13 Days Horse trekking among the reindeer herders with flight

13 Days Horse trekking among the reindeer herders with flight

General description
Mongolia undoubtedly is a country of horses. Horses always have played an important role in the lives, culture and history of the Mongolian nomads. Just think, on the backs of those short horses Chinggis Khaan was able to conquer half of the world. Therefore Mongolia is the perfect place for true riders and horse lovers. During this trip you will have a lot of riding involved beginning from the banks of Khuvsgul Lake to the Taiga, home of reindeer breeders. The trails are oftentimes mild but as you move forward in the extreme north, it gets challenging yet adventurous. You will enjoy pristine nature, spectacular landscapes together with rich history and culture of the people.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mongolian Switzerland- Khuvsgul

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• We take on our flight towards the northernmost part of Mongolia. During our flight we fly over the beautiful lakes, river, alpine forest and obviously mountains.
• Today we will arrive in Murun city, the center of northernmost province Khuvsgul. Here we will pick our border admission to travel around border areas where Reindeer breeders live.
• Continue driving to the Khuvsgul Lake which respectfully referred as “Blue Pearl” or “Mother Sea “by locals. The Lake is one of the wonders and top destinations of Mongolia. Khuvsgul Lake is located in the northwest of Mongolia near the Russian border, at the foothills of the eastern Sayan Mountains. It is 1,645 meters (5,397 feet) above sea level, 136 kilometers (85 miles) long and 262 meters (860 feet) deep. Khuvsgul Lake is the deepest lake in Mongolia. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia's fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world. Almost hundred springs, rivers and streams flow into the lake when only Egiin Gol River flows out form this gigantic water pool. Plus its water factors, Khuvsgul National Park cover huge percentage of Mongolian forest and primarily Taiga.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/

Accommodation included: • Overnight optional : Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 2: Khuvsgul Lake

Stop At: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
• Today we will start our warming up horse trekking along the Shore of Khuvsgul Lake. This is a practicing day, so the riders can get used to the Mongolian horses and to whip way their concerns and fear. Riding will take roughly 4-5 hours.
• Packed picnic lunch

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional : Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 3: Ulaan Uul and Tsagaan Nuur village

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
Khuvsgul Lake – Ulaan Uul- Tsagaan Nuur 300km
• We will start our journey towards to the mysterious Taiga, extreme north of the country. In order to reach the point where we will saddle up our horses we will drive thru breathtakingly majestic Darkhad Depression, the green land of river and lakes. Alongside our driving there are two villages Ulaan-Uul, the Red Mount and Tsagaan Nuur, the White Lake.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Nomadic family ger / tents

Day 4: Tsagaan Nuur village

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• After two days of wonderful journey amongst the thrilling landscape, we will arrive to our host family near Tsagaan Nuur.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Nomadic family ger / tents

Day 5: Taiga Ride

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• Today we begin challenging part our trip, trekking on the trails of Taiga on a horse back. Taiga is an unbelievably beautiful landscape of forests, high mountains and wetland. The Reindeer people live upon those mountains herding their reindeer on the lichens and mosses of the bountiful Taiga. Since we will be riding mainly on the swamp and in the trees, some flies and mosquitoes will assist us during our journey.
• Riding ours will vary depending on the distance of summer camp of Reindeer people. Depending on the heat and vegetation, each year tribes change their locations.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Later in the day camp out and refresh ourselves by cold stream.

Day 6: Land of the reindeer

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• Continue our horse trekking to the Tsaatan people’s camp. In the summer, Reindeer people mainly live in the teepees which is made branches of tree and covered by traditionally with the skins and hides of reindeer, but lately with waterproof canvas. Although reindeer is their primary living source, some Tsaatan families own livestock as well as their reindeer herd. And these animals are used for food, for clothes and bring income home. Tsaatan people live in tribal community and today there about over 60 families with nearly 300 members.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Sleeping in the teepee / tents

Day 7: Land of the reindeer

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• Later in the afternoon arrive at the Tsaatan camp. Visit the teepees and enjoy reindeer milk tea.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Sleeping in the teepee / tents

Day 8: Exploring the Reindeer breeders

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• This is the day of exploring and experiencing. We will have full day of learning, observing and enjoying Tsaatan people, their traditions and culture.
• Except learning, you can also take part in their daily activities and help around.
• Tsaatan people have always been practicing shamanism as their main belief. Rest of the time, in the afternoon we will spend with local shamans and see their rituals.
• Sharing is caring. While sharing our dinner with host family, we can hear some traditional stories and legends, songs of Tsaatan people.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Teepee / tents

Day 9: Saying good bye- Riding Back

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• Around noon, we will take our return journey. Another adventurous experience in the unspoiled nature of Taiga and on its uneasy but outstanding tracks.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight in the tents.

Day 10: Riding Back

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• Around noon, we will take our return journey. Another adventurous experience in the unspoiled nature of Taiga and on its uneasy but outstanding tracks.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight in the tents.

Day 11: Tsagaan Nuur village

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
• After a day and half ride will arrive back at Tsagaan Nuur village where we will meet our vehicle. Rest of the day will be chill out, recovery and refreshing easy day.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight at a local guesthouse

Day 12: Along the Mountains of Khoridol Saridag

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
Tsagaan Nuur village – Khoridol Saridag 180km
• Today we will shift form horses to cars. Carry on our journey back in the fields of Darkhad Depression along with high peaks of Khoridol Saridag Mountains over passes of Tom and Oliin with rows of shaman Ovoos by blessing and ensuring our journey of memory.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: hotel / tents

Day 13: Back to Ulaanbaatar

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
Khoridol Saridag – Murun 150km
• Before finally departing the north, we will visit a historical site called Uushigiin Uvur Valley. Here you can see complex of deer stone monuments erected besides the burial sites dating back to early Bronze Age era over some 4000 years ago. Deer stones were part of the ancient funeral practices and were mainly dedicated to express common people’s mourning over their great warriors and military leaders. There are 14 deer stones and one of the exclusive monuments is a deer stone with a human face.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.