Cheap flights to Mongolia's Secret Nomadic Horse Festivals
Mongolia's vast, untamed landscapes conceal some of the world's most spectacular cultural events: nomadic horse festivals that have remained largely hidden from mainstream tourism. These celebrations offer a rare glimpse into centuries-old traditions where horsemanship isn't just a skill—it's the beating heart of Mongolian identity. Finding Cheap flights to Mongolia might seem challenging for such remote adventures, but with some insider knowledge, you can witness these extraordinary events without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we'll unveil Mongolia's secret horse festivals, explain how to find Cheap flights to this remarkable destination, and provide practical advice for experiencing these celebrations authentically. The nomadic horse festivals of Mongolia represent one of travel's final frontiers—events where ancient traditions continue uninterrupted by the modern world.
Understanding Mongolia's Horse Culture
Before diving into festival specifics and how to secure Cheap flights to Mongolia, it's essential to understand the profound relationship between Mongolians and their horses. The famous quote "A Mongolian without a horse is like a bird without wings" perfectly captures this bond.
Horses have been central to Mongolian life for over 5,000 years. Genghis Khan's empire—the largest contiguous land empire in history—was built on horseback. Today, horses remain integral to nomadic life, providing transportation, milk, meat, and forming the cornerstone of cultural identity.
This deep connection explains why horse festivals hold such significance. They're not mere tourist attractions but genuine celebrations of national heritage, showcasing skills passed down through countless generations.
Mongolia's Secret Horse Festivals Calendar
When searching for Cheap flights to Mongolia, timing your visit around these festivals requires careful planning. Here's a calendar of the most significant yet lesser-known horse festivals:
Naadam Festival (July 11-13)
While Naadam isn't exactly "secret," many travelers only attend the commercialized Ulaanbaatar version. For authentic experiences, seek out rural Naadam celebrations in provinces like Övörkhangai or Arkhangai. These smaller festivals feature the same traditional "three manly games" (horse racing, wrestling, and archery) but with minimal tourism and maximum authenticity.
Look for Cheap flights to Mongolia in early July, as this allows time to acclimate before the festivities begin. These rural Naadam celebrations offer a window into Mongolia's soul that few foreigners ever witness.
Yak Festival (Late July)
In the Khangai Mountains, particularly around Arkhangai province, the lesser-known Yak Festival includes remarkable horse demonstrations alongside yak racing. The festival showcases the remarkable adaptability of Mongolian horses to high altitudes and challenging terrain.
Thousand Camel Festival (March)
While primarily celebrating camels, this Gobi Desert festival features outstanding displays of horsemanship as nomads demonstrate how they manage multiple types of livestock in one of Earth's harshest environments. Cheap flights to Mongolia in March can be surprisingly affordable as it's outside the peak tourist season.
Eagle Festival (October)
In the far western Bayan-Ölgii province, Kazakh eagle hunters gather for this spectacular event. While eagles take center stage, the horsemanship displayed is extraordinary, with riders performing stunts while managing their massive golden eagles. October offers excellent opportunities for Cheap flights to Mongolia as summer tourism winds down.
Ice Festival (February/March)
On the frozen surface of Lake Khövsgöl, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes, the Ice Festival features horse-drawn sleigh races and horseback competitions on ice. This winter wonderland provides some of the most unique horse-related activities imaginable. February typically offers very Cheap flights to Mongolia due to the extreme winter conditions.
Finding Cheap flights to Mongolia
Mongolia's remote location presents challenges for budget travelers, but affordable options exist if you know where to look. When searching for Cheap flights to Mongolia, consider using Valor Flights, which utilizes AI technology to help identify flight options across multiple airlines and routes.
Here are strategies for finding the best deals on flights to Mongolia:
Best Time to Book
Cheap flights to Mongolia are typically most available 3-5 months before departure. The shoulder seasons of May and September often offer the optimal balance of reasonable weather and lower airfares. Winter flights (November-March) are often significantly cheaper but require preparation for extreme cold.
Strategic Layovers
Direct flights to Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar are limited and often expensive. Consider itineraries with layovers in Seoul, Beijing, or Moscow. Sometimes, breaking your journey into separate tickets can yield cheaper flights to Mongolia, though this requires careful planning for connection times.
Alternative Airports
While most international flights arrive at Ulaanbaatar's Chinggis Khaan International Airport, consider flying to Beijing and taking the Trans-Mongolian Railway into Mongolia. This overland approach can sometimes be cheaper than direct flights and offers a remarkable journey through the Gobi Desert.
After finding Cheap flights to Mongolia, plan your domestic transportation carefully. Internal flights to provincial centers like Ölgii or Dalanzadgad can connect you to regions hosting remote horse festivals, though overland travel provides deeper immersion in the landscape.
Practical Tips for Attending Mongolia's Horse Festivals
Once you've secured Cheap flights to Mongolia, prepare for an adventure unlike any other. These practical tips will help you make the most of Mongolia's horse festivals:
Accommodation Considerations
During festivals, local accommodations fill quickly. Book traditional ger (yurt) camps well in advance—many only accept reservations 6-12 months ahead for festival periods. Some tour operators offer temporary ger camps specifically for festival attendees.
For the most authentic experience, arrange a homestay with nomadic families through reputable community tourism organizations. This provides cultural immersion impossible to achieve otherwise and often costs less than commercial accommodations.
Transportation Between Festivals
Mongolia's infrastructure remains limited outside Ulaanbaatar. After arriving on your Cheap flights to Mongolia, you'll need to arrange reliable transportation. Options include:
- Domestic flights (limited routes but time-efficient)
- Private drivers with 4WD vehicles (most flexible but expensive)
- Shared jeeps and buses (affordable but unpredictable schedules)
- Horse trekking between locations (time-consuming but extraordinarily authentic)
For remote festivals, the most practical approach is often joining a specialized tour combining several events, which can be arranged after finding Cheap flights to Mongolia.
Cultural Etiquette at Horse Festivals
Mongolia's horse festivals are living cultural traditions, not staged tourist attractions. Observe these protocols:
- Never walk in front of judges or officials during competitions
- Ask permission before photographing individuals, especially elders
- Participate in traditional greetings by accepting snuff bottles with your right hand
- Sample offered airag (fermented mare's milk) even if just a sip
- Bring small gifts for homestay hosts (useful items like quality flashlights or pocket knives are appreciated)
The Horse Festivals Experience
After arranging Cheap flights to Mongolia and making logistical preparations, what can you expect at these remarkable celebrations?
Traditional Horse Games
Beyond standard racing, Mongolia's horse festivals feature unique competitions found nowhere else:
Tiin Urgal - Perhaps the most spectacular event, where riders gallop alongside two-year-old horses and leap from their own mount to the young horse mid-gallop.
Khuuriig Tashraa - Riders demonstrate precision by shooting arrows or striking targets with whips while at full gallop.
Jundren Uraldan - Long-distance racing across truly challenging terrain, sometimes covering up to 30km through mountains and steppe.
Horse Training Demonstrations
Festivals often include demonstrations of traditional horse training methods, including the breaking of wild horses—an intense display of both human courage and profound horsemanship knowledge passed through generations.
You might witness the remarkable communication between Mongolian herders and their horses, achieved through subtle body language rather than force. These demonstrations reveal why Mongolian horsemanship is considered among the world's finest.
Festival Food and Celebration
Horse festivals feature distinctive culinary traditions. Sample airag (fermented mare's milk), khorkhog (meat and vegetables cooked with hot stones), and boodog (goat meat cooked inside the animal's carcass).
Evenings transition to celebrations with throat singing, horsehead fiddle performances, and dancing. These gatherings often prove more meaningful than the daytime competitions, as they're where cultural transmission and community bonding occur.
Photography Tips for Horse Festivals
Mongolia's horse festivals offer extraordinary photography opportunities. After securing Cheap flights to Mongolia, prepare your camera equipment for challenging conditions:
- Bring dust protection for all equipment
- Pack extra batteries (charging opportunities may be limited)
- Include a polarizing filter for the intense Mongolian sun
- Carry both telephoto lenses for racing action and wide-angle lenses for landscape context
- Consider a monopod rather than a tripod for mobility around festival grounds
The best festival photographs capture not just the action but the emotional connection between riders and horses. Focus on faces—both human and equine—to convey the depth of this ancient partnership.
Combining Horse Festivals With Other Mongolian Experiences
While horse festivals provide extraordinary cultural insights, Mongolia offers much more. After finding Cheap flights to Mongolia, consider extending your trip to include:
National Parks and Wilderness Areas
Khustai National Park provides opportunities to see takhi (Przewalski's horses)—the world's only remaining truly wild horses. Their reintroduction to Mongolia represents one of conservation's greatest success stories.
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, accessible as a day trip from Ulaanbaatar, offers spectacular scenery and horse trekking opportunities when you first arrive on Cheap flights to Mongolia.
Historical Sites
Mongolia contains remarkable historical sites, including:
- Karakorum - Genghis Khan's ancient capital
- Erdene Zuu Monastery - Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery
- Amarbayasgalant Monastery - A remote spiritual center in northern Mongolia
- Ancient petroglyphs in the Altai Mountains depicting early horsemanship
These sites provide historical context for the horse traditions you'll witness at festivals.
When to Book Your Trip
Cheap flights to Mongolia require advance planning, especially if coordinating with specific festival dates. Generally:
- Book flights 4-6 months in advance for summer festivals
- Reserve accommodations 6-12 months ahead for festival periods
- Arrange specialized guides or tours at least 3 months before travel
- Apply for Mongolian visas 1-2 months before departure
With proper planning, even Mongolia's most remote horse festivals become accessible. While finding Cheap flights to Mongolia takes effort, the reward is experiencing cultural traditions that have remained remarkably unchanged for centuries.
Conclusion: Beyond the Tourist Trail
Mongolia's secret horse festivals represent one of the world's last authentic cultural experiences. In an era of overtourism and Instagram-famous destinations, these events provide genuine connection with traditions that have shaped human history.
Finding Cheap flights to Mongolia opens the door to witnessing celebrations where horses remain working partners rather than recreational luxuries—where horsemanship represents not just sport but survival knowledge accumulated across millennia.
The journey may be challenging, but few travel experiences prove as rewarding as sitting under the vast Mongolian sky, surrounded by endless steppe, watching skilled riders demonstrate the profound bond between humans and horses that helped build civilizations.
Start planning today by searching for Cheap flights to Mongolia that align with these remarkable festivals. The adventure of a lifetime awaits on the Mongolian steppe, where horses still run wild and ancient traditions endure under the eternal blue sky.