Mongolia: Taiga trek to the Reindeer Herders - Tsaatan - and Gobi Desert Exploration

DETAILED EXPEDITION ITINERARY:

DAY 1
The day is booked for a flight to Mongolia.

DAY 2
Meeting with the group in Ulaanbaatar. Full-day transfer from Ulaanbaatar airport to Mörön in northwestern Mongolia. En route lunch featuring buuz - the Mongolian version of lamb dumplings. Overnight at guesthouse in Mörön

DAY 3
4x4 vehicle journey from Mörön to Ulaan-Uul. An authentic adventure where time becomes irrelevant. River crossings, extracting vehicles from wetlands, ascending slopes by car, forest traverses. We'll pass the Horidol Saridag mountain rocks and cross Öliin Davaa pass with its thirteen ovoo (stone cairns sacred to Mongolian shamanism and Buddhism). Evening arrival at Ulaan-Uul, reminiscent of Siberian settlements. Shower available at local bathhouse.

DAY 4
Morning transfer to trek starting point. We venture deep into the Darkhad Valley, considered challenging terrain even by Mongolians. Strong shamanic traditions persist among this isolated valley's communities. This is home to the Tsaatan ethnic group - "those who have reindeer". They divide into Western and Eastern Taiga herders. We're heading to the Western Taiga Tsaatan. We'll meet our guides with reindeer and horses to carry our main luggage. Daily distances won't exceed 15 kilometers, with elevation gains of several hundred meters. Evening camp establishment by the Uhert River.

DAY 5
Trekking along rivers and across passes of the Red Taiga mountain range, through larch-rich forests with our Tsaatan friends, reindeer and horse caravan, heading toward Mount Menge Bulag.

DAYS 6-8
Arrival at Menge Bulag region, where in July, Tsaatan families descend from mountains and uniquely graze their reindeer in close proximity to each other. This period will be immersed among the Tsaatan.

This presents an opportunity to deeply understand their customs and culture. Daily additional treks available. Possibility of reindeer-back mountain excursions. Volunteers can assist Tsaatan with daily duties, as survival in these territories demands constant hard work.

We'll bake traditional ash bread, optional tipi overnight stays, experience throat singing, and learn how Tsaatan imitate animal sounds during hunts. Opportunity to support the community by purchasing handicrafts, such as carved reindeer bone ornaments. After dark, a shaman will conduct a traditional ceremony.

DAYS 9-10
Descent from the Red Taiga mountain range to Darkhad Valley. Farewell camp by the Hug River. Late second day, we reach our jeeps. Overnight in Ulaan-Uul.

DAY 11
Jeep return toward civilization. En route visit to yak herder nomads at Bagtag River. Arrival at Lake Khuvsgul - relaxation in cabins at Mongolia's deepest lake. Modern comforts including beds, showers, and restaurant dinner.

DAY 12
Morning departure and full-day return to Ulaanbaatar. Evening walks exploring Mongolia's capital.

DAYS 13-16
Journey toward the Gobi! Environment shifts to Mongolian steppe, semi-desert, desert, dunes, and multicolored cliffs. Tents will be replaced by comfortable yurts, muddy tracks by quality asphalt or desert gravel, and reindeer companionship by Bactrian (two-humped) camels.

Active exploration of Gobi's most renowned locations - trekking around the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag and across the Singing Dunes of Khongoryn Els.

DAY 17
Return flight with international connection.