The Tsaatan Tour
About this tour
Discover the least populated tribe in the world- the Tsaatans, who herd reindeer for their living in the very Northern Mongolia. This is an adventure tour featuring horse riding to Tsaatan tribe, staying tepees, driving off the beaten paths, and enjoying the astonishing view of Khuvsgul lake.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastry, Baruunburen, Mongolia
Are you ready to begin the adventure to the Tsaatan tribe? The tour starts with a visit to the Amarbaysgalant monastery, located in Baruunburen soum, Selenge province. This is one of the biggest buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. Dedicated as a final rest place for the great St. Zanabazar (the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia), the monastery was built by the order of Manchurian Emperor as he admired him. The building processed from 1727-1736 with over 40 temples set in symmetrical pattern, the main halls leading to one another in north-south axis while the secondary buildings are laid on parallel sides. It is one of the few monasteries that survived from the Communist purge in 1938. Now only the central section of the monastery remained with over 20 buildings. It is said that on the way to find a place to build the monastery, they saw two kids playing happily whose name were Amar and Baysgalant. They were then inspired to build the monastery on the exact spot and name it after the kids' names.
Day 2: Amarbayasgalant Monastry, Baruunburen, Mongolia to Uran Togoo, Mongolia
The next destination of the tour is Uran Togoo, an old volcano located in Khutag Ondor sum, Bulgan province (approx. 600km away from the capital Ulaanbaatar). Uran means "artistic" in Mongolian, referring the perfect round shape of the crater as if it was made by a craftsman. At the top of the Uran volcano, there is a small lake about 20m wide and 1.5 deep. The water is shrinking every year due to global warming and recent lack of rainfall. Uran Togoo is 1688m above sea level. The team will do short hike to the volcano. Overnight stay near the volcano.
Day 3: Uran Togoo, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
Today, the team gets to Murun, the main city of the North Mongolia. We will be getting our permit to travel by the northern border from the military base located in Murun. You will be able to check out the local black market, as well as historical monuments such as the Deerstones by Uushgiin Uvur.
Day 4: Murun, Mongolia to Darkhad Valley, Mongolia
The most beautiful places are often tend to be the hardest to get to. The same applies to the Darkhad valley and where the Tsaatans live. Today will be a long, tough drive from Murun to the Darkhad valley, crossing multiple rivers and passing high mountains. The tour group will reach to a local nomad family in Darkhad. The host family man will be the horse guides for the horse riding adventure to the Tsaatans. The Darkhad depression is a large valley surrounded by Ulaan Taiga and Khoridol Saridag mountain range in the territory of northwest of Khuvsgul province, Mongolia. The Khoridol Saridag is a 90 km-long mountain range between Khuvsgul Lake and the Darkhad valley. The highest peak is Delgerkhaan Uul (3093m). The Darkhad valley covers over 4000 sq km lying at an altitude of 1600m above sea level. It is rich in lakes and rivers, the biggest of which are Dood Tsagaan Lake "lower white lake" and Shishged River, respectively. The area is famous for its natural beauty, but relatively remote and inaccessible even by Mongolian standards. The Darkhad valley is divided into the Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhumbe, and Tsagaannuur sums. Inhabitants are mainly Darkhad (whom the valley's name derives from), and also some Tsaatan.The Darkhad tribe is famous for its shaman practice and reindeer herders.
Day 5: Darkhad Valley, Mongolia
The next three days including today will be the main highlight of the tour, as the tour group aims to achieve its goal to reach the remote Tsaatan people on a horseback. After packing and getting the horses ready, we begin riding horses to the mountains. Riding horses through forest, rivers and high mountains, admiring the true beauty of nature, one is bound to find peace and joy in the blend of nature-human-animal connection. We will reach the Tsaatan people in the evening.
Day 6: Darkhad Valley, Mongolia
Did you have a good rest after being so close to the reindeer, staying in tepees, listening to the sounds of wood fire, and sleeping under billions of stars in the middle of nowhere? Today is a great opportunity to explore the lifestyle of the Tsaatan, to find out their daily activities, what they do, eat, or wear. We will be riding horses in the valley and visiting other families in the region so you know the community and the culture better. You have a lot of time with reindeer, and you can even try riding them.
Day 7: Darkhad Valley, Mongolia
Today, we head back to the horse guide's family from the Tsaatan region. The horses are smart and they know they are going back home, so they are faster than usual. Let's have one more ride through the wild nature with our buddies or the horses.
Day 8: Darkhad Valley, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Today, the team says goodbye to the lovely horse guide family in Darkhad, and continues its journey to lake Khuvsgul. It is a good time to relax by the lake after a long horse riding adventure. The Khuvsgul lake is perhaps the most beautiful lake in Mongolia. Known as the Blue Pearl, it is located in Khatgal sum, Khuvsgul Province (approx 900km away from the capital Ulaanbaatar) The lake itself can provide 70 percent of fresh water source in Mongolian land. Khuvsgul lake covers an area of 2760sq km, 136km long, and 262m deep.
Day 9: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Today will be rather relaxing day, we will not drive anywhere. You are able to enjoy some free time, hiking to the mountains, cycling around or boating in the lake.
Day 10: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Erdenet, Mongolia
We have completed travel plan in the northern region, hence, will be slowly making our ways down to central Mongolia. Our next highlight is the Khorgo-Terkh national park. But since it is a long way to get there, we will be having an overnight stay near the beautiful Shine-Ider village. On the way, we will be driving through beautiful sceneries of Burgastai mountains.
Day 11: Erdenet, Mongolia to Khorgo Trekhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Nariin Hüryee, Mongolia
We will drive and get to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur or the Great White Lake, a fresh water lake about 16km long, 20m deep and 5 km wide. The lake is 2100m above sea level. There are about ten rivers flowing into the lake, yet only one river flowing out, the Suman River. Khorgo-Terkh national park is a popular place for swimming, hiking, boating, and horse riding.
Day 12: Khorgo Trekhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Nariin Hüryee, Mongolia
This will be a day where we get to explore more of the national park. The team hikes to the Khorgo volcano. Khorgo is a dormant volcano, which exploded 8000 years ago. The volcanic crater lies at 2210m above sea level. The legend says in the past, some brave men would murder the corrupted aristocrats and help poor people by sharing. These men used to hide in this crater. Thus, the crater was given the name Khorgo, meaning to hide or sneak. The depth of the crater is around 90m, while its diameter is around 200-250m. The tour group has free time by the lake the rest of the day
Day 13: Khorgo Trekhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Nariin Hüryee, Mongolia to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
Let us get some rest in the beautiful hot spring of Tsenkher, located in Tsenkher sum, Arkhangai province. The hot springs flow at a rapid rate around 10litres per second at 86 degrees in Celsius. The spring consists of chemical elements such as sodium, calcium and sulfur. Mongolians believe the concentration of this hot spring is good for health especially for skin, bones and nerves. Near the hot spring, there are many tourist camps which have indoor or outdoor baths, with the hot spring being transferred in pipes from the main source. The surrounding nature and the medical treatment of the spa offer a very relaxing time.
Day 14: Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Khugnu Tarna, Shibertuin sume, Mongolia
We hope everyone is well rested after a night in the hot springs. We will first visit Erdene-zuu monastery in Kharkhorin, and then travel to Elsen Tasarkhai for a camel ride in the sand dunes. The final destination is the Khugnu-Khan mountain lying on the north side of the dunes. Khugnu-Khan is a granite rock mountain, is famous for its unique rock formation. The team will be staying with a lovely nomad family living by the foot of the Khugnu-Khan mountain.
Day 15: Khugnu Tarna, Shibertuin sume, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We mark the end of the adventure as we travel from Khugnu Khan mountain to Ulaanbaatar. The members of the tour group will be delivered to their respective hotels and hostels per request.
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastry, Baruunburen, Mongolia