Winter trip to Reindeer people or Tsaatan people in Mongolia
Just Haven been to East Taiga, near Tsagaan nuur, Khuvsgul lake for an winter exploratory trip to reindeer people.
We drove from Murun via Ulaan uul to get to Tsagaan nuur. However it is only 260kms, it took 10 hours for us to get to Tsagaan nuur on bumpy snowy, slippery road through beautiful frozen lake crosses and rivers. It is so beautiful in winter with all snow covered mountains and forest with wide open flat open steppes in the middle.
Tsagaan nuur soum is located on west cost of Tsagaan nuur (Tsagaan nuur – White lake) with a population of 1317, is 1050 kms from the capital Ulaanbaatar and 260kms from Murun city.
By end of the day we got to Haltar’s guest house to stay overnight. Haltar and her wife were very friendly and helpful. We stayed in a wooden house with a fire stove in the entrance hall. As we expect the guest house is simple, dorm type with basic facilities. Had great evening with our crew here.
As it is only exploratory trip, we didnt have to hurry, so we moved towards the reindeer people by 10:30 in the morning and drove about an hour to get to the lords of the reindeers. It was about 22kms to get to the first reindeer community. The leader of the community was called Uvug, who is about 55 years old man, lives with his wife in the tepees. They have cell phone reception unitel and gmobile at this region. There were about 8 families that all lives in tepees. We had great conversation with community leader Uvug for half an hour and drove further to another reindeer community.
We didnt see any reindeer when we went to the reindeer community, because all the reindeers were away, up on the mountains where there is deep snow, which gives best opportunity to survive and graze. So before you come here make sure if they have their reindeer near to their camps. Kazakh Tour (we) can help you to organize safe, fun trips for you.
At this community most of the families were living in wooden houses, there were only 2 tepees in here. We have visited Ganbaa’s house, who is the leader of this community. Had also great conversation with him.
Reindeer people are Tuvan people who have been living northern end of Khuvsgul lake, on both sides of Russian Mongolian border. Speaks tuvan language which is from Turkic language group. As i am kazakh and i speak turkish languages, it was possible for me to understand much of their talks. Just for an example, the numbers were exactly the same with kazakh and turkish, in their language.
Later on the way when we were talking with Haltar. we found out that the leader Ganba is a shaman boo. Shaman boo is the one who can get in to the trans and communicate with the ancestors of the tribe and get information from them. They are also fortune teller.
We have suggested our trip itinerary with these people here and got agreed on plans.
Every thing was perfect!
have just arrived back to the Haltar’s guest house!
