Discover one of Mongolia’s most extraordinary adventures — a guided small group tour that combines the mystical Tsaatan reindeer herders in the Taiga with the unforgettable Mongolian holiday — Naadam Festival. This 2026 set-date departure is designed for travelers who want both adventure and authentic cultural immersion.
Experience the Tsaatan Reindeer Herders
Travel deep into northern Mongolia’s Taiga forests and East Sayan Mountains, where the nomadic Tsaatan families live in traditional teepees and herd reindeer. On horseback, follow ancient trails across the Tengis–Shishged River Valley, spend nights in family-owned gers or tents, and learn first-hand about their spiritual connection with nature.
Celebrate the Naadam Festival
After the trek, return to the steppe to witness Mongolia’s most important celebration — the Naadam Festival. Watch thrilling horse racing, wrestling, and archery, explore local festivities, and experience the vibrant national pride that fills the air every July.
Why Choose This Small Group Tour?
Travel with a small group (max 6 travelers) for a personal, authentic experience.
Guided by experienced local teams with English-speaking guide, driver, and horse handlers.
Balanced itinerary of cultural immersion, trekking, and festival celebration.
Comfortable overnights in ger camps, nomadic family stays, and camping during the trek.
Day-by-day itinerary
Meet the trip group and start your Mongolian adventure with a city tour. Visit key landmarks including Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery, the National Museum and traditional art concert before enjoying a welcome dinner.
- Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Centrally located 4-star hotel – Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar or similar.
Fly to Murun, the capital of Khuvsgul Province. Discover the town’s lively market and prepare for the journey north.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner.
- Accommodation: Provincial small hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up from your hotel, aTravel by 4×4 through rugged steppe and forest landscapes toward Ulaan Uul, a remote settlement near the Darhad Valley.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: A local family owned small ger camp.
Continue to Tsagaan Nuur settlement, close to the Russian border. Here we meet our collaborating horse-herder family, who will guide us into the Taiga.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Nomadic family’s ger
Ride into the Taiga forests of the East Sayan Mountains. Cross rivers, valleys, and larch forests until reaching the camp of the Tsaatan reindeer herders.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Reindeer herder’s teepee.
Spend a full day among the Tsaatan people in the Tengis–Shishged National Park area. Learn about reindeer herding, shamanic traditions, and daily life in the Taiga.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Reindeer herder’s teepee
Horseback journey through alpine meadows and along the Tengis–Shishged River Valley with breathtaking views of the East Sayan Mountains. Overnight in tents or teepees.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping tents
Ride back to the Tsagaan Nuur region and reunite with our host nomadic family. Experience local hospitality and rest from the trek.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Nomadic family’s ger
Return across the Darhad Depression and forested valleys to Murun town.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: 50/100 hotel in Murun town, accommodation is twin based.
Celebrate Mongolia’s biggest cultural festival. Witness the “Three Manly Games” — wrestling, horse racing, and archery — while enjoying local festivities in Murun or Khatgal near Lake Khuvsgul.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: Provincial hotel or ger camp, depending on Naadam festival’s location.
Take a domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel for a farewell evening.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar or similar.
Group price:
- : $2780 US per person.
- Accommodations: 3 nights at 4-star hotels, 1 night at a provincial hotel, 2 nights at superior ger camps, 2 nights at nomadic ger, 2 nights at reindeer herder’s teepee.
- Meals per itinerary: breakfast-10, lunch-10, dinner-10 + drinking water
- Museums and cultural performance
- Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
- Professional tourist guide
- Vehicle: off-road monster 4×4 furgon with well experienced driver + fuel
- Transportation; to/from airport.
- Domestic flight tickets: UB-Murun-UB
- Camping equipment: tent, matt.
- Naadam festival opening ticket
- International airfare(s) to/from Ulaanbaatar
- Personal equipment
- Optional activity cost
- Excess baggage charges
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
Pictures from this tour
A reindeer herder woman near Tsagan Nuur soum
Khoridol Saridag Mountain from Darkhad Valley
Reindeer Herders in their summer pasture land
Our driver & guide in Taiga
Our solo traveller is riding a reindeer in Taiga forest
Our horse trekk team is on the way up to Taiga
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