Snowy Taiga-Winter Tour To Reindeer Herders-Tsaatans
About this tour
DURATION: 10 days
GROUP SIZE: 2-10
HIGHLIGHTS : Central Mongolia, Hovsgol lake, Horidol Saridag Mountains, Darkhad Valley, Tsaatan reindeer herders,
COVERED DISTANCE: Apx:2100km
TRANSPORTATION: Japanese 4WD jeep or Russian mini Van 4x4 UAZ
If you are a fan of white, wintery landscapes, this is the perfect trip for you! This is a wonderful and unique winter trip in which you will be taken to the north of Mongolia to experience, first handed, the Tsaatan’s lifestyle and discover the beautiful Mongolian wintery landscapes. The Tsaatan are a community of reindeer herders living in the northern Khövsgöl Aimag of Mongolia. The name Tsaatan means ‘those who have reindeer’ in the Mongolian language. This trip offers unique opportunities like visiting Tsaatans, driving on a frozen lake, riding on the snow, herding reindeer, and much more!
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Arrive in 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 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. After that, you will be taken to your hotel where you can relax before the trip, and then see you tomorrow!
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia
On this morning, you will meet with your driver and guide at the hotel after breakfast. Then you will start your driving to the countryside. On the way, there will be a supermarket at the edge of the city, where your team will gather groceries and essentials for the trip. Here you can have a wander and get whatever you might want for the trip. Once you hit the road again you will drive for 400 km (5-6 hour drive) to Erdenet city. We will stop at the Amarabaysgalan monastery on the way. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Mongolia and it is a beautiful place Not to be missed. Your guide will fill you in on all the information and history of this ancient monastery. After this monastery, continue driving towards to Erdenet city where we will stay at the hotel for one night. In winter, 435 km of driving is enough for day one! so tomorrow we will continue our driving to the next place; Huwsgul lake. 435 km of driving Breakfast- at the hotel Lunch- at a local restaurant Dinner- at a local restaurant
Day 3: Erdenet, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Erdenet to Huwsgul lake 500 km We will continue to drive to the north of Mongolia. First, we will cross Bulgan city and continue our journey to Moron city, which is the capital of Khuvsgul province. We will pass many big and small towns on our way to Moron. Before you reach the capital you’ll have lunch. When you are in town, your team takes you to the local container market where you can have a look and buy anything if you feel like it. After the market, you will head to Lake Huvsgul, located about 100 km from Moron city. On the way, you will visit the village Hatgal and from there, we will go to the tourist camp which is located next to the lake, a lovely place to take some pictures! 500 km of driving, 6-7 hours Breakfast- at the hotel Lunch- at a local restaurant Dinner-at tourist camp Accommodation-GER
Day 4: Hatgal, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Tourist camp to Nomad 30-40 km Today we will have a short drive through Huwsgul lake. If you have never done this before, walking and driving on the frozen lake will be an unforgettable experience! We will even stop to have our lunch on the frozen lake! And if you are feeling adventurous, this is a lovely place and a popular place to go skating. After that, we will continue our trip to the nomad family and, after meeting them, we will do some horse riding for around 2 hours. In the evening, you will have a taste of real Mongolian traditional food from the hosting nomad family! 30-40km drive Breakfast- at tourist camp Lunch-lunch box Dinner- by a nomad family Accommodation-GER
Day 5: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Gurvansaikhan, Mongolia
Nomad family to Darkhad Valley 120 km Today you will say goodbye to the nomad family and continue your journey to the Darkhad valley. This is a lovely place to travel to, at this time of the year. You will drive to Jigleg pass of the Horidol Saridag mountains range and follow frozen rivers, which we will cross so many times! You will have lunch next to the beautiful rock cliffs. After lunch, you will drive to the next village located in the Darkhad valley. it is called Renchinlhumbe, from this village, you will go to a very beautiful place which is named Jargalant river, about 10 km away. Here the landscape is covered by thick velvety snow and the river is unfrozen, it almost feels like autumn in the middle of wintertime. Then, you and your team drive 50km to the next village Tsagaannuur, which is the area of Tsaatans. It takes 1 hour 40 min drive. Here you will take a rest for one night at a guest house or family. 120 km of drive Breakfast-by your team with nomad Lunch-lunch box Dinner- by family or guesthouse
Day 6: Gurvansaikhan, Mongolia
Tsagaannuur to Tsaatan 20 km In the morning, you will drive to the Taiga and the tsaatan’s area who live in teepees and herd reindeers. From the village, you will drive on the frozen lake and go deeper into the mountains. Around lunch time, you will arrive at the tsaatan families where everything will be ready for us; lunch, our teepee etc. First, we can have lunch with the tsaatan family in their traditional teepee. Then, we can have a look around for scenic photo taking and go to meet the reindeer, they love salt and you can feed them some! Here we will stay for two nights and discover their lifestyle and your guide will tell you all the history and facts you need to know about these wonderful people and their habits. You can climb on a reindeer to see what it feels like and you will sleep in your own Tsaatan’s traditional teepee in the Siberian winter! 25 km of driving Breakfast- by family or guesthouse Lunch- by tsaatan family Dinner- by tsaatan family Accommodation-teepee
Day 7: Gurvansaikhan, Mongolia
ride or hike 10-15 km This morning you will wake up in the teepee like a real Tsaatan reindeer herder! Breakfast will be prepared by your team with the Tsaatan family. After breakfast, we will hike or reindeer ride a bit. Today we have two options; we will ride reindeer belonging to the Tsaatan family and either go to the top of the mountain or herd the reindeer. The family will prepare everything for us to ride and we can ride in the forest. if you want, we can do a bit of hiking in mountains. Breakfast- by family Lunch- by tsaatan family Dinner- by tsaatan family Accommodation-teepee
Day 8: Gurvansaikhan, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
Tsaatan to Moron 310 km This is the last day of the trip in the Darkhad valley. early in the morning, you need to prepare your luggage. after breakfast, you will drive to the village of Tsagaannuur and continue to Moron city. On the way, we will pass some villages and some nomad families. We will have lunch somewhere on the road next to the forest. 310 km of driving Breakfast- by family Lunch- in box Dinner-at local restaurant Accommodation-hotel
Day 9: Murun, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Moron to Ulaanbaatar The last day of your trip in the countryside. This morning we need to start early from Moron city as we have a long day ahead of us (670 km of driving). We will not pass Erdenet city, go on a different road and our lunch will be from a local restaurant in Dashinchilen soum of Bulgan province. You will arrive in Ulaanbaatar around dinner time. 670 km of driving Breakfast-by hotel Lunch- by a local restaurant Dinner------------------------ Accommodation-hotel
Day 10: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
This day is your 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
This price is including hotels in the countryside and Erdenet and Moron Hotel in Ulaanbaatar is not incleded
hotel in Ulaanbaatar is excluded in this price
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia