Gobi & Elsen Tasarkhai
Camel Riding and Camel Trekking in the Gobi
Short answer
Most visitors ride two-humped Bactrian camels for 1–2 hours at Khongoryn Els in the Gobi or at Elsen Tasarkhai in Central Mongolia, usually arranged with a local herder family. Multi-day camel treks are possible but uncommon and need advance arrangement. Camels walk slowly and steadily — it's gentle, but saddles are basic and an hour or two is plenty for most people.
Key facts
- Where
- Khongoryn Els (Gobi), Elsen Tasarkhai (Central), other Gobi camps
- Camels
- Bactrian (two-humped), kept by herder families
- Difficulty
- Easy; mounting and dismounting are the trickiest part
- Festival
- Thousand Camel Festival, Bulgan soum (Ömnögovi), late winter — dates vary
Bactrian camels are part of everyday herding life in the Gobi — used for transport, wool and milk. For travelers, a camel ride across the dunes is one of the iconic Gobi moments.
Short rides
At Khongoryn Els, herder families near the camps offer rides towards or along the dunes, typically an hour or two, often timed for late afternoon light. At Elsen Tasarkhai in Central Mongolia, rides are shorter and easier to fit into a Central Mongolia trip. Prices are set locally and modest; on many tours they’re included.
Multi-day treks
A camel trek of a few days lets you travel at walking pace across the desert, camping along the way, with a herder leading and a vehicle supporting. It’s quiet, slow and very different from a road trip — and needs to be arranged in advance with people who know the area.
Comfort and practicalities
- Camels kneel for you to mount; they rise back-legs first, so lean back.
- Saddles are basic — a padded frame between the humps. An hour or two is comfortable; longer can be sore.
- Long trousers, sunglasses and a hat; it’s sunny, dusty and windy.
The Thousand Camel Festival
A winter festival in Bulgan soum (Ömnögovi) with camel races, polo and herding competitions, started to encourage camel herding. Its timing has shifted between early March and early February in recent years — confirm before you plan. Winter conditions apply: see winter in Mongolia.
Animal welfare
Choose rides run by herders with healthy, unburdened camels, and avoid anything that looks like animals working all day for photo stops. A good guide or driver can steer you to the right families.
Questions travelers ask
Is camel riding in Mongolia suitable for children?
Generally yes for school-age children, with an adult nearby and the camel led by a herder. Camels kneel to let you on and off, which can be a jolt — hold on.
Can I do a multi-day camel trek in the Gobi?
Yes, with advance planning and the right local arrangement — usually with herders around Khongoryn Els and a support vehicle. It's slow travel; a few days is a very different experience from a one-hour ride.
When is the Thousand Camel Festival?
It's a late-winter festival in Bulgan soum, Ömnögovi province. It was traditionally held in early March; some sources say it moved to early February from 2023. Confirm the date for your year before planning around it.
Sources and further reading
We link sources for facts that matter (prices, entry rules, dates, distances). Third-party prices are what those sources published, not quotes from us.
- Local operator Tour2Mongolia — Camel festival
Mongolia Relay
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