Mongolia Nomad Homestay at Terelj National Park
Learn to Live Like a Local Nomad in Mongolia
Located just a short drive from Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park is one of the most accessible and culturally significant destinations for experiencing authentic Mongolian nomadic life. This unique region—defined by alpine valleys, forested mountains, open steppe, and river basins—remains home to living nomadic traditions that have shaped Mongolia for centuries. A Mongolia nomad homestay in Terelj offers travelers a rare opportunity to step beyond tourism and into the daily rhythms of a working nomadic household.
The GER to GER Terelj Nomadic Adventure is a carefully designed 3- or 5-day nomadic homestay experience created for travelers seeking cultural immersion, soft adventure, and meaningful human connection. Unlike conventional tours or tourist camps, this journey brings you directly into the homes of local herding families. You will travel by horseback and traditional ox cart, sleep in authentic Mongolian gers, and participate in everyday pastoral life alongside families who have lived in the Terelj region for generations.
Throughout your stay, you will engage in hands-on cultural activities such as preparing traditional Mongolian meals, making dairy products, learning archery, sewing, and basic horsemanship. Each day reflects the seasonal knowledge and land-based wisdom that define nomadic culture in Mongolia, offering insight into how families sustain their livelihoods through livestock, environment, and tradition.
Developed through GER to GER’s Community-Based Tourism (CBT) framework, this Terelj homestay ensures that nomadic families are equal partners—not passive hosts—and receive direct economic and social benefits from tourism. Whether you choose the deeper 5-day nomadic experience or the shorter 3-day option, this journey represents responsible travel in Mongolia, where cultural preservation, environmental respect, and rural livelihoods remain at the heart of the experience.
For this trip, you’ll need to take the local Terelj bus and pay onboard via the link below:
Confirmed for 2026
GER to GER Adventure: Terelj National Park (3 to 5 Days)
Experience Type: Community-Based Nomadic Experience
Transport: Small vehicle + ox-cart & walking
Community Fee & Pricing (USD)
5 Days/Nights: Community Fee
- 1 person: $346
- 2 people: $306 per person
- 3 people: $293 per person
3 Days/2 Nights: Community Fee
- 1 person: $281
- 2 people: $241 per person
- 3 people: $228 per person
Difficulty: Easy
Method of Travel: Ox-carts and walking
Season: Summer only
Day 1 – Journey North of Terelj National Park by Horseback (or Ox Cart) & Nomadic Experience
(L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger)
You will depart Ulaanbaatar for an approximately 2-hour drive to Terelj National Park. Upon arrival at the second-to-last stop (the first stop within Terelj Village), our local guide will welcome you and arrange your transfer by either ox cart or horseback.
From the river crossing, you will begin a scenic 3 km journey northward through a stunning mountain river valley to your first nomadic host family. Upon arrival, you will dismount and enter Mr. Chuluunhuu’s ger, where you will be welcomed with a hot nomadic lunch and traditional Mongolian milk tea.
During your stay, Mr. Chuluunhuu may demonstrate how to saddle a horse and prepare an ox cart. You will have plenty of time to practice and refine these skills on your own. In the evening, enjoy a hearty nomadic dinner and stay overnight in the family’s extra ger.
Nights in the national park are truly special—before retiring for the evening, take time to enjoy stargazing and breathe in the fresh mountain air, perfect for a deep and restful sleep.
Day 2 – Horseback Journey to Aryabal Meditation Temple
(B, L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger)
After breakfast, you will begin a horseback journey to one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the region, Aryabal Meditation Temple. The ride is approximately 24 km round trip.
Aryabal Temple was originally built in the early 1810s by Mongolian and Tibetan artisans and lies about 60 km from Ulaanbaatar. In the past, monks from nearby Manzushir Monastery came here for meditation. Architecturally, the temple reflects Tibetan style, featuring a white, square-shaped main structure with porcelain roofs decorated with Buddhist symbols.
During the political purges of 1937–1939, the temple was completely destroyed and several monks were killed. In 2000, monks from Lamiran Temple in Ulaanbaatar initiated a restoration project, which was completed between 2004 and 2007. Today, Lamiran monks occasionally conduct religious services here, and the temple is open to visitors throughout much of the year.
A staircase of 108 stone steps (108 being a sacred number in Buddhism) leads to the main temple. Around the complex are 108 small stupas and 108 prayer wheels, while signs displaying 144 Buddhist teachings in both Mongolian and English line the pathway.
On the return journey, you will enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you will ride back to the nomadic family, where you may assist with or observe daily nomadic routines. Dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 3 – Horseback Journey & Learning the Art of Traditional Sewing
(B, L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger)
After breakfast, you will set out on a 15 km horseback journey through forested landscapes, open green plains, and into a scenic mountainous river basin. Upon arrival at Ms. Amarjargal’s family, you will be served a well-deserved hot nomadic lunch and tea.
Ms. Amarjargal is a locally respected nomadic seamstress who creates traditional garments for neighboring herders. She will teach you how to tie a bridle and introduce traditional Mongolian patterns used in clothing design. The day concludes with a hot nomadic dinner and traditional tea shared with the family.
You may also assist the family with herding cattle, which play a central role in Mongolian pastoral life. Cows are typically milked once or twice daily, and their milk is used to produce a wide variety of dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, dried curds, and cream. Cow’s milk is now the most commonly consumed milk in Mongolia and forms the foundation of daily nomadic diets, especially for milk tea and butter-based products.
Day 4 – Learning Mongolian Archery & Nomadic Daily Tasks
(B, L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger)
After an early nomadic breakfast, you will learn and practice the ancient art of Mongolian archery with your host. This traditional skill has been passed down through generations and remains an important part of nomadic heritage.
After lunch, you will assist the family with daily tasks such as collecting dried dung (used as fuel) and cleaning animal pens—an essential part of nomadic life. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional nomadic dinner and tea with the family.
Day 5 – Learning Traditional Dairy-Making Methods
(B, L)
After breakfast, the hostess will guide you through the preparation of traditional Mongolian milk tea and urum (clotted cream, often referred to as Mongolian butter). If you wish, you may wake up early to help milk the cows, boil fresh milk, and prepare breakfast together.
You will then have time to explore the surrounding area before sharing a farewell lunch with the family. In the late afternoon, your local guide will take you by ox cart for approximately 10 km back toward the Terelj area, where your journey concludes.
Included Services
- Visits to nomadic families
- All nomadic breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as per itinerary
- Local herder guide service during the journey
- Sightseeing
- Overnight stays in traditional gers (2–3 beds per ger)
- Horseback riding as outlined in the itinerary
- Ox cart transportation as per itinerary
- Pack animals during the journey
- Cultural activities (collecting dung, ankle bone games, etc.)
- Boiled drinking water on route
- Private small car transportation (round trip)
Not Included
- Camping equipment / sleeping bag
- Personal expenses
Important Notes for Mongolian Homestay Travel and Mongolia Homestay
These are “non-touristic” nomadic cultural lifestyle adventures with nomadic families – please do refer to the “terms and conditions” for further clarifications.
Winter itineraries are provided for “reference” there will always be changes in activities, methods of travel, etc., to maintain the “health/safety” of travelers and nomadic families.
Please double confirm itineraries via email.
ONLINE Itineraries are subject to change owing to weather, cultural circumstance, terrain, lifestyles, etc., distances will change in accordance with Nomadic pastures, weather, culture, lifestyles and other factors.
Kindly refer to the Pre-Trip online learning area for more details in how to prepare via this link
Day 1 – Journey North of Terelj National Park’s River by Horseback (or Ox Cart) & Nomadic Experience
(L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger)
You will be picked up by our driver for an approximately 2-hour drive to Terelj National Park. Upon arrival in Terelj village, you will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred either by ox cart or on horseback. From the river crossing, you will begin a 3–5 km journey northward through a stunning mountain river valley to your first nomadic host family.
Upon arrival, you will dismount and enter Mr. Chuluunhuu’s ger, where you will be greeted with a hot nomadic lunch and traditional Mongolian milk tea. During your stay, Mr. Chuluunhuu may demonstrate how to saddle a horse and prepare an ox cart. You will have ample time to practice these skills on your own.
In the evening, enjoy a hearty nomadic dinner and stay overnight in the family’s extra ger. Nights in the national park are truly special—before retiring, take time to enjoy stargazing and the crisp, fresh air, perfect for deep and restful sleep.
Day 2 – Horseback Journey & Learning the Art of Traditional Sewing
(B, L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger)
After breakfast, you will begin a 15 km horseback journey through forested landscapes, across open green plains, and into a scenic mountainous river basin. Upon arrival at Ms. Amarjargal’s family, you will be served a well-deserved hot nomadic lunch and tea.
Ms. Amarjargal is a locally respected nomadic seamstress who creates traditional garments for neighboring herders. She will teach you how to tie a bridle and introduce Mongolian patterns used in traditional clothing. The day concludes with a hot nomadic dinner and traditional tea shared with the family.
You may also assist the family with herding cattle, which play a central role in Mongolian pastoral life. Cows are typically milked once or twice a day, and their milk is used to produce a wide range of dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, dried curds, and cream. During milking, cows are gently restrained and released one by one after milking is completed. Cow’s milk is now the most commonly consumed milk in Mongolia and forms the foundation of daily nomadic diets. It is valued for its balance of protein, fat, and lactose, and is especially important in the production of milk tea and butter-based products.
Day 3 – Learning Traditional Dairy-Making Methods
(B, L)
After breakfast, the hostess will guide you in learning and practicing how to prepare traditional Mongolian milk tea and urum (clotted cream, often referred to as Mongolian butter). If you wish, you may wake up early to help the family milk the cows, boil fresh milk, and prepare breakfast together, including milk tea and urum.
Afterward, you will have time to walk around the surrounding area before enjoying a farewell lunch with the family. In the late afternoon, your local guide will take you by ox cart for approximately 10 km back toward the Terelj area, where your journey concludes.
Included Services
- Visits to nomadic families
- All nomadic breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as per itinerary
- Local herder guide service during the journey
- Sightseeing
- Overnight stays in traditional gers (2–3 beds per ger)
- Horseback riding as outlined in the itinerary
- Ox cart transportation as per itinerary
- Pack animals during the journey
- Cultural activities (collecting dung, ankle bone games, etc.)
- Boiled drinking water on route
- Private small car transportation (round trip)
Not Included
- Camping equipment / sleeping bag
- Personal expenses
Important Notes for Mongolian Homestay Travel and Mongolia Homestay
These are “non-touristic” nomadic cultural lifestyle adventures with nomadic families – please do refer to the “terms and conditions” for further clarifications.
Winter itineraries are provided for “reference” there will always be changes in activities, methods of travel, etc., to maintain the “health/safety” of travelers and nomadic families.
Please double confirm itineraries via email.
ONLINE Itineraries are subject to change owing to weather, cultural circumstance, terrain, lifestyles, etc., distances will change in accordance with Nomadic pastures, weather, culture, lifestyles and other factors.
Kindly refer to the Pre-Trip online learning area for more details in how to prepare via this link
Included Services:
- Visits to nomadic host families
- All nomadic breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as outlined in the itinerary
- Local herder guide support during nomadic segments
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Overnight stays in traditional nomadic gers (2–3 beds per ger)
- Horseback riding according to the itinerary
- Ox cart transportation as outlined in the itinerary
- Pack animals used during the journey
- Cultural activities (e.g. traditional dairy-making, archery, ankle bone games, daily nomadic tasks)
- Boiled drinking water provided on route
- Private small car transportation (round trip between Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park)
Not Included:
- Camping equipment / sleeping bag
- National Park entrance fees (if applicable)
- Personal expenses
Optional Upgrade Options:
- English-speaking guide / interpreter
- Private vehicle upgrades (vehicle class or route extensions)
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