Last updated 4 months ago by Jessica Brooks | Published: December 5, 2018
Mongolia Horse Sleigh Expedition – Khovsgol: A Winter Adventure Like No Other
When you think of Mongolia, the iconic image of wide-open summer steppes might come to mind. But few realise that Mongolia’s deep winter wilderness is just as awe-inspiring. One of the most remarkable places to experience Mongolia in winter is Khovsgol Nuur National Park, and one of the most unique adventures is a Mongolia horse sleigh expeditionon the frozen expanse of Khovsgol Lake.
Sunrise over frozen Khovsgol Nuur in northern Mongolia. Captured through the lens of our guest Kairi Aun.
Why Choose a Mongolia Horse Sleigh Expedition? The Majesty of Khovsgol Nuur
Khovsgol Nuur, or “Mother Sea” (Dalai Ej), is a spiritual place for Mongolians and a breathtaking location to pause and reflect. This 136-kilometre-long lake, representing 70% of Mongolia’s freshwater, is the younger sister of Siberia’s Lake Baikal, sharing the same Rift System. In winter, its surface freezes into a crystalline expanse surrounded by the Khoridol Saridag Mountains, offering a stark, stunning backdrop to your journey.
The Khoridol Saridag Mountains and western shoreline provide a backdrop to the frozen lake surfaces of Khovsgol Nuur. Notice the traditional and WARM (!) coats modeled by Turuu and Bataa. These are handmade for Eternal Landscapes.
Meet Baasanchuluu and the Darkhad Guides
Baasanchuluu, known as Bambakh, is the head of his family and a proud member of the Darkhad ethnic group, a community of predominantly herders. The Darkhad are distinguished by their unique cultural identity and dialect, setting them apart from the majority Khalkh Mongols. Their lifestyle revolves around the changing seasons: in summer, they graze their herds in the grasslands of the Darkhad Valley, while in winter, they migrate through the Khoridol Saridag Mountains to camps near Khovsgol Nuur.
In winter, the Darkhad rely on horse sleighs to navigate the frozen surface of Khovsgol Lake, a tradition that is both practical and deeply rooted in their culture.
Bambakh has spent his entire life in the Khovsgol region, with his family’s livestock pastures situated near the community of Khatgal. The village’s log house architecture hints at its close proximity to Siberian Russia. Since 2011, we have collaborated closely with Bambakh and his family to create adventure-focused experiences that celebrate the region’s traditions.
Bambakh, along with his brother Lokh and their childhood friend Zorgio, has hand-built traditional horse sleighs, which are used exclusively for our Mongolia Horse Sleigh Expeditions on Khovsgol Lake. These sleighs are a testament to the Darkhad’s craftsmanship and cultural heritage. These sleighs are not created for tourists—they are an integral part of Darkhad culture, used for generations to traverse the frozen lake during harsh winters. This connection to tradition ensures an experience that is authentic and deeply rooted in the local way of life.
What sets our expeditions apart is the expertise of Bambakh, Lokh, and Zorgio. Their intimate knowledge of the region, combined with their commitment to preserving local traditions, ensures that each journey is guided by those who know the land best. When you embark on one of our expeditions, you’re not just exploring the frozen beauty of Khovsgol—you’re doing so under the guidance of those who call it home.
Embracing Mongolia’s Winter: A Commitment to Responsible Tourism
At Eternal Landscapes, we don’t ‘close’ for the winter months. Instead, we actively promote low-season travel as part of our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. This isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s a philosophy deeply rooted in our efforts to support the communities we work with year-round.
Why Travel During Mongolia’s Low Season?
Mongolia’s low season stretches from the end of October to the beginning of May, with winter bringing harsh and unforgiving conditions. Despite this, it’s a season rich with opportunity and beauty. By traveling during these months, you’re helping to:
- Distribute Tourism More Evenly: Summer is Mongolia’s peak travel season, but we aim to reduce this seasonal concentration and extend economic benefits throughout the year.
- Support Local Communities: The winter months are financially challenging for many Mongolian families. Through our winter trips, we provide continued support to our immediate team and long-term local community partners.
- Reward Responsible Travel: To encourage winter travel, we offer a 15% discount to guests who join us during this time, rewarding their choice to experience Mongolia in a more sustainable way.
Celebrating Mongolian Culture and Traditions
Our winter experiences are carefully curated to celebrate Mongolia’s rich culture and traditions. Whether it’s exploring festivals, engaging with local customs, or experiencing the landscapes in their tranquil, snow-covered beauty, we aim to immerse you in what Mongolians do during their long winters—both historically and today.
Winter travel offers a more intimate experience, with fewer travelers granting you exclusive access to communities and traditions. It’s also a season for ‘real-life’ moments—those unexpected encounters and special experiences that make travel truly memorable.
Why Choose Eternal Landscapes for Winter Travel?
By choosing Eternal Landscapes, you’re supporting a company that values sustainable practices and meaningful connections with the people and places of Mongolia. You’ll experience:
- A more personal connection with local communities.
- Smaller group sizes of a maximum of six for an immersive and authentic experience.
- Winter activities that celebrate Mongolian heritage.
What to Expect on the Expedition
On our horse sleigh expeditions, we ensure that you stay warm and comfortable as you explore the stunning frozen landscapes of Khovsgol Lake.
- Handmade Goatskin Blankets: Each sleigh is insulated with traditional goatskin blankets, crafted for warmth and authenticity.
- Full-Length Goat Skin Del: You’ll be provided with a handmade traditional Mongolian coat (deel), designed to withstand the harshest of Mongolian winters.
- Mongolian Felt Boots: To keep your feet cozy, we supply durable felt boots, a staple of Mongolian winterwear.
Lunches are taken always with a small campfire where possible, creating a cozy atmosphere amidst the winter wilderness. Having these picnic lunches allows us to explore the sandy beaches frozen under layers of ice, rocky shorelines that contrast with the lake’s surface, forested coves nestled among the Siberian larch, and the small cliffs that can be found alongside the lake.
The Horses
The horse sleighs used on our expeditions are a genuine part of Darkhad culture, integral to their way of life and not created solely for tourism. While we celebrate this tradition, we are deeply committed to ensuring the welfare of the horses involved in our expeditions.
The horses are working animals chosen by the Darkhad guides, who are both the owners of the horses and the sleighs. Their intimate knowledge of the horses ensures that only those with the right characteristics for pulling sleighs are selected. Factors such as terrain, altitude, temperature, hours of work, age, and overall condition are carefully considered.
- Adequate Shelter, Care, and Nutrition: The guides ensure that the horses are properly sheltered, fed, and watered throughout the expedition.
- Load Management: To minimize strain on the animals, all tour equipment is carried in the Eternal Landscapes support vehicle, and the weight of each guest is carefully matched to the horse’s capacity and balanced on the sleigh.
- Health and Rest: If a horse becomes injured or unwell, it is not worked again until fully recovered, ensuring their long-term health and wellbeing.
Mongolia Horse Sleigh Expedition – What To Expect
Our Mongolia Horse Sleigh Expedition is all about embracing the spirit of adventure and discovery. The route is left intentionally flexible, guided entirely by the expertise of your local guides, ensuring a truly organic and Mongolian-style exploration.
Winter in Khovsgol can be intense and unpredictable. The air is bitterly cold—your breath may freeze as you speak—and the wind can rush fiercely through the Khoridol Saridag limestone mountain corridors along the western shoreline. Compression crests on the ice may present obstacles. But these challenges are all part of the experience, and your knowledgeable guides are adept at navigating them with confidence and skill.
Each evening you will be hosted by a local family that makes their winter home alongside the lakeshore – as you travel you’ll see traditional gers put up on the banks; smoke curling up through the groves of Siberian larch.
The frozen expanse of Khovsgol Lake offers an extraordinary sense of tranquillity. The landscape is pure and breathtakingly beautiful—a canvas of ice and snow framed by towering mountains. As you glide across the ice – transparent and mesmerizing, revealing intricate patterns, trapped air bubbles, and subtle shifts in color – your sleigh guide may sing traditional Darkhad songs about horses and love, adding a cultural element to your journey.
Our Khovsgol Ice Festival experiences include a three-day horse sleigh expedition, perfectly timed to coincide with the Ice Festival in March, when the ice is at its thickest and most stable. We can also create tailor-made experiences to suit your schedule and preferences, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable adventure.
Why Not Join Us?
If you’re looking for a journey that combines adventure, culture, and natural beauty, this expedition is for you. Let Eternal Landscapes guide you into Mongolia’s winter wilderness for an experience you’ll remember forever.
Jess @ Eternal Landscapes
