Dukha people Tour: In this itinerary you’ll experience hiking in the Eight Lakes with fantastic views, visit the legendary Lake Khuvsgul and Great White Lake, take horse trekking to the real reindeer region surrounded by outstanding landscapes. The Dukha people/Tsaatan people / represents one of the last truly reindeer life styles in the very north of Mongolia with amazing scenery. Also, We will do hiking in the 8 lake areas in Central Mongolia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_peopl
Our main purpose of this trip is Dukha people (Reindeer herder). We will do horse trekking or hiking to the Dukha people. It not possible to drive to there. They are living in the deep Taiga. It’s possible drive there only in the winter. Otherwise, We can do horse trekking or hiking there.
For thousands of year Dukha people (Reindeer herder) have living in the Northern part of Mongolia, where breeding Reindeer is a way of life. Today they are the last Nomadic Reindeer herders in the world. There are 400 Dukha people of 70-80 families in the Northern Mongolia. Reindeer People are in two main groups, the Western Taiga and the Eastern Taiga. Both are most readily reached from the town of Tsagaan Nuur (generally reached by car) or from Renchinlhumbe (generally reached from Lake Khuvsgul by horse or foot).
ACCOMMODATION:YESDURATION:20 DAYS 19 NIGHTSTOUR DISTANCE:2700KMGROUP SIZE:1-12TOUR OPERATOR:IDRE TOUR
Ulaanbaatar – Khustai-Khogno Khaan - Kharkhorin- Orkhon Waterfall- Khusiin Naiman nuur- Tsenkher Hot springs- Great White Lake- Murun-Tsagaannuur- Lake Khuvsgul- Ulziit - Ulaanbaatar
Activities
Camel riding, Hiking in Khuisiin Naiman Nuur, Horse trekking for 4 days, see wild horses, visit reindeer people, Visiting Monastery and Nomadic family
Day 1
Khustai National Park & Khogno Khan, Elsen Tasarkhai
We’ll drive to the Khustai National Park, located on the north side of the Tuul River, about a two-hour drive west of Ulaanbaatar. Although located in the central grasslands, Khustai means “with birch” because birch trees and aspen groves are plentiful in the area. It is a hilly terrain, with the Tuul River forming the southern boundary. The national park was originally set up in 1993 as a nature reserve for the first reintroduction of the Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii) into Mongolia. Today the Khustai Trust runs the park, funded mainly by tourism funds.
We'll to drive to Mount Khogno Khan Nature Reserve in the afternoon. The mountain is home to hundreds of birds, deer, and gazelle. You'll be able to go hiking around the area or to the small sand dunes nearby called " Elsen tasarkhai". Spend the night in a nomadic family ger.
Day 2
Kharkhorin city and Erdene Zuu Monastery
We’ll drive to Mongolian ancient capital, Kharakhorin, Chinggis Khaan's fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon Valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire was governed until Kubilai Khan moved it to Beijing. It served as the capital for 40 years. Following the move, and the subsequent collapse of the Mongolian empire, Karakorum was abandoned. Whatever was left was used to help build the glorious Erdene Zuu monastery in the 16th century. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence. We’ll spend the night in a Ger guesthouse.
Day 3
Orkhon waterfall & Orkhon valley
We’ll drive to Orkhon Waterfall, The Orkhon valley in the history of central Asia. The grassland is still grazed by Mongolian nomadic pastoralists. Orkhon waterfall is one of the biggest waterfalls in Mongolia. This is a great place for taking photos, go hiking through the gorge. We’ll arrange a couple of hours horseback riding in the area.
Day 4
Trekking to Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Khuis lake
We’ll start our trekking to the Khuisiin Naiman Nuur. Today we will be trekking to Khuisiin Naiman Nuur which is the first lake and smallest lake. We'll sleep in the tent.We’ll arrange a couple of hours horseback riding in the area.
Day 5
Trekking to Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Shireet lake
We will be trekking to Shireet lake. Shireet lake is the biggest and most beautiful lake in the Naiman nuur area. We will see other lakes on the way to Shireet lake. We will spend the night in a tent.
Day 6
Trekking to Buureg valley
We will go back to Buureg valley and our car will be pick us and drive to Orkhon waterfall. We will spend night there.
Day 7
Tsenkher hot spring
We will drive to Tsenkher hot spring. Tsenkher hot spring is one of the nice hot springs in Mongolia. You will be able to relax by taking natural hot bath in the hot spring water. Stay at ger camp at Tsenkher hot spring.
Day 8
Great White lake and Khorgo volcano
We’ll drive to Great White Lake and Khorgo Volcano. Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of fauna and flora. The area has extinct volcanoes, many beautiful lakes, a great number of animals and birds, and is definitely one of the best natural tourist attractions. Khorgo is a unique natural complex (2240 m)National Park surrounded by the Khangai Mountains, which is 3000 meters above sea level. In the craters some of them are very tiny crystal- cleared lakes. The Khorgo crater, situated at an altitude of 2.210 meters with a diameter of 20 meters and depth of 70 to 80 meters, is the most stunning.
Day 9
Hiking to Khorgo volcano
We’ll go hiking to the Volcano “Khorgo” for a day.
Day 10
Murun province
We’ll drive to Murun town, the capital of Khovsgol province. And we’ll get the border permit for visiting the Reindeer tribe.
Day 11
Horse herder family
We’ll drive to Tsagaannuur. We’ll meet the Horse herder Family and get prepared for the horse trek to Reindeer people. The reindeer herders of northern Khuvsgul aimag, Mongolia are a small, tenacious group who strive to maintain their way of life and culture in the face of great challenges. They are called Tsaatan, tsachin or Dukha. The Reindeer People are in two main groups, the Western Taiga and the Eastern Taiga. Both are most readily reached from the town of Tsagaan Nuur (generally reached by car) or from Renchinlhumbe (generally reached from Lake Khuvsgul by horse or foot).
Day 12
Horse Trekking to Reindeer people
We’ll start the horse trekking to the Reindeer people. Horse trekking will be full day. Stay overnights in tent
Day 13
Reindeer people
We will explore Reindeer people life style
Day 14
Reindeer people
We will explore Reindeer people life style
Day 15
Horse herder family
We will horse terkking back to Horse herder Family
Day 16
Khuvsgul lake
We’ll drive to Lake Khovsgol which is one of the most visited places for both locals and tourists.
We’ll go hiking around Lake Khovsgol which is one of the country's largest and most spectacular protected areas. Lake Khovsgol's 380 cubic km of water make it the fourteenth largest freshwater lake in the world and second largest in Central Asia by volume, with over 1% of the world's fresh water. At its deepest, the lake dives 262 meters. Ninety-six rivers and streams empty into the lake, but only the Egiin River exits the lake. The Egiin flows southeast until it joins the Selenge River, which flows through one of Mongolia's most densely populated areas on its way to Lake Baikal. The Lake is 1645 meters above sea level and is generally frozen from January until April or May.
Day 17
Hiking in the Khuvsgul lake
We’ll have a short drive to Toilogt go hiking around the lake Khuvsgul
Day 18
Uran togoo mountain
We’ll drive to Uran Togoo near Bulgan province. Actually we're heading to Ulaanbaatar.
Day 19
Amarbaysgalant monastery
We’ll drive to the Amarbayasgalant monastery. This is one of the most well known and largest monasteries of Mongolia, is located in the beautiful Iven Gol River valley on the foot of Burenkhan Mountain in Baruunburen soum of Selenge province. Visitors especially enjoy the magnificent art and architectural construction. Spend the night in a family ger.
Day 20
Go back to Ulaanbaatar
We will drive back to Ulaanbaatar
PLEASE NOTE:
The difference between a comfortable tour and budget tour relates primarily to the accommodation type. Within a budget tour all accommodation will be with a nomadic family in their Ger. While a comfortable tour includes accommodation at Ger camps which are similar to a 3-4 star hotel standard. Finally the Mid-Range tour mixes Comfortable and Budget, where you will stay some nights in the traditional Ger with a nomadic family and others in a Ger camp.