Tsaatan Trails (Last of Mongolia's reindeer people)

Tsaatan Trails (Last of Mongolia's reindeer people)

The Tsaatan people (Dukha people), one of the last nomadic reindeer herders in the world, live in the depths of Taiga, northern regions of Khuvsgul province. They have their own unique language, customs, beliefs, and way of living. They are domesticating reindeer, riding them, breeding them and using them for milk, cheese, and fur. Unfortunately, their way of life is dying out as both their populations and the sizes of the reindeer herds diminish. Herders live in high mountains, 2500-3500 meters above sea level, in the remote areas following their reindeer. In Mongolia, the Tsaatan population estimated a little more 200. Today, their primary source of income is the tourists that come to buy their crafts and ride their reindeer. This package offers tourists experience the Tsaatan nomadic lifestyle very closely. Horse riding in remote areas Darkhad Valley which is rich in lakes and rivers.

Itinerary

Day 1: Khovsgol Lake

Stop At: Khovsgol Nuur, Mongolia
After you arrive in Murun, our driver and guide will pick you up at the bus station or airport. Soon after that, we will drive passing through the Khuvsgul province which is called Mongolian Switzerland and then arrive at Khovsgol Lake. It is a second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia and holds 70% of Mongolians fresh water and 1% of all the world’s freshwater reserves. Here will have a delicious dinner prepared by tour guide and relax for tomorrow’s trip.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in Ger camp.

Day 2: Khatgal to Ulaan-Uul

Stop At: Lake Hovsgol National Park, Khatgal Mongolia
After lunch, we’ll directly go to a small town called Ulaan-Uul which is the gateway to Taiga where the Tsaatan community lives and herds the Reindeer. Here we finalize our appointment with local guides to accompany us during the next few days providing a horse for riding and packing. Also, we stock up some additional food and drink before moving out to camp.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local family.

Day 3: Horse trek to Taiga

Stop At: "Taiga Tourist" tour camp, Renchinlkhumbe - Tsagaannuur Rd, Zuulun, Mongolia
After breakfast we load food and camp on the horses, saddle those for riding and the journey will start. Local horse guide will assist us throughout the way until we will back. We will ride through the forests, woods and across marshes, almost entirely at walking pace. While riding you can easily notice the shift from grasslands to Taiga, delineated by the distinct change in vegetation and topography. With a few breaks in between, we stoically endure this long riding day before arriving at summer camp. Finally, you will be allocated a bed in Teepee.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the Teepee.

Day 4: In Taiga observing Tsaatan’s life

Stop At: "Taiga Tourist" tour camp, Renchinlkhumbe - Tsagaannuur Rd, Zuulun, Mongolia
We will spend one day at summer camp and you can easily visit teepees, get first-hand knowledge of Tsaatan mores. Traditionally, domesticated reindeer have been the mainstay of the 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 a kept through the winter for riding. The main herd brought back in spring. You may take a reindeer for 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 the ancestors and natural features 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. With some luck, you may witness such ritual.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the Teepee.

Day 5: Horse trek back to Taiga

Stop At: "Taiga Tourist" tour camp, Renchinlkhumbe - Tsagaannuur Rd, Zuulun, Mongolia
Today, we will express our appreciation for the Tsaatan’s family, take the memorial photo and say goodbye to them. We will follow the same route through forests, woods and across the marshes then arrive in Ulaan-Uul.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local family.

Day 6: Murun small town

Stop At: Khovsgol Nuur, Mongolia
After breakfast, we transfer to Murun and the rest of the day is at your own disposal. The next morning our guide and driver will help you to catch up flight or bus.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local hotel.