A stay to meet the Tsaatan people
A journey to the far north of Mongolia, between icy expanses & Taiga
This unique circuit will take you to the Khuvsgul province.un.
The Reindeer Festival, an enchanting event, aims to celebrate the rich heritage of local reindeer herders. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Darkhad Depression, this festival promises an immersive experience that combines cultural preservation with excitement for visitors from around the world.
At the heart of the Reindeer Festival is our commitment to supporting local reindeer herders, providing them with opportunities to thrive economically while preserving their traditional way of life.
The festival features a wide range of activities and competitions that highlight the deep bond between herders and their majestic reindeer companions. One of the highlights is the reindeer race, where herders and their agile partners compete for glory, showcasing the incredible speed and agility of these magnificent animals.
In addition to the races, visitors can witness the implementation of traditional techniques, such as removing a sheep skin from the back of a reindeer—a technique requiring precision and expertise refined over generations. Another exciting competition challenges participants to collect sticks while galloping alongside reindeer, demonstrating the remarkable harmony between humans and animals.
For those who wish to experience the festival from a different perspective, the Women’s Rally offers a unique opportunity to observe the skill and strength of female herders as they tackle various challenges alongside their reindeer companions. This is a testament to the integral role women play in the herding community and a celebration of their contributions to this ancient tradition.
Khuvsgul is a province located in the far north of Mongolia, named after the country’s largest and deepest lake, known to its ancient inhabitants as "Mother Ocean" or Dalai Edge.
Today, the lake is also referred to as "the Blue Pearl of Mongolia" due to its stunning beauty and the color of its waters. This region has preserved traditional customs more than other Aimags; several ethnic groups live around the lake, including the Darkhads, Buryats, and of course, the Uriankhais, more commonly known as Tsaatans, who live in the taiga.
Lake Khuvsgul
The lake is bordered by the Saian and Khodiral Saridag mountain ranges, where several extinct volcanoes are located, and the entire area is a national nature reserve. In winter, the lake takes on a unique dimension, becoming an expanse of ice amid pristine nature. With the feel of a small polar ice cap, crevasses, and compression ridges, the lake lives, vibrates, and cracks; the ice is incredibly pure, completely transparent, appearing blueish near the shore, greenish when the sandy bottom is near, or black when approaching the deeper parts of the lake.
Strange sensations arise, as it is impossible to judge the thickness of the ice.
The purity of the air that blurs the sense of distance adds an adventurous touch to this journey, with incredible moments shared with the nomadic families you will meet on the shores of the lake. You will then cross the pass before descending towards the Darkhad Depression and the taiga.
The Tsaatans
The Uriankhai, or Dukhas, are more commonly known as the Tsaatans.
They are a people rather than just an ethnic group, with origins intertwined with the history of Mongolia and other Central Asian tribes.
The Dukhas are part of the larger Tuvan family, which was a dominant people in the 6th and 7th centuries, inhabiting what is now Mongolia, as well as parts of China, Russia, and further west.
The Dukhas of Mongolia are commonly referred to as Tsaatans, a name that means "those who live with reindeer," with "Tsaa" being the Mongolian—or Uyghur—term for reindeer.
The Tsaatans live in the far north of the country, in the taiga, above the Darkhad Depression. Before Soviet domination, the Tsaatan people inhabited the entire region encompassing the Darkhad Depression, the northern and western taiga, the Khoridol Saridag mountains, and up to the great pass marking the end of the plateau.
The Tsaatan people, proud and freedom-loving, were undoubtedly among the most affected by Soviet control, collective farms, and purges.
Currently, about 50 families reside in the northern and western taiga of Mongolia, divided into two main groups.
After a very critical period, the reindeer herds are beginning to recover, and the Tsaatan people are expected to continue inhabiting the Mongolian taiga for many years to come.
The Tsaatans sustain themselves through hunting, foraging, and the milk of their reindeer, which is exceptionally rich in fat and vitamins. The reindeer is thus central to Tsaatan culture, providing milk, meat—though in small quantities—and antlers, which shed annually and represent a significant source of income for the families.
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