You’ll catch a domestic flight to Murun for about one hour. The summer flights are scheduled to arrive in Murun between 07:10 and 08:15 AM. Upon arrival, the team consisting of a tour guide, driver, and cook will greet you, and then you’ll embark on a journey northward to explore the Reindeer herders in the Taiga. Along the way, you’ll traverse stunning mountainous terrain and serene valleys, passing through the local town of Ulaan Uul. As you drive through a pass near the town, you’ll encounter the picturesque 13 shamanic “Ovoo,” symbolizing the entrance to the land of shamans. Furthermore, will visit local nomadic family in Darkhad village and get involved in their cultures. For the next few days, you’ll be accommodated in comfortable, high-quality expedition tents, and our skilled cook will prepare delicious meals for you.(B/L/D)

Note: There are no guesthouses or tourist camps in the north and we’ll set up our private camp, tents. Our talented cook will prepare 3 times meals for you every day. You’ll be provided with, mattresses, sleeping bags, and all camping equipment. In certain places, there aren’t proper bathroom amenities, so you’ll be roughing it like you’re camping outdoors. Some spots might have outhouses made of wood.

Following a delightful morning in the Ulaan-Uul village, your journey continues through the captivating Darkhad valley to reach Tsagaan Nuur town. Upon arrival at Khogorog, you’ll rendezvous with our local horse crew, marking the start of an exceptional equestrian adventure the following day.(B/L/D)

You’ll be embarking on a 6-7 hour horse trek to visit the Reindeer herder family today. Comfortable, soft saddles will be provided for the journey. You’ll need to pack only essential items for the next three days, as you can’t carry too much on the luggage horses. Two horses will be allocated for carrying foodstuff, kitchen essentials, sleeping bags, and mattresses. Once the horse guides have loaded all the luggage onto the carrier horses, you’ll begin the trek to the Taiga. You’ll ride through dense forests, swampy meadows, and cross rivers for approximately 30 km until you reach the Reindeer herders in the evening. Will have a packed lunch along the way. You’ll conclude your day by meeting the Tsaatan people, who are the local Reindeer herders. “Tsaatan” means “Reindeer Herder,” derived from “Tsaa” or “Tsaa-Buga” for Reindeer/Deer and “tan” as a suffix similar to “-er” in English (e.g., driver, cleaner). Tonight, you’ll stay in the traditional tent teepee of the Tsaatan people.(B/L/D)

You’ll spend the day with the Reindeer herder tribe. Ethnically, these individuals are Tuvans, also referred to as Dukha people. Their language, religion, and culture differ slightly from typical Mongols. They primarily speak Tuvan, but many young people have begun to use Mongolian as well. Their main religious practice is Shamanism. They use reindeer like horses and consume their milk as regular milk. You’ll not only learn about their cultures but also actively participate in them. You can try your hand at milking reindeer and ride them in the surrounding areas. For the remainder of the time, relax in the serene surroundings of the Taiga. Overnight.(B/L/D)

Bid farewell to the Reindeer herders and will return to the Khogorog through the last way. Overnight.(B/L/D)

So, we’ll head back to the Murun town. We’ll have a long day to drive today. So, will leave the Khogorog early in the morning and arrive in the Murun in the evening. Check in the hotel, will have dinner at restaurant. Overnight.(B/L/D)

You’ll catch a morning flight to Ulaanbaatar, flying for about an hour. Upon arrival at 10 am, we’ll head straight to the Genghis Khan Statue. The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, part of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, stands at a towering 40 meters, making it the world’s tallest equestrian statue. Visitors can walk through the horse’s chest and neck to reach the head, offering a breathtaking panoramic view. Additionally, we’ll visit the small museum downstairs to learn about the history of the Ancient Mongol Empire.Afterward, we’ll drive to the nearby Gorkhi Terelj National Park where we explore the Turtle Rock and Ariabal Monastery. Unlike the nearby steppes, this area boasts mountains and trees, with large stands of tamaracks that turn golden in the fall. The park features a stunning alpine landscape, numerous rock formations for rock climbers, and includes a well-known landmark called Turtle Rock (Melkhii Khad) due to its turtle-like shape. Renowned as a sightseeing destination, this gigantic rock formation, sculpted solely by wind and rainwater, sits just off the main road into the park.Located on the hillside of a mountain covered with larches and granite rock, the temple offers a serene setting for visitors. On the path to the temple, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge marked with a sign that reads “the bridge that leads beyond wisdom.” The main temple is dedicated to the Kalachakra philosophy, often referred to as the “wheel of time.” Inside, you’ll find a thangka depicting the myth of Shambhala, a Kalachakra mandala, and various artifacts associated with this belief. On the ground floor of the temple, there’s a “gallery of Buddhist philosophy” featuring 220 original paintings by the artist Bayantsagaan, each representing different Buddhist beliefs and philosophies. Perched atop the hill overlooking the temple is a new Buddha sculpture carved into the rock. At the summit of the cliffs, there’s a meditation hut for those seeking solace and contemplation. When you climb up to the temple you’ll have a picturesque view of the national park from its summit.You’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar for about 1-2 hours, depending on traffic.(L)

Your adventure begins with an early domestic flight to Olgii, arriving in the morning. Note that summer flights to Olgii typically depart very early, around 7:25 AM. For instance, this year’s MIAT schedule had us leaving Ulaanbaatar at 7:25 and landing in Olgii at 8:40. The journey takes about 2 hours, accounting for the one-hour time zone difference between regions.

Western Mongolia is primarily inhabited by Kazakhs, comprising 90% of the population. They have their own language and unique culture. Our crew will be ready and waiting at the local airport in the morning.
Next, you’ll proceed to meet a local nomadic family who resides in the Oigor Valley near Altai mountains surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, rivers, and rocky landscapes, for about 5-6 hours of driving.

You’ll be welcomed by the family, and usually, the locals are very hospitable, allowing you to immerse yourself in their culture and daily lifestyles. The nomadic family engages in numerous daily tasks, including milking cows and yaks in the evening. Sometimes, their livestock roams on the plateau. You and the local herders could cooperate, for instance, herding cattle off the mountaintop once sundown. Overnight in ger camp.(B/L/D)

Note: There are no guesthouses or tourist camps in the north and we’ll set up our private camp, tents. Our talented cook will prepare 3 times meals for you every day. You’ll be provided with, mattresses, sleeping bags, and all camping equipment. In certain places, there aren’t proper bathroom amenities, so you’ll be roughing it like you’re camping outdoors. Some spots might have outhouses made of wood.

The journey continues to explore the beautiful Altai Tavan Bogd National Park for about 2 hours. The Altai Tavan Bogd boasts five perennially snow-capped peaks, with the highest named Khuiten towering at 4374 meters above sea level. Additionally, there are three substantial glaciers, the longest one spanning an impressive 20 kilometers. The final parking for the vehicles is at a sacred site on the hill where you’ll be treated to an extraordinary view of the valley landscape, providing an ideal setting for breaks to capture photos and take rests. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy hiking for 6-7 km (roundtrip) to get closer to the peaks and glaciers. Then, you’ll return to the family. Overnight in Ger.(B/L/D)

Bid farewell to the family and depart from Oigor Valley for the Khoton lakes for about 5-6 hours. As you journey towards the lakes, you notice the landscape subtly differs from the Altai mountains. You’ll explore the area with lush meadows, traverse mountains surrounded by foliage, and encounter Turkic-age human stones along the way. Upon reaching the Khoton lakes, you’ll drive to the Baga Turgen Valley to meet the local nomadic eagle hunter family. You’ll spend the rest of the day experiencing their culture. Overnight in a Ger.(B/L/D)

You’ll embark on a horse trek to the Baga Turgen valley to explore the beautiful waterfall which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush forests, rocky rivers, and green meadows. The horse trek would be about 10-12 km of distance. The Baga Turgen Waterfall is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Mongolia, standing at 15 meters high. You’ll relax in the area for a while, then head back to the family. There are many daily tasks in the nomadic lifestyle, such as women making dairy products in their unique way and men working with livestock, including golden eagles. You’ll practice everything from milking cows to making yogurt, curd, cheese, and more in the countryside. Additionally, you’ll have amazing opportunities to take photos with the golden eagle and its trainer. For the rest of the time, you’ll relax and play with children (there are many children in the family) and more.

Tonight, you’re going to have a local party with the locals. They’ll prepare their very traditional dish called Besbarmak, and you’ll all gather together, inviting the neighbors to have a huge meal. They’ll also have a traditional mini-concert with their traditional instrument called Dombra. Usually, our tours involve song battles between travelers and locals and will award the winner. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in a traditional Mongolian Kazakh house – GER.(B/L/D)

Bid farewell to the family, we’ll drive back to Olgii town for about 5-6 hours. Depending on time of arrival in Olgii, you’ll also have chances to visit local markets, souvenir shops and museum. Overnight in tourist camp with hot shower and toilet.(B/L/D)

You’ll have an early lunch at the tourist camp. Then, you’ll transferred you to the airport. We’ll bid farewell, hoping to be a part of your unforgettable vacation and bring some vibrant moments to your life.(B)