Mongolia and Beyond

On this explorers’ adventure into the “back of beyond” in Central Asia, we roam a wide arc from the steppes of Mongolia to near-mythical Tuva, land of Old Believers, shamans, and throat singers, then onward across Siberia to legendary Lake Baikal. In Mongolia, we enjoy the wild beauty of Lake Hovsgol from our private yurt camp on its shores. In the mountainous Republic of Tuva, north of Mongolia, our journey brings us to isolated nomadic yurts and alpine villages as we meet shamans who practice Tuva’s ancient healing arts and masters of the ancient Tuvan vocal art of khoomei (singing two notes at once). Our grand finale is a three-day cruise by private boat across crystal-clear Lake Baikal to explore remote islands, taiga-forested shores, and watch serene Baikal sunsets from secluded anchorages.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

In Mongolia’s capital, we explore Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia, and the dinosaur halls of the Natural History Museum, which display the spectacular fossils of the Gobi Desert.

Days 3-5
Muron / Lake Hovsgol

From Muron near the Russian border, we journey through beautiful taiga forest of Siberian larch and pine to crystal-clear Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia’s largest lake. From our comfortable ger camp on the lakeshore, activities include hikes, visits to nomad families, and exploring by kayak. Return to Ulaanbaatar on Day 5 and fly to Irkutsk, Sibera, on Day 6.

Days 7-9
Republic of Tuva

The Republic of Tuva is a mountainous region cut off from Russia by high mountains and from Mongolia by the great steppes. Many of its people are still nomadic. From Irkutsk, we fly to Kyzyl, the tiny Tuvan capital, where we meet a local shaman, enjoy a performance of the famous Tuvan throat singing, and visit a Buddhist monastery and the workshop of a local stone artist. Overnights in hotel.

Days 10-12
Yenesei River / Old Believers

We depart Kyzyl by van and boat for the remote Yenesei River area, with its beautiful cultivated fields surrounded by dense forests. Here we visit a community of Old Believers for a chance to learn about their lifestyle and self-imposed isolation. Overnights in rustic wooden cabins, with a return to our hotel in Kyzyl on Day 12.

Days 13-14
Irkutsk / Lake Baikal

In the morning we fly to Irkutsk, Siberia’s beautiful capital, to explore its Orthodox churches and traditional neighborhoods that still have wooden homes with painted shutters. We board the traditional Circumbaikal Railway for a spectacular ride to Lake Baikal’s northern shore. Overnight at hotel in Irkutsk on Day 13, and in a lakeside lodge on Day 14.

Days 15-17
Sailing Lake Baikal

Vast and pristine Lake Baikal, one of the natural wonders of the world, is protected as a national park. We board a private boat that is our home for the next three nights and begin our exploration. At picturesque Olkhon Island, the largest island on the lake, we visit villages inhabited mostly by Buryat fishermen, with a visit to Burkhan Cape to see its ancient shaman rock. At Ushkaniye Island, we look for Baikal’s unique freshwater seals. Overnights aboard the boat in double-occupancy cabins.

Days 18-20
Listvyanka / Irkutsk / Vladivostok

We disembark at the lakeside town of Listvyanka, return to Irkutsk, and fly to Vladivostok to explore the eastern terminus of the famed Trans-Siberian Railway. Depart on Day 20.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

The trip is Level 3, Moderate. We travel in areas that have experienced very little tourism, and where the infrastructure is quite basic. Overland travel is in 4WD jeeps, minivans, and small buses, depending upon the size of the group, with three overnights on a private boat. Road conditions can be very basic, and trip members should be prepared for some long drives due to remote locations. We believe that we will have good opportunities to enjoy optional hikes on the trip, and we do not expect them to be particularly challenging. Accommodations are in best available city hotels, traditional Mongolian-style gers, rustic cabins in the countryside of Tuva, with three overnights in double-occupancy cabins on our Lake Baikal boat. While this trip is not expected to be physically demanding, the rustic accommodations, long travel days, and transportation conditions may be quite demanding. Conditions can be very basic, and services unpredictable. The trip is appropriate for anyone in good health living an active outdoor lifestyle. We believe that the most important requirements are a spirit of adventure and a sense of humor.

Explanation of Trip Levels