Mongolia
The Call of the Wild

Traditional Mongolian culture and animal conservation are intrinsically linked. Your students will head to the north of Mongolia, where they will meet the Tsaatan people, otherwise known as the reindeer people and shamans, who practice Mongolia’s very own religion, Tengrism. Apart from this, the group will visit one of the most remote and inaccessible locations in Mongolia, Khuvsgul Lake. Here, they will shadow park rangers to understand the rich biodiversity of the area better and learn about what conservation methods are being used to ensure the protection of this biodiversity.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and meet your program leaders at the airport.

Transfer to your hotel and check in. Enjoy a traditional Mongolian welcome dinner.

Day 2

On this day you will take a 1.5 hours flight to the north Hatgal village, Khuvsgul province. On arrival, you will have lunch at the local restaurant. Next, we will have 2 hours drive towards Khuvsgul Lake which is Mongolia’s largest lake by water volume, Lake Hovsgol extends 85 miles in length and 18 miles in width and is one of the earth’s 17 most ancient lakes. Water exits the lake through only one river, the Egiin River, whose waters eventually reach Lake Baikal in neighboring Siberia. To reach the most pristine and untouched remote shore of the lake, you will cross the lake by boat. You will settle in one of the prime situated ger camps on the shore on the shore of Khuvsgul Lake.

The remainder of the day is yours. You could freely enjoy the surroundings of the crystal-clear alpine lake remains and some of the most pristine forests, mountains, and meadows in the world.

Day 3

After breakfast, start the day’s teaching session learning about Mongolian Shaman religion and Tengrism. Learn about the religious practice and history of it. This is often associated with Indigenous and tribal societies, and involves the belief that shamans, with a connection to the otherworld, have the power to heal the sick, communicate with spirits, and escort souls of the dead to the afterlife.

Meet a Shaman: Meet a Mongolian shaman and learn about the spiritual world.

A Mongolian shaman is one who accommodates his bloodline ancestor’s spirit in his own body from Tengri or the higher spirit world. Hence, that divine spirit could come to this world again and explain the causes of the universe.

In the late afternoon, go out kayaking on a nearby lake to enjoy the ice-blue waters of the lake and its panoramic views. Celebrate the final evening around a campfire and Mongolian-style celebrations.

Day 4

After breakfast, start with a quick learning session about the Tsaatan people and their lifestyle. Tsaatan family, is one of the last groups of nomadic reindeer herders in the world. Tsaatan nomads have their own religion, language, tradition, and customs that differ from other Mongols. We will embark on a journey to spend a half day with the Tsaatan people to learn about their day-to-day lives. The reindeer and the Tsaatan are dependent on one another. Some Dukha say that if the reindeer disappear, so too will their culture. Herding tasks are shared among the camp with children at a young age learning to care for the reindeer and keeping them safe. The girls and younger women do the milking and make yogurt, cheese, and milk tea. Young men and women and elders help with herding.

After lunch, at the Tsaatan family’s home, we will do the Tsaatan Sustainable Tourism Campaign with local community. Our teaching team leads students to think through the nuances and realities of sustainable tourism. As an end product, students will be asked to design a marketing campaign that both promotes and preserves the integrity of the Tsaatan people’s livelihoods.

Day 5

A local expert and park ranger will lead the journey introducing the natural wonders of the park and its vital importance to Mongolia’s freshwater resources. We will explore the Taiga and its ecosystem and its animal, flora, and fauna and learn how to preserve and live sustainably.

After lunch in the Taiga forest, we will divide into groups and do a survival game.

Survival in the Siberia Forest: Learning vital survival skills can be the difference between life and death when in the wild. On this day of fun yet important experiential activities, learn how to build a weatherproof shelter, make a bow and arrow, filter water, and make a fire in the harsh environment of the Steppes. The game will end if the target or mission given by the instructor has been completed, or the time reaches 6 pm. Farewell dinner with locals.

Day 6

We conclude our adventure through Khuvsgul. Flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, we will have lunch at the hotel. The rest of the day will be on your own, except the lunch and farewell dinner. We will assist/consult you to select the right services from a local perspective.

Canvas and Perception: Before our farewell dinner, let's come together for a magical Art Hour. Unleash your creativity as you draw your inspiration onto the canvas. It's a special moment to express yourself and capture memories in a unique way. Join us for this artistic gathering, adding your personal touch to the farewell festivities. Let the canvas become a testament to the shared moments and creativity of our time together! A farewell dinner at the hotel with all trip members to celebrate the achievements and learnings from the trip, along with special prizes to the achievers and winners of separate activities.