Dog sledding in Mongolia

From 1800EUR / person 8 days

Dog sledding, a winter in Mongolia

Discover Mongolia in winter and take the incredible opportunity to explore its land on a sledge driven, not by reindeers like Santa Claus, but a team of friendly huskies and dogs! You'll get wonderful views on the snowy grasslands and frozen Tuul river, and be welcomed at night by locals in their warm yurts. The best adventure ever for your winter escapade to Mongolia!

house-icon
Mongolian Winter

Due to its secluded place with no access to the sea, Mongolia has a very continental climate. It can be really hot in summer, and... really cold in winter. Be prepared with warm clothes to be able to enjoy this expedition all along the way, without getting frozen! At the end of the day, you'll feel so happy for all the daily sensations and landscapes you've admired, but also grateful to finally enter a yurt and share a warm tea and meal with your friendly hosts. Sometimes simple things are the best. Just like Mongolia in winter.

route-icon
Itinerary

Take the time at first to visit Ulan Bator (or Ulaanbataar) and especially its Buddhist Gandan monastery. You'll reach your expedition's base camp in Terelj, and start a 5-day dog sledding journey along the Terelj and Tuul rivers, until the junction with the Khagiin river then sled back to the base camp. On the way, you'll discover local nomads' life, eating and sleeping in their yurts, and sharing some unforgettable moments. Finally you'll head back to Ulan Bator.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbataar (D)

This morning, take your flight to Ulaanbataar. Arrival at Ulan Batar airport early in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, you will visit Gandan Monastery, a Buddhist Tibetan style monastery that still hosts hundreds of monks. Tonight spend the night in Ulaanbataar.

Day 2: Ulaanbataar - Terelj (B, L, D)

Today transfer by car to the base camp in Terelj. Enjoy your time there with a short walk in the surroundings, observing the white nature and warming your muscles for the next day. Around 4pm, weather will start to get cold, but your warm yurt will be waiting for you.

Day 3: Terelj river – Tuul river – Bosgiin Guur (B, L, D)

Departure for 5 days dog sledding.
During the first few miles, you will follow Terelj river by car before reaching the point of the dog sledding departure, on the junction between the rivers Terelj and Tuul. Several families of nomads live in this valley. Wildlife is never far away and silence reinforced by the cold create an unreal atmosphere. You will reach for the night Bosgiin Guur, a small hamlet where a group of several Enkhtaivan and Mungoo families live. Discovery of another culture, which harmoniously combines tradition and modernity.

Day 4: Bosgin Guur – Tuul river – Khar Us (B, L, D)

On this route, the course of the Tuul River becomes quieter, divided into several branches, some of them will disappear in endless maze. After a picnic break, you will reach in the afternoon the Khar Us (the black waters) camp. You will be greeted by Tsodoo and his family and will spend the night in his comfortable guest ger. The camp is one of the last of the Tuul valley.

Day 5: Khar Us – Tuul river to Khagiin river – Khar Us (B, L, D)

Today you will head to some more rocky area in the mountains, ever closer to the Khagiin Black Lake. The landscape becomes increasingly wild, reminiscent of Alaska. There are no more nomads in these areas, but it can happen to encounter a little group of horse riders who cut through the mountains to move from one valley to another. A 50 km itinerary following the Tuul river, and discover this amazing and wild place that is the Khagiin river, then go back to Khar Us. Tonight you’ll stay at Tsodoo’s yurt and enjoy your last night with your hosts.

Day 6: Khar Us – Bosgiin Guur (B, L, D)

Today you’ll sled for 35 km to reach the Enkhtaivan camp, further down the valley. Dogs are always eager to run on the ice, without any apprehension, sniffing here and there wolves’ traces. To join the camp, you will take the same route as the outward journey on the river. This gives you the opportunity to better observe the nature around you. Installation in Enkhtaiven & Mungo’s wooden house or in the ger close to their own. At Mungono’s ger, the atmosphere is always cheerful, and as soon as you arrive, your hosts will start preparing a copious meal, enough to recharge your batteries ….and enjoy Mongolian food.  

Day 7: Bosgiin Guur – Uliin Bulan – Terelj (B, L, D)

Departure from Bosgiin Guur. Again, you will slip on the Tuul, to the junction with the Terelj river. Only a few kilometers to reach your end point, where your vehicle and trailer will wait. Last moments of sledding and encounters with nomads. Arrival at Terelj Base Camp in the afternoon, then transfer by car to Ulaanbataar. Check-in at your hotel and dinner in town.

Day 8: Ulaanbataar Departure (B)

Your adventure to Mongolia in winter is ending. This morning, free time until your driver picks you up at your hotel to transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

Information

Inclusions:
  • Hotel with breakfast in Ulaanbataar
  • Private driver
  • French, English and Spanish speaking Musher
  • Yurt and meals during the sled
Exclusions:
  • Visa
  • International & domestic flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips to guide and driver
  • Insurances

Find the departure dates

March 2024
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
26272829123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
You want to explore more this area?

They said

“Hi Emilie!

Just came back from Mongolia, we did the 7-day dog sledding trip and wanted to share with you our thoughts.  What a fantastic experience this has been!!! we had a really good time, it´s been great to live the nomadic life for some days, always surrounded by wonderful nature and the dog sledding was a lot of fun.
Thank you so much to you and your team for organizing such an amazing trip. We loved everything, it was really well organized and our guide in Mongolia was very friendly, extremely supportive and professional. The organization was perfect, the yurts cozy and warm and the food delicious.
We´re really looking forward to our next adventure with you.

Begoña & Juanmi”
Dog sledding
Begoña & Juanmi
February 2018
“Hello Emily,

Great stay, the cold was very bearable (between -15 and -30°C I think, very dry), we had very good weather and lots of sunshine and an excellent guide, he managed to put us at ease with the activity, even though I don't like dogs and my husband from Reunion had no experience in board sports!

The small group was nice, the yurts well heated, the welcome in the Mongolian families very warm in this New Year period, with sometimes some vodka abuse, but not serious. In short, we came home conquered.
Only downside: we are early risers and leaving in the morning often seemed a bit late. On the other hand, the 3 or 4 hours of sledding a day are enough to end up very tired, after a short walk at the end of the afternoon. We would surely not have kept up the pace to do much more during the day…

In any case, I strongly advise all your clients, provided they agree to go without a shower for a week. Attached 2 small images to illustrate.
Cordially, Eliane”
Dog sled
Eliane V
February 2016