Reindeer herders tours
16-Day Gobi Desert, Central Mongolia & Reindeer Adventure
Cross from the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia to the northern taiga for a deeper Tsaatan reindeer herder experience.
Overview
This extended journey links Mongolia’s major landscape contrasts in one private route: southern Gobi desert scenery, Central Mongolia’s historic valleys, volcanic country, Lake Khuvsgul and the remote taiga home of the Tsaatan reindeer herders. It is designed for travelers who want cultural depth, big overland scenery and enough time in the north to experience the reindeer community with context and respect.
Photo gallery
Field images
4 photos
Itinerary
Day by day
Exact roads can change with weather and local conditions. Drive times shown here come from the itinerary notes.
01
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Drive: 52 km (1.5–2 hrs)
Meet your guide, transfer to the hotel and review the route, seasonal conditions and packing for the Gobi, central steppe and northern taiga.
02
Ulaanbaatar → Tsagaan Suvarga
Drive: 420 km (6–7 hrs)
Travel south into the Gobi and explore the colorful White Stupa cliffs at sunset.
03
Tsagaan Suvarga → Yolyn Am
Drive: 230 km (4–5 hrs)
Continue to Gurvan Saikhan National Park and walk through the dramatic Yolyn Am canyon.
04
Yolyn Am → Khongor Sand Dunes
Drive: 180 km (3–4 hrs)
Drive to Khongoryn Els, meet camel herders and climb the dunes for wide Gobi views.
05
Khongor Sand Dunes → Bayanzag
Drive: 150 km (3–4 hrs)
Visit the Flaming Cliffs and Saxaul forest, one of Mongolia’s iconic desert landscapes.
06
Bayanzag → Ongi Monastery
Drive: 170 km (3–4 hrs)
Travel north to the ruins of Ongi Monastery and walk along the Ongi River valley.
07
Ongi Monastery → Kharkhorin
Drive: 300 km (5–6 hrs)
Enter Central Mongolia and visit Kharkhorin, Erdene Zuu Monastery and the old Mongol Empire capital area.
08
Kharkhorin → Uran Togoo Volcano
Drive: 360 km (6–7 hrs)
Continue north through open steppe and hike the rim of Uran Togoo extinct volcano if conditions allow.
09
Uran Togoo → Murun
Drive: 260 km (4–5 hrs)
Reach Murun, the gateway to Khuvsgul Province, and prepare for the remote taiga section.
10
Murun → Ulaan Uul
Drive: 220 km (6–9 hrs)
Drive through northern valleys and forest-steppe landscapes toward the reindeer herders’ homeland.
11
Ulaan Uul → Tsaatan reindeer community
Drive: 20–40 km (1–2 hrs) · Ride: 10–25 km (3–6 hrs)
Continue by local transport or horse depending on season and route conditions, then meet the Tsaatan community.
12
Full day with the Tsaatan community
Local exploration
Spend a respectful full day learning about reindeer herding, taiga life, seasonal movement and daily routines.
13
Tsaatan community → Ulaan Uul
Ride: 10–25 km (3–6 hrs) · Drive: 20–40 km (1–2 hrs)
Say farewell to the host family and return from the taiga to Ulaan Uul.
14
Ulaan Uul → Lake Khuvsgul
Drive: 190 km (5–8 hrs)
Travel to Lake Khuvsgul for lakeside walks, photography and a calmer evening by the water.
15
Lake Khuvsgul → Erdenet
Drive: 500 km (7–8 hrs)
Begin the return journey south with changing scenery from forested north to open steppe.
16
Erdenet → Ulaanbaatar
Drive: 380 km (5–6 hrs)
Return to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel or airport depending on onward plans.
What’s included
Hotel/airport pickup or airport transfer in Ulaanbaatar
All ground transportation during the tour (4WD vehicle with driver)
English-speaking tour guide
Ger camps/guesthouse/nomadic family in the countryside
All meals during the countryside tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Entrance fees to national parks and sightseeing areas
Horse riding in Huvsgul
Bottled drinking water during the trip
Fuel and road fees
Not included
International and domestic airfare
Travel insurance
Mongolian visa fee (if required)
Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, minibar, etc.)
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Tips for the guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Additional hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar outside the program
Packing notes
Warm layered clothing (temperature swings are big)
Windproof jacket (very important)
Waterproof boots
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Personal medications
Power bank / spare batteries
Field notes
Roads are rough → expect long, bumpy drives
No paved roads in many areas
Remote regions → limited shops & facilities
Nights can be cold even in summer
Can change quickly: sun, wind, cold in one day
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