Northern Mongolia Winter Photo Tour
About This Tour
Experience one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist festivals, then travel through the historic Orkhon Valley and the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi Desert. The Danshig Religious Festival is an annual two-day event held at Khui Doloon Khudag near Ulaanbaatar. Sacred Tsam masked dances, Buddhist ceremonies, traditional music, and cultural performances offer a glimpse into Mongolia’s living Buddhist traditions. Rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, Tsam is a ritual dance performed by monks in elaborate masks and colorful costumes. Chanting and carefully choreographed movements bring Buddhist deities and protective figures to life. After the festival, look for wild takhi horses in Hustai National Park, visit Erdene Zuu Monastery near the ruins of ancient Karakorum, and explore the Gobi’s red sandstone cliffs, golden dunes, and narrow canyons. Along the way, meet a camel-herding family and discover how they live in the desert.
Key Info
Physical Level
Moderate
Activities
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1
Day 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Meet our team at the airport and transfer to your hotel. After a short rest, set out on a guided city tour. Visit Gandan Monastery, an important center of Mongolian Buddhism, and see its towering statue of Avalokiteshvara. Continue to the National Museum of Mongolia to learn about the country’s history and culture, then visit Sukhbaatar Square in the heart of the capital. 4-star hotel • Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: 4 star hotel
Meals: Dinner
- 2
Day 2
Danshig Religious Festival Opening Day
Danshig Religious Festival
Drive approximately 50 km west of Ulaanbaatar to Khui Doloon Khudag for the opening day of the Danshig Religious Festival. Watch sacred Tsam masked dances, Buddhist rituals, cultural performances, and Mongolian horse racing. Enjoy lunch at the festival before returning to your hotel. 4-star hotel • Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: 4 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Light walking
- 3
Day 3
Day 3
Journey North to Amarbayasgalant
Drive north through the steppe to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, one of Mongolia's most important Buddhist monasteries, set in a wide valley beneath sacred mountains.
Accommodation: Ger camp near Amarbayasgalant
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- 4
Day 4
Day 4
Monastery Blessing & Mountain Ovoo
Receive a blessing at Amarbayasgalant and hike to a mountain ovoo for a shamanic ceremony. The afternoon is free for reflection and journaling.
Accommodation: Ger camp near Amarbayasgalant
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Moderate hike to the ovoo
- 5
Day 5
Day 5
Travel to Khuvsgul Lake
A long scenic drive north to the shores of Khuvsgul Lake, the 'Blue Pearl of Mongolia'. Settle into a lakeside ger camp and watch the sunset over the water.
Accommodation: Lakeside ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- 6
Day 6
Day 6
Lake Purification Ceremony
Participate in a water purification ceremony on the shore of Khuvsgul Lake, followed by a boat trip to a nearby island and a visit to a reindeer herding family.
Accommodation: Lakeside ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Boat trip and short walks
- 7
Day 7
Day 7
Reindeer Herders of the Taiga
Travel deeper into the taiga to meet the Tsaatan reindeer herders. Learn about their shamanic traditions and spend the night in a traditional teepee.
Accommodation: Tsaatan teepee camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Horse or reindeer ride into the taiga
- 8
Day 8
Day 8
Shamanic Ritual in the Taiga
A full day with the reindeer herders, including a shamanic ritual and drumming ceremony. Learn how the Tsaatan read the spirits of the forest and the sky.
Accommodation: Tsaatan teepee camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking on forest trails
- 9
Day 9
Day 9
Return to Khuvsgul Lake
Ride back out of the taiga to the lakeside camp. The afternoon is free for rest, sauna, and reflection by the water.
Accommodation: Lakeside ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Horse or reindeer ride out of the taiga
- 10
Day 10
Day 10
Sacred Deer Stones & Petroglyphs
Drive south to the Uushigiin Uver deer stones, ancient monuments tied to sky worship. Continue to a valley of Bronze Age petroglyphs with your shaman guide.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Short walks to the monuments
- 11
Day 11
Day 11
Journey to the Orkhon Valley
Travel to the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of ancient capitals and sacred mountains. Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery at Karakorum.
Accommodation: Ger camp in the Orkhon Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- 12
Day 12
Day 12
Orkhon Waterfall & Ovoo Ceremony
Hike to the Orkhon Waterfall and hold a ceremony at a nearby ovoo. The afternoon is spent with a nomadic family learning about seasonal migration.
Accommodation: Ger camp in the Orkhon Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Moderate hike to the waterfall
Prices & Inclusions
| Group Size | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $4,890 |
| 2 travelers | $3,790 |
| 3-4 travelers | $3,290 |
| 5-10travelers | $3,100 |
Includes
- All accommodation (hotels, ger camps, )
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 vehicle with driver
- English-speaking spiritual guide
- All ceremonies, entrance fees, and national park permits
- Airport transfers
Not Includes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses and tips
- Alcoholic drinks
Map & Destinations
Tour Highlights
- • Tsaatan families, their winter camps, and everyday reindeer herding
- • Portraits of Darkhad and Tsaatan shamans and ceremonial details where photography is permitted
- • Nomadic herders and their winter routines, including a visit to a yak- and horse-herding family
- • Reindeer in the snowy forests and mountains of the taiga
- • Lake Khovsgol, the Darkhad Valley, and the Jargant River in winter
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