Journey to the Reindeer People of Mongolia

The Tiaga 2023

An adventure of a lifetime

Plan now for June 2024!

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Plan now for June 2024! 〰️

Many of my Mongolian friends and the shamans I met in Ulaanbator, knowing of my interest in Shamanism, have strongly encouraged me to visit the 'reindeer people' of Mongolia, suggesting that this would be the place to learn about the origins of Shamanism. My dear friend Shine, who has supported my interest in this connection to shamans, facilitated our trip to Taiga where the old traditions of Shamanism still exist. This journey is incredibly profound, with astonishing and untouched landscapes. Meeting these incredibly kind people and witnessing their connections with their ancestors is indescribable. I highly recommend considering this trip for yourself.

Jerry and Bruce

From our well respected guide: Shinetsetseg (Shine) as she describes this journey.

Shinetsetseg (Shine)

A shaman is someone who is considered to have access to and influence in the world inhabited by both benevolent and malevolent spirits. During rituals, shamans typically enter a trance state and practice divination and healing. The term "shaman" most likely originates from the Tungusic Evenki language spoken in North Asia. Shamanism originated in present-day Mongolia and is still an active practice.

On this special interest trip, you will have the opportunity to witness the Shaman people in the northern part of Mongolia, where they reside alongside reindeer families who live as a community, relying on nature and the reindeer for their livelihood. These communities engage in various activities such as eating, milking, making clothing, riding, and utilizing reindeer for transportation.

Our journey will include off-road driving until we reach the northernmost village, from where we will ride horses to visit the reindeer families residing in the southern edge of the Siberian Taiga. By staying among the reindeer people, engaging in conversations with them, and experiencing the Dukan people firsthand, you will gain a true understanding of their way of life.

A SAMPLE agenda is provided below, and a more detailed and formal agenda will be made available soon. It's important to consider variables such as the location where the Reindeer People will establish their camp. The following agenda serves as a sample for contemplation.

Day 1 in Mongolia. ULAANBAATAR, THE CAPITAL OF MODERN MONGOLIA.

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. A tour guide and driver welcome you at the airport and transfer to the hotel. We kindly advise you to take a very good rest.

Day 2: Murun, Khuvsgul province center. Flight

You will have breakfast in the hotel. The guide will pick you up from the hotel in the morning taking a domestic flight to the north. When we land at Murun city airport, drivers and a cook greet us. We drive to a tourist camp, which is right at the bank of the river to have lunch and have leisure time preparing for the next few days in the wilderness. Tomorrow early in the morning, we will drive half way towards a village at a distance of 300 km/190 miles off-road. It requires special technique to drive for our chauffeurs.

Day 3:  On our way to stay in wilderness

In the morning, we will depart from the camp after breakfast and hit halfway around 150 km a day/90 miles. Around 1 o’clock  in the afternoon we will stop by and our cook will make us lunch. It is a half way to reach Darkhad and Tuvan people living in a village. The road requires technical skill on the road. Sometimes it is muddy and dirty everywhere. Be prepared for bumpy road. We will stay in a tent in the wilderness.

Winter Quarters 2023 in Tiaga

Days 4: Tsagaan Nuur village - White Lake

We will have breakfast and drive to the village to meet our horseman’s family. When we get to the village, we will spend the rest of the day and stay in a tent near a local family. It is a great opportunity to share in how nomadic people live with their livestocks and daily life.

Day 5: Village to Taiga

On horseback, we will continue our journey to Taiga for a whole day. After breakfast hop on horseback heading to reindeer people’s summer camp leaving our cars behind. The distance could be 40-50 km/24-30 miles away from the village depending on which trail local guides choose. We will work with local horsemen guides and assistants.  Once we get to the Taiga, we will see Dukhan people, who live in teepee and dwell with and depend on their reindeer. We will stay in a tent after we introduce ourselves to Dukhan people. We will make our own food together with the help of our cook. We are welcomed by Taiga people and visit a shaman family to watch rituals during the night.(B - by the family, L,D - nature)

Day 6-7: Taiga

While we stay in Taiga, feel free to absorb every essence of it, listening to yourself, meditating, being away from modern civilization, cleaning your body in a digital free environment. We will visit with Dukhan people, talk to them and experience the deep Taiga.

There are Shaman people, fortune tellers, medicinal people and breathtaking environments. Playing children and communicating with Taiga people is a special opportunity to have in our lifetime. The guide is experienced enough to support you and help by being an important bridge between all people. Taiga people are talented and make souvenirs and jewelry with reindeer horns or jade stone. We support their life by purchasing some stuff, which would be highly appreciated.

(Female Shaman Praying with Guest 2018)

Day 8: Depart from Taiga to village

We will have breakfast and say goodbye to the Taiga people expressing our gratitude. We will depart from the reindeer people camping area heading back to White Lake village to meet our drivers and vans. On our way, we will have our lunch at the bank of a river with local guides. When we get to the village, where we stay for the night, we will say goodbye to the local guides.

Day 9: Village - Previous tourist camp Tultiin Tokhoi

After breakfast, we will drive to the tourist camp. We take the same road back to the tourist camp. When we get to the camp, we will have some spare time. In the evening, after dinner we will discuss the journey and conclude. It is our last day in Khuvsgul province before heading to the capital.

Day 10: Murun - Ulaanbaatar - Hustai National Park

After having breakfast at the tourist camp, we will drive to Murun city to take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar city.  When we land, we would head to the next destination called Hustai National Park, where people watch wild horses Takhi - Przewalski's horse. Dinner is at the national park in the tourist camp. The National Park is famous for its wild horse sanctuary and different species of wildlife.

Day 11: Ulaanbaatar

In the morning, we will take a land transfer to get back to the capital Ulaanbaatar after breakfast. Afternoon is free time. In the evening, we will watch cultural performances at 18:00 in ethnic group ensemble theater and have a farewell dinner

Day 12: Departure day.

Early in the morning, you will have breakfast and we will transfer to the airport and depart. Hope you all have a very nice and memorable trip in Mongolia with the help of us and see you again. It is a great pleasure to assist you to travel here adding a new page to your life. Have a safe and joyful trip back to your home. 

Logistics

Trip information

When: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB) Mongolia by June 10, 2024.  

Depart Ulaanbaatar on June 23, 2024. (unless you’ve made other arrangements. In the past folks have stayed in Ulanbataar for a few days to explore the city and our guide will be more than glad to help you plan further adventure.)

Duration: 14 Days and 13 Nights (starts in Mongolia)

Group: 6 people minimum to secure these prices.  Less participants will require us to adjust the price.

Type: Special Interest Trip and Adventure

Price: 5550. USD per person. This cost covers most of the details of the trip once landing in Ulaanbaatar. International flights are at your own arrangements/cost.

Non-Refundable Deposit, unless we have to cancel the trip, of $500 by April 14, 2024.

Balance of Trip due by May 8, 2024.

Tour package includes:

Accommodation: Hotel, tourist ger camp, mobile tents

Transportation: 4x4 vehicles, minivan

Tour leader, Guide: special interest, tailor-made trips

Full board meals: Chef, cook, assistant 

Shamanic rituals and full time interpretations

Gratitude fee for rituals of Shaman and supporters

Entrance fee: Protected areas, National Parks

Ticket: Museums, temples, cultural performance

Camping equipments

Excludes:

International air fare

International travel insurance

Single room supplement

Personal equipments

Alcoholic drinks

Additional charge for photo and video in museums, temples

Gratitude Tips for tour leader, guides, drivers, cook, local staffs

 Tips for the trip:

In considering this trip, it’s mostly tenting and basic accommodations. We will live in our backpacks and travel light while journeying to the Taiga. We will utilize 4x4 terrain vehicles over natural terrain, horseback riding for one full day there and back. You will witness untouched natural beauty, the full elements and amazing, spectacular views.

Let’s discuss if this trip is right for you. I promise, this community will touch your heart and change your life.