Tsaatan & Reindeer Festival

Date: 6-7 July

Location: Khovsgol Khatgal

The Reindeer festival takes place at western shore of Khovsgol Lake. The festival aims to share with the world the unique and fascinating culture, tribal life that has remained unchanged throughout centuries. The Tsaatan is one of the few tribes in the world who rely completely on their reindeers for their daily survival. The reindeers are used for pack animals and transport. Their rich nutritious milk and meat provide necessary vitamins and energy source in this harsh environment. Their horns used to make tools like knife handle and their skin is used to the cover their dwelling to keep warm inside and as well for clothes.  The festival promotes the importance of maintaining traditional lifestyle of Reindeer nomads and preserve this amazing culture while attracting domestic and foreign tourists. Reindeer herders of Mongolia live far in depth of taiga close to border with Russia. During short summer time, many families descend from mountains to the shore of Khovsgol lake to enjoy brief tourist season and introduce their lifestyle to outside world. The rest of the year they follow grass and pasture for reindeers and stay isolated and unreachable even by locals.

It will give you a great opportunity to immerse yourself in their nomadic way of life. The two-day event and competition include wrestling, reindeer races, reindeer polo, folkloric concert and shaman ritual.

In an open air market, you can buy handcrafts, clothes made of reindeer skin and taste dairy products.