Tsagaan sar (White Month) is the Lunar Calendar New Year, which has been celebrated in Mongolia for many centuries and celebrates the passing of winter and beginning of spring. Tsagaan Sar was originally an end of summer festival, but once again it was Genghis Khan who changed things, moving the event to the end of winter in 1216. The Mongolian lunar calendar uses five cycles of twelve years.
Celebrate Tsagaan Sar, Mongolia’s Lunar New Year and participate in the remarkable celebrations. People greet each other in a unique way, the older person puts his hands palms down on the hands of the younger and both say “Amar baina yy” traditional good wishes, which means “How are you”?. This ritual is called zolgokh. During Tsagaan Sar, almost everyone visits all their friends and relatives. Much of the festival involves sitting round the ger stove passing food and drink backwards and forwards, always using right hand to accept food or alcohol. Visitors are given gifts in almost every ger they visit. In Ulaanbaatar Tsagaan Sar is a shorter holiday, but with the same hospitality, visiting schedule, food and drink.
Tsagaan sar, is celebrated in January or February depending on the Mongolian lunar calendar. In 2008 the Lunar Calendar New Year will be celebrated throughout the country from the 08th to 11th of February. Lunar New Year Celebration offer for tourists more than a chance to practice a fascinating culture of Mongolia.Tour Duration: 6 days
Number of travelers: maximum group size 16, individual travelers available
Accommodation: hotel in Ulaanbaatar, tourist camp in countryside
Car: Russian minivan
Total distance: 600km
Specially advised to pack: Good shoes, warm clothes, sun glasses and binocular, your favorite delicacies.
