Final spots remaining for the upcoming trip happening 22 Oct – 1 Nov 2022! — Sign up here!
We’ve been all over the world, but one country has always captured our imagination.
Mongolia is one of the most interesting and unexplored places on the planet. As the world’s least densely populated country, Mongolia’s untouched landscapes and nomadic culture make it an adventure destination like no other.
If you’re reading this in a stuffy office, maybe this will make you feel better.
Tourism is still very new to Mongolia, having started only 20 years ago. While this makes it somewhat difficult to organise your own trip, Mongolia’s undiscovered nature also adds to its allure.
Located in Northern Asia with China and Russia at its borders, Mongolia has only recently moved past its status as a Soviet-influenced Communist country. Wandering through the districts, you’ll notice an interesting mix of Asian and European influences, from Soviet architecture in the capital to the Buddhist-influenced traditions widely practised.
Reindeer at Tsaatan camp
Away from the capital, you’ll understand why the locals lovingly call their country the “land of the eternal blue sky”. Mongolia’s unique beauty promises breathtaking sights at every turn, with rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, and lush plains. Not only is the scenery picture-perfect, the animals are extremely photogenic too!
A stylish Mongolian cutie
P.S. After our previous adventure, we’re leading another expedition to Northern Mongolia! It’s a great introduction to the country with the mystic mountains of Darkhad Valley, and stunning Mongolian Steppe. We’ll also have access to local experiences that most tourists don’t — nomadic life with the Tsaatan reindeers herders, whose rich culture is in danger of disappearing. Join us on our 11-day adventure — read more or sign up now!
So escape the city hustle and venture into the epic Mongolian outdoors with this 11-day itinerary to exotic Mongolia!
Day 1: Explore Mongolia’s Capital, Ulaanbaatar
The adventure begins upon touch down at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, named after the fearsome Genghis Khan, leader of the largest empire in history.
Explore the City Centre, a mish-mash of modern living and ancient tradition. After mining firms discovered trillions’ worth of minerals in the hills, Ulaanbaatar rapidly transformed from a sleepy town to a bustling hub. Chunky Soviet architecture now sits alongside gers (traditional Mongolian tents), while modern cars dodge horses and cattle on the roads.
The capital offers a wide variety of international food options (and even Western-style pubs!), but this is the chance to try authentic Mongolian cuisine, which is hard to find outside the country. Local dishes are designed for the nomadic lifestyle, with lots of nutritious meat and milk.
A home-cooked platter of hot-stone Mongolian BBQ
Feast on buuz (a baseball-shaped steamed dumpling) and khuushuur (a Russian-style flattened dumpling) as you guzzle airag (a self-brewed alcoholic drink of mare’s milk) or Chinggis-brand vodka, before enjoying your first night in a local hotel.
Day 2 – 4: Journey Into The Mongolian Countryside
Hop on a hardy jeep and zoom through the districts of Khutag-Undur, Murun City and Tsagaan Nuur Sum.
Our journey will bring us across the epic Mongolian Steppe — a massive grassland spanning over 887,300-square-km, from the tip of China’s coastal hills down to southern Siberia. These plains are home to an abundance of wildlife, including sheep, goats, brown-eared pheasants, yaks, and gazelle!
We’ll also be visiting the Murun City Black Market to get any last minute gear for he journey ahead! Here is where you’ll find essentails ranging from warm locally-made jackets for the chilly Mongolian winds, to basic toiletries.
We’ll also pass the mystic Darkhad Valley at an altitude of ~1,600m, with the stunning backdrop Khoridol Saridag mountain range. Fingers crossed that we’ll get to see wild beasts grazing in the midst!
The Darkhad Valley, with gorgeous mountains in the backdrop
In the Tsagaan Nuur Sum district, we’ll switch things up from the usual hotels and guesthouses. Our accommodation for the night is a traditional Mongolian ger — a portable tent covered with skins or felt — with a nomadic family near the beautiful Dood Tsagaan Lake. If we’re lucky, we’ll even witness a shamanism ritual!
Day 5: Ride A Horse Across Epic Landscapes
It’s the last stretch toward Khövsgöl Aimag, the northern-most province of Mongolia and territory of the elusive reindeer nomads. But first — a horse-riding expedition across breathtaking valleys, streams, forests, and mountains.
The route to the Tsaatan camp is passable only by horse, and takes anywhere between five to seven hours to complete. That said, the journey will be pleasant, as the sure-footed Mongolian horses are a joy to ride. These horses aren’t your usual breed — they’ve gone through centuries of travelling across the massive steppes, and were a major winning force in the Mongol Empire’s bloody battles.
Upon arrival at the reindeer camp, spend the night in traditional Tsaatan huts, otherwise known as teepees! With zero light pollution in the Mongolian countryside, we’ll get to stargaze under the dazzling night sky.
Day 6: Experience Life As A Reindeer Nomad
Rise bright and early for a full day with the Tsaatan nomads! For centuries, the Tsaatans have survived off the land, relying on their reindeer for transport, milk, cheese, meat, and even materials like dung for fuel, antlers for tools, and hair for clothes.
The nomad herders are extremely hospitable and enthusiastic about sharing their way of life. Riding and milking reindeer are must-try activities — and we might discover a natural reindeer herder among us!
As one of the few remaining indigenous groups of reindeer herders, the Tsaatans are a disappearing culture due to the dwindling population of reindeer. Today, only about 40 families remain who continue their centuries-old traditions. While their camp is difficult to get to, it’s a priceless opportunity to experience their way of life while it’s still around.
At the end of the day, it’s back to stargazing under teepees — just another regular night in Mongolia!
Day 7 – 8: See Mysterious Runes From The Bronze Age
Share a last cup of salty milk tea before bidding farewell to the reindeer herders. On horseback, we’ll ride across the beautiful Taiga on our return trip to the city.
After a night in a traditional ger, it’s back into our jeep back to Murun City. On the way, we’ll admire the famous Uushigiin Ovor Deer Stones. Dating back to the Bronze Age, these huge sculptures stand in the middle of the steppe, like a marvellous account of everyone who has passed by through the millennia. The runes are carved with ancient symbols and animals, mostly reindeer (hence the name).
After a well-deserved hot shower in the town’s bathhouse, it’s time for a good night’s sleep in a local guesthouse.
Day 9: Be Awed By An Ancient Monastery
Amarbayasgalant Monastery
It’s another day of scenic travel before resting in a ger next to an ancient monastery. One of the largest Buddhist monastic centres in Mongolia, the Monastery of Tranquil Felicity is a truly spectacular sight, with Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan-influenced architecture. The grounds sit in the middle of vast plains, with great views of the Mongolian steppes and the Iven Valley.
At almost 300-years-old, the monastery is also a historically-important landmark — it’s one of the rare monasteries that avoided complete destruction by the Soviets during the 1937 Stalinist purges.
Day 10 – 11: Celebrate The End Of An Adventure
After a week adventuring in the wild, it’s back to industrial Ulaanbaatar! We’ll enjoy a celebratory feast in one of the city’s top restaurants, and hit the shops for genuine Mongolian cashmere and other goodies.
Take in your last sights and sounds of this beautiful country, before checking into a hotel for a hot shower and rest. It’s back home the next day with an early flight from Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
Join Our Northern Mongolian Expeditions In 2022!
Still relatively untouched by tourism, Mongolia’s not the easiest place to visit on your own. In fact, the highlight of this itinerary — visiting the nomadic reindeer herders — is only possible if you have local contacts, since, well, nomads are constantly moving about everywhere.
That’s why we’re organising TTI Experiences expeditions to Northern Mongolia, bringing fun-loving travellers to experience nomad life (and ride reindeer) together!
Trip Dates:
Click here for the 2022 schedule. Exact dates to be confirmed three months before each trip, based on the global health situation.
Activities Included
We’ve got special access to all the amazing experiences in our 11D itinerary:
– Horse-riding across the Mongolian Steppe
– Jeep ride through the countryside
– Trying authentic, home-cooked Mongolian food
– Milking and riding reindeer
– Nomadic home-stays in traditional gers and tepees
– Stargazing under the endless Mongolian sky
– Seeing the ancient Uushigiin Ovor Deer Stones
– Sleeping beside a historic 300-year-old monastery in the Iven Valley
– Exploring iconic sights in and around Ulaanbaatar
To make sure you always remember this trip of a lifetime, our Travel Intern Content Experts act as your personal photographers — taking and editing photos of every breathtaking moment for you to keep after the trip. We’ll also put together a special trip video filled with the highlights and fun moments.
If you want to level up your own photography skills, we’ll also be holding a pre-trip photography workshop exclusively for trip participants, and will guide you in taking and editing photos during the trip itself!
What’s Covered
We’ve partnered with a local tour agency to bring this trip to life for S$4,290 per pax. Everything you need in Mongolia is included — all you have to add are your flights and personal travel insurance!
– Accommodation for 10 nights: mix of three-star hotels, guesthouses, and nomadic home-stays in traditional gers and Tsaatan huts
– All modes of transport, including airport transfers and private all-terrain vehicle, a local driver, petrol, wild Mongolian horse
– Meals throughout the trip: all breakfasts, lunches (excluding first day’s lunch in Ulaanbaatar), and dinners
– Edited photos and a special trip video by The Travel Intern Content Experts
– Travel photography guidance and exclusive pre-trip workshop
– English-speaking, experienced local guide with deep insight into Mongolian culture
– Access to the Tsaatan Camp for a nomadic home-stay with the reindeer herders
– All activities, including horse-riding and camping
– Miscellaneous taxes and fees
– 1.5L bottle of water per day
– Cosy sleeping bag and blanket (suitable for all seasons)
Read more: North Mongolia Trip FAQs (level of fitness, trip eligibility, safety, etc.)
Are you ready for your next epic adventure? Sign up and join us now!
Or if reindeer aren’t really your thing: Adventure with the Eagle Hunters, Western Mongolia — TTI Experiences
Which other country is on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments, and check out our other TTI Experiences here!
