Bactrian Camel Polo Festival

Camel Polo

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Sports & AdventureGobi
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThis entry shares its underlying event, the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: MNT
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Bactrian Camel Polo Festival in Gobi

The Bactrian Camel Polo Festival is a winter celebration held February 1-3 in Bulgan Soum, Umnugovi Province, part of the broader Thousand Camel Festival tradition launched in 1997 to protect the region's Bactrian camel population. Central-square camel polo matches join camel races, archery competitions, best-looking-couple contests and awards for prettiest camels and best-dressed herders across the three-day event.

Each February 1 to 3, the central square of Bulgan Soum in Umnugovi Province turns into an unlikely sporting arena: a field for camel polo, played not with horses but with Bactrian camels, the two-humped species built for the Gobi Desert's cold winters and dry terrain.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

This entry shares its underlying event, the Thousand Camel Festival in Bulgan Soum, with another database entry, thousand-camel-festival-bulgan-umnugovi-mn, so it should be read as the same festival viewed through its camel polo programming rather than a separate celebration

02

The mystery stays covered

What is genuinely distinctive within that shared event is the central-square camel polo matches themselves, a sport built around the size, temperament and two-humped build of Bactrian camels rather than horses, unusual even within Mongolia's camel-centered winter festival tradition

03

The city starts moving

The festival's founding purpose, launched in 1997 specifically to protect the region's Bactrian camel population, gives the polo matches, camel races and beauty contests a conservation rationale beyond entertainment, tying playful competition directly to safeguarding a declining species

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival descends from the Thousand Camel Festival

Water and renewal

Living ritual

launched in 1997 specifically to protect and promote the Bactrian camel population of the South Gobi region

The sacred route

Living ritual

where camels remain essential to herding families for transport and wool

The local code

Living ritual

archery and beauty contests for both camels and herders reflect a working relationship between people and their animals turned into organized winter competition

Tradition 5

Living ritual

with the camel polo framing here highlighting one specific event within that broader festival tradition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For Bactrian Camel Polo Festival, plan transport around the exact Gobi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Serious winter gear for the Gobi Desert's February cold: an insulated windproof coat, thermal base layers, insulated snow pants or thermal trousers, a warm hat, insulated gloves and...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Bactrian Camel Polo Festival, stay near the part of Gobi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

MNT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.00 N, 107.00 EOpen in Google Maps

Gobi, East Asia, Mongolia

Nearest airportDLZ — Dalanzadgad
TransportFor Bactrian Camel Polo Festival, plan transport around the exact Gobi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Bactrian Camel Polo Festival, stay near the part of Gobi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Gobi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Gobi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearSerious winter gear for the Gobi Desert's February cold: an insulated windproof coat, thermal base layers, insulated snow pants or thermal trousers, a warm hat, insulated gloves and waterproof winter boots. The desert combines cold temperatures with strong wind and blowing dust or sand, so wind protection for the face is important.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Mongolia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Bactrian Camel Polo Festival?

Bactrian Camel Polo Festival is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Bactrian Camel Polo Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Gobi, Mongolia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Gobi, East Asia, Mongolia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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