and fully insulated, but transitions outside require serious cold-weather kit (provided as needed).
Charter logistics
Domestic flights are chartered or scheduled around festival timing; in adverse weather an additional contingency day is built in to protect the festival access.
Reserved private viewing
All event positions are pre-arranged by Unveil staff; guests do not navigate festival logistics themselves.
Cultural posture
This is herding-community territory in the most demanding season of their year, so engagement is respectful and led by Unveil hosts rather than self-directed.
Itinerary
ArrivalDays 1+
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Dinner
Private arrival transfer to Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar, welcome dinner at Hutong with Tuvshin and a winter expedition briefing.
Overnight: Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Into the desertDays 2+
Charter south to the Gobi
BreakfastLunchDinner
Charter flight to Dalanzadgad and overland transfer to Unveil's reserved deluxe ger camp near Bulgan soum, with afternoon orientation walk and Bactrian camel introduction.
Overnight: Unveil Gobi Deluxe Camp
FestivalDays 3+
Festival opening day
BreakfastLunchDinner
Reserved-position viewing of the parade and opening ceremony, midday lunch in a private ger, afternoon camel polo and Bactrian races, evening hosted dinner with the camp's herding family.
Overnight: Unveil Gobi Deluxe Camp
Festival closing and Yolyn Am
BreakfastLunchDinner
Morning festival closing events with reserved access, lunch at camp, afternoon excursion to Yolyn Am ice canyon for a slow walk through Eagle Valley, return for sunset dune photography led by Saikhnaa.
Overnight: Unveil Gobi Deluxe Camp
DepartureDays 5
Return north and depart
Breakfast
Sunrise final dune session for those who choose, charter back to Ulaanbaatar, day-room at Shangri-La for refresh, private departure transfer.
Overnight: Departure day
Price & dates
2 guests
$11,000 / person
Best for couples wanting a fully private festival experience.
Most requested
4 guests
$9,800 / person
Strong balance of privacy and shared experience.
8 guests
$8,500 / person
For close-knit groups; includes a private chef-led tasting menu and a Mongolian cashmere atelier visit on the Ulaanbaatar return day.
Private custom departures are available across the same operating season if you need a different pace or a bespoke family version of this route.
- ReserveFebruary 5 - February 9, 20275 daysFirst confirmed departure
What's included
Included
Private guiding by the Unveil team throughout the journey
Domestic charter flight Ulaanbaatar – Dalanzadgad return
Accommodation at Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar and Unveil Gobi Deluxe Camp
All meals from arrival dinner through departure breakfast
Reserved festival viewing positions and private herder dinner
Yolyn Am excursion and photographer-led desert sessions
Cold-weather kit loan (parka, insulated boots, hand warmers)
Airport transfers, in-country transport, and Starlink Wi-Fi at camp
Global Rescue medical evacuation membership for the trip duration
Not included
International airfare to and from Mongolia
Visa fees if applicable to the guest's nationality
Personal travel insurance (recommended in addition to Global Rescue)
Alcoholic beverages beyond welcome service and personal selections
Tips for guides, drivers, and camp staff
Spa or specialist add-ons in Ulaanbaatar
Good to know
Pacing
Two intense festival days bookended by softer travel days; cold-weather expedition feel without expedition fitness demands.
Activity level
Walking on uneven frozen terrain at altitude (~1,400m); manageable for any reasonably mobile guest dressed appropriately.
Best fit
Photography-driven travelers, cultural-festival enthusiasts, and HNW guests who have already done a summer Mongolia trip.
Packing
Unveil provides expedition-grade outerwear; bring thermal base layers, gloves, and a warm hat.
