On this trip, you'll not only visit the amazing and shrinking world of the reindeer-herding people, the Tsaachin, of northern Mongolia, but will help them and their culture survive. For centuries if not millenia, the Tssachin people have herded reindeer in these norhern reaches, moving with their herds and living in tee-pees transported by the reindeer. Various challenges to their chosen lifestyle have reduced the number of herding families. Ecotourism provides them with supplemental income, though few tourists venture into their realm.

KarmaQuest travelers find the experience of spending time with the Tsaachin truly remarkable. They may choose to participate in a ritual with the shaman, an important cultural practice that gives insight into this unique way of life.

Travel to the Tsaachins' settlement is best done on horseback, with a full support crew of guides, cook and horse-tenders. En route, you’ll stay in a tent, then shift to tee-pees as the Tsaachin stay, with food provided by your cook. "Amazing dishes came out of our kitchen!" raved recent travelers. Photos (at left) capture the Tsaachin's everyday life of riding and milking reindeer, complemented by soft autumn lighting that lends magic to the scenes.

After four nights with the Tsaachin, you'll continue on through rolling mountains and forests, completing a circular route to a village roadhead before driving 175 miles to Tsagaannuur, from where you'll return to Ulaanbaatar ("UB") by flight.

Don't miss the opportunity to see the Golden Eagle Festival. Yes! This is the same Golden Eagle Festival portrayed in the film, The Eagle Huntress. Read the "The Untold History of Eagle Huntresses" and a National Geographic interview with the film director, for greater insight into the drama behind the film and story.

An optional and highly recommended Extension to the trip takes you to far western Mongolia for up-close encounters with an entirely different ethnic herding people, the Kazakhs. A family of nomads will host your stay in their guest ger (traditional yurt) and show off their eagle hunting and horse-riding skills in anticipation of the annual Golden Eagle Festival -- your next stop on the trip.

Join the festival as the hunters parade on horseback in their traditional regalia (photo left) and compete in the lively kekbar games. Eagles also compete for the honor of best hunter, swooping down from high cliffs on their owner's command to fetch an animal skin.

Return to UB and head home. Other optional extensions to the Gobi Desert or the Khustai National Park to see the once nearly extinct Przewalkski horses are also possible. Please inquire.

Itinerary:

Day 1    Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital city of Mongolia: Transfer to your hotel and overnight. (Note: most international flights arrive late at night.)

Day 2    Sightseeing: Get a feel for UB, a modernizing city with a human touch, with a tour of major sights including Gandan Buddhist monastery and the national history museum. In the evening enjoy a traditional welcome dinner. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 3   Fly to Murun, the center of Khuvsgul province: Drive some 60 mi to camp in tents at approx 8,000 ft elevation.

Day 4    Drive to Tsagaannuur, (approx 125 mi) and explore this provincial center. Overnight in a lodge (approx 9,100 ft).

Day 5   Travel by horse-back into the taiga: Today you'll meet your horse guides and get acquainted with your own horse and tack. Pack horses will carry the luggage. This time of year the terrain can be wet and marshy in places, so horses are the best means of travel. They move slowly over the 20-25 miles covered in two days. Being elevated on a horse also provides you with ideal viewing opportunities. Camp in a tent en route, then stay in a teepee. (approx 9,500 ft).

Days 6, 7 & 8   Explore the Tsaachin environs: Camp amongst the Tsaachin people, observing and experiencing their everyday life. Activities include attending a shaman ritual, milking reindeers, processing milk products, and learning about their local traditional culture. One day, explore the taiga forest and along the river valley where crystals are found and where locals go for meditation.

Day 9    Depart Tsaachin camp: Travel by horse-back through picturesque forested mountains and valleys. Meet the vehicle and driver and drive to Tsagaannuur soum. Overnight in tents en route and in a lodge in Tsagaannuur (9,100 ft)

Days 10 & 11   Tultiin Tokhoi Ger Camp: Drive to Tultiin Tokhoi near Murun town. Spend two nights in Ger Camp on the banks of a river, with beautiful views of the valley and a good chance stretch your legs with a short hike, perhaps visiting ancient deer stones near the river. There are also rafts are available for rent from the camp.

Day 12   Travel to Murun, fly to Ulaanbaatar: Arrive in UB and enjoy an afternoon to explore on your own. For those not going to the Eagle Festival: say farewell to Mongolia with a special dinner. Overnight in a hotel. 3

Day 13   Departure: Transfer to airport for your departing flight. Free time until then.

Sept 3-15 Trip Cost: Prices available upon request, depending upon private arrangements, services provided and group size.

Single supplement: TBD (single occupancy not available in the teepees at the Tsaachin encampment)


Optional Extension to the Golden Eagle Festival Sept. 2024 (TBD)

Days 13 & 14: Travel Westward to Ulgii We'll take the long flight (1,200 miles, approx 3 hrs) to Ulgii town in Western Mongolia, where the Kazakh ethnic peoples live. After a night in Ulgii, we'll move to the grasslands and stay close to a nomadic family in gers. Being Muslims, their family structure and traditions are quite different than what we’ve experienced in central Mongolia. Some of our hosts may be participating in the Golden Eagle Festival, and will proudly show us their birds and gear.

Days 15 & 16   May the Games Begin! Today is Day One of the Golden Eagle Festival. After an opening ceremony where festival participants parade on horse-back with their eagles, each Kazakh hunter displays his or her – yes, there may be a couple of female participants – ability to entice their eagle to them from afar, baited by fox or rabbit skins. The two-day event is full of activities, with horsemen playing a tug-of-war game where they struggle for possession of a goat skin. In the evening we’ll watch a Kazakh concert of traditional song and dance.

Days 17 & 18: Back to UB and Home: The festival over, we'll fly to UB and spend our last afternoon shopping -- the "State Store" has everything from cashmere sweaters to leather goods and Mongolian CDs under one roof -- and a Farewell Dinner. Depart on Day 18.

Optional Extension Cost: Golden Eagle Festival Sept. 2024 (TBD) Prices available upon request, depending upon private arrangements, services provided and group size.

Single supplement on Extension: TBD

Deposits for both the main trip and extension are due March 2024. Please get your deposit in soon as space is limited. The trip may fill up quickly.


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For more information please contact

KarmaQuest Ecotourism and Adventure Travel
Tel: (650) 560-0101/
Fax: 712-8164
699 Spindrift Way, Half Moon Bay,
California 94019 USA
Karma@KarmaQuest.com
Website: www.KarmaQuests.com