Journey into the heart of Mongolia’s frozen north on an unforgettable winter adventure combining the spectacular Khuvsgul Ice Festival with a rare cultural encounter with the Tsaatan reindeer herders.
Explore the frozen shores of Lake Khuvsgul, Mongolia’s legendary “Blue Pearl,” and experience the Ice Festival’s traditional games, ice-skating races, horse-drawn sleighs and cultural performances. Visit the ancient deer stones of Uushgiin Övör before travelling deeper into the remote Taiga.
Meet the Tsaatan, one of the world’s few remaining nomadic reindeer-herding communities, and discover their unique way of life in the snowy wilderness. Stay with a Darkhad nomadic family, ride horses across winter landscapes and experience the warmth of traditional Mongolian hospitality beneath the northern stars.
With breathtaking scenery, authentic cultural encounters and a true wilderness adventure, this journey offers a unique opportunity to discover the traditions and natural beauty of Northern Mongolia.
One of the most rewarding aspects of travelling through Mongolia is the opportunity to stay with local nomadic families and experience their traditional way of life firsthand.
Throughout this journey, our preference is to stay in family-run ger camps and homestays whenever possible. As a locally owned Mongolian company, we believe in supporting nomadic families directly while providing travellers with meaningful cultural experiences. Staying with local families allows you to share meals, learn about daily life, and experience Mongolia’s famous hospitality.
During your time at Lake Khuvsgul and in the Darkhad Valley, accommodation will be in traditional Mongolian gers. Gers are simple, comfortable, and well suited to Mongolia’s climate. When staying with local families, gers are typically shared by3-4 travellers from your group. Although winter temperatures can be extremely cold, our hosts regularly light the stove inside the ger during the evening, and the gers are designed to retain heat throughout the night.
A highlight of this journey is staying with the Tsaatan reindeer herders in the remote West Taiga. Accommodation here is in a traditional ortz (teepee), offering a rare opportunity to experience the daily life and traditions of one of the world’s last nomadic reindeer-herding communities. Facilities are basic and bedding is not provided, however we have sleeping bags available for guests to borrow during their travels.
Please note that travelling in Northern Mongolia means venturing into some of the country’s most remote regions. Roads are often unpaved, journey times can be longer than expected, and Western-style comforts are not always available. However, this remoteness is part of what makes the experience so special, offering access to landscapes, cultures, and traditions that remain largely unchanged.
Optional Comfort Upgrade
Accommodation during the first three nights at Lake Khuvsgul, as well as before and after the Taiga portion of the journey, can be upgraded to a tourist camp or lodge offering comfortable beds, heated rooms, hot showers, Western-style toilet facilities, and additional amenities.
The upgrade cost is USD $130 per person, per night.
Please note that accommodation with local families is already included in the tour price, and the upgrade is entirely optional. There are no upgrade options available while staying with the Tsaatan reindeer herders in the West Taiga, where accommodation is exclusively in traditional ortz (teepees).
For many travellers, the combination of comfortable lodge stays and authentic nights with nomadic families creates the perfect balance between adventure and comfort.
Mobile phone coverage is available in Ulaanbaatar, Murun, and around many populated areas near Lake Khuvsgul. Upon arrival in Mongolia, travellers can easily purchase a local SIM card or eSIM package at the airport, providing mobile data and internet access throughout much of the journey. Please note that coverage becomes limited as we travel into more remote regions, and there is generally no mobile reception or internet access in the remote areas of the West Taiga where the Tsaatan reindeer herders live. While electricity may not always be available when staying with nomadic families or in the Taiga, charging opportunities are usually available during long driving days. Our vehicles are equipped with charging points, and drivers often carry a selection of charging cables suitable for most phones and electronic devices.
Most meals throughout this journey are included in the tour price and are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Before departing, our team stocks up on essential supplies, while additional fresh produce such as meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, and bread is purchased along the way from local shops, markets, and supermarkets. This allows us to provide fresh and varied meals even in remote regions. Breakfasts generally consist of cereals, bread, jams, tea, coffee, and other simple breakfast items. When time and conditions allow, a hot breakfast may also be prepared.
Many lunches are enjoyed en route and are typically lighter meals such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or meals at local restaurants and guest camps. Dinner is often a highlight of the day, with freshly prepared hot meals served each evening. Meals may include a mixture of traditional Mongolian dishes and familiar Western-style favorites, providing a balance of local flavors and comfort foods.
Your guide will oversee meal preparation throughout the journey and ensure that meals are suitable for the conditions and activities of the day. Vegetarian meals and most dietary requirements can be accommodated; however, these must be advised prior to arrival so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Please note that food choices in remote areas may be more limited than in larger towns and cities, but every effort is made to provide nutritious, varied, and enjoyable meals throughout the tour.
Winter in Mongolia typically lasts from late November through to early March, bringing cold, dry conditions and temperatures that can drop well below freezing. While the landscapes are spectacular, travellers should be prepared for snow, ice, wind, and rapidly changing weather conditions.
Northern Mongolia can be extremely cold in early March. Temperatures in the Darkhad Valley may fall to around -10°C to -20°C, while temperatures in the remote West Taiga can drop to -20°C to -30°C or even lower, especially at night.
Thermal sleeping bag – If you have your own thermal sleeping bag that you know you are comfortable using, we strongly recommend bringing it with you. A sleeping bag liner is also highly recommended for additional warmth and comfort during the colder nights in the Taiga. If luggage space is limited, we do have sleeping bags available for guests to borrow. However, bringing your own sleeping bag liner is recommended to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the journey.
Thermal sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, cold-weather sunscreen, warm hat, scarf, and neck warmer, Warm gloves, thermal long underwear, insulated pants, warm and waterproof footwear, lip balm, thermal hand wipes, UV-protective sunglasses, prescription medications (if needed), snow-resistant outerwear, sturdy winter boots, hand warmers, power bank for charging devices, and a reliable flashlight/Headlamp.
