heymongolia
Culture & nomad life

Tsaatan reindeer herders

Small communities of Dukha reindeer herders living in the taiga west of Khuvsgul.

The Dukha (Tsaatan) are one of the last reindeer-herding peoples on earth. Visiting them means several days of travel by car and horse into the mountains, and staying in their tepee-like tents. Go with a company that works respectfully with the families and pays them fairly.

  • Region: Khuvsgul & the north (Khövsgöl)
  • Best time: June–September
  • Time needed: 4–6 days
  • Entry: Visitor contribution to the community

Tips

  • Travel light: the last part is on horseback.

Tours that visit Tsaatan reindeer herders

  • On Horseback to Mystical Taiga (8 days · Khuvsgul & the north · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $2,240)
    An 8-day trip flying to Murun, then riding horses into the East Taiga to visit Tsaatan reindeer herders, finishing at Khuvsgul Lake.
  • Discover Mongolia Tour (14 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,596)
    A 14-day tour combining the South Gobi, central Mongolia and Khuvsgul Lake, using domestic flights and vans, with ger camp nights and a nomad family stay.
  • Discover Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Kharkhorin (16 days · Central Mongolia · Discover Mongolia · from $3,082)
    A 16-day July tour joining the Kharkhorin local Naadam with the South Gobi, central lakes and hot springs, and Khuvsgul Lake, using two domestic flights.
  • Lake Khuvsgul Tour (4 days · Altai & the west · Discover Mongolia · from $1,090)
    A 4-day fly-in trip from Ulaanbaatar to Murun and Khuvsgul Lake, staying in a lakeside ger camp with boating, horse riding and hiking.
  • Horseback Riding in Mongolia to the Reindeer People (15 days · Khuvsgul & the north · Nomadic Expeditions · from $18,720)
    A 15-day horseback expedition in northern Mongolia, flying to Murun and riding through the Darkhad depression and taiga to Tsaatan reindeer herders, then on to Lake Khuvsgul.
  • Winter Festivals Tour Mongolia (12 days · Several regions · Kazakh Tour · from $2,990)
    A 12-day late-winter overland trip by 4x4 from Ulaanbaatar covering a Tsaatan reindeer festival, the Ice Festival on Lake Khuvsgul and an eagle festival near the capital.
  • Khovsgol Ice Festival | Small Group Winter Tour | 14 Days (14 days · Khuvsgul & the north · Eternal Landscapes Mongolia · from $3,655)
    A 14-day small-group winter trip to Khuvsgul for the Ice Festival, with a horse-drawn sleigh journey on the frozen lake and time with Tsaatan reindeer herders.
  • Lake Khovsgul Sleigh Trek & Ice festival (11 days · Several regions · Horse Trek Mongolia · from $5,625)
    An 11-day winter trip flying to Murun for the Khuvsgul Ice Festival, a three-day horse-drawn sleigh trek across the frozen lake and a visit to Tsaatan reindeer herders.

Nearby places