Winter Reindeer Tour for Expats in Mongolia

Winter Reindeer Tour for Expats in Mongolia: Create Unforgettable Holiday Memories

Embark on a special winter journey with Nomadic Trails and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Mongolia. Our Winter Reindeer Tour offers expats and their loved ones a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of the Dukha Reindeer People and experience the wonders of the winter season.

During this tour, you will have the chance to unravel the history, culture, and way of life of the Dukha Reindeer People, a community that has retained its traditional nomadic practices amidst the stunning winter landscapes of Mongolia. This enigmatic tribe will captivate your imagination as you delve into their unique traditions and customs.

One of the highlights of the tour is the frozen Khuvsgul Lake, often referred to as the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia.” Its crystal-clear ice, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creates a magical setting that will leave you in awe. You will also visit Renchinlkhumbe town, a charming location where you can interact with the local community and gain insights into their daily lives.

Ulaan Taiga National Park is another renowned destination on this tour. This vast wilderness is home to the Tsaatan Tribe, also known as the Reindeer Herders. Explore the park’s breathtaking landscapes, witness the harmonious relationship between the Tsaatan people and their reindeer, and gain a deeper understanding of their ancient traditions.

Throughout the Winter Reindeer Tour, Nomadic Trails ensures your comfort and safety while providing you with an unforgettable adventure. Our experienced team will guide you through the winter wonderland, offering insights into the local culture, arranging comfortable accommodations, and organizing activities that showcase the best of Mongolia’s winter landscapes.

Create memories that will last a lifetime with Nomadic Trails. Join us on the Winter Reindeer Tour and discover the hidden treasures of Mongolia’s winter wonderland.

Create your adventure of a lifetime with Nomadic Trails!

View the Nomadic Trails Winter Reindeer Tour close-up video here.

Winter Reindeer Tour 2021 MAP

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Glistening Snowy Scenery: Immerse yourself in the stunning winter landscapes of the southern edge of Siberia. Marvel at the picturesque snow-covered mountains, frozen rivers, and enchanting forests that create a winter wonderland.

Nomad Reindeer Herder Tribe: Experience the unique way of life of the nomadic Reindeer Herder Tribe. Interact with the community, learn about their customs, traditions, and daily routines, and enjoy their warm hospitality.

Horse Sledding on Khuvsgul Lake: Embark on an exhilarating horse sledding adventure on the translucent ice of Khuvsgul Lake. Feel the thrill as the horses glide across the frozen lake, surrounded by the breathtaking winter scenery.

Everyday Life Activities of Nomads: Get hands-on experience with the everyday activities of nomadic life. 

Relaxation by Khuvsgul Lake: Unwind and take in the serene beauty of Khuvsgul Lake, known as the Blue Pearl of Mongolia.

 

 

BRIEF TOUR ITINERARY

Day-1 Ulaanbaatar- Erdenet Town

Day-2 Erdenet Town – Murun Town – Khatgal Town

Day-3 Khatgal / Khuvsgul Lake – Renchin Lkhumbe Town

Day-4 Renchinlkhumbe Town – Taiga

Day-5 Taiga

Day-6 Taiga- Ulaan Uul Town

Day-7 Ulaan Uul Town – Murun Town

Day-8 Murun Town – Erdenet Town

Day-9 Erdenet – Ulaanbaatar City

TOUR ITINERARY

Day-1 ULAANBAATAR- ERDENET TOWN

Our journey starts in the evening, at 8:30 PM when we will meet at the Ulaanbaatar train station for our overnight train ride where one train cabin will be arranged for 2 people. It is a perfect time to get to know your Tour Leader and group mates on your journey to Erdenet town. Overnight Local Train

Day-2 ERDENET TOWN – MURUN TOWN – KHATGAL TOWN

We will be picked up by the rest of the Nomadic Trails crew this morning and have a simple breakfast.

Afterward, we will drive to Murun town, the provincial capital of Khuvsgul Province. The activities for this day will include a visit to an ancient deer stones and carving site after which we will return to Murun town and from there head to Khatgal town. We transfer to a local guest ger to rest for the night. Guest ger /B,L,D/

Day-3 KHATGAL / KHUVSGUL LAKE – RENCHIN LKHUMBE TOWN

After a hearty breakfast, you will spend the morning at the stunning frozen lake Khuvsgul, the Blue Pearl of Mongolia. At the lake, you will go on a Horse sled ride for an hour taking in the view and having tremendous fun as well.

Then, we carry on driving through Mountain to visit a special running river in the mountain and arrive at Renchinlkhumbe town for an overnight stay. Guesthouse /B,L,D/

Day-4 RENCHINLKHUMBE TOWN – TAIGA

After breakfast, we drive through snow-covered roads to the Winter camping site of the Mongolian Reindeer tribe. After arrival, transfer to local huts which will be the accommodation for the night. We meet with the local reindeer herders and spend the rest of the day among the tribe, getting to know the culture, even participating in some. For example, riding a reindeer, etc Local huts /B,L,D/

Day-5 TAIGA

Spend this day staying amongst the Tsaachin people and experience their everyday life.
Enjoy the tribe’s hospitality by talking with the local people and understanding their local culture and how they have managed to maintain such a traditional way of life for so long. Take in the beauty of the snow-covered forest. Local huts /B,L,D/

Day-6 TAIGA- ULAAN UUL TOWN

In the morning, you spend some time with the Reindeer tribe and after saying farewells to the Dukha Tribe families we will drive to Ulaan Uul town via Darkhad Depression, rich with more than 300 lakes and big rivers. We have a good little walk between the driving in a beautiful gorge on the way. We arrive at Ulaan Uul town and transfer to the log cabin in the National Park Rangers station and relax for the evening. Cabin /B,L,D/

Day-7 ULAAN UUL TOWN – MURUN TOWN

After breakfast, we start our drive back to Murun town. This day is mostly dedicated to driving off-road through amazing winter scenery and will conclude at Murun town where we transfer to a local hotel with hot water and relax for the evening. Local hotel /B,L,D/

Day-8 MURUN TOWN – ERDENET TOWN

With an easy morning, we depart from Murun town after a good rest. We drive to Erdenet Town to catch our overnight train while recalling the adventurous journey you have just experienced. After your farewell with the Nomadic Trails team, you start your train ride back to Ulaanbaatar city. Local train /B,L,D/

Day-9 ERDENET – ULAANBAATAR CITY

Our journey concludes at Ulaanbaatar Train station.

WINTER REINDEER TOUR FOR EXPATS IN MONGOLIA GALLERY

what's included

inclusions

Clients relaxing near tee-pee winter Tsaatan Reindeer herders tour

exclusions

Clients relaxing near tee-pee winter Tsaatan Reindeer herders tour

Tour reviews and testimonials

Angie N
5/5
Custom Reindeer Tsaatan and Eagle Festival Tour
Tulga is such a hard worker and is committed to bringing the best possible experience to his guests and no request is too big. His knowledge of his country is as vast as the country itself

and he was able to provide a varied, personal, unique experience. I wanted to create my own personal itinerary and Tulga had the knowledge, contacts, experience and sense of adventure to make that happen.
I’ll be returning in 2020 to travel with Nomadic Trails again. Can’t wait!

Elaine
5/5
Private Reindeer Herders Tour
Tulga led our week-long trip with friends to visit the Tsaatan people. It was a fantastically well organised trip, with Tulga and his team looking after us perfectly throughout. We stayed in some beautiful spots

on our way to and from the reindeer people and Tulga ensured that our time with the Tsaatan was respectful and he clearly had an excellent relationship with them built over a number of years. We were always consulted over decisions about activities and where to stay.

The chef who accompanied us throughout the trip was really good (meals included freshly baked bread, pancakes, pizza…). And we were lucky with the weather too.

Eszter Tandel
5/5
Custom Reindeer Herders Photography Tour
Looking for a travel agency in Mongolia? Nomadic Trails is definitely the best choice! I just arrived home from a photography tour organised by Nomadic Trails.

It was a very memorable trip ful of actions, and funny happenings.
Our guide, Tulga was very professional and never the less very patient. Tsetsgee, our cook made an excellent job as well, she was able to cook perfect dishes even in the middle of nowhere.
See you soon guys! … because every great journey needs to be continued!

John
5/5
Group Reindeer Herders tour
Tulga designed our itinerary to cover as much quality experiences as we can in 7 days. We had a wonderful time boating at Khovsgol, tent camping in 5* spots – all with superb sunset view, before

hopping on our horses to go to the Tsaatan reindeer tribe, then finally staying at one of the best camps in Murun.
Everything was so well-organized. Noteworthy is Tulga’s relationship with the tribe, which is an important consideration when we were planning this trip as we want to be as respectful as possible to the tribe for them not to feel uneasy during our stay.
Our group was delighted to have raw and authentic Mongolian experience without having to sacrifice comfort – we had delicious food, great accommodation and comfortable transportation all throughout our trip – thanks to the incredible team of Nomadic Trails!

Kimberley H
5/5
Private Reindeer Herders Tour
I was very pleased with my trip with Nomadic Trails. Our guide Tulga was knowledgeable and experienced. The staff was friendly and accommodating and we were served great food.

The experience staying with the reindeer tribe was incredible and something not to miss in northern Mongolia.
Overall the whole tour was well organized and I would have another tour in the future.

Matthew K
5/5
Custom Reindeer & Golden Eagle Festival Tour
We travelled with a large group and everything from the second we landed was perfectly organized. We had the opportunity to see the beauty of Mongolia and interact with incredible locals

thanks to Nomadic Trails. Tulga and everyone on his team were so accommodating to any of our requests and even helped us navigate our way through the local market and barter for souvenirs. Truly delicious food as well at every stop. Phenomenal all around. Thank y’all for everything! Unbelievable experience in Mongolia!

Meridith
5/5
Private Reindeer Herders & Horse riding Tour
Excellent! Nomadic Trails is a top rate outfit. We thoroughly enjoyed our horse trip with Tulga and Naraa. They met our highest

expectations and we went back for another trip the next year. The culture, food, horses and especially the country were wonderful. We highly recommend Nomadic Trails if you want to see real Mongolia.

Sandra Henri
5/5
Private Group Dukha Reindeer Herders Tour
Ulaanbaatar
Why is it the experiences that move us most deeply are the hardest to put into words? Perhaps it’s because experiences of the soul don’t need to be broadcast, filtered and hash-tagged, they just are.

And so Mongolia goes about being magnificent, in the quietest and humblest of ways, surprising vistors with it’s immense beauty, and it’s magical ability to slow you down and re-centre you from within. Let’s call it a retreat for the adventurous.
The capital and a great place to do an international culinary tour. You’ll be spoilt for choice of restaurants here. When I first arrived in Ulaanbaatar, I noticed how sweet is was to see friends affectingly arm in arm, strolling down the street together, whilst I raced past making a mission of my evening walk. ‘C’mon guys, can’t you see I’ve got places to be?’ was ticking through my mind, still in work mode, crossing off the to-do list. It was then music to my ears that Mongolian time very simply consists of before noon or afternoon. Ah bliss, I thought, I’d never be late again!

Mongolian countryside

As we headed into the vastness of the Mongolian countryside, it was the calm that struck me the most. 360 degrees of breathtaking wilderness, and although I tried, I don’t think the camera can do it justice. An energy so old and powerful, pure and untouched, this place is simply magical. Collectively our group began to relax and laugh our way into truly soaking up this experience. (as well as working out all our remarkable 6 degrees of separation!) Even the breakdowns and delays were greeted with laughter, knowing the worst that could happen was that we set up camp in a different piece of paradise.
Over 3 days of journeying by plane, 4WD and horseback, we arrived at our destination, the Reindeer Tribes living on the Siberian steppe. We collectively gasped as we emerged from the forest to see the smoke coming from the first of the teepees. Like stepping through the Narnia door, we entered a different world, so surreal, and such an honour to be one of the few travellers allowed to visit each year. Yet thanks to the many years of rapport established by our guides, it felt like we were welcomed home, with freshly brewed tea and happy kids eager to play.
Living nomadically means that packing up all your earthly possessions (including satellite dish), riding 6 hours, and setting up camp at the next season’s residence, is all in a days work. Foraging and hunting for food, whilst surviving -40 degrees in the winter, these people are next level resilient (as well as the original minimalists). The Tsaachin are innately connected to the rhythms of nature as well as interconnected to each other. With a gentleness, humility and warmth that we seem to have lost. I hope the Tsaachin can sustain their lifestyle for generations to come, as we have so much to re-learn from their wisdom. Ah if only I could have paused time, stayed a while longer and asked another 1000 questions.
And so my memories of Mongolia linger fondly, with my wind horse (soul) happy, hoping that one day I’ll return to fill my cup with Mongolia’s calm once more. Thank-you Lisa, Tulga and your phenomenal team for creating an atmosphere as magical as your country. (and Puujee, how you created 3 course meals for the 10 of us each day on a camp stove, was flippin’ amazing!) .
Because positive impact travel grows our shared humanity, which grows compassion, which ultimately grows a more peaceful world.
And when in Mongolia, a polar plunge is a must isn’t it?

Viktoria Varga
5/5
Reindeer Tsaatan Custom Photography Tour
We had a wonderful trip in Mongolia organized by Nomadic Trails. I highly recommend them to anyone considering coming to this wonderful country.

Tulga, our tour guide is very knowledgeable and helpful, his driving skills also worth a praise and believe me, on these roads, it is a big advantage for someone like me with a motion sickness.
They provided a cook for us, who exceeded all of our expectations.
If you want a truly amazing experience just go with them!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS TOUR?

Ulaan Uul village - town North of Mongolia
Ulaan Uul Town
Nomadic Reindeer herders Purevee in winter scenery
Dukha Tribe Winter Camp
Murun town of Northern Mongolia
Murun town
frozen Khuvsgul Lake 2022
Khuvsgul Lake
Reindeer-Summer Mongolian Reindeer Herders tour
Mongolian Taiga

Reindeer related information:

Reindeer produce very little milk, so you cannot purchase it. But not to worry, you can still drink reindeer milk tea made by a local reindeer family. Some families with many reindeer sell cheese, so when you meet such families you can ask them to buy some.

After we ask the owner first, we can also ride a reindeer for a short amount of time.

Food and drinks:

Our professional expedition chef will be preparing both Mongolian and European cuisine for you. Depending on the itinerary of the day for example with lengthy driving, we will also be eating a packed lunch. Please don’t forget to write in our passenger list about your dietary requirements and allergies.
We will be providing you with mineral water, tea, and brewed coffee, but soda and juice will not be provided.

Tour guide and Leader:

Certified English-speaking experienced Tour Leaders and Tour guides will be your friend and close partner for the duration of the trip and even after your departure. All Nomadic Trails team members have been trained personally by Nomadic Trails experts and the Mongolian Professional Tour Guide Association.

Extra tips for this Reindeer People Mongolia Winter Adventure:

In the mornings, if you get up early, you can go on a walk, meditate or even read books.
During our drives, you will see stunning landscapes. You will witness the stunning view of mountains of unique formation, serene lakes, and frozen rivers. Sipping wine near a bonfire in the evenings, sharing memorable moments from our trip, and observing the starry sky is indeed a moment one can simply enjoy.

Related blogs & articles

Reindeer Festival opening
REINDEER FESTIVAL 2024 by NOMADIC TRAILS
The Reindeer Festival, an enchanting event organized by Nomadic Trails, dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage of local reindeer herders while fostering sustainable tourism opportunities
Travellers with Dukha Mongolian reindeer herders
How to visit the Mongolian Reindeer Herders/ Tsaatan or Dukha tribe
In this article, we will discuss who are the Dukha Reindeer Herders in Mongolia and what is the best way to visit them.
The Best Reindeer Herder photos
Best Reindeer Herder photos uploaded and shared on social media. View count data was collected from Nomadic Trails official Facebook.

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