Experience Magical Taiga: Meet The Mystical Tsaatan Reindeer Herders in Northern Mongolia
This video is a brief representation of North Mongolia Taiga and does not represent the exact itinerary that is stated in the sign up article below
In the heart of North Mongolia lies a realm where sky meets land and nature's grandeur unfolds. Towering mountains, cloaked in lush forests of the majestic taiga, touch the heavens while free-roaming reindeer symbolize the wild spirit of this region.
This is the domain of the Tsaatan nomads, known as the 'Reindeer People,' whose harmonious existence with the land has endured for centuries. The reindeer serve as their lifelines, connecting them to the essence of the North and the magic of the taiga.
Embark on an expedition through North Mongolia, immersing yourself in pristine landscapes, listening to the whispers of the forest, and witnessing ancient Tsaatan nomadic traditions. This journey celebrates raw, unspoiled wilderness, the spirit of the mountains, and the unique bond between Tsaatan nomads and their majestic reindeer. Experience the tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty of this untamed land, where the flora and fauna of the taiga weave tales of wonder.
Day 1: Welcome to Mongolia
Sain uu! (Hello!) You’ll land in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, a dense urban centre home to more than half of Mongolia’s population of 3 million. In the city centre, glittering buildings rise alongside bold Soviet-era architecture and charming yurt-inspired structures. Cars rush through busy streets while cattle amble alongside in a bizarrely delightful mix of the traditional and modern.
“The arrangements made were fantastic, the city and expedition guides were friendly and always listened to us and understood our needs throughout the whole journey. Mongolia had always been at the back of my mind. I was curious about their nomadic lifestyle, culture and heritage. Beyond Expeditions opened up the opportunity for me to experience all this.
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Day 2-4: Adventure awaits in the Steppe
Your journey deep into the Mongolian wilds starts on a trusty jeep, as we speed by Murun city into Tsagaan Nuur province. We’ll cross mountains high and valleys deep, mysterious boreal forests and huge shimmering lakes. You’ll have the freedom to stop wherever you want to take pictures or just soak in the vastness of the endless steppe.
“Traversing the vast steppes in a Russian UAZ, peering through the window, feeling tiny and in complete submission to Mother Nature, time stops. With nary a worry, not glancing at one’s watch or mobile phone, and perhaps even not having any sense of purpose, is how I like being immersed in a country like Mongolia, with all that it has to offer. And it is immense. Truly, I couldn’t ask for more. My heart is so full. Still reminiscing the many beautiful moments as I write this.”
A Billion Star Hotel
Step into a free spirit’s life for an evening as you overnight with a nomadic horse family. They’ll warmly welcome you into the family ger, where you can swap stories and share food and drink till late. At night, sit out a while with a cup of hot tea and gaze into a sky bright with stars. You don’t have to think about work, what’s happening back home, or anything else… this moment is yours.
Day 5: Horse Ride into the Taiga
One of the only ways to get to the Tsaatan reindeer herders is a five to seven hours horse ride into the Taiga. Thunder across the endless plains like a Mongol conqueror in full control of your steed, surrendering only to wild and windy exhilaration. Then glide meditatively through the sublime stillness of the breathtaking boreal forests, completely at one with your horse and the natural world.
“I’d never have thought that the part I was most worried about would turn out to be my favourite, my first horse ride! And it had to be over many hours into the woods and over melting snowy hills. Amazing things can be achieved when a human and a horse connect. The horses were so well-trained, I had total trust. Within 15 minutes, all of my worries disappeared and I was able to enjoy the beautiful landscape while riding.”
Day 6-7: Meet the Mystical Reindeer Nomads
You’ll share a home with the Tsaatan reindeer herders, learning to ride, milk, and herd reindeer and make cheese from reindeer milk. The Tsataan are warm-hearted people who will enthusiastically share about their way of life, and go above and beyond to make you feel at home. You’ll stay in their teepees, explore the surrounding forests they’ve lived off for thousands of years, and share in their nomadic culture and lifestyle.
Experience a Disappearing Culture
There are only about 40 Tsaatan families left today who continue the tradition of raising and herding reindeer. The reindeer provide the Tsaatan with milk, meat and transportation, as well as materials such as hair for sewing clothes and antlers for traditional medicine. As the climate warms and the ice patches that keep reindeer cool and watered disappear, so will the livelihoods and culture of the Tsaatan people.
“Once you reach the remote Taiga forests, you are instantly rewarded with the sight of the white reindeers! The two days spent in a teepee like nomadic reindeer herders were transformative, immersive and unlike anything I have ever experienced before. The nomads are beautiful people inside out and you will immediately warm up in their presence. They are kind, considerate and just beautiful souls. This was one of the best trips of my life.”
Day 8: Back to Civilisation
After roughing it out for the past five days, it’s time to relax. Now that there’s reception, messages from family and friends come flooding in. You click through them all, seeing nothing external has changed but feeling transformed by and grateful for your time in the Taiga’s wilds. You’ve reached beyond your limits and thrived. You suddenly see, so clearly, what you value in life.
“What I get is experiencing life, what I get is stretching my comfort level, what I get is discovering my own limits, what I get is re-calibrating my boundaries, what I get is reaffirming that having basic needs met is all that matters, what I get is appreciating and making do with whatever I have, what I get is being marvelled by the resiliency, tenacity, creativity, simplicity and humanity of humankind and all these... are priceless.”
Day 9: Explore an Ancient Monastery
You’ll spend a peaceful evening at Amarbayasgalant, an ancient and majestic monastery in the middle of the sprawling steppes and one of the three largest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. During the Soviet era, hundreds of monasteries of deep religious and cultural significance were destroyed. So soak in the spiritual vibes of chanting monks amid tranquil landscapes at one of the few and most famous ones left.
Day 10: Return to Ulaanbaatar
It’s time to head back to Ulaanbaatar and a celebratory dinner with your new-found friends. Is it your last night in Mongolia already? The country, its people and culture had seemed so foreign when you first landed, but having journeyed deep into the wilderness and experienced nomadic culture in full, you feel attached to the country and the people who made your trip so precious.
“The 13 days (we had a 33 hour flight delay due to adverse weather) flew by and there weren’t any dull periods. I’m not sure if it’s the same for the other groups but the 3 of us (unlikely trio of solo travellers) shared countless laughs and inside jokes that we hold dear. Have an open mind and heart, and give yourselves the chance of a life-changing experience. And perhaps like me, you may realise we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for.”
Day 11: It’s Only the Beginning
Baryatai! (Goodbye!) You’ll fly back to Singapore richer with colourful experiences and new stories to tell. It’s not the end - it’s only the beginning! All travel is inherently transformative. At the end of the trip, maybe you’d like to start smiling hello to strangers. Or maybe you’d like to change jobs. Or fight for a cause. Whatever it may be, there is a kind of internal shift, a deepening self-awareness. It will follow you and fuel you, changing your life in ways you can’t even imagine.
“My sincere advice to anyone planning to take a trip to Mongolia is that you need to keep an open mind and forget about the plan and details. Live in the moment. Take in the rolling green steppes, vast blue skies, endless grasslands dotted with livestocks and ger. Play with the animals, play with the kids. Make the best of each situation. Observe and live like a Mongolian. Get over yourself and do things that you’ve never done before.”
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Upon payment of 50% non-refundable deposit, you will secure a spot for 1x North Mongolia Taiga group expedition. The total price for the trip is S$6,990 nett inclusive of flights. The remaining 50% is to be paid 8 weeks prior to trip commencement.
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Round-trip international flights (economy) from Singapore to Mongolia (Check in baggage up to 23kg and carry on baggage up to 7kg)
Airport transfers
All modes of accommodation (3 stars twin-sharing hotel in the capital, guesthouses, tourist ger camp, ger/yurt with nomadic families in the countryside)
All breakfasts, lunches, dinner stated
Private all-terrain vehicle + driver, petrol
Local Mongolian expedition guide (English speaking)
Horse riding
All staff costs including their fees, insurance, equipments
All governmental and local taxes
All national park fees
A bottle of 1.5L of water per day
3/4seasons sleeping bag
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Excess luggage and hand carry fees for all flights
Additional incurred costs during layover
Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Personal travel insurance
Emergency rescue flights (if needed)
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