Extraordinarily Taiga Tour Mongolia-9days
About this tour
Take a photo tour to wild Taiga Mountains of Mongolia with an experienced guide. Best travel destinations including Mongolian northern natural beauty Khuvsgul fresh deepest a lake and Taiga (Reindeer people). You will experience Mongolian Tsaatan (reindeer) nomadic culture by visiting local families and there is a chance to meet with reindeer herding families and explore their unique way of life. Take a photo tour of the wild Taiga Mountains of Mongolia with an experienced guide. Tsaatan people live in northern Khuvsgul Aimag of Mongolia. Originally from across the border in what is now the Tuva Republic of Russia, the Tsaatan are one of the last groups of nomadic reindeer herders in the world. They survived for thousands of years inhabiting the remotest subarctic Ulaan Taiga, there are about 400 reindeer people of 80 families in total. They live in tepees. Their livelihood is completely dependent on nature and few heads of reindeer.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia
In the morning, our guide and driver will pick up from your hotel or guesthouse and start our tour. We leave the city before we will pass some shops. After shops directly driving towards AmarBayasgalant monastery for 340 km. Lunch served, on the way. This monastery astonishing in its beauty and design, the monastery’s main temple was completed without the use of a single nail. Incredibly, AmarBayasgalant escaped the fate of many other Buddhist monasteries during the political purges of the 1930s, surviving almost untouched. Overnight is a Ger guesthouse.
Day 2: Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Murun city (Khuvsgul province) for 300 km. Around 200 km, we will stop for lunch served on the way and then continue at around 100 km to the Murun city. Murun city (Khuvsgul province) is the northernmost of the 21 aimags (provinces) of Mongolia. The name is derived from Lake Khuvsgul. This city a transport hub in northern Mongolia that's also the center of civilization in this part of the country. It comes alive in summer when tourists pass through on their way to Khuvsgul Lake. Usually, we will arrive in Murun city at around 18:00 p.m. Head to tonight’s Ger guesthouse.
Day 3: Murun, Mongolia to Ulaan-Uul - Renchinlkhumbe Road, Rinchinlhümbe, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Ulaan-Uul town, nearby living our host Darkhad family. Darkhad people are known in Mongolia by the name “Oirat”. Darkhat and standard Halh, however, are closely related. Nearly all Oirat can read standard Mongolian, even if they may pronounce words differently from standard Halh Mongolian. Lunch served on the way. The Darkhad Valley is a big tectonic depression, nestled between Khoridol-Saridag and Ulaan Taiga Range. Darkhad depression is also surrounded by forest and Taiga including Mongolia’s tallest larch forest near the junction of Jar River and Kharuun River. There are approximately 300 large and small lakes, among them, the biggest is Dood Lake. Over 100 species of fish have been found in the lakes of the depression including white-fish, Taimen, Lenok, Siberian Grayling, Roach and lake Lawyer. Overnight Ger guesthouse.
Day 4: Ulaan-Uul - Renchinlkhumbe Road, Rinchinlhümbe, Mongolia
After breakfast, stay in Darkhad family horse guide will prepare horses for us, and we will only ride horses while there. Only horse riding is possible in this valley. We will load our luggage on horses. And then the ride begins! Starting at the magnificent Taiga, an exhilarating start to the adventure. We will stop picnic lunch and photos on the way. We can have ride horses totally 4-5 hours a day. There are no roads this far north so riding is essential. These mountains are where the true Tsaatan reindeer herders spend their summer months in temporary settlements and can only be reached on horseback. The settlement is usually sited between 40-60 km of the lodge but since the location varies year-on-year we will have to wait until around May to confirm its location, your guide will be well aware of this year’s location and will take you on the most direct route. To visit the Tsaatan is to witness something magical. A relationship between humans and animals that has stood the test of time, and a culture that has a deep respect for the earth and all of its gifts. Deep in the heart of the Mongolian Taiga lives one of the most unique communities in the world, the Tsaatan reindeer herders. For centuries the Tsaatan have survived tucked into the forests of Northern Mongolia, isolated from society and surrounded by their faithful herd of reindeer. And you can see how reindeer people living daily life as well as buy and sell things and have their children receive an education in this hard situation. You can be sure that you will see more interesting things. Overnight at tent and tepees.
Day 5: Ulaan-Uul - Renchinlkhumbe Road, Rinchinlhümbe, Mongolia
Rest and relax day/same place.
Day 6: Ulaan-Uul - Renchinlkhumbe Road, Rinchinlhümbe, Mongolia
Today we ride back to Darkhad family. After having breakfast, we will pack our staff on some packing horse. And then the ride begins! We can have ride horses a total of 4-6 hours. We will stop picnic lunch and photos on the way. And then arrive in the horse guide’s family.
Day 7: Ulaan-Uul - Renchinlkhumbe Road, Rinchinlhümbe, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Khuvsgul lake known as “The Dark Blue Pearl”, Lake Khovsgol is Mongolia's largest and deepest lake. Lunch served on the way. Khuvsgul Lake located in the northernmost province, it is the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in Russia. Khuvsgul lake is 136 km long, 36 km wide, and 262 meters deep and is located at an altitude of 1645 m above sea level and is frozen from January until April or May. It's the second-largest freshwater lake in Central Asia. It's inhabited by species of fish including the Siberian grayling and lenok. Fishing and sport fishing are becoming popular in the lake area. Different ethnic groups live in the area: Khalh, Darhadt, and Buryat. Lake Khovsgol is on the important migration route for birds from Siberia, thus facilitating marvelous opportunities for bird watching. Overnight in Ger guesthouse.
Day 8: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Erdenet, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Erdenet city. Lunch served on the way. Stay nearby Erdenet city. Overnight in a Ger guesthouse.
Day 9: Erdenet, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast drive to Ulaanbaatar city. On the road lunch.
What's included
An English-speaking tour guide at all times (Korean, Chinese languages upon requests) Ger accommodation fees (shower) Meals as a list (breakfast, lunch, dinner) All transports + experienced drivers All sightseeing and entrance fees are mentioned as program Camel Complimentary drinks water during the tour.
Visa fee to Mongolia International and domestic flights & Travels ticket and insurance Check-in and late check-out Ulaanbaatar Tipping and other personal services Camera or video fees Other services not mentioned in it
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia