Tour Description

Winter in Mongolia extends from the middle of November until the end of February and is the off-peak season for travellers. But this time of the year in Mongolia is an exceptionally beautiful period to experience awesome “nomadic” adventures and scenic landscapes far from any crowds. Additionally, it’s a cheaper way to create heroic memories and has more chances to get connected with real nomads. Keep in mind that a well-prepared trip with proper packing and a good vehicle is the key factor that makes your Mongolian winter experience amazing.

In this 13-day Winter Adventure tour with the Mongolian Lunar New year celebration, we will traverse through the nomadic capital Ulaanbaatar, and its highlights including the National Museum, Choijin Lama Temple, Gandan monastery with nomadic cultural performances. Afterwards, we will leave the city and hover into the nomadic wintertime wilderness. In course of the journey, we will drive to northern regions with alpine-like landscapes covered by snow, to meet a nomadic horse breeder family &  reindeer herders [Tsaatan Tribe] by both 4×4 drive and horseback ride. Once we meet the reindeer herders, we will celebrate Mongolian Lunar New Year with our host nomadic family. Horse sleighing across frozen lakes and through snow-covered forests, wildlife photographing through boreal forest and rolling steppes, stargazing under crystal clear sky with no light pollutions, celebrating Mongolian Lunar New Year with nomads, discovering the last surviving nomadic culture will be the highlights of this Mongolian tour.

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.

Don’t let the cold stand in your way! Our experienced team would not make you feel cold. We provide our guests with the nomadic traditional coat (a winter ‘deel’ with sheepskin insulate), goatskin blankets for insulating the horse sleighs and felt boots.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1(Feb 03, 2024):

ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR CITY & INTRODUCTION

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 a visit to 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 the Gandan Monastery. The monastery is the largest and most significant Buddhist monastery in Ulaanbaatar city with over 200 years old. If time permits, we will visit the Zaisan Hill memorial, the hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in a hotel.

• 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(Feb 04, 2024):

DRIVE TO KHARKHORIN VIA SEMI GOBI DESERT

After breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up from your hotel, and begin the Mongolian journey. Today we will visit Kharkhorin town, the town had existed as the capital for the world’s largest contiguous empire through over 40 years. En route to the town, we will drive through Elsen Tasarkhai [Semi Gobi] in central Mongolia. It is a unique place with three different forms of the natural landscape; a combination of Gobi sand dunes, green steppe, and rocky mountains. Here we will visit a camel breeder family to learn to milk and ride a Bactrian camel. Bactrian camels have two humps which makes them very comfortable to ride than Arabian camels. After the camel breeder family, we will continue the journey to the town. 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: 360 km on the asphaltic road. Approximately 6 hours of driving, but have photo breaks en route to Kharkhorin.
• 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 3(Feb 05, 2024):

VISIT TSETSERLEG, A PROVINCIAL TOWN IN CENTRAL MONGOLIA

After breakfast, we will drive north to Tsetserleg, a provincial town in Arkhangay aimag. Once we arrive, we will explore this winter town, and visit the local museums and drink hot coffee. We will stay in a local guest house.

• Travel time: 160 km paved road. Approximately 3-4 hours. But in winter, the road becomes slippery which means the average pace will be 50-70 km/hour, depending on the road and weather conditions due to safety reasons. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsetserleg town

DAY 4(Feb 06, 2024):

VISIT NOMADIC FAMILY IN JARGALANT SOUM

After breakfast, we will pack up and head for an off-road journey to the village Jargalant 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 the town to the nomadic family, approximately 7 hours on a dirt road. As a rural area, and in wintertime, the road condition is not good, slippery and bumpy. The average pace will be 35-60 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 5(Feb 07, 2024):

DRIVE TO MURUN, A PROVINCIAL TOWN IN NORTHERN MONGOLIA 

Today we will wake up at the same with nomadic people, and acquainted with their morning routes and will have a warm breakfast with the family in their cosy ger. After breakfast, we will pack up and head for the long, yet for an incredibly scenic drive to Murun town. 

• Travel time: From the nomadic family to Murun town, approximately 5 hours of drive.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: 50/100 hotel in Murun town

DAY 6(Feb 08, 2024):

VISIT NOMADIC FAMILY IN ULAAN UUL SOUM

In the morning we will expand our winter escape closer to the taiga forest. Today we will visit a nomadic horse breeder family in the Darkhad Depression of Ulaan Uul soum. Which is a beautiful valley surrounded by sumptuous Khoridal Saridag Mountains. The Winter view of this valley, and the mountains are picturesque. Before dusk falls, we will reach the nomadic family in their winter pasture. The family is a traditional nomad, moves at least 5 to 6 times in a year through places. We will spend the night with this family, we have been working together for years now through our community-based tour programme. They will tell you their nomadic stories and show us their traditions of centuries old. 

• Travel time: From Murun to the nomadic family, approximately 6-7 hours on a dirt road. As a rural area, and in wintertime, the road condition is not good, slippery and bumpy. The average pace will be 35-60 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 7(Feb 09, 2024):

HEAD OFF TO THE MYSTICAL TAIGA

After having breakfast with the nomadic family, we load our pieces of luggage on horseback, leave our vehicles (as landscapes become difficult to access with a car) and begin our trek to the Taiga Forest by horseback ride. The Taiga Forest is a home for Reindeer Herders (Tsaatan People), a small ethnic group of Mongolia. En route to the home of Reindeer herders, we will ride through mountains and forests covered by snows. In the afternoon, we will reach our main place, and meet Reindeer Herders. Spend the evening with nomadic Tsaatan families by discussing their life and getting acquainted with their culture.

• 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 8(Feb 10, 2024):

LEISURE DAY WITH REINDEER HERDERS

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. Due to 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 reindeer herders’ economy.

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

DAY 9(Feb 11, 2024):

HEAD BACK TO NOMADIC FAMILY

After having a last breakfast with our Tsaatan friends, we will say farewell to them and load our pieces of luggage on the horseback, and head down to the horse breeder family where we left our vehicle. In the evening we will reach the nomadic family, and we spend the night with the family.

• 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 10(Feb 12, 2024):

DRIVE BACK TO MURUN TOWN

After having breakfast with the horse breeder family, we will drive back to Murun, the provincial town we visited on the 5th day of our journey. From the nomadic family to the town, we will make short photo breaks through a beautiful river shore and some other photogenic spots in the winter wonderland. In the evening, we will reach the town, and will do a short exploration through the town. We will stay in the same hotel we stayed in on the 5th day. 

• Travel time: From Ulaan Uul soum to the town, approximately 5-6 hours of drive on the dirt road. The road becomes slippery in winter. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: 50/100 hotel in Murun town

DAY 11(Feb 13, 2024):

VISIT ERDENET CITY

With an easy morning, we head back from Murun town to Erdenet city through a winter wonderland – Khuvsul and Bulgan province. En route to Erdenet city, we will stop over Selenge River, a beautiful river and one of the biggest rivers run through Mongolia. In the evening, we will reach Erdenet city. Once we arrive in Erdenet, we will have dinner, and stay in a town hotel

• Travel time: From Murun town to Erdenet city, it takes approximately 5-6 hours of drive on a paved road. But in winter, the road becomes slippery which means the average pace will be 50-70 km/hour, depending on the road and weather conditions due to safety reasons. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: in a town hotel

DAY 12(Feb 14, 2024):

DRIVE BACK TO ULAANBAATAR

We will arrive back in Ulaanbaatar city in the afternoon. On arrival back into Ulaanbaatar, transfer you to a centrally located hotel in Ulaanbaatar and the rest of the day will be yours to create your own experience. You can get help from our team to guide you through souvenir shops, cashmere factory stores, or go anywhere. In the evening, the farewell dinner will take place near your hotel. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in time for the farewell dinner, and drop you back at the hotel after the dinner. 

• 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 13(Feb 15, 2024):

DEPARTURE

Today is the end of the Mongolian Winter & Tsagaan Sar 2024 Tour. Our team will transfer you to the airport in time for your international flight. Have a nice & safe trip back to your home and thank you for choosing Expedics Travel Mongolia. 

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