About Mongolian Tsaatan Reindeer Herders' Trip:
Wandering through the northern part of Mongolia by horseback ride is an eye-opening yet challenging experience for the solo adventurers. The north of Mongolia will amaze you with its breathtaking alpine landscapes, unique Darkhad nomads’ warm hospitality, their peaceful way of nomadic life, and a hidden gem in the far northern Taiga – the Reindeer herders’ home, and their idiosyncratic traditions.
This Mongolian adventure tour by begins with the Ulaanbaatar city tour including visits of key spots about nomadic history, tradition, culture & religion and nomadic folk art performances. Then head off from the modern-day crowds into a beautiful Darkhad valley between crystal clear lakes and streams, surrounded by steep sumptuous Khoridol Saridag Mountains. Meet there a nomadic family, spend days with nomads, experience their way of life, and do three-day horse trekking to the hidden gem Taiga forest to find and meet Mongolia Reindeer herders and visit a Mongolian shaman.
Highlights of Your Tsaatan Adventure Include:
- Authentic Cultural Immersion: Experience the traditional lifestyle of the Tsaatan reindeer herders, learning about their history, spirituality, and how they rely on reindeer for food, transportation, and clothing.
- Reindeer Herding and Tending: Take part in the ancient practice of herding and tending to the reindeer alongside the Tsaatan people, gaining insight into their close-knit relationship with these majestic animals.
- Explore the Rugged Beauty of Northern Mongolia: Trek through the unspoiled wilderness of the Khuvsgul region, with opportunities for hiking, photography, and discovering the natural wonders of Mongolia’s northernmost reaches.
- Traditional Tsaatan Cuisine: Savor the local food made from reindeer milk, meat, and other traditional ingredients, offering a unique taste of Mongolia’s northern delicacies.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar International Airport, we will welcome you and other guests at the airport and transfer you to the city center. Today we explore some of famous places in Ulaanbaatar city including Chinggis Khaan Museum, Sukhbaatar Square – the main square of the city, Gandan Monastery – biggest active buddhist pilgrimage center in the country, Bogd Khaan Palace, – a palace museum where Mongolia’s last monarch was living and if time permits, we visit Zaisan Hill Memorial Statue which provides a panoramic view for Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we watch a traditional art performance.
- Transfer to Hotel from Ulaanbaatar New International Airport, about 35 km, and Ulaanbaatar City tour.
- Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation:You will stay in a centrally located, good-facility hotel, Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar or similar.
Today we take a domestic flight to Murun, a provincial town in the northernmost region of Mongolia. After we got to Murun, we explore the rural town and get acquainted with life of the locals. Overnight in a provincial hotel.
- Travel time: from Ulaanbaatar to Murun, domestic flight takes about 2 hours.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation: We will stay in a provincial twin-based hotel.
Today we drive north to visit a nomadic herdsman family near Tsagaan Nuur village where is the closest village to the Tsaatan community. We get to the horse breeder family in the afternoon, we spend the evening with that family and overnight in their extra ger (yurt) offered for travelers.
- Travel time: From Murun to horse breeder family, drive on dirt road about 7 hours, but driving time depends hugely on road and climate condition.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional Mongolian ger. Long-drop loo, and no shower.
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 shamans 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 Taiga, approximately 6 hours of horseback ride through beautiful Boreal forests and mountain steppe.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation: Reindeer herders’ teepee – we call it “ortz” or “urts”. We will spend 3 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 a teepee will depend on the Tsaatan Family’s possibility. In our previous tours, an averagely of 3 guests stayed in a 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.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
- Accommodation will be the same teepee you sleep in the last night.
It is time to say “bayartai!” to the reindeer and reindeer herders’ community and load our luggage on the horseback and head back to our vehicle near the Tsagaan Nuur soum for our next destination. At the end of the day, we will meet again with the nomadic family and stay with the family once again. Overnight in a ger with a nomadic family in Northern Mongolia.
- Travel time: From Taiga Forest to the nomadic family, approximately 5-6 hours by 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, no shower, no water from the wall, and no western toilet.
Today we head down towards Lake Khuvsgul. Since the road to get to lake Khuvsgul is not good and long, we will spend the night in another nomadic family’s ger on the way around Khoridol Saridag Mountains.
- Travel time: from the horseman’s family to Khoridol Saridag mountains, approximately 6 hours off road driving.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation:You will stay in a traditional Mongolian ger. Long-drop loo, and no shower.
Early morning, we 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 Khoridol Saridag mountains to Khuvshul Lake approximately 180 km on and off road, but driving time hugely depends 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.
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.
Early morning, we will have breakfast say “bayartai!” to Khuvsgul province and head out to Murun to catch domestic flight to UB. We’ll get back to UB 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 take place in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.
- Travel time: flight between Murun and UB lasts about 2 hours.
- Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Drinking water.
- Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located, good-facility hotel, Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar or similar.
Today is the end of the “Mongolian Tsaatan Trail” trip. 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 Mongolia.
- Transport: Transfer to the airport from the hotel by vehicle.
Group size: minimum 4 travellers and maximum 8 travellers
- 6 Guests: $2175 US per person.
- Accommodations: 2 nights in centrally located good-facility hotel in Ulaanbaatar, 1 night in a provincial hotel in Murun, 3 nights in nomadic family’s ger, 3 nights in the teepee, 2 nights in a ger camp on lake shore.
Domestic round-trip flight tickets [Ub-Murun-Ub]
Guiding and interpreting service
Meals and drinking water mentioned in the itinerary
Transportation: vehicle 4×4 or minivan
Horseback riding fee
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance tickets
Nomadic family and Tsaatan community visit
- International airfare(s) to/from Ulaanbaatar
- Single room supplement
- Personal equipment
- Optional activity cost
- Excess baggage charges
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
Mystical Tsaatan Trail group dates for summer 2025
Departure number | Departure date | Group size | Price [per person] in USD |
|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | June 25, 2025 | 6 | $2175 |
Group 2 | July 21, 2025 | 6 | $2280 |
Group 3 | August 13, 2025 | 6 | $2175 |
Please send email to us about available seats of your concerned departure date for this trip.
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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