In the remote forests of northern Mongolia, a small and ancient people still live as they always have — moving with their reindeer through the taiga, guided by the seasons and the spirits of the land. The Tsaatan, or Dukha, number fewer than 500 individuals today. With Nomadic Trails, you can travel into their world during the Reindeer Festival — a rare gathering that celebrates their culture, their animals, and their extraordinary way of life.
Here, deep in the boreal forest near the Russian border, the crowds are small, the setting is unlike anywhere else on earth, and what you witness is entirely real.
You won’t observe from a distance. Our northern Mongolian guides lead you beyond the festival itself to visit a Tsaatan family at their teepee camp in the taiga. Feed a reindeer by hand. Sit with a herder and hear how their people have lived in these forests for centuries. If the community’s shaman is present, you may witness a ritual that connects the living world to something far older.
Our groups stay small — never more than 8 people — so you receive genuine access, personal introductions, and time to be present rather than simply passing through.
No special experience is needed. If you are drawn to indigenous cultures, wild landscapes, or traditions that exist nowhere else on earth, this journey is for you. The taiga is remote and the travel is rugged, but the experience rewards every step.
We are a locally owned company based in Ulaanbaatar, running tours since 2017. We work directly with Tsaatan families and northern Mongolian communities, ensuring your visit supports the people you are there to meet. No middlemen. No staged performances.
Come feed a reindeer at dawn. Come sit inside a teepee while the forest holds its breath. Come discover the northernmost edge of Mongolian nomadic life — one of the most quietly extraordinary places left on earth. Contact Nomadic Trails today to book your Reindeer Festival experience.
