Horse Riding To Reindeer Herders-Tsaatans
About this tour
DURATION: 19 days
GROUP SIZE: 2-10
HIGHLIGHTS: Central Mongolia, Huwsgul lake, Reindeer herders, Darkhad Valley
COVERED DISTANCE: Apx:2500km
TRANSPORTATION: Japanese 4WD jeep or Russian mini Van 4x4 UAZ
Tsaatans are living at the border of Mongolia and Russia. Now they are around 100 families and they are divided into two main groups. It is called Western and Eastern Taiga. Also, they are herding over 2000 reindeer in the mountain area. From the village of Tsagaannuur, we go to East and West Taiga to meet the reindeer family. The Tsaatan people mainly live from hunting, and gathering plants and use a very large part of their reindeer milk, which is incredibly rich with fat and vitamins. The reindeer herders and their traditional teepee is the heart of Tsaatan culture. On this tour, we are going to EAST Taiga to meet reindeer herders.
For the whole tour, we will provide all the camping pieces of equipment, including camping showers, tents, sleeping bags, matrasses, etc...
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Arriving to Ulaanbaatar You will land in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. At the airport, you will meet your translator who will take you to the city center, and on the way there you will be shown where to change currency if you wish to. If your flight arrives early, you will be taken on a city tour on this first day. Your luggage will be dropped off at your hotel before you enjoy the city tour. During the city tour, you will see the central square of Ulaanbaatar city, called Chinggis Khaan square. Then you will visit the Mongolian national historical museum and the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the center of Mongolian Buddhism. At 6 pm there is a concert played by the Mongolian Tumen Ekh Ensemble. it takes 1 hour. After that, you will be taken back to your hotel where you can relax before the trip, and then see you tomorrow!
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Khiid, Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar to Amarbayasgalant Monastery 350 km After an early breakfast, you will be collected by your interpreter, chef, and driver, and start the long journey to Amarbayasgalant Monastery. This is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. The road is long, but there will be a break for lunch, prepared by your chef, where you will be able to enjoy the unique scenery, Our first camping will take place close to the mountains and where you can enjoy dinner in the quiet outdoors. breakfast- at the hotel lunch- on the road dinner- by your team accommodation-tent
Day 3: Amarbayasgalant Khiid, Mongolia to Uran Togoo Dead Volcano, Mongolia
Amarbayasgalant to Uran Togoo old volcano 250 km Today we will drive to the Mongolian old volcano, Uran Togoo. This is an extinct volcano whose crater reaches 1686 meters above the ground and It’s one of the most beautiful and the most famous volcano in Mongolia. A hike along a footpath through the Siberian larches will lead you to the crater. You will see a surprising variety of plants, a small lake, also many birds and insects. This beautiful volcano was active 20 to 25 million years ago. Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation-tent
Day 4: Uran Togoo Dead Volcano, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
Uran Togoo to Hovsgol lake 450 km This day will be a long driving day, Today’s destination is Lake Hövsgöl. On the way, we will drive through Moron city, which is the capital of Khuvsgul province. Before you reach Moron city we will have our lunch. In Moron, we can visit the local container market to charge for something that you need. then continue on our journey to Khatgal village, where you will come to the tourist camp near the mountain forest on the shore of Lake Hovsgol. At the tourist camp, you will rest in a Mongolian traditional ger (yurt). Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team, on the road dinner- at tourist camp accommodation-ger / yurt /
Day 5: Murun, Mongolia to 50.654671, 100.253978
Tourist Camp to Khar Us 25km Today is the first day of horse riding! Following the next few days, you will go on horseback, riding on the shore of the scenic Lake Hovsgol. In the morning, after breakfast, you start horse riding, Your car will go another way because the next three days the road is too bumpy, rocky and so muddy we will see our car 3 days later. From the car, you need to take your luggage or something that you need for the next 3 days. On the way, you will have lunch between the lake and the forest. It will be a nice beginning to ride along the shore of beautiful Hovsgol lake. Your guides will find the best place to camp next to the lake and you will have a nice dinner and campfire with your team. Breakfast- at tourist camp lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation-tent
Day 6: 50.654671, 100.253978 to 50.931688, 100.252084
Khar Us to Horidol Saridag Mount Jigleg pass 20 km You will continue riding along lake Hövsgöl you will have a nice view into the Taiga zone covered with forest along the ridge of Khoridol Saridag mountains. This time you will camp by the river and we are leaving the lake zone. Today you will ride passing the mountains. Which is named the JIgleg pass. This place is very beautiful and peaceful. If we are lucky we can see wild animals from these high mountain areas. From Jigleg mountain it is starting Darkhad valley. The Darkhad Valley is a large valley in northwestern Khövsgöl Mongolia. It is situated between the Ulaan Taiga and Khoridol Saridag ranges at an altitude of about 1800 m, about 160 km long, and 60 km wide. The area is 4270 km². It was transferred from the People's Republic of Tannu Tuva to the Mongolian People's Republic in 1925 as a Soviet concession to the Mongolians, who had wanted to incorporate the territory of Tannu Uriankhai into their country. The valley is rich in lakes and rivers, the biggest of which is Dood Tsagaan Lake and Shishged River, respectively. The area is noted for its natural environment, but relatively remote and inaccessible even by Mongolian standards. The Darkhad valley is divided between the Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhümbe, and Tsagaannuur, soums./villages/ Inhabitants are mainly Darkhad (whom the valley's name derives from), and also some Tsaatan families-reindeer herders. Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation-tent
Day 7: 50.931688, 100.252084 to 51.045176, 100.084278
Horidol Saridag to Arsai river 25 km Today, you will ride in the valley of Arsai River, along with the scenic and tranquil natural forests. you will continue your journey to the Darkhad Valley along the Arsai river which is the longest river in the Darkhad valley. The Darkhad Valley is surrounded by high mountains and many groups of ethnic nomad families are still living here for a long time. This evening we meet our car, it will be waiting for us at our camping place. Our camping will be close to the village of Renchinlkhumbe. like 15kms. Breakfast- by your team lunch-by your team dinner-by your team accommodation-tent
Day 8: 51.045176, 100.084278 to 51.295421, 99.773870
Arsai River to Hodon River 20 km The journey continues through the steppes of the beautiful Darkhad Valley From this day we can see more wide big steppes we can do galloping and cantering more. If we are reaching early at our camping spot we can have a swim in the cool and fresh Hodon river. The car will follow us from today in case you want to take or leave some of your belongings in it. We will camp next to the river Khodon Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation-tent
Day 9: 51.295421, 99.773870 to 51.398071, 99.494255
Khodon River to Burgast lake 25 km We will continue our horse riding to enjoy the sight of the lakes, rivers, and steppe. In the morning we are riding to Tsestedt Nuur-Lake of Flowers. The lake is not so big but it is very beautiful and it is covered by lotus plants. Our lunch will be on the side of the unique "Flower" lake. After lunch, we will through the steppe and cross the Sharga river by the bridge. Continue riding to Lake Burgast. The camping spot will be next to the lake. The Darkhad Valley is a great water basin with over 800 big and small rivers and lakes too. In the Darkhad Valley, we will see and cross many rivers. Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation-tent
Day 10: 51.398071, 99.494255 to 51.563597, 99.414459
Lake Burgast to Nomad 25 km Today we continue our riding on the steppe to the Khogorgo river to the Mongolian Darkhad nomad family. Here we will spend one night with the family. Staying with a nomadic family will offer you a unique insight into their nomadic lifestyle. You can even help them with some of their chores to learn about their ways and culture. Also, when you are staying with a nomad family it is a nice chance to learn about their lifestyle and help with their cow milking and yak milking. This night we will stay in Mongolian Ger Breakfast- by your team lunch-by your team dinner-by nomad family accommodation-ger /yurt/
Day 11: 51.563597, 99.414459 to 51.717690, 99.420118
Nomad to Tsaatan Reindeer herders 20 km Early this morning, you will have to gather anything you might need for the next 4 days, as you will continue your horse riding without the car. All your equipment and your personal belongings will be carried by horses like before we did. You will be traveling through the Taiga zone and camping in the mountain area. It takes two full days of riding to reach their summer camping spot. If we are lucky we could even see some exciting, wild animals! Here is a little bit about tsaatans The inhospitable border area of Eastern Sayan Mountain between Russia and Mongolia, where the Subarctic begins, is called home by the nomadic tribe Tsaatan also known as Dukha, Dukhans, or Duhalar. They have learned how to live in peace together with reindeer as a form of symbiosis. Humans take care of animals. In return, they receive free milk, transportation for their camps, and occasionally fur for making winter clothes. Today there are less than 70 families left. The name Tsaatan means ‘those who have reindeer herders’ in the Mongolian language. breakfast-by your team lunch-by your team dinner-by your team accommodation-tent
Day 12: 51.717690, 99.420118 to 51.899240, 99.357992
From camping spot to Reindeer herders 20 km We ride along the river and through the mountains heading to your next destination: The Tsaatan families are getting closer. You will spend the night in their traditional teepees. It will be already prepared for us. The Tsaatans are very interesting people, their lifestyle culture, and ways to herd reindeer are fascinating as their shaman culture. They pray to the power of nature. Here you will get to know lots about their culture and about their life We will have lunch between the high mountain and next to the river. After lunch, we can see in the distance the first tepees. Reindeer eat lichens and mosses. High mountains surround us and lead us in the magic of a journey to the ends of the earth. Sit in the teepee, have tea with reindeer milk… Here is the beginning of our encounter with this ancestral people. Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation- traditional teepee of Tsaatan people
Day 13: 51.899240, 99.357992
Resting day Today we can take a rest for the full day. Dedicated to discovering the Tsaatan’s lifestyle. After many days of horse riding, you need a very well-deserved rest. After breakfast, we can help the Tsaatan families, and learn about how they live in the mountains, talk to people about their lifestyle and walk with the children to the top of the mountains, and if you want to ride a reindeer you can ride with Tsaatans and go around the mountains or you can visit the nearby mountain waterfall by reindeer or by hike. Having lunch and dinner will be in the teepee. Their traditional bread is so nice you must try it. After dinner, it will be some part of the evening will be dedicated to shamanism, /if the shaman is possible, your guide will ask and tell you/about the proper spirituality of Tsaatans. Breakfast- by your team lunch- by your team dinner- by your team accommodation- traditional teepee of Tsaatan people
Day 14: 51.899240, 99.357992
Tsaatan to Camping spot 20 km You will leave the reindeer families today, and travel by the mountains and river toward your next camping spot. After a wonderful adventure among the Tsaatans, it's time to find back the horses. We resume our horseback ride. We continue our ride through the taiga and at the end of the day, we reach the banks of the river where we set up our camp. This will be your last day of camping, you can enjoy dinner around the campfire. You will go on the same way back to the camping spot. breakfast-by your team lunch-by your team dinner-by your team accommodation-tent
Day 15: 51.899240, 99.357992 to 51.563597, 99.414459
Taiga to Nomad 20 km This is the last day of your horseback riding trip and it's time to leave the Taiga zone and come to our hosting nomad family. Also, meet with our car! But if you want to ride more, you can ride your horse along the river to a nearby family. Dinner is Mongolian traditional barbeque with a nomadic family. Your guide will tell you all the detailed information about the food. Enjoy the last authentic Mongolian meal prepared by a nomadic family! Last day staying in the nomad’s yurt. breakfast-by your team lunch-by your team dinner- by nomad family barbeque accommodation-ger / yurt /
Day 16: 51.563597, 99.414459 to 51.367866, 99.347606
Nomad to Tsagaannuur 30 km After a wonderful adventure with the Tsaatans, it is time to find our car now. We will drive towards Tsagaannuur village. Today we have a short drive to the next place, so you can stay with the family until lunch. This is only 30 km by car to the Tsagaannuur sum /village/. Tsagaannuur sum is located next to a big lake which we call White Lake. Here you and your team will take a rest for half of the day. In the village, you will stay at a guest house where you can take a well-appreciated shower and even have access to the internet again. /for the whole trip, of course, we will have a shower tent/ Also we can swim in the lake. After dinner, you need to get a good rest and prepare for a long day tomorrow. breakfast-by your team lunch- at a guest house dinner- at a guest house accommodation-small wooden house /guest house/
Day 17: Gurvansaikhan, Mongolia to Tugul, Mongolia
Tsagaannuur to Moron 280 km This morning, we need to get up early and drive to Moron city. Today we have 280 km of dirty and muddy roads. On the way, we will have our lunch. Today is a full day of driving and when we arrive in Moron city we will go directly to our hotel and then to the restaurant for dinner. Around lunch, we will cross Ulaan-uul sum /red mountain village/ it is just 90 km away from Tsagaannuur but the road is bumpy and takes a long time between these places. We will pass big mountains today and after you passed Ulaan-uul sum we are leaving out Darkhad valley. When you are passing Olyin davaa we will stop at the top. It is a lovely place to take a photo or send the drone to the valley. At the top of the Olyin Davaa, you will see 13 Ovoos and pray to nature for a good trip. Ovoos are piles of stones and wood generally located in the passes and in sacred places. Mongolians walk three times around the ovoo making offerings: stones, tugrugs, milk, vodka… Your guide will explain to you all about this place. Olyin Davaa is like a gate of Darkhad valley. breakfast-by your team lunch- takeaway dinner-restaurant in Moron accommodation-hotel
Day 18: Tugul, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
Moron to Ulaanbaatar Flight This is the last day of our trip with your team. From here, you will fly to Ulaanbaatar and you might have to get up early in the morning depending on your flight schedule. The local airport is 10 km from Moron city and here you will leave your team where you can say your thank you and goodbyes to your drivers and chef. Your guide will fly with you. When you arrive in Ulaanbaatar you can go shopping for souvenirs with your team. After that, you will be taken to your hotel where you can say goodbye and thank you for your guide. If you have free time you can go shopping with your guide. You can visit the cashmere factory store and state department store to buy some souvenirs. Your lunch will depend on the time of your flight to UB or in Moron from the restaurant. Breakfast- at the hotel lunch-depend on flight time in Moron or in Ulaanbaatar dinner--------
Day 19: Murun, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
This day is your very last day in Mongolia. Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. The transfer can be organized at whatever time you want, according to the schedule of your flight. Thank you for traveling with us, creating an experience you will never forget! HAVE A GOOD JOURNEY AND SEE YOU SOON
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia