Extreme Winter Experience Photo Tour in Northern Mongolia

Discover Mongolia in its wonderful form of covered snow in the winter. Capture and explore the northern Mongolian wilderness on reindeer back and meet the Tsaatan people. Great opportunity to collect uncommon photo shoots. Cooking over open fires and sleeping in tent and teepee. Challenge yourself on this adventure once in a lifetime. While many consider the Mongolian winter to be extremely cold and harsh, Mother Nature has actually provided us with the most unique opportunity to admire her most compelling beauty!
What if you could be exploring the very North of Mongolia where, among the vast expanses of Taiga and plentiful natural treasures, the Dukha-Reindeer herders live? Join us and make sure you do not miss this great opportunity to create memorable photographs of the people herding reindeer, living in urts - teepees, migrating, and practicing shamanism. People of the Taiga appreciate real friendship and loyalty to the traditions of their ancestors. You will be so close to this unique life and culture you will feel as though you have visited from another planet or been teleported from a different age. This is absolutely another reality, another Mongolia. Once you have visited the Taiga people, you will not return back home to the same person, but something in your mentality will change forever.
Highlights
- Take portraits of one of the ethnic groups – Tsaatan minority, Reindeers, Teepees, and learn about their culture, and the relationship between reindeer and reindeer herders.
- Experience an overnight stay in a Teepee, the traditional dwelling of Tsaatans people during the winter time.
- Ride a reindeer and capture Reindeer caravan in the Taiga, in the remote north of Mongolia, near the Russian Border.
- Fill your lens with the semi wild reindeers, between the mountains and flock of reindeers.
- Visit Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, and enjoy a photo shoot in the eccentric Winter Palace of Bogd Khan.
Tour Itinerary

Day 1.
Transfer to the hotel and relax. City tour including the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, which represents Mongolian Culture starting from the Stone Age to the 21st century, and Buddhism, Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chingis Khaan Square). In Gandan Monastery, you can take local prayers, monks, the biggest standing indoor Buddha statue, and temples' own figure. (L/D)

Day 2.
This morning we drive to Erdenet city, which is the third-largest city in Mongolia. Lunch at a road-side restaurant on the way. After arriving in Erdenet city, do some city tour and dinner at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)

Day 3.
Continue our trip to the north after breakfast at a local hotel. Arrive in Murun, the central town of Khovsgol province. If we have time, visit a local museum. (B/L/D)

Day 4.
Early in the morning have breakfast and head to Tsagaannuur sum. We cross Darkhad valley and head towards Tsagaan Nuur Lake, where the center of Sum locates. On the way pass-through “13 ovoo - mountain pass” and here visitors can leisure in real untouched wildlife. The Darkhad depression is located between the Khoridol Saridag Mountain Range and the Ulaan Taiga Forest. We arrive at east taiga where the Reindeer herder’s winter camp located, after driving 30 km from Tsagaannuur sum. Reindeer herders live in East and West Taiga. (B/L/D)

Day 5.
Today we have breakfast with a local family and reload our luggage on reindeer’s back and will leave our vehicle team, as the landscape becomes difficult to access with cars. Ride to a place, where the Reindeer fence off and protect from the wolves and other wild games. 5 or 6 hours of riding reindeer arrive in camping place. (B/L/D)

Day 6.
This morning we feed the reindeers and reload the luggage. Until local staff is reloading the luggage it is free time to take photos and help them. Ride a reindeer to the main spot named Kultus Mountain and we will ride along the Kultus River. This area is a remote place and here you can see moose, squirrel, and other wild games. Arrive in the mountain and open a fence, which the reindeers are blocked out. (B/L/D)

Day 7-8.
These days are free days to photographing. Enjoy a breakfast in Taiga, also known as boreal forest or snow forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, spruces, and larches. Here is an opportunity to shoot photos of reindeers, the relation between humans and reindeer also you can take a portrait of Reindeer Herders. Mongolian reindeers are semi-wild animals, so they are not fed by any additional foods. But during the wintertime reindeer needs more salt. So, you can use a pinch of salt to take photos that you expect. (B/L/D)

Day 9.
This morning we pack our luggage and ride back to Tsaatan’s camp, along the Kultus River. (B/L/D)

Day 10.
Today we ride south to Reindeer herder’s camp. We will cross the Tengis River and it is a breathtaking view to capture the landscape from the pass. And also we experience to cross the river over the frozen river. (B/L/D)

Day 11.
Today is a free day in Reindeer herder’s camp. Here is a great opportunity to communicate with local families. Around 500 Dukha people live a remote nomadic life, migrating from place to place in search of valuable resources to continue their existence. Here in East Taiga not more than 12 reindeer herder families lives and you will stay the full day with them. The origin of Tsaatan is Tuva, and they speak Tureg and Mongolian. Overnight in a tent or teepee. (B/L/D)

Day 12.
This morning we drive south to Lake Khovsgol, which is named Blue Pearl of Mongolia. Before the lake freeze, it becomes thick and a scape, wave of the lake is unusual and breathtaking. Here we will stay overnight at the ger camp and here is a great chance to feel the breeze of one of the world’s freshest pure water lakes. The lake completely freezes in January. (B/L/D)

Day 13.
Today we leave early in the morning to the capital city of Mongolia for more than 800 km. Lunch on the way. Spend last day in Mongolia. After we arrive in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to the hotel and rest. And take modern facilities after a long time of traveling in a remote place. Farewell dinner with the team. (B/L/D)

Day 14.
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)

Prices & Inclusions

Group size | Price/Per person |
4 pax | 2880$ |
5-6 PAX | 2680$ |
7-8 PAX | 2530$ |
9-10 PAX | 2380$ |
11-12 PAX | 2280$ |
Includes
Accommodation:
- Hotel**** in Ulaanbaatar
- Local hotel in Murun & Erdenet
- Tented camp in Taiga
Guiding and interpreting service
Full board meals
Transport: 4x4 vehicle or minivan
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance
Reindeer riding
Camping equipments
Not Includes
International airfare
Domestic airfare
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost
Excess baggage charges
Single room supplement
Alcoholic drinks
Travel Insurance
The extra cost for photography in museums
Tip for a tour guide, driver, etc
Map & Destinations

