Tour Description
Price includes
- All accommodation (twin shared)
- All transfers including arrival & departure
- Internal flights
- Indicated meals (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- Visits & national park and border permit fees
- Camping equipment
- English speaking guide
- Cook
- Local guides
- Horse hire
Price excludes
- Travel insurance
- Excess luggage fees on internal flights
- Meals not indicated
- Sleeping bags
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Tour dates:
- 15 May to 31 October,2024 OPEN
Price per person
- 2-4 pax: 3273 USD per person
- 4-6 pax 2835 USD per person
- 7-9 pax: 2600 USD per person
- 10-12 pax: 2395 USD per person
- Single supplement: 140 USD /Hotel in UB + Ger camp/
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, guided city tour
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia and transfer to a 4* tourist class hotel in city center. Afternoon guided city tour will introduce you to highlights of the city: the Gandan Temple - city's main Buddhist center, the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and the Zaisan hill on the city's edge providing a panoramic view of UB. Then visit one or two museums of choice: National museum introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to modern era, Choijin Lama or State Oracle museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. A winter residence of Bogd Khan showcasing rare Buddhist art and items of personal use of the last theocratic ruler of Mongolia is also worth considering. A folklore show of traditional music, throat singing and contortion will be followed by a welcome dinner. (hotel/D)
Day 2: Flight to Northern Mongolia and drive Darkhad valley
Morning transfer to UB airport for one and a half hour flight to Murun town, the access point to Khuvsgul, the country’s deepest lake that holds 1% of the world’s fresh water reserves. Upon arrival we drive to Darkhad depression, a land of prairie, forest and a couple of hundreds of lakes. We make our way across lush valleys and wetlands on distinct gravel roads. White felt covered tents (also known as ger or yurts) of local herders and their large herds of horses, sheep and yaks is a glance of a way of life which seemingly has not changed since hundreds of years. In the evening we establish a tented camp alongside the road and spend our first night in the wilderness. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 3: Travel to Tsagaan Nuur town
We travel for another half a day before arriving at Tsagaan Nuur town located in the depression’s northern corner. This is the gateway to taiga (boreal forest) where the Tsaatan community lives and herds reindeer. Here we finalize our appointment with local guides to accompany us during the next few days providing horses for riding and packing. If necessary we stock up on some addition food and drink before moving out to camp at the edge of taiga. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 4: Horse riding to Sharga river
This morning after breakfast we load food and camp on to horses, saddle those for riding and the journey will start. Local guides will accompany us throughout the way. We will ride through woods and across marshes, almost entirely at a walking pace. While riding you can easily notice the shift from grasslands into a taiga, delineated by a distinct change in vegetation and topography. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 5: Ride to Urtum river
Horse ride to Deed Urag valley. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 6: Day at Tengis river
Horse ride to Tengis river. Dinner and overnight. (teepee/B,L,D)
Day 7: Ride to Tsaatan summer camp
Horse ride to Saalig reindeer people summer camp. Dinner and overnight. (teepee/B,L,D)
Day 8: Leisure day in Tsaatan summer camp
We spend a full day at the summer camp. You can visit teepees and get a firsthand knowledge of the Tsaatan life and traditions. Traditionally, domesticated reindeer have been the basis of Tsaatan economy. They are ridden, milked, eaten and their hides are used for covering teepees, making clothing and footwear. During winters reindeer roam at large the rugged mountains and dense forests that straddle the borderline between Russia and Mongolia. Just a few are kept through the winter for riding. The main herd is then brought back in spring. You may take a reindeer ride or help in the daily chores of life in taiga but overall you should be prepared to observe from a side.(teepee/B,L,D)
Day 9: Return ride to taiga edge
We today say good bye to Tsaatans and return to taiga edge. It is a somewhat long day of riding through woods and across marshes. Tented camp at the edge of taiga. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 10 Return drive to cross the Darkhad valley
We drive to cross the Darkhad valley to reach the Khuvsgul lake. However, we will have to spend a night on the way. A tented camp will be set up on a picturesque riverside. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 11: Travel to lake Khuvsgul
We continue driving and arrive to lake Khuvsgul. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia's fresh water and 1% of all the world’s fresh water reserves. Mongolians revere it as "The Mother Sea". We will arrive to the lake in the afternoon of the second day. Here we will stay in a cozy holiday resort comprised of traditional felt covered gers also known as yurts. Dinner and overnight. (ger/B,L,D)
Day 12: Leisure day at the lake. Optional activities.
A leisure day. You can hike the woods or along the lake shore or just relax enjoying the stunning view of the vast water expanse. An optional boat trip or horseback riding can also be done. Overnight in gers. (ger/B,L,D)
Day 13: Return flight to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast take a 2 hour transfer to Murun and catch a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Farewell dinner. (hotel/B,D)
Day 14: Departure transfer
Transfer to airport for your return flight home. (B)
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Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Tsaatan Teepee -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans -
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Shamans
Alvaro A Tokyo, Japan
Horse Riding to Tsaatan Mongolia travel was an excellent experience.
The coutry's landscape natural beauty and its people. The hole experience was enhanced with the help of Mongolia Expeditions and its outstanding organization. They prepare a really nice itinerary with very helpful guides. The small details, like good equipment, cars and strong horses made a big difference!
Lesley Junlakan Thailand
From Camels to Reindeer: 3 weeks in Mongolia”
Véronique
Everything was perfect! They really work closely with the Tsaatan community; hiring guide/driver/cook among them and not from UB, Moron or Tsagaan Nuur. This way the money goes to them. They even rent horses from the Taiga and not the steppes so they are used to the reindeers! Thanks Mongolia Expeditions!
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