Reindeer Herders Tour Mongolia

Reindeer herders Tour

Adventure Tours

Reindeer herders tour Mongolia : In this itinerary you’ll visit the legendary Lake Khuvsgul and Great White Lake, take horse trekking to the real reindeer herders region surrounded by outstanding landscapes. The Reindeer /  Reindeer Herders Mongolia / represents one of the last truly reindeer life styles in very north of Mongolia with amazing scenery. We will visit central Mongolia and ancient capital, Kharkhorin.

Our main purpose of this trip is Reindeer people (Dukha people). 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 Reindeer people (Dukha people) 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:yes duration:14 days, 13 nights tour distance:2700km Group size:1-12 tour operator:idre tour

Itinerary

Tour price

Included

Not included

Route

Ulaanbaatar - Khustai National Park - Khugnu Khan Mountain - Kharkhorin City & Erdene Zuu Monastery - Orkhon Valley and Orkhon Waterfall - Tsenkher Hot Spring - Great White Lake - Murun Province - Tsagaannuur Village - Reindeer Herders - Lake Khuvsgul - Uran Togoo Volcanic Mountain - Ulaanbaatar

Activities

On this tour, we’ll visit some of the most important historical sites in Central Mongolia, explore beautiful lakes and their surrounding landscapes, and travel to northern Mongolia to meet reindeer herders living in the boreal forest.

Day 1 KHUSTAI NATIONAL PARK & KHUGNU KHAN, ELSEN TASARKHAI
We’ll drive to the Hustai 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 Hustai Trust runs the park, funded mainly by tourism funds. We'll 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".
Day 2 KHARKHORIN CITY & ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY
We’ll drive to Mongolian ancient capital, Kharkhorin, Chinggis Khaan's fabled city, 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 the 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence.
Day 3 Orkhon valley & Orkhon waterfall
We will drive to Orkhon valley and Orkhon waterfall. The 121,967-ha Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape encompasses an extensive area of pastureland on both banks of the Orkhon River and includes numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century. Orkhon Waterfall, which is great place for taking photos and go hiking through the gorge.
Day 4 Tsenkher Hot spring
We will drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring, one of the most beautiful hot springs in Mongolia. You’ll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy a natural hot bath in the warm spring water.
Day 5 Great White lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur)
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 6 Murun Province
Mongolia has one capital city and 21 provinces. Murun is one of the provincial centers. Today will be mostly driving, and we’ll spend the night in Murun.
Day 7 Horse Herder Family
We’ll drive to Tsagaannuur, where we’ll meet a horse-herding family and prepare for our horseback trek to visit the reindeer herders. The reindeer herders of northern Khuvsgul Province, Mongolia, are a small and resilient community striving to preserve their traditional way of life and culture despite many challenges. They are known as the Tsaatan, Tsachin, or Dukha people. The reindeer herders are divided into two main groups: the Western Taiga and the Eastern Taiga. Both groups can be reached from Tsagaannuur, generally by car, or from Renchinlhumbe, usually by horse or on foot.
Day 8 Horseback Trekking to the Reindeer Herders
We’ll start our horseback trek to the reindeer herders. The trekking distance depends on the season you visit.
Day 9 Tsaatan people (Dukha people) - Reindeer Herders
Today, we’ll spend the full day exploring how the reindeer herders live in the boreal forest.
Day 10 Horseback Trekking Back to the Horse Herder’s Family
Today, we’ll go horseback trekking back to horse herder family.
Day 11 Khuvsgul lake
We’ll drive to Lake Khuvsgul which is one of the most visited places for both locals and tourists. 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 River 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 12 Hiking in the Khuvsgul lake
Today, we’ll go hiking in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Khuvsgul.
day 13 Uran Togoo Mountain
Uran Togoo is an old volcano located in Khutag Ondor sum, Bulgan province. Uran means "artistic" in Mongolian, referring to 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. Uran Togoo is 1688m above sea level. This day will be mostly driving.
DAY 14 Ulaanbaatar
Today will be mostly driving, and we’ll arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the evening.

Tour Price

ALL PRICE ARE PER PERSON PER DAY

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, where they don't have running water. 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.

Budget

Per person pricing

From $129
Join Group / Private 4+ guests $129
Private 1-2 guests (1 billed as 2) $190
Private 3 guests $150
Select package
Most Popular

Mid-range

Per person pricing

From $160
Join Group / Private 4+ guests $160
Private 1-2 guests (1 billed as 2) $210
Private 3 guests $180
Select package

Comfortable

Per person pricing

From $186
Join Group / Private 4+ guests $186
Private 1-2 guests (1 billed as 2) $249
Private 3 guests $210
Select package
  • Driver + 4WD vehicle + Gas
  • English speaking tour guide/cook
  • National park entrance fee
  • Camel riding for an hour
  • Horse trekking
  • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinking water
  • All meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Accommodation in UB
  • Travel and Medical insurance
  • Personal items
  • Tips for the driver and the guide
  • Alcohol drinks
  • DURATION 14 Days, 13 Nights
  • From $1806 USD
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