Next departure: 12.02.2027
Meeting point: Ulaanbaatar
This is not a tourist tour.
What you are joining is a way of life that has not changed in a thousand years — the winter migration of Mongolian herder families across the Altai mountains, moving their animals to lower pastures before the land becomes impossible. They do this because they must. And for a handful of days, so will you.
You will ride when it is −30°C. You will help load the camels at dawn. You will sleep in a ger that the family has packed, transported, and rebuilt — the same one they have always used. You will eat what there is. You will move when the family moves, rest when they rest, and understand, in the way that only doing something teaches you, what it means to live entirely at the mercy of weather, terrain, and herd.
There is no performance here. No “cultural experience” arranged for outside eyes. The family is not hosting you — they are tolerating a guest on one of the hardest journeys of their year, and that is an extraordinary privilege.
If you are looking for comfort, this is not your trip. If you are looking for something real — something that will sit with you for the rest of your life — you may have just found it.
Experienced uncomplicated travelers. Not afraid of rough ( cold and windy) conditions. No horse riding experience necessary.
If you like to have a strict planning for the day, or feel uncomfortable in very basic accommodations. This is real experience.
Day 1 – Flight to Mongolia
Day 2 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to hotel. Enjoying our last night in modern comfort. Relaxing day.
Morning flight west over the frozen Altai ( ca 1.5hr). Upon landing the air is colder, cleaner, more remote. Our driver Saka drives us to Sagsai village. Meet your host family, share tea, prepare for tomorrow. From now on we’ll stay with the locals.
The migration begins — 30 km!
05:00, in complete darkness, thousands of animals begin moving as one. You walk with them. Goats, sheep, yaks, horses, camels — a living river across the snow. Led by Khapyza, 80 years old, who knows every pass by heart.
Another 30 k to cover today. There is wind and ice… A river crossing where some ice holds and some does not. You are no longer observing — you are part of the migration.
Vast valleys. No roads, no signs of modern life. Only tracks in the snow. The rhythm settles in: walk, pause, guide, repeat. Camp beneath stars too bright to count.
The defining moment. Camels move in a perfect line across the ice. By evening you reach the winter pasture. The migration is complete.
Drive back through a landscape you now understand. We visit an eagle hunter family. Ride through deep snow. Watch a golden eagle hunt. Share tea, stories, and earned rest.
Flight back east. We spend the rest of the day in Ulaanbaatar with a local guide — markets, city life, the contrast is striking.
The last truly wild horses on earth, the Przewalski’s horses are running free across a snow-covered steppe. No crowds. Sharp winter light. A quiet, perfect ending that brings everything full circle. ( 2hrs driving from UB)
Day 12 – Flight home
You carry more than memories — the rhythm of migration, the silence of the snow, the resilience of a life lived entirely on the land’s terms.
Program can change a little due to weather, the shepherds, or domestic flight schedule!
It will be cold temperatures around -30°C are normal. It will be windy too and the days spend outside are long.
We’ll sleep in basic accomodations together with the locals in the same space.
For outdoorsy people only. The weather will be though – and without any shelter around us you… It will take a lot of energy from you.
Novice or beginner riders are allowed on this trip. The skills of dealing with the herd are showed by the locals. No experience with life stock needed.
A pack list will be provided. But let the main key be: warm clothes + warm clothes
Ulaanbaatar
Chinggis Khaan International Airport
tunduk operates a structured risk management concept that applies to every trip. Prevention is the priority – we mitigate risk with conservative route decisions, timing, and group management. When conditions change, plans change.
All participants are required to read the tunduk Emergency Concept. It covers prevention, decision-making in the field, and emergency procedures.
On all trips in remote areas without mobile coverage we carry a Garmin inReach satellite communicator for emergency communication.
general travel safety information on our destination pages →
Wearing a riding helmet is your own responsibility. While we highly recommend wearing one, it is not mandatory.
Insurance is the responsibility of each participant. Coverage must include health (illness and accident), rescue and evacuation in the destination country, and repatriation. We may ask for proof of insurance prior to departure.
Travel insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. It should cover trip cancellation, lost equipment, and any activity-specific risks relevant to the trip.
Participants are responsible for their own insurance (rescue, evacuation, health, travel cancellation, etc.) and a proof has to be presented to the organizer prior to the trip.
Full travel information for
Up to 120 days before departure
Up to 60 days before departure
50%
Up to 30 days before departure
80%
Less than 30 days before departure
100%
Any costs already incurred on your behalf at the time of cancellation – such as for train tickets, reservations, or permits – will be charged in full, regardless of the above schedule. In exceptional cases tunduk may offer a full refund minus a handling fee of CHF 200 at its discretion. Only upon request and without guaranteed right.
10 days · 6-8 pers. · from CHF 1850.-
11 days · 4-5 pers. · from CHF 2100.-
tunduk is a small team. We respond personally – usually within 48 hours, sometimes a little longer when we’re travelling.
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Use this form to request information such as availability, prices, or other details such as customization options. If you have already completed this step, use the following Submission Form for Final Registration.
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