About this trip
Escape the noise and comforts of modern life and challenge yourself to experience winter in the Mongolian countryside.
Nomadic Diary is not an ordinary sightseeing tour. It is an opportunity to slow down, step outside your comfort zone and discover how Mongolian nomadic families live through the long, cold winter.
Travel like a local on public buses, stay with herding families in traditional Mongolian gers and become part of their daily routine. Chop firewood, keep the stove burning, collect water, feed and water livestock, herd sheep and help prepare traditional homemade meals.
Winter life in Mongolia is simple but demanding. Days revolve around caring for animals, keeping warm and working together. Without the usual conveniences of modern life, you will discover the importance of practical skills, family cooperation and adapting to nature.
Along the journey, experience the snow-covered landscapes of the Orkhon Valley, visit the frozen Orkhon Waterfall, discover the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery and explore the winter scenery of Elsen Tasarkhai and Khustai National Park.
More than a holiday, Nomadic Diary is a chance to challenge yourself, experience a different way of life and discover the value of simplicity.
Come not just to see Mongolia, but to live it.
Accommodation – Staying with Nomadic Families
One of the highlights of Nomadic Diary is staying with real Mongolian nomadic families rather than in commercial tourist ger camps.
During five nights in the countryside, guests stay in traditional Mongolian gers heated by wood-burning stoves. Accommodation is simple, offering an authentic experience of winter life in rural Mongolia.
Meals are prepared by the host families, mainly using locally produced meat, dairy products and traditional ingredients. Guests are welcome to help prepare meals and share everyday family activities.
Facilities are basic. Nomadic families generally use outdoor pit toilets, and there are no conventional showers or running water. However, guests can ask their hosts for warm water to wash themselves inside their ger. This is part of experiencing everyday nomadic life in Mongolia.
How We Travel
Nomadic Diary offers a different way to explore Mongolia in winter. Instead of travelling throughout the journey in a private tourist vehicle, guests use local public buses and transportation provided by their nomadic hosts.
The journey begins with a public bus ride from Ulaanbaatar to Bat-Ulzii, where the first host family meets the guests. Local families provide transportation to the frozen Orkhon Waterfall, between homestays in the Orkhon Valley and onward to Karakorum.
After exploring Karakorum and spending the night at a local guesthouse, guests continue by public bus towards Elsen Tasarkhai. Their next host family meets them at an agreed roadside stop.
On the evening before departure from Elsen Tasarkhai, a Mongolia Expeditions driver arrives at the family's home. The following morning, the journey continues by private vehicle through Khustai National Park to Ulaanbaatar.
Travelling this way provides a closer connection to local people and everyday life in Mongolia during winter.
A Typical Winter Day with a Nomadic Family
Winter life in Mongolia begins early, with the needs of the livestock and the daily work required to keep the household warm and comfortable.
After a breakfast of traditional milk tea and homemade food, guests can join their hosts in everyday activities such as feeding and watering livestock, herding sheep, chopping firewood, tending the ger stove and preparing traditional Mongolian meals.
Depending on the weather and the family's routine, there may also be opportunities for short horseback rides, walks through the snow-covered countryside and conversations with family members about their traditions and winter survival skills.
Evenings are spent together inside the warm ger, sharing meals and experiencing the quiet rhythm of nomadic family life.
Every day is different, shaped by the weather, livestock and seasonal responsibilities of the household.
Important Notes – Winter Conditions
Nomadic Diary is designed for travelers seeking an authentic winter experience rather than the comforts of conventional tourist accommodation.
Winter temperatures in Central Mongolia can fall below -30°C, particularly in December, January and February. Guests must bring suitable winter clothing, insulated boots, gloves and other cold-weather equipment.
Traditional gers are heated by wood-burning stoves, but indoor temperatures may drop overnight as the fire burns down. Outdoor pit toilets are commonly used, and guests can wash themselves inside their ger using warm water provided by the host family.
Participation in household activities is voluntary and depends on weather conditions, the family's daily responsibilities and each guest's abilities.
Horse and camel riding activities are arranged according to weather conditions and participants' experience levels.
The itinerary operates from November to March, offering an opportunity to experience Mongolia's winter landscapes and traditional nomadic lifestyle.
