Reindeer herders village/ Tsaatan tour

Day 1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

When you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital city, you will be met by your personal guide and driver who will take you straight to your hotel. Once you have checked in and had a chance to relax after your journey we will organise a short walking tour of the city before supper at a local restaurant.

Day 2 Renchinlkhumbe village

Fly to Mörön city, drive north and stay in Khatgal city on the shores of lake KhuvsgulToday you will board a flight from Ulaanbaatar early in the morning to Mörön city. The flight takes around 1½ hours and you will be met at the local airport by your guide and driver at approximately 9.30am. You will head north-west from Mörön into difficult mountain territory spending most of the 1^st day driving to the extremely remote Renchinlkhumbe village where you will stay overnight. Lunch will be cooked in the open by your guide and you will stay overnight with a local family. On the way you will pass through a border patrol checkpoint where you will receive your permits for travelling further north. This whole area is closed off by the Mongolian and Russian border patrol guards and can only be visited by special permission so be sure to forward us your passport details prior to arrival so that we can arrange individual permits on your behalf.

Days 3 Tsaatan Fishing Lodge

From enchinlkhumbe you will travel further north to the Tsaatan Fishing Lodge in sight of the Russian border. This lodge is only opened by special arrangement and usually caters to sport fishing and hunting groups. Here you will prepare for your journey the next day into the mountains on horseback and take a rest from your long journey of the day before.

Day 4 - Ride to Tsaatan/ Reindeer herders' village

On day 4 you will rise early in the morning and mount your horse to ride into the mountains on the Siberian border. There are no roads this far north so riding is essential. These mountains are where the true Tsaatan reindeer herders spend their summer months in temporary settlements and can only be reached on horseback. The settlement is usually sited between 40 – 60 km of the lodge but since the location varies year on year we will have to wait until around May to confirm its location, your guide will be well aware of this year’s location and will take you on the most direct route. At the settlement you will meet with local leaders, their families and their livestock.

Day 5-8 Living with Reindeer herders/ Tsaatan

For the next 4 nights you will camp with the Tsaatan, ride reindeer, learn traditional handicrafts, spend time with their children and absorb an ancient culture that has remained unchanged for millennia. On day 8 you ride back to the lodge and then make the journey to Renchinlkhumbe where you stay overnight.

Day 9 Return to the lodge

On this day you pack up and return to the Tsaatan fishing lodge where you will rest overnight.

Day 10 Return to Mörön

Setting off early in the morning you will drive back to Mörön city and rest in the evening at a hotel

Day 11 Departure from Mörön

In the afternoon you will board a flight back to Ulaanbaatar where you will take a short city tour and take in a traditional music and dance show.

Price includes: Taiga visitor permits, personal driver available at all times, domestic flights, English speaking guide at all times, all accommodation costs, all meals, entrance to attractions mentioned and activities at destinations, airport transfer, taxi service in Ulaanbaatar as required, bottled drinking water throughout tour

Price does not include: international travel or personal insurance, alcoholic drinks and souvenir shopping