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Tsaatan Tribe: The reindeer herders of Mongolia
Mongolia
From
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
8 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Highlights
- Lake Khovsgol National Park
- Visit the Tsaatan people, reindeer herding nomads, and Darkhad people
- Immerse yourself in the reindeer herder’s lifestyle and Mongolian Shamanism
- Khoridol Saridag Nature Reserve and Taiga wilderness
- Experience Mongolian Ethnic culture and diversity
Embark on an extraordinary adventure to visit the Tsaatan Tribe, the revered reindeer herders of Mongolia. Nestled in the untouched landscapes of one of the last great frontiers on Earth, this journey offers a rare opportunity to step into the nomadic lifestyle and explore a culture intricately linked to the pristine natural surroundings.
Immerse yourself in the heart of Mongolia, where the Tsaatan people have crafted a unique existence alongside their majestic reindeer herds. This expedition goes beyond the ordinary, providing a window into their timeless traditions and the connection they share with the land and its wildlife.
Your experience will involve meaningful interactions with the Tsaatan Tribe, sharing stories around the fire, learning ancient customs, and gaining insights into the challenges and joys of their nomadic life.
Join us on this authentic adventure where you will experience the local culture, unveil the rugged beauty of Mongolia and foster a genuine connection with this remarkable community.
If you would like to learn more about Mongolia, you can watch our webinar here.
Day 1: Flight to Murun and visit Lake Khovsgol National Park
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Your adventure begins with a morning domestic flight to Murun, a small town nestled in Mongolia’s northern Khövsgöl province. On arrival, you'll be welcomed by your local guide and enjoy a traditional homemade lunch with a local family, offering your first taste of authentic Mongolian hospitality. From here, we drive 100 kilometres to the breathtaking Lake Khövsgöl, often called the "Blue Pearl" of Mongolia. This is one of Asia’s largest and purest freshwater lakes, encircled by vast pine-covered mountains and rich in natural beauty. As we reach the lakeshore, there's time to relax and soak in the peaceful scenery. Wander along the shoreline, reflect on the journey ahead and, as night falls, marvel at a canopy of stars mirrored over the still blue waters. Tonight, we stay in a traditional ger camp where the crisp air and the comfort of a warming fire welcome a restful sleep under northern skies.
HORSE RIDING: Please kindly note that it is difficult to give the riding times per day for this adventure as the Tsaatan people and camps are constantly moving around so we cannot predict how long it will take to find them on any given day. Ride times can be anywhere between 4 - 7 hours per day.
Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp
Day 2: Ulaan Uul Village
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Guest house
Today we journey north into one of Mongolia’s most remote and culturally rich regions, travelling 210 kilometres into the striking Darkhad Valley. Named after the Darkhad ethnic group, who are known for their deep shamanic traditions, this valley lies tucked between the forested taiga and the dramatic peaks of the Khoridol Saridag mountains. As the landscapes shift from open plains to alpine forests and winding river valleys, we pass nomadic herder families and remote settlements rarely touched by tourism. By late afternoon, we arrive at one of the three isolated villages in the far north, a place where life continues much as it has for generations. Here we meet our trusted horse crew and set up a tented camp surrounded by wild, untouched beauty. There’s time to explore the village, interact with locals and pick up fresh supplies and small gifts in preparation for tomorrow’s journey to the reindeer herders. The day ends around a fire with a nourishing Mongolian meal and the soft hush of nature all around.
Horse riding between 4 - 7 hours.
Accommodation: Local guest house or small ger camp
Day 3: Khogrog River Valley
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Today we travel deep into Mongolia’s remote northern wilderness, driving 130 kilometres through golden steppe landscapes to the Khogrog River valley. Along the way, we pass through scattered villages and nomadic settlements, witnessing the rhythm of daily life in this vast and untouched land. It’s a relaxed and scenic journey, with music, good company and the anticipation of what lies ahead. On arrival at the valley, we meet our local horse crew who will accompany us on the next stage of our adventure. Together, we set up our tented camp and take in the peaceful surroundings. There’s time to explore the nearby village, where horses wander freely, children play, and locals go about their day. We’ll visit a small store to gather supplies and a few treats for the reindeer herder families we'll meet tomorrow. As evening settles in, we share a traditional Mongolian meal under open skies, surrounded by nature and the quiet hum of the valley.
Horse riding between 4 - 7 hours.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 4: Ride to the Taiga Mountains
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Today we set off on horseback into the wild northern taiga to meet the Tsaatan, Mongolia’s reindeer herders. Accompanied by our local crew, we journey through forested trails and rugged terrain, arriving at a remote herder camp nestled deep in the wilderness.
Here, we are welcomed into a way of life that is both rare and deeply rooted in tradition. We spend the day learning about the Tsaatan’s unique bond with their reindeer, from milking and herding to crafting and daily life. As the sun sets, we gather around a fire to share stories beneath a sky full of stars, surrounded by the quiet magic of the forest.
Horse riding between 4 - 7 hours.
Accommodation: Teepee beside the Tsaatan tribe families
Day 5: Experience the culture and lifestyle of the Tsaatan people
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Today we fully immerse ourselves in the unique lifestyle of the remote Tsaatan tribe. After breakfast in our teepee, we explore the camp and its surroundings, experiencing the daily rhythm of life in the taiga. You’ll have the rare chance to try riding a reindeer, learn how the herders breed and care for their animals, and meet the community’s shaman to witness traditional shamanic rituals. As the day winds down, we gather around the campfire to hear mysterious stories passed down through generations, under a stunning, star-filled sky, a truly unforgettable evening in the heart of this ancient culture.
Accommodation: Teepee beside the Tsaatan tribe families
Day 6: Back to Ulaan uul village
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Guest house
This morning we say goodbye to the Tsaatan reindeer herders and begin our horseback ride back through the Khogrog River valley. Navigating the rugged terrain, we meet our vehicle team waiting to ease the final stretch of the journey. From here, we drive to the village of Ulaan Uul, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and deep connections made in this remote wilderness.
Horse riding between 4 - 7 hours.
Accommodation: Local guest house or small ger camp
Day 7: Murun Town
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Boutique Hotel
This morning we pack up and begin our journey back to Murun, retracing the stunning routes that have brought us deep into Mongolia’s wild north. Along the way, we stop for a fascinating cultural visit to see the ancient Bronze Age deerstones and Khereksurs, mysterious stone monuments that offer a glimpse into the region’s distant past. We also visit local nomadic families, sharing gifts and enjoying heartfelt moments of connection. As we leave the vast open spaces behind and approach the lively town, we carry with us lasting memories of Mongolia’s resilient people and the breathtaking wilderness that has been our home.
Accommodation: Local Hotel
Day 8: Fly back to Ulaanbaatar
Flights
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
On the final day, we take time to reflect on the extraordinary journey through Mongolia’s northern wilderness and its rich cultural heritage. After a morning of quiet contemplation, we board a domestic flight from Murun back to Ulaanbaatar. As the landscape unfolds beneath us, we carry with us memories of vast taiga forests, remote herder communities, and ancient traditions. A truly life-changing adventure that will stay with us long after we return home.
Accommodation: Grand Hill Hotel
Day 9: Departure Day
Transfer
Breakfast
Today you travel home or you can take the next adventure to the Mongolia Sagsai Eagle Festival!
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis, however, due to the nature of some of the accommodation we are using on this adventure (staying in gers, teepees, camps), single rooms are not possible, so the supplement price reflects this. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is not available to book for part of the trip where it would have been possible.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- Excess Baggage Charges (15kgs)
- International Airfare - Domestic round trip flights (UB-Murun-UB) are included
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Tips
Contents
Accommodation
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using accommodation run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual options, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.
The accommodation on this adventure involves both hotel stays and camping in gers/yurts. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Guiding & Your Group
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an in-country local guide who will be with us for the duration of the holiday; offering insight into local life and customs, as well as routes during walking/horse riding excursions.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures an optimal level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a larger group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it out for you. Our links with in-country travel experts often mean that we can assist you in developing a personalised itinerary.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Ulaanbaatar. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible, to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Airport & Arrival Info
Chinggis Khaan International Airport is the main international airport in Mongolia, located 18km SW of the capital, Ulaanbaatar. It is a small, though fully functioning, airport with 2 ‘terminals’ that you may arrive into, at different ends of the same building.
General Information on Mongolia
For information on Mongolia, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Incuded
- Full board meals
- Transport
- Domestic round-trip flights (Ulaanbaatar-Murun-Ulaanbaatar)
- Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
- Border area entrance permission
- Horse riding and loading luggage
- Camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Reviews
Diane Smillie
What an adventure - second to none. As I was in Mongolia for 10 days with a group for the spectacular eagle festival I decided to extend my journey to include a trip to stay with the Reindeer herders in the north west province and I’m so glad I did. There were no other participants - just me, I had a whole team of guides all to myself. The entire experience was truly an unforgettable adventure. All of the staff, whether being in the uk or with me on the group tour or for my solo journey to the Reindeer herders were incredibly attentive and professional. I had no worries what so ever. Would I recommend this company? Absolutely. All my needs were met with speed and enthusiasm which gave me great confidence. Have fun!
Mongolia Sagsai Eagle Festival & Reindeer Herders 2024
Compulsory
- Passport & insurance documents
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Debit / Credit card for use in ATMs (where available)
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents
- Toilet kit: toilet roll and biodegradable wet wipe
Items for Ger Stays
- Winter sleeping bag: comfort rating -20ºC
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap
- Rucksack or duffel bag for main luggage (no hard suitcases) so it can be strapped to horses for transportation during camp/hike
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof walking shoes or boots that have already been broken in...
- Torch with spare batteries
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes
Clothing
- General socks / underwear for city sections & for trekking / riding.
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in. Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- ight clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when riding/hiking.
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
Clothes for Riding
- Half chaps
- Riding helmet - they will be provided. But you may wish to bring your own. Your insurance policy will likely be void if you do not wear a helmet.
- Boots/ shoes suitable for riding - short boots are fine. Ideally you need to be able to slip out of them if you fall off (so walking boots are not suitable).
- Riding gloves for comfort
Optional
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort to camping
- Purification tablets as alternative to Water Purification Bottle
- Flask if you like hot drinks
- 2 prong adaptor
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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