Mongolia reindeer people, the world's emptiest country

 

Mongolia is the world's emptiest country.

And in the far corner of this country on the border with Siberia live the Tsagaan people. this is a nomadic people who also live on the other side of the border in Siberia.

We must first travel through much of the country by motorcycle.

And the closer we get the worse the road gets. The last part is up to Tsagan Nur is very difficult.

After that, it is impossible to continue by motorcycle. On horseback we cover the final kilometers.

Surrounded by herds of reindeer, we spend the night in people's homes in their tents.

We have to bring our own food and cook. The conditions are very basic. But how special it is to be here.

For the way back, we use a beautiful unpaved route and are back in the capital in three days.

It is a unique journey through a unique area.

Mongolia sleeping in a yurt and with reindeer

14 Days

Type of trip: Adventure ( day parts unpaved )

Travel time months: September

Driving days: 9

Rest days during the tour: 2

Group size: 2 - 10 people

Travel Price Rider:  € nnb

Travel Duo:  € nnb

Take an option

Travel information:

Departure date:
Date back:
Number of days:
Number of options:
September 10, 2023
September 21, 2023
14
OPEN
DAYFROMTOKM
0HomeDeparture
1ArrivalUlaan Baatar
2Ulaan Baatar - MurunMurun - Mandal95Flight
3MandalTsagaan Nuur155
4Tsagaan NuurKhövsgöl Nuur400
5Khövsgöl NuurReindeer villageHorse
6Reindeer villageTsagaan Nuur300
7Tsagaan NuurKhövsgöl Nuur30
8Khövsgöl NuurShine Ider250
9Shine IderTariat150
10TariatTsenkher195
11TsenkherUlaan Baatar120
12Ulaan BaatarStay
13Ulaan BaatarDeparture1.695TOTAL
Highlights of the trip:

  • Ulaan Baatar
  • Sükhbaatar Square (Genghis Khan Square)
  • Gandan Monastery
  • Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
  • Shaman land
  • Khövsgöl lake
  • Reindeer Village
  • Spending the night in a yurt
  • Horse ride
  • Nomad families
  • Reindeer
  • Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
  • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
  • Hotsprings of Tsenkher

Heaviness of the journey

The heaviness of the journey depends entirely on rain. The ground then turns into a slippery mirror. Especially the day to Tsagan Nuur will be very tough then. In addition, we do not especially choose very difficult routes. The roads are standard bad in Mongolia and the main routes are usually difficult enough.

Distances and overnight stays

Distances are great in the world's emptiest country. And places to spend the night are few and far between outside the few cities. We provide tents and camping gear and in several places we will have to camp.

Climate

Mongolia has an extreme continental climate. This means cold winters and hot summers. The best time to travel here is in spring and autumn. In May there is usually still a lot of snow.

Visa

Mongolia is subject to a visa requirement; you must apply for it in advance.

Type of rental engine

During this trip you will ride Yamaha Serow 220cc motorcycle.

International driving license

For this motorcycle trip, you will need an international driver's license, which you will arrange in advance with the ANWB in your home country.

The price includes the following:

  • All airport transfers

  • All nights in hotel with breakfast

  • All nights in tents without breakfast (shopping in advance from common pot)
  • Overnight stay with reindeer people in wig-wam tent

  • Motorcycle Rental

  • Follow car with local driver

  • Traveling mechanic in follow car

  • Traveling cook in follow car

  • Camping equipment ( one two-person tent per person )

  • Local English-speaking tour guide on motorcycle from 2 to 4 participants

  • Dutch tour guide on motorcycle from 5 participants onwards

  • from 2 to 4 participants with a local English-speaking guide/ mechanic on the motorcycle
  • from 5 participants with Dutch-speaking tour leader on the motorcycle, support car and local mechanic
  • Permits area reindeer people
  • Cost of guided horseback ride
  • Third party motorcycle insurance
  • Comprehensive handbook
What is not included in the price:

  • Gasoline

  • Other meals and beverages

  • Visa costs Mongolia 

  • International driving license available at ANWB 

  • Visa application fee

  • Travel and cancellation insurance

  • Indicative pocket money € 500

Additional service we can offer you:

  • single room € 385,-

Day 1 Amsterdam - Departure

Day 2 Arrival - Ulaan Baatar

Arrival Ulaan Baatar. You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to our hotel. Today you will probably have time to explore the city a bit. Should that not be possible you can do that at the end of the trip. Today we will sleep in a hotel.

The city of Ulaanbaatar is busy and lively. It lies at 1,400 meters and is the coldest capital in the world. It has been the capital of Mongolia since 1924. The name Ulaanbaatar means "Red Hero. The city became known for the Trans Mongolia Railway, a branch of the world-famous Trans Siberia Railway, the shortest and fastest connection between Moscow and Beijing.

Since 2001, many streets have been widened and paved, tall apartment and office buildings are springing up like mushrooms, stores are opening their doors, and the range of new exclusive restaurants is expanding almost daily. Don't look surprised if a Mercedes from the latest series is waiting at a red traffic light next to a traditionally dressed rider on horseback. Ulaanbaatar has some very impressive sights. Sükhbaatar Square (Genghis Khan Square). The square includes the Palace of Culture (National Gallery), the State Opera building and the large Parliament building with a giant statue of Genghis Khan. Visit Gandan Monastery, Mongolia's largest and most important Buddhist monastery, established in 1809. It is best to visit the monastery in the morning around 9:30 a.m. because of the impressive morning prayers of the monks still living in the monastery. The former Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, the spiritual leader and last king of Mongolia, is also well worth a visit. Part of the palace complex consists of beautifully painted wooden pavilions that served as temples.

Day 3 Ulaan Baatar - Flight Murun - Mandal

Today we will be picked up and go to the airport again. We are flying to Murhan. This is a small town, here we will do the shopping to get through the next few days. We also take basic food to give away to the reindeer people. Such as sugar, rice or cooking oil. The motorcycles are ready, after getting acquainted with the support team and explaining the motorcycles, we take the first ride. Tonight we sleep in a motel.

Day 4 Mandal - Tsagaan Nuur

We are now driving into the higher elevations. The views are beautiful and the lakes azure. But the road is unpaved and very bad. Frequently we will encounter fords and sometimes have to look for the road. We will cross two high passes. On the last pass there are 12 blue towers. These indicate that we have arrived in the shaman land of the Tsagaan people. In the village of Tsagaan nuur, the overnight stay in a hostel is simple.

Day 5 Tsagaan Nuur - Khövsgöl lake

From Tsagaan Nuur we drive on to Lake Khovsgol. Here we spend the night in a tent.

Day 6 Tsagaan Nuur - Reindeer Village

We ride on the motorcycle further north. After a ride of less than an hour, we arrive at a remote yurt. Here we drink butter tea and the horses are prepared. We continue on horseback, through the pine forest and with several river crossings. The duration of this ride is determined by the location of the tsagaan people. In the summer months this is usually deep in the mountains, near the border with Siberia. Arriving at the reindeer camp, we are assigned a tent and cook our own food. The host family eats with us. There is no toilet and no running water.

Day 7 Reindeer village - Tsagaan Nuur

In the morning we get back on the horses and ride back to the yurt where we left the motorcycles. Here we get back on the motorcycles and ride back to the village of Tsagaan Nuur.

Day 8 Tsagaan Nuur - Khövsgöl Nuur

Today we drive to pristine Lake Khövsgöl, known as Mongolia's "dark blue pearl. Mongolia's largest freshwater lake, which is several million years old, is surrounded by dozens of small rivers and the taiga forests and valleys. Summers at the lake are ideal for kayaking, camping and birdwatching. Tonight we will sleep in a tent again.

Day 9 Khövsgöl Lake - Shine Ider

We drive along the west side of the big lake and then return to dirt roads through the hilly countryside. Near the village of Shine Ider we spend the night in a tent again. Toward evening we watch nomad families from the area herd their animals together and escort them back to the gers. Tonight we spend the night in a tent again.

Day 10 Shine Ider - Tariat

Today we drive to the inactive Khorgo volcano. On the way we are likely to see Yaks frequently. We will probably have time enough to walk the first part up the stone steps. The last part of the walk is over lava rock. From the crater rim you are rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan. In the distance you can see the gers of nomadic families. You can continue on to the highest point, but that is a lot harder and more difficult. Then we set off for the Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur which means "The Great White Lake. This large freshwater lake and the pristine volcanic area around it are stunning! This is one of the most beautifully situated lakes in the country. The deep blue, crystal clear water looks enticing, but the water is freezing cold in the morning. In fact, until June, the lake is often still (partially) frozen. The lake is part of the Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. It lies amid extinct volcanic craters and was formed by lava flows. Tonight we sleep in a tent again.

Day 11 Tariat - Tsenkher

Today we drive all day on dirt roads, with frequent fords. After visiting the hot springs of Tsenkher, we look for a location to set up camp. Our last night in a tent.

Day 12 Tsenkher - Ulaan Baatar

The last drive is exclusively on asphalt roads. It is wise to leave early and arrive in Ulaan Baatar before the traffic jam. Today, if there is still time, you can visit the Gandan Monastery. This complex was built on the Tibetan model. In former times there was a close relationship between Tibet and Mongolia and most Mongolians were followers of Tibetan Buddhism. We spend the night in a hotel again;

Day 13 Ulaan Baatar - Verbijf/departure

A stay day to further explore Ulaan Baatar.

Day 14 Ulaan Baatar - Amsterdam

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Day 1 Departure

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Day 1 Departure

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