🗓 Season & Travel Style

Our Tsaatan Reindeer Herder journeys operate from mid-May to mid-October, when the northern taiga and alpine valleys are at their most beautiful — from lush green meadows to golden autumn forests. This trip is designed for active, open-minded travelers who enjoy riding, hiking, and camping in wild, remote regions while connecting with nomadic traditions. Expect rougher off-road drives (4–6 hours), short hikes, and 2–4 days of horse trekking guided by experienced local wranglers. Experience Mongolia’s wild north and the culture of the Tsaatan people who live deep in the taiga.

🏨 Accommodation: A Balance of Comfort & Character

Hotel in Ulaanbaatar – Comfortable City Stay Your first and final nights are spent at a good-quality modern 3★ hotel in Ulaanbaatar, selected for comfort, cleanliness, and convenient location. Rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, hot showers, air conditioning or heating, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast service. Most hotels we partner with are within a short distance of Sukhbaatar Square, restaurants, and shops, allowing guests to explore the capital with ease. Examples of our partner hotels include Premium hotel, Aurora hotel, and Millenium plaza — or similar standards depending on availability. Tourist Ger Camps – Simple Comfort in Nature Most nights are spent in tourist ger camps, which provide a cozy and clean base near major attractions. These camps offer the traditional charm of Mongolia’s circular gers (yurts) while maintaining basic hotel standards. Each camp provides:

• Private gers (yurts) with twin beds (extra beds available on request), bedding, and basic furniture
• Shared bathroom facilities with Western-style toilets and hot showers in a separate building
• Restaurant ger serving freshly prepared meals
• Electricity (220V) available in the evenings for lighting and device charging
• Heating stove for chilly nights (in camps located in the central & northern Mongolia)

Please note:

• Most camps do not provide one-time amenities such as toothbrushes, robes, shampoo, or conditioner (though a few upgraded camps may).
• We recommend bringing your own personal toiletries and towel.
• Wi-Fi may be available in some camps via Starlink, though connection speeds vary.

Camps are peaceful, well-maintained, and located in scenic surroundings — allowing you to experience the landscape while sleeping comfortably. Tourist ger camps are open seasonally from May to early October and provide the perfect blend of rustic charm and reliable comfort.

Local Guesthouse in Ulaan-Uul – Simple & Welcoming

A cozy, family-run guesthouse offering basic but clean accommodation in the heart of the Darkhad Valley. Rooms have twin or triple beds with shared bathrooms and hot showers if available.  Meals are freshly prepared by the hosts or your Travel Buddies team. Electricity is provided at all times. A warm, friendly stay that reflects the charm of rural Mongolia.

• Tsaatan Family Homestay – Genuine Cultural Experience

Spend two nights living with the Tsaatan (Dukha) reindeer herders deep in the northern taiga. Stay in guest teepees or tents, shared by 2–4 travelers with camping gears. Facilities are basic: no running water, electricity, or showers. Meals are prepared by your Travel Buddies team using local ingredients, offering a taste of traditional Mongolian cuisine. This stay provides a rare, immersive experience of nomadic life — reindeer herding, shamanic traditions, and close interaction with the community in one of the world’s most remote wilderness areas. During your visit, you may:

• Join your hosts in milking and tending reindeers
• Share tea with the family and learn about their story

🍽 Meals: Hearty & Homemade

Meals are included as shown in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner). Food in Mongolia is simple, nourishing, and always freshly prepared, reflecting the local climate and nomadic heritage.

• Breakfast
• Bread, butter, jam, eggs, sausage, and sometimes pancakes or cereals
• Tea or coffee is served

Lunch

• Main dish featuring meat (beef, mutton, or chicken) with rice, pasta, or potatoes
• Fresh vegetable sides such as cabbage, carrot, cucumber, or tomato salad
• Dessert or fruit with tea

Dinner

• Main course of meat, noodle, or rice dish
• Simple dessert (fruit, yogurt, or pastry)
• TeaGuests are often invited to join in cooking or tasting suutei tsai (milk tea) with their hosts.

Please note:

• Meat and dairy are central to Mongolian cuisine.
• Vegetarian meals can be arranged with prior notice, but gluten-free options are difficult to accommodate in rural areas.
• Bottled water (1.5 liters per person per day) is provided throughout the trip.

🚙 Transportation & Roads

All Travel Buddies tours operate with Japanese and Russian minivans These vehicles are comfortable, air-conditioned, and driven by our reliable, experienced drivers. Vehicles:

• Main highways between towns are paved but can be uneven or have potholes.
• Access roads to attractions and national parks are typically dirt or gravel.
• Daily driving distances average 4–6 hours, with scenic photo and restroom stops along the way.

Horse riding:

• Half a day of guided horse trekking into the rugged taiga and Darkhad Valley is required to reach the Tsaatan reindeer herders.
• Treks traverse rivers, alpine meadows, and forest trails, allowing travelers to experience Mongolia like a nomad.
• Riding is always accompanied by your guide and team, ensuring safety and smooth navigation.

This combination of vehicles and horses allows access to Mongolia’s most remote and beautiful landscapes while keeping the journey comfortable and authentic.

🕒 Typical Daily Schedule

Our tours follow a relaxed and well-balanced routine:

Time	Activity
07:00–08:00	Breakfast at camp
08:00	Depart for day’s drive or ride
12:30–13:00	Picnic or lunch stop
14:00–17:00	Visits, trekking, or horseback riding
18:00–19:00	Arrive at camp, rest
19:30–20:00	Dinner followed by free time under the stars

On longer travel days, you may continue driving for 2–3 hours after lunch to reach your next stop, followed by a sunset visit or evening activity.

📶 Connectivity

Internet access in rural Mongolia is limited, offering the perfect opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature.

• Mobile network coverage is available in most towns and along major routes if you use a local SIM card.
• Some ger camps offer Wi-Fi via Starlink, but service can be intermittent.
• In remote locations, you’ll enjoy a true digital break — replaced by incredible stargazing and quiet evenings.

👩‍💼 Guides

Travel Buddies employs experienced, English-speaking tour guides who are friendly, professional, and passionate about sharing Mongolia’s history and culture. They ensure smooth coordination throughout your journey and help you connect with locals along the way. Guides in German, French, Spanish, Chinese, or Japanese can be arranged upon request. During horseback or camel riding, local wranglers will assist you for safety and guidance.

🧭 When to Travel

The best months for this journey are June through August, when the weather is warm and stable. Spring (May) and autumn (September–mid October) are cooler and ideal for photography, with fewer travelers.

• Average daytime temperatures: +18°C to +25°C in Khövsgöl, cooler in the taiga.
• Nighttime temperatures: drop +5°C to +10°C or lower

Pack layered clothing, a warm jacket, and rain protection.   Taiga is cooler than average temperature in Mongolia

💼 What to Expect

This is an adventure of a lifetime through Mongolia’s northern wilderness. Expect horseback riding, off-road drives, cozy gers, and genuine connections with the Tsaatan people. It’s a journey of discovery, challenge, and cultural immersion — where you come as a guest and leave as a friend.

Booking & Payment

To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit is required, payable via online payment (Visa or Mastercard) or bank transfer. Please note that card payments incur a 3% processing fee, which is borne by the client. Bank transfers do not have any additional charges. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your tour departure. There are no hidden fees beyond the card processing cost. Please review our Terms & Conditions for full details. Kindly note that bookings close one month before the tour departure date.

💛 Come as Guests, Leave as Buddies.