Experience the extraordinary world of the Tsaatan Reindeer Herders from the very start of your 9-day adventure through Northern Mongolia. The Tsaatan, an ancient and unique ethnic group, have preserved their traditional lifestyle as expert reindeer herders for centuries, living in harmony with nature in the remote and mystical Taiga region. Their deep connection to the land and their reindeer is evident in every aspect of daily life, offering a rare glimpse into a culture that has remained virtually unchanged since the Ice Age. The Tsaatan’s isolated existence, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and untouched wilderness, creates an atmosphere that is both profound and captivating, making them a true highlight of the Mongolian north.
Embark on a remarkable journey through Northern Mongolia, where you will have the opportunity to visit some of the country’s most authentic and untouched sites. This region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of wildlife, offering an array of natural wonders and cultural experiences. One of the highlights of this journey is Lake Khuvsgul, a pristine body of water that holds an impressive 65 percent of all the fresh water in Mongolia. The lake’s vastness and clarity make it a top spot for boating, canoeing, and fishing. Surrounding the lake, the rugged mountains and dense forests are ideal for spotting wildlife, with over sixty species calling this remote landscape home.
Once you are in the countryside exploring Mongolia it is our preference to stay with local nomadic family run ger camps. Gers will be shared by 4-5 travellers when we stay with a local family ger camps (only your group of travellers). As a Mongolian company we prefer to support these families financially, and help support their livelihood. We are sure this resonates with our travelers who enjoy engaging with their culture and way of life on the steppe. As well as directly supporting local herders, you can experience this rich traditional way of life first hand.
Another unique experience is staying with the Tsaatan reindeer herders, where you’ll sleep in a traditional teepee (known locally as an ortz). These teepees are made from wooden poles and canvas, offering a glimpse into the daily life and customs of the Tsaatan people in the remote Taiga. It’s a rare opportunity to learn firsthand about their close relationship with nature and their centuries-old reindeer herding traditions. While the accommodation is simple, it provides an authentic and immersive experience, allowing you to connect with the Tsaatan community and their way of life.
Please consider that travelling in the countryside of Mongolia can be quite remote. There are often no paved roads so driving can be bumpy and can take a little longer than you might be used to. Also, given the remoteness, western style comforts may not be available.
Western style and luxury options are available in some parts of Mongolia in the form of Tourist ger camps/resorts. Ger camps have comfortable beds, hot showers and western style amenities. These are not included in the price quoted in this itinerary. However, if you think that you would prefer to have access to these western style comforts then please let us know and we can adjust the quote for your itinerary.
Tour departure time is depending on your domestic flight time. The driver can pick you up from the airport, train station, or your accommodation to suit your requirements.
Most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. All included meals will be prepared from fresh local produce. The majority of the shopping for food will be done before the trip departs, and fresh goods, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, will be bought en-route during the trip from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads or local restaurants. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. Our GUIDE will organize the meal preparation and lead the way here. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements can be catered for but need to be specified prior to arrival.
Summer months in Mongolia are from early June to mid September. Although the Mongolian summers are hot and dry with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 14-20 degrees centigrade between day and night. So be prepared for all weather conditions.
Sleeping bag (we can provide sleeping bag, if your luggage is full), sleeping bag liner, sunscreen, a hat, long underwear, shorts, comfortable footwear, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, prescription medications (if needed), rain gear, flashlight.
Magical Reindeer on the 9 Day Taiga Tsaatan Adventure
My fiance and I did the 9 Day Taiga Tsaatan Adventure tour with Meg adventures. This experience was one of the best we’ve ever done, and I’m so grateful we did this.
Before we booked our tour, Meg (the company owner) met with us and clearly and thoroughly described different tour options for us, even building a custom tour route, and helped us pick the right tour for us. When meeting with Meg, it felt like we were spending time with a long-time friend, she just made us feel comfortable and at ease.
Our tour guide Bujin (goes by Bunny) was awesome, our driver Jagga always made us smile, our horseman Chongor taught us Mongolian card games and showed us all the customs of the countryside :), the reindeer were unlike anything we had ever seen before, and being on boat on the lake was such a beautiful day.
Seeing the reindeer and the nomadic families who herd them was truly the highlight of the trip. We watched the families milk them, we watched the reindeer trot the open forest lands to eat, and watched the reindeer sleep.
Our tour guide Bujin (goes by Bunny) was the one of the best guides we’ve ever had. She always was positive. She knew the answer to every question we had, and continued to teach us little cultural traditions along the way. She was a wonderful chef and accommodated for dietary restrictions we had. We booked two other tours in Mongolia with other companies, and did not have even remotely close to the same experience. I don’t know how we were so lucky to have such a wonderful experience with Bunny! She truly made this trip a one-of-a-kind experience for us.
I would definitely recommend Meg’s tours to a friend, and I hope one day we can return to Mongolia and reconnect with these lovely friends we made along the way.
For anyone reading this regardless whether you book with Meg or not, we had really positive experiences trying to learn a few words of the local language and doing our absolutely best to speak with and spend time with the countryside folks of Mongolia. They are gentle, kind, and funny, and just are inspirations for hardwork.
