Tour Description

Mongolian Reindeer Herder Visit Tour 2023

The northern part of Mongolia is home to wild & untamed landscapes with a few nomadic herders living around crystal clear lakes surrounded by snow-capped sumptuous mountains covered by Siberian wild forests. A hidden jewel in northern Mongolia is the Tsaatan tribe [Reindeer Herders]. There are only 300 Tsaatan people of over 30 families with approximately 1600 reindeers in the forests of northern Mongolia. This 14-day journey takes travellers to the deep Taiga in the north of Mongolia and lets them meet the last surviving Tsaatan people to spend days whit a Tsaatan family and experience their culture and daily life, and will expand your view of life by how could people live as effectively to nature even in the modern world. The journey will begin with the Ulaanbaatar city tour and expand to the north by 4×4 drive, and by horseback ride. In course of the journey, we will meet a nomadic horse herder family, Tsaatan families, due to our community-based tour policy. This journey is dedicated to improving the life quality of the Tsaatan tribe in Mongolia and 2% of the tour budget will be donated to our Tsaatan community.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1:

TRAVEL TO MONGOLIAN CAPITAL ULAANBAATAR

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar city, our driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up from the airport and be transferred to your hotel in downtown. After you settled in, we will start a sightseeing tour including visiting Sukhbaatar’s square. The Square is in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, in front of the Mongolian Parliament House. Across from the central square, we will visit the National Museum of Mongolia, the biggest museum with over 54000 exhibitions from the prehistoric period till the 21st century. Our next stop will be Zaisan Hill Memorial. This hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar.

• Transfer to Hotel from Ulaanbaatar New International Airport, about 35 km, and Ulaanbaatar City tour
• Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

DAY 2:

FLIGHT TO MURUN TOWN, & DRIVE TO THE HORSE GUIDE NOMADIC FAMILY IN TSAGAAN NUUR VILLAGE

After breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up from your hotel, and afford you to the airport for a domestic flight to Murun, a provincial town of Northern Mongolia. After you arrive in Murun, our local driver will pick you up from Murun airport with his guaranteed 4WD vehicle and drive to a nomadic family in Tsagaan Nuur soum, the northernmost soum of Mongolia. En route to the nomadic family, you will enjoy the stunning backdrop as you drive around 6 hours north, towards the breathtaking alpine-like scene. Once we reach the home of a nomadic family, you have an opportunity to learn about their lifestyle including how they milk cows, how they take care of their herds in the vast pasture land, and also you will get a chance to try what nomadic people do in their daily life. Overnight in a ger with a nomadic family.

• Travel time: From Murun to the nomadic family, approximately 6-7 hours on a dirt road. As a rural area, the road condition is not good and bumpy. The average pace will be 40-60 km/hour, depending on the road and weather conditions due to safety reasons.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: Mongolian traditional “ger” – a round-shaped felt dwelling with no separate rooms, and no shower, no water from the wall, and no western toilet. We will spend the night in the same ger with the nomadic family.

DAY 3:

HORSE TREK TO TAIGA, THE HOME OF REINDEER HERDERS

Today we will have breakfast with a nomadic family, then load our luggage on a horseback, and head to the Taiga forest by horseback riding, which is the only way to reach Taiga. After approximately 6 hours of horseback riding, we will reach the Taiga forest, and meet the Reindeer herders’ family. En route to the Taiga, we will cross rivers, muddy mountains, and dense forest covered steep mountains. Once we reach there, we will meet one of the reindeer herders’ families and learn about their life in the Taiga region. Overnight in a teepee in the Northern Mongolian Taiga.

• Travel time: From the nomadic family to the Taiga forest, approximately 5-6 hours by a horseback ride through beautiful Boreal forests and mountain-steppe.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: Reindeer herders’ teepee – we call it “ortz” or “urts”. We will spend 2 nights being hosted by the Reindeer herder(Tsaatan people) family. Our accommodation will be basic as the life of the Tsaatan is basic. We do not try to change the Tsaatan or their way of life for our own benefit or comfort.  The Tsaatan people live in canvas teepees. We will sleep in a separate “ortz” provided by the family. The number of people in 1 teepee will depend on the Tsaatan Family’s possibility. In our previous tours, an averagely of 3 guests stayed in 1 teepee. Even you may sleep in the Tsaatan family’s home with the family. In either circumstance, you will more than likely have to sleep on the floor on your Thermarest.

DAY 4:

A LEISURE DAY WITH REINDEER HERDERS’ TRIBE

Today is a free day in the Taiga Forest with the Tsaatan Family. Today we will be a part of the Tsaatan family by having breakfast with the Tsaatan family, talking with the family members, helping them to do their daily routine, helping them to herd their reindeer, wandering through the boreal forest and photographing, experiencing the real wilderness and experiencing the Tsaatan people’s everyday way of life. The Tsaatan people do ride their reindeer but this is not for tourism entertainment and we do not promote it to our guests. As our animal welfare policy, reindeer should not carry more than half their body weight, and we should consider our body weight. However, at times our guests are invited to ride on a reindeer at the invitation of the owner of the reindeer. It is not something we pre-arrange as we do not arrange any artificial experiences as they damage the culture, the way of life and the animals.  Often the Tsaatan people sell items made from the reindeer antlers but they are careful to harvest only from healthy animals. We support the purchasing of these items as they do not endanger the survival of the reindeer and also help to contribute directly to the local economy.

• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation will be the same teepee you sleep in the last night.

DAY 5:

HORSE TREKKING BACK TO THE NOMADIC FAMILY AND OUR VEHICLE

It is time to say goodbye to the reindeer and reindeer herders’ family and load our luggage on the horseback and head back to our vehicle in the Tsagaan Nuur soum for our next destination. At the end of the day, we will meet again the nomadic family and stay with the family once again. Overnight in a ger with the nomadic family in Northern Mongolia.

• Travel time: From Taiga Forest to the nomadic family, approximately 5-6 hours by a horseback ride through beautiful Boreal forests and mountain-steppe.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: Mongolian traditional “ger” – a round-shaped felt dwelling with no separate rooms, and no shower, no water from the wall, and no western toilet. We will spend the night in the same ger with the nomadic family.

DAY 6:

DRIVE TO KHUVSUL LAKE

Early morning, we will pack up and drive to Khuvsgul Lake. Along the way to the lake, we will pass through Darkhad depression, which has an alpine-like landscape including snow-capped sumptuous mountains, turquoise blue lakes, and freely grazing animals through green valleys. Khuvsgul Lake is the deepest and the 2nd most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia. The lake is surrounded by snow-topped mountain ranges from its west side, and by flat-topped mountains with slopping mountainsides, covered by forest from the east side. Once we reach Khuvsgul Lake, we will check-in to our ger camp on the west shore of the lake which means you will see the view of the lake just outside of your ger’s door. Overnight in a ger camp on the lakeshore.

• Travel time: From the nomadic family to Khuvshul Lake approximately 130 km on the asphaltic road, and 160 km on a dirt road. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will stay in an environment-friendly ger camp on Khuvsgul Lake’s shore. One ger will be shared with 2 guests.

DAY 7:

A LEISURE DAY ON KHUVSGUL LAKE’S SHORE

We will have breakfast at the camp, and today you have options for the excursion including a boat cruise of approximately 1 hour in the lake, horse trekking on the lakeshore averagely of 1 hour or kayaking in the lake. In the afternoon, you have time to relax on the lakeshore. Overnight in a ger camp on the lakeshore.

• Travel time: We will ride a horse around the lakeshore
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will stay in an environment-friendly ger camp on Khuvsgul Lake’s shore. One ger will be shared with 2 guests.

DAY 8:

VISIT A MONGOLIAN NOMADIC FAMILY

After breakfast, we will pack up and head for an off-road journey to the village Shine-Ider in Khuvsgul province. At the end of approximately 5 hours of driving, we will reach a nomadic family. When we are in a nomadic family, we have an opportunity to learn about their lifestyle including how they milk cows, how they take care of their herds in the vast pasture land, and also you will get a chance to try what nomadic people do in daily life. Overnight in a ger with a nomadic family.

• Travel time: From Khuvsgul Lake to the nomadic family approximately 130 km on the asphaltic road, and 160 km on a dirt road. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: Today we will be invited by our community-based tour programme member, our long term cooperative family. The host family offers 3 extra “gers”, our group will share a ger with 2-4 other members of the group. Mongolian traditional “ger” – a round-shaped felt dwelling with no separate rooms, and no shower, no water from the wall, and no western toilet. Asian style outside long-drop toilet.

DAY 9:

TRAVEL TO MONGOLIA’S WHITE LAKE

On this day we will drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake also called “White Lake, which is elevated at 2,060 m above sea level, and surrounded by an extinct volcano named Khorgo, which contains spectacular combinations of ebony forest-covered mountain scenery and rocky formations formed by volcanic eruptions. The Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake is registered in Ramsar’s Convention because many rare species of birds including whooper swan, shelduck, common heron, great white egret, and bar-headed goose gather here. Once we arrive in Khorgo – Terkh National Park, we will climb up to the extinct volcano, and saunter on the shore of the lake for bird watching. Overnight in a ger camp.

• Travel time: From the nomadic family to White Lake approximately 130 km on the asphaltic road, and 160 km on a dirt road. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will stay in a community-based eco ger camp on the lakeshore. 2 guests will stay in one ger.

DAY 10:

RELAX AT TSENHER HOT SPRING

This morning, we will have breakfast at the ger camp, and continue our journey to Tsenkher hot spring. The host spring is the 2nd hottest spring in Mongolia, elevated at 1860 m above sea level. Water from this geological spectacle emerges to the ground at 87°C with a flow rate of 101/sec. The composition of sodium carbonate, hydro-carbonate, sulphur and other chemical ingredients have healing properties for some ailments. Facilities include outdoor pools (separately for men and women), showers, and both cosy gers and houses. In the afternoon, we will drive to a village for visit to Zayan Gegeen Monastery, founded in the 17th century, housed over 1000 monks before its closing in the 1930s. Overnight in a ger camp.

• Travel time: From Terkhin Tsagaan Lake to the hot springs approximately 190 km on the asphaltic road and 30-40 km on a dirt road.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation:: We will stay in a hot spring-based resort. (2 guests in a twin room or in a ger). Shower, and western toilet.

DAY 11:

VISIT KHARKHORIN THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF THE MONGOLIA EMPIRE

Our team will head to Kharkhorin city. The city had existed as a capital for the world’s largest contiguous empire through over 40 years. In Kharkhorin city, we will visit a museum, has many exhibitions which show the history of Mongolian nomadic life from hunter gatherers’ period till most powerful and consummate empire throughout the world. After the museum, we will visit Erdenezuu monastery, the biggest Buddhist Monastery Museum in Mongolia. Which has many expensive and precious Buddhist artworks from the 17th century including mould deities of gold and silver, thankas, split paintings and manuscripts. In the evening before sunset, you have time to wander on the bank of the Orkhon River. Overnight in a ger camp.

• Travel time: From the hot spring to Kharkhorin, approximately 120 km on the asphaltic road and 40 km on a dirt road.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional ger camp on the Orkhon River’s shore. The Ger camp has a western toilet & shower. 

DAY 12:

DRIVE TO KHUSTAIN NURUU NATIONAL PARK

We will pack up and continue our journey to Khustain Nuruu National park. The national park is famous for its unique inhabitants such as the world’s last species of truly wild horses named ‘Przewalski’s horse’, Asiatic red deer, roe deer, mountain sheep ‘Argali’, ibex, and lynx. Once we arrive in Khustain Nuruu National park, we will watch a documentary movie about the ‘Przewalski’s horse’, and you will get a glimpse of rarely seen Takhi, the wild horse in nature. Overnight in a ger camp in the national park.

• Travel time: 300 km on the asphaltic road. Approximately 6-7 hours of driving. An average pace of 50-80 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will sleep in a ger camp. (2 guests in a twin room). Shower, and western toilet.

DAY 13:

DRIVE BACK TO ULAANBAATAR CITY

In the morning, we will have breakfast at the camp and drive back to Ulaanbaatar city. En route to the capital city, we will behold the Mongolian pristine steppe landscape. We will arrive in Ulaanbaatar city in the afternoon, and you have time for visiting the world’s number one cashmere store and Mongolian souvenir shops or relax in your hotel until dinner. In the evening, our farewell dinner will take place in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.

• Travel time: 80 km on the asphaltic road. An average pace of 50-80 km/hour, depending on the weather and road conditions.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

DAY 14:

DEPARTURE

Today is the end of the “Discover Taiga Forest Mongolia 2022” tour. Our team will transfer you to the airport in time for your international flight. Have a nice trip back to your home and thank you for choosing Way To Nomads.

• Meal(s): Breakfast
• Transport: Transfer to the airport from the hotel by vehicle.

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