Local Living Mongolia—Nomadic Life

Arriving early may be best, to relax and adjust to the time difference and high altitude with a mountainous view. OR have extra time to explore Mongolia's bustling Capital in the Tuul River valley!

Cruise through Central Mongolia's vast oasis and pastures to the village of Rashaant. Meet your nomadic hosts and get to know each other over an authentic lunch. After the relaxation, take in the afternoon desert landscape on a roundtrip horseback ride visiting the intoxicating Swan Lake. This lake resides at the base of the Mongol Desert Sand Dunes where the two extremes co-exist creating a pristine home to Swan couples - representing strength, tolerance and passion. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your hosts and sleep like the nomads in a ger tent. (B/L/D)

Roll up those sleeves and experience a typical nomadic morning by helping your hosts with chores, which may include milking the livestock. After breakfast, travel into the countryside by horseback to visit the monuments of Queen Manduhai. Return to camp for a farewell lunch and tea before moving on to the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site along the river in Central Mongolia. Orkhon Valley represents the evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions spanning more than two-thousand years. Upon arrival at your next nomadic family's camp, prepare for a traditional dinner with milk tea and then rest up in their extra ger. (B/L/D)

If you're beginning to feel like a true nomad, help out with the family's morning chores again and herd some yaks or milk the livestock. After breakfast, prepare for the 5-6 km (3mi) trek to the massive Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall, stopping to take in the scenery along the way (don't forget your camera). Return to camp for lunch and tea with your hosts. In the afternoon, continue exploring the beautiful Orkhon Valley with another trek to Baga Tsutgalan junior waterfall. Enjoy dinner back at camp with your nomad family, then retire to their extra ger and dream about the therapeutic Orkhon waterfalls! (B/L/D)

After breakfast, relax during the drive to Kharkhorin - the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire! Spend time exploring the ruins and monasteries inside the fortress walls and admire their unique architecture. Lunch will be served at a nearby ger camp, then travel to Hustain Nuruu protected reserve in Khustai Park to overnight in the comfort of another ger camp. (B/L/D)

Spend the morning in Khustain Park learning about the indigenous flora and fauna. Watch the famous wild horses, known as "takhi," graze and gallop in their natural habitat. After lunch, travel via bus to Terelj National Park, a beautiful alpine retreat with imposing rock formations and endless forests. Meet your host and continue North by horseback on a 3km (1.9 mi) journey through the incredibly stunning mountain river valley, crossing the Terelj River, to the family's nomadic camp. During the stay, the host will demonstrate the techniques of how to saddle a horse and prepare an oxcart. Enjoy an evening of traditional Mongolian games with sheep's bones (shagai) and a hot dinner with the hosts. Take in the star-strewn night before going to sleep in the ger. (B/L/D)

Make sure to eat all your breakfast, you'll need that energy for the adventurous 24km (5mi) horseback ride through the forested landscape to a picturesque, wide-open, green plain. Meet a locally well-known nomadic seamstress and her family who will serve a well-deserved lunch before you learn how to make patterns for traditional Mongolian garments. In the evening, opt to help collect firewood by ox cart before enjoying a traditional dinner and tea with the family. (B/L/D)

Enjoy some free time to explore this scenic region more in-depth. Visit local families by ox cart and learn how to make homemade vodka and cheese, then try them out during lunch and dinner! (B/L/D)

After breakfast, settle in for the relaxing bus ride back to the modern Ulaanbaatar capital! There will be plenty of time to explore and shop after checking in to the hotel. Opt to visit to the Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace or Zaisan Hill. Enjoy a final evening group activity during a folk cultural performance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble and our farewell dinner after. (B)

Depart at any time. (B)