The Last Reindeer Herders Photography Trip (8D7N)

Tsaatan (reindeer people) of northern Mongolia are a nomadic tribe and are the last reindeer herders who survived for thousands of years inhabiting the remotest subartic taiga. Presently, approximately 44 families remain, totaling somewhere between 200 and 400 people. They ride, breed, milk, and live off of reindeer, though their existence is threatened by the dwindling number of their domesticated reindeer.

Originally from Siberia, the Tuvan speaking Tsaatan are a Turkic people. For thousands of years, the Tsaatan have survived the
harsh conditions of the forested mountains, moving their families, ortz (teepees), animals and their few worldly possessions between five and ten times a year.

Join us on this specially-arranged trip to spend time with the Tsaatan and their reindeers. Live in Teepees and follow the daily life of the last nomadic reindeer herders. It will be an experience of a lifetime.

 

Itinerary 

Day 1 (21 Mar): Arrive in Ulaanbaatar – City Sightseeing

• Pick up from Ulaanbaatar airport by representative and drive to hotel for check-in.
• After check-in and freshen up, city tour of Ulaanbaatar city.
• Visit Gandan Temple , the city’s main Buddhist center.
• Thereafter, visit central city square, with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and the Zaisan hill on the city’s edge providing a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar.
• Visit the National museum, introducing Mongolia’s history from early humans to modern era, Choijin Lama.
• Enjoy a welcome dinner with folklore show of traditional music, throat singing and contortion.

Meals provided: Dinner

Accommodation: 4-stars Hotel (Mongolia standard), Ulaanbaatar

 

 

Day 2 (22 Mar): Ulaanbaatar

• In the morning, drive 1.5hrs east of Ulaanbaatar to a 40m silver statue of Genghis Khan.
• Upon arrival, climb up to observation platform and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding hilly steppes, covered in snow.
• Free drive across the snowy plains and visit a local nomadic family. This is the chance to ask and learn about the authentic life of herders.
• In the evening, return to Ulaanbaatar for dinner.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: 4-stars Hotel (Mongolia standard), Ulaanbaatar

 

 

Day 3 (23 Mar): Ulaanbaatar – Murun – Khuvsgul – Darkhad Depression (Darkhad Valley)

• Early morning 5.30am, transfer to Ulaanbaatar airport for 1.5hrs flight to Murun town, the access point to Khuvsgul.
• Upon arrival at 8.45am, drive to Darkhad Depression (Darkhad Valley), a land of prairie, forest and hundreds of lakes. Most of it will be covered in deep snow at this time of the year.
• As we go along, you will be able to see large herds of horses, sheep and yaks grazing.
• In the evening, reach a small village and overnight in a local hotel or a family depending on availability.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel or family stay

 

Day 4 (24 Mar): Darkhad Depression – Tsagaan Nuur Town – Tsaatan Winter Camp Ground

• Travel for half a day before arriving at Tsagaan Nuur town, located in the depression’s northern corner.
• This is the gateway to taiga (boreal forest) where the Tsaatan community lives and herds reindeer.
• After lunch, continue for 2hrs before arriving at Tsaatan winter camp grounds, home to about 20 Tsaatan households. Tonight you will be allocated a bed in one of the teepees.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Teepee

 

Day 5 (25 Mar): Tsaatan Winter Camp Ground

• Spend 1 full day at the camp.
• You can visit teepees and get a first hand knowledge of the Tsaatan life and traditions.
• During winter, reindeer roam at large the rugged mountains and dense forests that straddle the borderline between Russia and Mongolia. Just a few are kept through the winter for riding.
• You may take a reindeer ride or help in the daily chores of life in taiga but overall you should be prepared to observe from the side.
• Tsaatans practice shamanism where ancestors and natural features are held sacred and serve as a source of strength or insight for individuals identified as shamans in the community. The Tsaatan rely on shamans for advice and healing, and for communicating with spirits, ancestors, or nature, which occurs through ritual and the calling of spirits, or ongots. With some luck you may witness such ritual.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Teepee

 

Day 6 (26 Mar): Tsaatan Winter Camp Ground – Darkhad Depression – Lake Khuvsgul – Murun

• Bid farewell to Tsaatans and drive across the Darkhad depression from west to east.
• Around lunch time, cross the main pass that separates the depression from Lake Khuvsgul – the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and 1% of all the world’s fresh water reserves. Mongolians revere it as “The Mother Sea”.
• Continue drive along the lake’s shore, at times driving on the lakes frozen surface and arrive at Murun Town.
• Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel, Murun Town

 

Day 7 (27 Mar): Lake Khuvsgul – Murun Town – Ulaanbaatar

• After breakfast, transfer to Murun  airport for return flight to Ulaanbaatar.
• Upon arrival at Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your hotel.
• Farewell dinner to celebrate the end of an insightful trip.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: 4-stars Hotel (Mongolia standard), Ulaanbaatar

 

Day 8 (28 Mar): Depart Ulaanbaatar

• Drive to the airport very early in the morning for your onward flight home.

Meals provided: Breakfast

 

Note: Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants, etc., may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the tour. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort and general well-being by informing the principal agent and with their approval.