KHUVSGUL TOUR

Tsaatan live differently from most other people in the world. The Tsaatan’s sense of community is structured around the reindeer. The reindeer and the Tsaatan are dependent on one another. Some Tsaatan say that if the reindeer disappear, so too will their culture. The reindeer are domesticated and belong to the household. In many ways they are treated like family members and shown respect. The community's chores and activities are centered around the care and feeding of their reindeer. Tsaatan communities on the taiga are usually a group of tents of two to seven households that move camp to find optimum grazing for the reindeer. Herding tasks are shared amongst the camp with children at a young age learning to care for the reindeer and keeping them safe. The girls and younger women do the milking and make yogurt, cheese, and milk tea. Young men and women and elders help with herding. A few of the men stay with the reindeer in the winter months, living in the open air with their herds to protect them from wolves and other predators. The men also make and repair their hunting tools and reindeer saddles and carts. Since they rarely kill a reindeer, they supplement their diet of reindeer milk products by hunting wild animals from the forest.

Day 1. Khuvsgul Lake Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Murun, which is a small town of Northern Mongolia.  Upon arrival, we will start drive to the Khuvsgul Lake, which is known as the Switzerland of Mongolia and second the clearest lake in Central Asia. The Lake water is crystal clear blue, so that you can see bottom of lake when you are sailing and this lake surround by deep forest and magnificent mountains. After lunch in restaurant, we will explore the Khuvsgul Lake National Park. Relax and free time offers us the opportunity to explore the surroundings, hiking in the surrounding hills, swimming in the lake and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. Stay overnight at tourist Ger camp near shore of the lake.

Day 2. Tsaatan reindeer family. After breakfast, we will ride horses and ride to meet a reindeer herder family. Depending on your experience, we will select appropriate horse for you. We will meet reindeer herders and explore their life style, custom and sacraments. Reindeer herders practice shamanism and live in huts.  Tsaatans are the last reindeer herders who survived for thousands of years inhabiting the remotest subarctic taiga, moving between 5 and 10 times a year. In the afternoon is free time for you to be on your own. There is great opportunity to hiking, canoe, kayaking or just enjoy at wild nature to take photos. Also you can ride motor-boat around lake. Stay overnight at tourist Ger camp near shore of the lake.

Day 3. Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, we will drive to airport of Мurun town and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. On the way we will visit Uushig ancient Deer Stone Monument - as most clearly depicted deer stones in Mongolia.  A deer, an arch, a shield, a horse, a knife, the moon, the sun and a mirror figured belt were engraved on the stones. Upon arrival in the city, our team will transfer to your hotel.