From Horses to Reindeer

The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st-century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises. Upon arrival at the airport you are welcomed by your Mongolian guide and transferred to a centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room)

After breakfast, visit the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia’s history and culture. The newly remodeled museum displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing, and hunting equipment. Next, visit Bogd Khan Winter Palace museum, home of Mongolia’s last theocrat, Bogd Jabzan Damba Hutagt VIII. The museum displays elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of “Mongolia’s 8th Living Buddha.”

After lunch, visit the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum. Named in honor of Zanabazar, the renowned 17th-century artist and politician, who was also the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, the museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works. In the evening, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room; B, L, D)

Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Although Buddhist monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery continued to operate as a showpiece for government officials. Strolling through the monastery grounds, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha. Also visit the recently renovated Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples.

After lunch, fly north to Murun (1.5 hours), the capital of Hovsgol Province, and continue overland towards Renchinlhumbe Village. Camp near Ulaan-Uul sum. During the expedition, our guides will set up camp with expedition-quality three-person tents for every two people, outfitted with sleeping bags and mats.

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Spend the day driving north to the village of Tsagaan Nuur, named for the nearby White Lake, home to Pidschjan whitefish. Built especially for the Tsaatan community in the 1950s as a town center, Tsagaan Nuur had one of the country’s largest fish farms, as well as a reindeer-breeding farm, until the collapse of communism in 1990. Arrive in the late afternoon and rest before your horse trekking adventure starts the next day. For those interested, we can explore the area on foot before dinner. Overnight in tents near the village.

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Meet the horse wranglers and start riding through the Darkhadyn Khotgor depression towards the Zuun (East) taiga forest, home of the Tsaatan, crossing many rivers flowing down from the Khoridol Saridag Mountains. The largest of these, the Shargyn River, will be crossed using a pontoon boat. Camp overnight near Targan Nuur Lake, a small freshwater lake surrounded by hills and larch forest. Overnight in tents near Renchinlhumbe Mountain. (6-7 hours, 30- 35 km; terrain: grassy; 4 river crossings)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

This will be one of the most challenging but memorable days of the trek. In the afternoon, passing the west end of Targan Nuur Lake, cross the Sailag Mountains and by late afternoon reach the Tsaatan settlement. The Tsaatan in this region herd domesticated reindeer, which they use primarily for transportation and milk. Overnight in tents near Dood Sailig River. (6-8 hours, 30-40 km; terrain: marshy, mountain area, larch forest)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Spend this day with local Tsaatan families and learn more about their traditional nomadic lifestyle. The Tsaatan are part of the Tuvan ethnic group, who live in the Tuvan Republic of Russia. There are only about 300 Tsaatan in total, living in the northern Mongolian taiga landscape. The Tsaatan often move their small encampments every two or three weeks, looking for special types of grass and lichen loved by the reindeer (of which there are around 1,000 in total for both the east and west taiga). The Tsaatan are also strong practitioners of shamanism. Overnight in tents.

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

This morning, we will leave the dense northern territory and begin our journey onto Lake Hovsgol, known as “mother ocean” in Mongolia. We will trek near the Shargyn river, one of the major river systems in the area. (6-7 hours, 30-35 km; terrain: river valley, mostly grassy, some portions muddy)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

We will continue our journey in this “no-man’s” land as we trek through beautiful mountain valleys and meadows. We continue towards Jigleg Pass, again crossing the Shargyn River on a pontoon. Camp for the night near the Arsai River, near the west entry of Jigleg Pass. (6-7 hours, 30-35 km)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Today will be a full day of trekking through the Jigleg Pass (8,500 feet above sea level), following grassy trails. Jigleg is one of the few horse trail entries into the lake shore. As we trek from the inland to the lake, we will trek amidst pine trees and open valleys as we gradually ascent this scenic valley. We will cross a freshwater mountain river and set up camp in the foothills. (6-7 hours, 30-35 km; terrain: grassy, mountain area)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Continue the trek through northern Mongolia’s pristine alpine scenery toward Lake Hovsgol and camp near the Har-Us River. Har-Us could also be described as a series of springs nestled amongst meadows of beautiful wildflowers. Even in winter, Har- Us is not frozen in some parts and is a popular local destination for the healing power of its water. In early summer, locals flock here to eat the bailius fish for its medicinal properties. Overnight in tents. (6 hours, 30 km; terrain: grassy)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

We will be trekking today along the shoreline, with the magnificent Lake Hovsgol on the eastern side and the breathtaking Khoridal Saridag mountains on the western side. Today is one of the most scenic trekking days of our journey. We will conclude our trekking journey by arriving at our tent camp on the shore of the lake. (6 hours, 30 km; terrain: grassy)

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Spend today relaxing by the lake, kayaking, or enjoying a day-hike into the mountains or through alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers. There will also be the opportunity to visit local nomadic families who camp near the lake. Overnight in gers.

(Double Lake Ger Camp - Standard Room; B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to Murun (4 hours) for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar (1.5 hours.) Stop along the way at Lake Irkh, a small lake in the midst of the steppe that attracts a variety of birds. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room; B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure.

(B)