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In the picturesque northern region of Mongolia, known as the Blue Hollow of the Darkhad Valley, people live nomadically under extreme and changing weather conditions. The Darkhad people migrate on the backs of yaks and hybrid cattle (hainag), traveling over 200 kilometers throughout the four seasons. They practice traditional methods such as taming unbroken cattle, using wooden pack saddles, and preserving many elements of nomadic culture—although fewer people still live this way today.
Meanwhile, the Tsaatan people (reindeer herders) have a unique tradition of loading their tepee-style homes onto reindeer backs and migrating in a similar pack-carrying style. Since ancient times, original nomads have lived in the Darkhad Valley during summer and migrated out for winter. When winter comes, they load their household belongings onto yaks and herd their livestock over the high passes of Khordil Sardag Mountain Range.
The uniqueness of this tour lies in the opportunity to migrate together with real nomadic Mongolians.
You will be met at the airport on the scheduled arrival day by our guide and driver holding a sign.
Transfer to hotel.
Activities: Dinner with guide and driver, introduction to the tour
Meal: Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, drive from Ulaanbaatar to Murun, the capital of Khuvsgul province.
Lunch en route at a roadside restaurant.
Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Murun.
Wake up early, have breakfast at the guesthouse, and travel to Renchinlkhumbe sum.
Our journey will continue rough dirt roads, taking 7–8 hours to reach the nomadic family in Maanar who our hosts during the migration will be.
Meals: B/L/D
From this day, the nomadic life of the Darkhad people begins at sunrise.
Activities include loading the yurt onto pack cattle, rounding up and preparing livestock for the journey.
You’ll have lunch with the host family and begin herding together.
From this day onward, you’ll experience everything about nomadic migration—what they use, what food they prepare for the journey, and help with horseback riding and herding.
On the first day, you’ll drive the herd 20–30 km and set up camp near the Jargant River, feeding the animals well.
This is important because, for the next two days, pregnant animals will need strength to cross the icy rivers multiple times and traverse the famous Khordil Sardag pass.
Meals: B/L/D
Herd livestock all day.
Lunch along the migration route.
Experience the joy of life while herding animals on horseback through beautiful landscapes.
In the afternoon, continue driving the herd through the Sardag range and set up camp before sunset.
Because there’s no pasture, animals are rested early.
Together with the nomads, you will pitch the yurt, cook dinner, and sleep.
This is the most important day of the journey.
Wake early, drink morning tea, load the yurt onto the pack cattle, and drive the herd.
This high pass is especially tough for pregnant and small livestock, so crossing quickly is key.
Lunch is eaten along the way.
After crossing the pass, camp where there is pasture and allow animals and people to rest.
Dinner in the nomads’ yurt.
Mongolian nomads don’t settle in one place with fenced herds, so they’re in no rush to reach winter camps.
This day is for slow travel to let the animals graze and recover from long-distance herding.
Morning tea in the yurt, departure, lunch cooked and eaten at a relaxing pace, then camp at the destination in the evening.
This is the farewell day with the nomadic family you migrated with.
After morning tea, take commemorative photos and travel to Hatgal village.
Check into a guesthouse and rest.
Spend the day walking along the shore of KhuvsgulLake, taking photos, and relaxing by the scenic lake.
Meals: B/L/D
Begin the journey back to Ulaanbaatar.
Lunch at a roadside restaurant.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in the city.
Transfer to the international airport or train station.
Meal: Breakfast
