Mongolia Nomad Homestay – Live Like a Local Nomad and Migrate at Terelj National Park
This Mongolia Nomad Homestay grants you Live Like a Local access to migrate with nomadic families in Terelj National Park for some amazing cultural experiences!
Community Fee: $214 USD for 3 days / 2 nights;
Additional In-Country Travel Expenses:
UB to Terelj Bus Fee (one way): $2 USD;
Booking, briefing, handbook, healthy/safety coordination: $25 USD
From the ancient times, Mongolians have been migrating to their seasonal pastures throughout Mongolia. There is a tradition to decide on what day to move that usually coincides with a beautiful day. The migration is prepared the day before by cleaning the surrounding areas of where they lived. The housewife wakes up early on that day, prepares tea for the family and milks the animals. It is customary to bless nature with the first tea while chanting one’s thanks for the generous offers that nature has provide the family during their stay. After breakfast, the migration starts! Its the goal to completely settle down in the new location before sunset. This program gives you an opportunity not only to learn Mongolian migration customs, but also participate and help in migration preparation with nomadic herder families.
(Notes: 1. Distance may indeed vary, shorter on some days and longer on others 2. Travelers will pay directly on bus 3. Travelers will pay for local park fees when required 4. the number of families are limited so we’ll need to check, dates, time, etc., in advance if you are interested.)
Mongolia Nomad Homestay Day One
Preparation for Nomadic migration (L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger): Our local guide will receive you at last bus stop of Terelj Protected Area. Then you will travel by ox cart or horseback to his home that is located 13 kilometers to the south of Terelj River. Upon arrival you will have a nomadic lunch and tea at with the family. This day you will participate in their preparation to pack and clean pan etc., for migration. The migration is prepared the day before by cleaning the surrounding areas of where they lived. The housewife wakes up early on that day, prepares tea for the family and milks the animals. It is customary to bless nature with the first tea while chanting one’s thanks for the generous offers that nature has provide the family during their stay.
Mongolia Nomad Homestay Day Two
Nomadic Migration (B, L, D – Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic Ger): After an early breakfast, you will experience/learn how to move a nomadic ger – bring the ger down, ger poles, etc., will be loaded on the oxcart. After cleaning surrounding area where they lived, everybody will have lunch and then everyone will begin the journey to new area. There is a Mongolian traditional custom – on the way if migrating people encounter with another family, the family will come to them and serve with tea and foods. After reaching new location, they will put the ger up and replace all their belonging within the ger and then have dinner together.
Mongolia Nomad Homestay Day Three
Departure: After breakfast you will an opportunity to a ride horse before your afternoon farewell lunch to which the family will guide you 11 kilometers by ox cart or horse back to Terelj area for the bus back to UB.
Important Notes for Mongolian Homestay Travel and Mongolia Homestay: These are “non-touristic” cultural 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 and/or upon arrival at our office during the “training workshop”. ONLINE Itineraries are ONLY meant to provide you a “general” comprehension of day to day experiences and prices (subject to changes), terrain, lifestyles, etc., distances will change in accordance with Nomadic pastures, weather, culture, lifestyles and other factors.