Tsaatan (Reindeer Herders) People Tour

Khustai National Park was established to reintroduce the takhi (Equus ferus przewalskii Groves), the world’s last remaining species of truly wild horse listed in the IUCN Red List. The reintroduction began in 1992, and today the park is also home to many other rare species of flora and fauna, including marmots, deer, and birds of prey. Today, we will first visit Khustai National Park before continuing to Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as the Mini Gobi. Elsen Tasarkhai is an 80 km-long belt of sand dunes, divided by a road into Mongol Els and Khugnu Tarniin Els. Despite the desert setting, the dunes are dotted with vegetation such as willow, elm, and hardy shrubs. We visit a local nomadic family to experience their traditional way of life.

Kharkhorum was founded in the early 13th century and became the capital of the Mongol Empire in 1235 under Ögedei Khan. The city was enclosed by walls and included a palace and many buildings connected to trade and daily life. People of different cultures and religious backgrounds lived in Kharkhorum, making it one of the most diverse cities of its time. We will visit the Kharkhorum Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery.

The Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape is one of Mongolia’s most important historical and cultural regions and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, the valley has been a center of nomadic life and an important part of Central Asian history. Today, we visit the beautiful Orkhon Waterfall.

Tsenkher Hot Spring is one of Mongolia’s highest-temperature hot springs, reaching around 86 °C (186 °F). This alkaline hot spring rises from deep underground and contains hydrogen sulfide and silicon compounds. After several days of travelling, we will relax and rejuvenate in a natural hot spring.

Set along two of the world’s major bird migration routes, Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur and its wetlands are an important resting place for migratory waterfowl during seasonal movements. Long ago, lava flows spread across the valley, blocking a river and gradually forming a natural dam that gave rise to the lake. Today, the lake stretches about 16 km (10 miles) in length, with clear freshwater reaching an average depth of 20 meters (65 feet).

Murun is the administrative center of Khuvsgul Aimag (province) in northern Mongolia. It is one of the most populated provincial centers in the country. We can experience authentic provincial lifestyle and culture here.

The Tsaatan follow a nomadic lifestyle, moving seasonally in search of suitable grazing areas for their reindeer. Today, there are around 40 Tsaatan families living in Mongolia, divided between the Eastern and Western Taiga regions. Today we will visit a local horse-herding family to prepare our horses and equipment for the three-day journey before continuing to the reindeer-herding family. Since they live in a remote boreal forest area, the only way to reach them is on foot or horseback.

We will trek on horseback to reach the reindeer herders. The duration of ride will vary depending on the season. We will spend the night in tents or traditional tipis.

The Tsaatan (Dukha) people traditionally live in urts, cone-shaped dwellings similar to teepees, built from wooden poles. In the past, these were covered with animal hides, while today cloth, leather, or canvas is commonly used. Reindeer are central to Tsaatan life, used for riding and carrying loads, and their milk is made into tea, dried curds, yogurt, and other dairy foods. Today, we will spend the entire day with the reindeer-herding family.

We horse trek from the reindeer herders to a horse-herder family.

Khuvsgull Lake holds about 70 percent of Mongolia’s freshwater and is the country’s largest and deepest lake. It is also the second-largest freshwater lake by volume in Asia. Encircled by dramatic high mountains, the landscape is framed to the southwest by the Khoridol Saridag and Bayan ranges, reaching elevations of 3,000–3,200 meters.

Today, we will take a short hike around the surrounding area and go on a boat trip on Khuvsgul Lake.

Uran Togoo is an extinct volcanic crater formed approximately 20–25 million years ago, measuring about 500 m (1,640 ft) in width and 50 m (164 ft) in depth. Ancient volcanic lava and ash enriched the soil, and forest-steppe vegetation now spreads across the area, creating a calm yet striking landscape. In winter, animals often shelter around the crater, taking advantage of the residual ground warmth. At the center of the crater lies a small lake about 20 meters (65 feet) wide, surrounded by forest dominated by larch trees. Today will be mostly spent driving.

We drive back to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the unforgettable journey we have shared.