7-Day Nomadic Adventure in Mongolia with Local Families

7 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Experience an immersive 7-day journey into Mongolia's nomadic heartland, where travellers live alongside local families and discover traditional ways of life. S...

Duration: 7 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · City: Ulan Bator · Languages: English, French

Know before you go: This tour is an authentic cultural experience designed for travellers who want to experience real Mongolian nomadic life, traditions, and adventure activities.; Accommodation during the tour will mainly be in traditional Mongolian ger camps and with local nomadic families. Facilities in rural areas are simple compared to city hotels.; The tour includes long-distance driving on paved and off-road terrain across the Mongolian steppe and Gobi region. Road conditions can be rough and dusty.; Weather in Mongolia changes quickly. Days may be warm, while nights can become cold, especially in the countryside and desert areas.; Participants will join hands-on cultural activities such as ger building, dairy making, horseback riding, traditional cooking, nomadic games, and outdoor challenges.; No professional horseback riding experience is required, but participants should be in good physical condition and comfortable with outdoor activities.; Mobile network and internet connection may be limited or unavailable in remote areas.; Electricity charging opportunities may be limited during some overnight stays, so bringing a power bank is highly recommended.; Traditional Mongolian toilets in countryside camps are usually located outside and may be basic.; Please respect local customs, nomadic families, livestock, and cultural traditions throughout the experience.; Bottled water will be provided during the tour, but carrying your own reusable water bottle is recommended.; Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, and moisturizer are highly recommended due to Mongolia's dry climate and strong sun exposure.; Travel insurance covering medical expenses and outdoor activities is strongly recommended.; Vegetarian or special dietary requests should be informed in advance, as food options in remote areas may be limited.; Participants are encouraged to bring comfortable outdoor clothing, warm layers, hiking shoes, rain protection, and a sleeping bag for additional comfort during overnight stays.; This tour combines culture, adventure, teamwork, and unforgettable experiences in the heart of Mongolia's nomadic countryside.

About Ulan Bator

Mongolia

Ulan Bator

Uncover a surprisingly lively and culturally-rich cityscape beneath Ulan Bator’s concrete veneer with the help of a local guide from Everest Global Hub. Expect horse racing festivals, Mongol foods and more.

Explore Ulan Bator Mongolia All destinations

What's Included

All activities on the itinerary
Meals (excluding drinks) as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
Experienced English-speaking guide
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Bottled water on the coach (1 bottle per person per day)
Accommodation as mentioned above, with check-in at 2 pm and check-out at 11 am
Transportation

Not Included

Drinks
Early check-in and late check-out room (available upon request and subject to room availability)
Travel insurance (highly recommended to purchase adequate insurance)
International or domestic flight tickets
Mongolian visa
Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and restaurant staff
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, and drinks
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
All other services not specified in the itinerary, including surcharge for peak season and Naadam Festival (11 July to 15 July)

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival to the Nomadic Challenge Camp

Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Ulaanbaatar to Deren soum, covering approximately 200 kilometres in around four hours. Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Ulaanbaatar to Deren soum, covering approximately 200 kilometres in around four hours. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm introduction to the Nomad Challenge project, where participants are divided into teams and briefed on the upcoming activities. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm introduction to the Nomad Challenge project, where participants are divided into teams and briefed on the upcoming activities. Lunch introduces traditional Mongolian cuisine, featuring boiled meat, one of the most authentic dishes in nomadic culture. Lunch introduces traditional Mongolian cuisine, featuring boiled meat, one of the most authentic dishes in nomadic culture. In the afternoon, take part in the first team challenge of building a traditional Mongolian ger under the guidance of local experts. This hands-on activity highlights teamwork while offering insight into the traditional portable home design used by nomadic families. In the afternoon, take part in the first team challenge of building a traditional Mongolian ger under the guidance of local experts. This hands-on activity highlights teamwork while offering insight into the traditional portable home design used by nomadic families. In the evening, the winning team receives fresh vegetables as a prize to prepare tsuivan, a classic Mongolian stir-fried noodle dish, for dinner. In the evening, the winning team receives fresh vegetables as a prize to prepare tsuivan, a classic Mongolian stir-fried noodle dish, for dinner. After the meal, enjoy leisure time to relax and unwind after an engaging first day. After the meal, enjoy leisure time to relax and unwind after an engaging first day.
2

Day 02

Dairy Traditions and Nomadic Arts

After breakfast, the morning challenge focuses on one of the most important aspects of nomadic culture, Mongolian dairy production. After breakfast, the morning challenge focuses on one of the most important aspects of nomadic culture, Mongolian dairy production. During the Dairy Master Challenge, teams learn how traditional dairy products (Tsagaan Idee) are made, including curds and fermented milk products. During the Dairy Master Challenge, teams learn how traditional dairy products (Tsagaan Idee) are made, including curds and fermented milk products. The winning team is rewarded with traditional treats such as aaruul and Mongolian milk vodka (Shimiin Arkhi). The winning team is rewarded with traditional treats such as aaruul and Mongolian milk vodka (Shimiin Arkhi). Lunch offers a hands-on culinary experience where participants prepare Mongolian dried meat soup and learn traditional preservation methods for long winters. Lunch offers a hands-on culinary experience where participants prepare Mongolian dried meat soup and learn traditional preservation methods for long winters. In the afternoon, the Nomadic Arts and Talent Challenge introduces Mongolia’s cultural heritage through performances and creative activities. In the afternoon, the Nomadic Arts and Talent Challenge introduces Mongolia’s cultural heritage through performances and creative activities. Activities include Khoomei throat singing mimicry, Biyelgee dance battles, Morin Khuur demonstrations and other nomadic-inspired performances. Activities include Khoomei throat singing mimicry, Biyelgee dance battles, Morin Khuur demonstrations and other nomadic-inspired performances. Dinner is served in the evening, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the peaceful steppe atmosphere. Dinner is served in the evening, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the peaceful steppe atmosphere.
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Day 03

Nomadic Daily Life Experience

The day begins with a traditional breakfast featuring Mongolian cream (Urum) and Boortsog, a beloved fried pastry. The day begins with a traditional breakfast featuring Mongolian cream (Urum) and Boortsog, a beloved fried pastry. In the morning, participants ride horses across the steppe to water livestock, experiencing a daily nomadic routine. In the morning, participants ride horses across the steppe to water livestock, experiencing a daily nomadic routine. Later, teams take part in the Argal Magic Challenge, learning about argal (dried animal dung) used as a sustainable biofuel for cooking and heating. Later, teams take part in the Argal Magic Challenge, learning about argal (dried animal dung) used as a sustainable biofuel for cooking and heating. For lunch, the winning team enjoys authentic Mongolian Buuz, while others participate in a hands-on Buuz making experience. For lunch, the winning team enjoys authentic Mongolian Buuz, while others participate in a hands-on Buuz making experience. In the afternoon, the group travels to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a granite rock formation in the Gobi steppe known for its dramatic landscapes and historical significance. In the afternoon, the group travels to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a granite rock formation in the Gobi steppe known for its dramatic landscapes and historical significance. After exploration, participants enjoy free time before returning to the camp for dinner and overnight stay at a tourist ger camp. After exploration, participants enjoy free time before returning to the camp for dinner and overnight stay at a tourist ger camp.
4

Day 04

Adventure at the White Stupa

After breakfast, the group departs for Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the White Stupa, one of Mongolia’s most spectacular natural formations. After breakfast, the group departs for Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the White Stupa, one of Mongolia’s most spectacular natural formations. Participants take part in a Content Creator Challenge, capturing dramatic cliffs, colourful sediment layers and vast desert landscapes through photography or short videos. Participants take part in a Content Creator Challenge, capturing dramatic cliffs, colourful sediment layers and vast desert landscapes through photography or short videos. The activity encourages creativity while exploring one of the Gobi region’s most iconic locations. The activity encourages creativity while exploring one of the Gobi region’s most iconic locations. The afternoon is kept free for exploration, relaxation and enjoying the surrounding desert scenery. The afternoon is kept free for exploration, relaxation and enjoying the surrounding desert scenery.
5

Day 05

Nomadic Skills and Traditional Games

After breakfast, the group drives back to Deren. After breakfast, the group drives back to Deren. Lunch includes a DIY Dumpling Tea experience, where participants learn to prepare small traditional dumplings served with tea. Lunch includes a DIY Dumpling Tea experience, where participants learn to prepare small traditional dumplings served with tea. In the afternoon, the nomadic lifestyle experience continues with horse riding to water livestock, followed by the Argal Biofuel Challenge, highlighting sustainable nomadic practices. In the afternoon, the nomadic lifestyle experience continues with horse riding to water livestock, followed by the Argal Biofuel Challenge, highlighting sustainable nomadic practices. Later, participants take part in the Nomadic Games Challenge featuring Shagai ankle bone shooting, Alag Melkhii puzzle assembly, horse racing simulations and traditional brain-teaser games. Later, participants take part in the Nomadic Games Challenge featuring Shagai ankle bone shooting, Alag Melkhii puzzle assembly, horse racing simulations and traditional brain-teaser games. Dinner is an interactive Noodle DIY cooking experience, where the winning team receives fresh bread and pickled vegetables as a prize. Dinner is an interactive Noodle DIY cooking experience, where the winning team receives fresh bread and pickled vegetables as a prize. The evening concludes with rest and preparation for the grand finale. The evening concludes with rest and preparation for the grand finale.
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Day 06

Mini Naadam Festival and Celebration

After breakfast, the highlight of the journey begins with the Mini Naadam Challenge inspired by Mongolia’s national Naadam Festival. After breakfast, the highlight of the journey begins with the Mini Naadam Challenge inspired by Mongolia’s national Naadam Festival. Throughout the day, participants compete in traditional games and challenges reflecting the spirit of the “Three Manly Sports” and nomadic traditions. Throughout the day, participants compete in traditional games and challenges reflecting the spirit of the “Three Manly Sports” and nomadic traditions. In the evening, the experience concludes with a bonfire party and festive award ceremony under the open steppe sky. In the evening, the experience concludes with a bonfire party and festive award ceremony under the open steppe sky. Participants celebrate their achievements while enjoying a special Nomadic Feast. Participants celebrate their achievements while enjoying a special Nomadic Feast. Awards include “The Ultimate Nomad” Grand Prize. Awards include “The Ultimate Nomad” Grand Prize. Additional awards feature Nomadic title T-shirts such as King of Buuz, Master of Shagai and True Nomad 100%. Additional awards feature Nomadic title T-shirts such as King of Buuz, Master of Shagai and True Nomad 100%. Traditional calligraphy scrolls with participants’ names are also awarded. Traditional calligraphy scrolls with participants’ names are also awarded. Traditional silver cups are presented as part of the ceremony. Traditional silver cups are presented as part of the ceremony. Survival kits including aaruul, urum and boortsog are included as fun rewards. Survival kits including aaruul, urum and boortsog are included as fun rewards. Golden shagai game sets are awarded to selected participants. Golden shagai game sets are awarded to selected participants. The Grand Prize may include a traditional Mongolian deel and hat, a Morin Khuur instrument, or a 20 to 30 percent discount for a future Mongolia adventure. The Grand Prize may include a traditional Mongolian deel and hat, a Morin Khuur instrument, or a 20 to 30 percent discount for a future Mongolia adventure.
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Day 07

Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, the group drives back to Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, the group drives back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, the guide and driver will drop participants at the hotel. Upon arrival, the guide and driver will drop participants at the hotel. This marks the end of an unforgettable Nomad Challenge experience filled with culture, adventure and authentic nomadic traditions. This marks the end of an unforgettable Nomad Challenge experience filled with culture, adventure and authentic nomadic traditions.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: State Department Store, CHD - 3 khoroo, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · Tour start: Dundgovi, Mongolia — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.