Meet the oldest religious souls on Earth, Darkhad shamans in Mongolia, with this incredible 13 days tour. Shamanism is the oldest practice in this country. a shaman is a man or a woman who is believed to have access to the "spirit world". Shamanism is a religion without books: all teaching and instructions have been passed orally and its traditions learnt by heart.

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Meet the oldest religious souls on Earth, Darkhad shamans in Mongolia, with this incredible 13 days tour. Shamanism is the oldest practice in this country. a shaman is a man or a woman who is believed to have access to the "spirit world". Shamanism is a religion without books: all teaching and instructions have been passed orally and its traditions learnt by heart.

Mongolian shamans enter an ecstatic trance state during which they order the spirits to protect and heal members of the community. The shaman might wear a head dress or resemble a bird, with the tail of a pheasant and the body costume of a fish. Drums are used to help the shaman enter the trance-like state, as the chanting begins and the shaman "transcends" into another world while the body dances, swirls or totters with jerking movements.

Shamanism went underground during the communist period but has been revived recently. Along with meetings with the shamans, the itinerary includes:

  • City tour of Ulaan Baatar
  • Amarbayasgalant monastery
  • Khuvsgul Lake National Park
  • Darkhad valley
  • Khorgo Terkh National Park
  • Orkhon valley
  • Kahrkhorin and Erdene Zuu monastery
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Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Ulaan Bataar
  • End Ulaan Bataar
  • Countries
    • Mongolia
  • City
    • Ulaan Bataar
    • Selenge
    • Khuvsgul
    • Tsagaan Nuur
    • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
    • Kharkhorin
  • Theme Meeting local people
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Not Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Ulaan Baatar
    Day 1

    You'll arrive in Ulaan Bataar and enjoy a city tour with visits to Gandam Monastery and Bogd Khaan Winter Palace museum. Overnight in hotel. 

    Visited places:
    • Ulaan Bataar
  • 2
    Ulaan Bataar - Selenge
    Day 2

    You will drive to Amarbaysgalant Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, built in the 17th century in the memory of the Bogdo Lama Zanabazar, head of the Mongolian Buddhist religion. 

    Located in the northern province of Selenge, the monastery lies in beautiful sorroundings good for walking. Overnight in a tourist camp.

    Visited places:
    • Ulaan Bataar
    • Selenge
  • 3
    Selenge - Khuvsgul lake
    Day 3

    You will drive to Khuvsgul lake, where you'll enjoy the magnificent sceneries of this place, itself one of the natural wonders of the world covering an area of 2760 sq. km. This is a land of taiga forests, crystal clear lakes, icy streams and lush grass. You can walk along the lakeshore and hike in the vicinity areas. 

    Overnight in a tourist camp. 

    Visited places:
    • Selenge
    • Khuvsgul
  • 4
    Khuvsgul - Tsagaan Nuur
    Day 4

    You'll cross the Darkhad valley and head towards Tsagaan Nuur lake where you'll have trekking and horse riding sessions. On the way you'll pass through some mountain passes where visitors can leisure in real untouched wildlife.

    The Darkhad depression is located between the Khoridol Saridag Mountain Range and the Ulaan taiga forest. The depression is punctuated by many small lakes. Overnight in a tourist camp. 

    Visited places:
    • Khuvsgul
    • Tsagaan Nuur
  • 5
    Meet the shamans
    Day 5 -7

    In these three days you'll reload your luggage on horseback and leave your vehicle team as the landscape becomes difficult to access with cars. You will ride to tsaatans, reindeer herding families, and shamans. You'll see real events, for example how shamans connect to other spirits and what they do.

    You'll also learn about tsaatans' life and traditions: they have their own religion, language and customs that are different from other Mongols. Overnight in a tented camp near the shaman's home. 

    Visited places:
    • Tsagaan Nuur
  • 6
    Tsagaan Nuur - Khuvsgul lake
    Day 8

    Today you'll get back to Khuvsgul lake and sleep in a tented camp.

    Visited places:
    • Tsagaan Nuur
    • Khuvsgul
  • 7
    Khuvsgul - Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park
    Day 9

    Today our trip turns south towards Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park. You will take an overnight stop at Shine-Ider village. Overnight in a tourist camp. 

    Visited places:
    • Khuvsgul
    • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
  • 8
    Khorgo Therkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park
    Day 10

    You'll arrive at Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, a beautiful freshwater lake sorrounded by extinct volcanoes. You'll explore the lake and the sorrounding areas. You will hike to Khorgo Uul volcano from the north- eastern shore of the lake. You will visit caves on the way. 

    Overnight in a tourist camp. 

    Visited places:
    • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
  • 9
    Terkhiin Tsagaan - Kharlkhorin
    Day 11

    You will drive to Kharkhorin and see the symbolic ruins of the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire of the 13th century along with Erdene Zuu monastery. They are situated in the vast valley of Orkhon river. You will visit Erdene Zuu monastery, the first Buddhist center in Mongolia which was built in 1586 on the ruins of Kharkhorin.

    The temples contain a valuable collection of Buddhist sculpture, artwork and books. Overnight in a tourist camp.

    Visited places:
    • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
    • Kharkhorin
  • 10
    Kharkhorin - Ulaan Bataar
    Day 12

    Today you'll be driven back to Ulaan Bataar. You'll be transferred to your hotel and have free time for relax and personal activities. In the evening you'll enjoy a cultural performance. Overnight in hotel. 

    Visited places:
    • Kharkhorin
    • Ulaan Bataar
  • 11
    Ulaan Bataar- Departure
    Day 13

    Today you'll be transferred to the airport for departure. 

    Visited places:
    • Ulaan Bataar

Photogallery

  • Mongolia shaman
  • Mongolia nomad
  • Mongolia rider
  • Mongolia Erdene Zuu monastery
  • Mongolia nomads

  • Prices and conditions
    Price includes
    • Accommodation in hotels, ger camps or tented camps
    • Guiding service
    • Camping equipments
    • Transport: 4x4 vehicle or minivan
    • Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
    • Museums and cultural performance
    • Horses camping equipment
    Price does not include
    • International airfare
    • Personal equipments
    • Optional activities
    • Excess baggage charges
    • Single room supplement
    • Alcoholic drinks
    • Sleeping bag
    • Travel insurance