HORSE TREKKING TO TSAATAN PEOPLE

ITINERARY

• Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

  Meet with your guide and transfer to a 4* hotel in city center. If wished you can have a guided tour of the city highlights: the Gandan Temple - city's main Buddhist center, the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and the Zaisan Memorial, an elevated hill on the city's edge providing a panoramic view of UB. Then choose to visit any of the following museums: National Museum introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to modern era, Dinosaur Museum with a unique collection of dinosaur fossils, Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. Winter palace of Bogd Khan showcasing rare statues of Buddhist deities and items of personal use of this last theocratic ruler of Mongolia is also worth considering. An evening folk show of music, throat singing and contortion will be followed by a welcome dinner. (Dinner, hotel)
  

• Flight to North Mongolia, travel to Darkhad depression

  Morning we transfer to UB airport for just over an hour flight to Murun town, the access point to Khuvsgul, the country deepest lake that holds 1% of the world’s fresh water reserves. Upon arrival we drive to Darkhad depression, a land of prairie, forest and a couple of hundreds of lakes. We make our way across lush valleys and wetlands on rough dirt roads. White felt covered tents (also known as ger or yurts) of local herders and their large herds of horses, sheep and yaks is a common scene. It is a chance to have a glance of the way of life which seemingly has not changed since hundreds of years. In the evening we establish a tented camp alongside the road and spend our first night in the wilderness. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / tent)
  

• Travel to edge of taiga

  We travel for another 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. Here we finalize our appointment with local guides to accompany us during the next few days providing horses for riding and packing. If necessary we stock up on some addition food and drink before moving out to camp at the edge of taiga. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / tent)
  

• Horse trek to Urtum waterfall

  We start our riding adventure today. Riding stocky Mongolian horses requires skills quite different from the western riding style. Horses are used to a different set of commands and behavior on the riders end but still are very responsive and clever animals. Accompanied by local guides we ride through virgin boreal forest, wooded hillsides and rocky outcroppings. You will be able to trot and gallop especially on the 1st day. From there on, the mountainous terrain of bogs, many small streams and chest high shrubs will not allow fast riding. But this is well compensated by the spectacular lands and immense degree of wilderness rare even to Mongolia. Our entire luggage will be carried by the pack horses. Without much luck you will see some small forest birds and squirrels. At the end of Day 13 we establish our tented camp in the vicinity of Urtum, a stunning 10 meter waterfall on the source of Enisey river. The Day 14 we spend lazing in the waterfall area, hiking and relaxing. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 3 nights in tents)
  

• Horse trek to Tsaatan Summer Grounds

  We saddle horses again and ride to Tsaatan summer camp on a high mountain plateau that in resembles tundra. This is a home to about 20 Tsaatan households that graze their reindeer through the summer. We spend our time here visiting teepees and get learning of the Tsaatan mores. Traditionally, domesticated reindeer have been the mainstay of Tsaatan economy. They are ridden, milked, eaten and their hides are used for covering teepees, making clothing and footwear. During winters reindeer roam at large in rugged mountains and dense forests that straddle the borderline between Russia and Mongolia. Just a few are kept through the winter for riding. The main herd is then brought back in spring. 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 a 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. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / 2 nights in teepee)
  

• Horse Trek back to taiga edge

  We today say good bye to Tsaatans and return to taiga edge. We stoically endure this last riding day through mountainous terrain and wooded hillsides before arriving to our camp at the edge of taiga. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / tent)
  

• Drive to Khuvsgul lake

  We cross the Darkhad depression again and head to the southern end of the lake Khuvsgul. It is 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". We will arrive to the lake in the afternoon of the second day. Here we settle in a cozy holiday resort comprised of traditional felt covered gers also known as yurts. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / 1 night in tents and 1 in ger camp)
  

• Leisure day, optional activities

  You can hike the woods or along the lake shore or just relax enjoying the stunning view of the vast water expanse. An optional boat trip or horseback riding can also be done. We overnight in gers. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
  

• Return flight to Ulaanbaatar

  After breakfast transfer to Murun airport for flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. In the evening gather for a farewell dinner. (Breakfast, dinner, hotel)
  

• Departure transfer

  Transfer to airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)