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Tsagaan sar could be understood as the Mongolian lunar new year, held annually in February. It is the first day of the year according to the Mongolian lunisolar calendar which has been used for years. Tsagaan sar is a traditional holiday which brings families together in joyful atmosphere.

The Mongolian nomadic lifestyle is heavily reliant on the weather, its unpredictability making conditions harsh. Especially in winter, the nomads would have to take care of the cattle in the middle of snow storm. As the spring nears, the weather gets warmer and brighter for the nomads and their cattle. Therefore,  "Tsagaan sar" is celebrated as a joy of surviving the harsh winter and welcoming the warm spring. 

The celebration could take up to weeks, but the most important days are the first four days- Bituun- the new year eve, Shiniin negen- the first day, Shiniin hoyron- the second day, Shiniin gurvan- the third day of the new year. 

The lunar new year eve is called Bituun in Mongolian (means closed) symbolizing the no moon day. Bituun is also an important day as the families clean their homes and prepare meal for the holiday. Mongolians believe how well they welcome the new year defines how well they will be doing in the next year. According to Buddhism, the  Baldan Lkham buddha visits every family in Bituun and that is why Mongolians put some offering and  ice outside  their homes for both the deity and her horse. 

During the first three days  of lunar new year, people visit their relatives. Mongolians have a  long history of respecting the elders so the young people are mostly the visitors and the elders are the hosts. In the beginning of the visit, Mongolians perform a special greeting called zolguut or zolgokh in Mongolian , holding the elders by the elbow and saying "Amar baina uu ?"(asking if  they are living in peace). In return, the elders usually give a gentle kiss on the cheek and reply "amar", meaning peaceful. People also exchange or give a long blue cloth called khadag to show respect.

The table is filled with traditional cuisines such as rice curds, steamed sheep back, dumplings, yogurt, Mongolian traditional distilled vodka, the fermented mare's milk and so on. Upon the end of the visit,  the hosting family give gifts to the guests, mostly for the kids.

Highlights of the Tour:

Celebrating Lunar New Year with local nomads, riding camels and horses