Lake Khövsgöl and reindeer herders
- Region
- The North
- Duration
- 11 days
- Difficulty
- Challenging Full days in the saddle or on foot, basic camps, cold nights.
- Season
- Summer · Jun, Jul, Aug
- Style
- Small group or Private · Max 8 travellers
- Per person
- From $3,950Plan this adventure
The adventure
The last villages fall away and you ride into the taiga, through bog and larch, until smoke rises from a cluster of tepees. Here the Tsaatan live with their reindeer, and you are welcomed as a guest, on their terms and at their pace.
- 01Three days with Tsaatan reindeer-herding families in the western taiga
- 02Horseback journey through the Darkhad region and into the forest
- 03Lake Khövsgöl, clear, cold and fringed with larch
- 04Walks and a boat trip on the lake from Khatgal
- 05Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Mörön included
Day by day
Every itinerary is a starting point. Your specialist can add rest days, swap camps or change the pace.
Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel. Your guide briefs you on the journey north and on visiting the reindeer herders respectfully.
- Activities
- Airport welcome
- Trip briefing
- Welcome dinner
- Tonight
- 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- Meals
- Dinner
The route
Distances in Mongolia are big and roads are often tracks. Expect some long days in the 4x4, broken up by stops with herders, picnics and leg-stretching walks.
- 1Ulaanbaatar
- 2Mörön
- 3Khatgal
- 4Tsaatan taiga
Where you'll sleep
A mix of family gers, small ger camps and a city hotel, chosen for their hosts, their setting and how well they look after the land.
What's included
- English-speaking local guide throughout
- Driver and 4x4 (Land Cruiser or Russian UAZ furgon)
- Return domestic flights Ulaanbaatar–Mörön
- Horses and local horsemen for the taiga journey
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Hotel, lakeshore camp, homestay and tent nights; camping equipment provided
- Gifts of food and supplies for the herding families, chosen with them
- National park entrance fees and border-zone permits
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- A dedicated Steppe & Sky specialist to plan your trip before you go
Not included
- International flights
- Visa, if required for your nationality
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
- Tips for guide, driver and horsemen
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Sleeping bag (rental available)
- Single supplement
Good to know
- The access ride into the taiga is the hard part: 6-8 hours each way on boggy, rooty trails. Some riding experience helps, and you should be fit enough to walk sections.
- The herders move camp through the summer, so the exact ride and timings depend on where the families are.
- Comfort is basic in the taiga: tents, long-drop toilets and no showers for three nights.
- Nights in the taiga can be near freezing even in July, and rain is frequent. Bring proper waterproofs.
Dates & prices
Per person sharing, excluding international flights. Private trips run on any date you choose.
| Dates | Style | Availability | Per person | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jun – 7 Jul 2027 | Small group | Available | From $3,950 | Enquire |
| 25 Jul – 4 Aug 2027 | Small group | Limited spaces | From $3,950 | Enquire |
| 15 Aug – 25 Aug 2027 | Small group | Available | From $3,950 | Enquire |
| 8 Aug – 18 Aug 2027Private trip, June to August. Price per person for two travellers. | Private | Available | From $5,150 | Enquire |
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