Well Refurbishment Project – CAMDA NGO – Mongolia
April 16, 2019
Mongolia's Orkhon River Valley
Mongolia Small Group Experiences – Modern Nomads
May 26, 2019

Mongolian Nomads’ Migration

There are approximately 230,000 herding households spread across Mongolia—a country the size of Western Europe. Together, they manage an estimated 71 million livestock (as of December 2022), known as the “five snouts”: sheep, goats, cattle (including yaks), horses, and camels. The size and composition of each herd vary depending on the family’s needs, their location, and the type of pasture available.

The Tradition of Nomadic Migration

Mongolia’s herders have traditionally grazed their livestock by rotating them over shared pastures according to the seasons and the health of the grazing land. Pastures are divided into seasonal zones—summer, spring/fall, and winter—based on the availability of grass, , which is influenced by geography, climate, and the time of year. Herders remain in an area as long as the pasture can sustain their animals.

Mongolian herders do not migrate randomly. Each move is a deliberate decision, carefully planned around the quality of the pasture. The frequency and distance of these migrations vary by family. Some herders travel long distances, while others move only short stretches. Adaptability is key, with families adjusting their migration patterns based on environmental conditions. In some years, herders may relocate frequently, while in others, moves may be fewer and farther apart.

In December 2024, Mongolian nomad migration and its associated practices were added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. According to UNESCO:

“Mongolian nomadic culture is a way of life that is rooted in the interdependence between pastures, livestock, and herders. To ensure the well-being of livestock and the sustainability of herders, proper pasture use is crucial. Families move between pastures categorized by factors such as grass availability, geography, climate, and season, giving the earth time to rejuvenate.”

During migration, rituals are performed by family members, including cleaning the area, preparing carts, and organising the livestock. The family’s movements reflect a deep respect for nature, and all members contribute. Children learn essential skills such as caring for livestock, navigating migration routes, and assembling gers. This traditional knowledge fosters environmental stewardship and a strong sense of community among herders.

Seasonal Encampments

  • Spring (Khavarjaa) and Autumn (Namarjaa): Typically the most temporary encampments.
  • Summer (Zuslan): Semi-permanent structures such as milking pens and hitching posts are common.
  • Winter (Uvuljuu): The most established encampments, featuring shelters for livestock, storage huts, and corrals. In summer, herders often travel with a lighter ger and minimal belongings, leaving many possessions behind at the winter encampment.

Often in the summer, herders—especially those in the extreme heat of the Gobi Desert—leave possessions behind in storage at their winter pastures because they travel in a smaller and lighter ger, carrying as little furniture as possible. This allows them to move more easily and focus on their livestock’s needs during the grazing season.

Spring migrations are particularly challenging, as livestock are often weak after the harsh winter. Herders move to pastures where the first herbs and grasses grow, ensuring their animals regain strength.


Experiencing Nomadic Migration

The Gobi

A young Mongolian herding couple. Staying with them allows you to learn more about Mongolian nomads migration

We work with families like the Batsuuri family in the Bayandalai district of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Their migration pattern is typical of the Gobi region. Their winter shelter is nestled in the foothills of the mountains, while their summer pastures lie on the open plains where rainfall transforms the gravel terrain into lush grazing land. This migration, usually in April or May, covers only a few kilometers but exemplifies the cyclical lifestyle of herders.

The Darkhad Depression

We can offer you a Mongolian Nomad's Migration experience where you'll work together with the family on dismantling the ger

Image: EL guest Katie Aun

In the Darkhad Valley of northern Khovsgol, migrations are more extensive. Families often spend weeks moving to their winter pastures through the towering Khodrol Saridag mountain range. Some families winter in sheltered valleys near Lake Khovsgol, while others reach the lake’s edge. During summer visits to the region, you might encounter log cabins and stock corrals left behind, awaiting their occupants’ return in winter.

Western Mongolia

We can offer you a Mongolian Nomad's Migration experience together with Bashakhan

Image: EL guest Sam Reinders

In western Mongolia, Kazakh herders like Bashakhan, who is also an eagle hunter,  undertake set-date migrations. Bashakhan moves between his winter home in Ulaankhuus and his summer pasture near the Tsengel Khairkhan mountains, a 3,943-meter-high snowcapped peak in the Altai range. A percentage of Mongolia’s Kazakh herders undertake a spring migration to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. This 5-6 day, 150-kilometre journey typically occurs between February and April. February, despite being the coldest month, is often chosen to ensure the animals can move before giving birth in March, as newborns would struggle to survive such a migration. Even so, the spring migration is among the toughest, with livestock weakened after enduring the long winter.

The Tsaaatan Reindeer Herders

Reindeer belonging to the Tsaatan reindeer herders of Mongolia

Image: EL guest Katie Aun

The herding cycle of Mongolia’s Tsaatan reindeer herders is intricately tied to the taiga’s seasonal rhythms. Divided into four main periods, the Tsaatan community moves with their reindeer throughout the year to ensure adequate access to grazing resources. These movements are dictated by the availability of lichen, sedges, grasses, and moss—key components of the reindeer’s diet—and by the region’s weather and climate conditions. Typically, the Tsaatan spend summers in the high valleys, where cooler temperatures and plentiful vegetation support the herd, and winters in the more sheltered areas of the taiga forest, providing protection from harsh winds and extreme cold.

Urban Migration

The colourful roofs of a ger district area of Ulaanbaatar - Mongolia's capital city. This is the real Mongolia

Image: EL guest Massimo Rumi

As herding families migrate to seasonal pastures with their livestock, younger members of society often move to Ulaanbaatar for university education, while older family members relocate to nearby villages or towns during the winter months. These shorter seasonal small town relocations provide a stable base for children to attend school or allow elderly herders better access to medical services. Unfortunately, a percentage of herders are forced into urban migration due to changing circumstances. Often, this occurs following a dzud—a severe cyclical weather event unique to Mongolia—which can result in the loss of an entire herd, leaving families without their primary livelihood.


Otor: A Short-Term Migration

Sometimes in the summer, during periods of overgrazing or drought, herders may undertake an “otor”—a shorter, temporary migration. One or two family members travel with a makeshift shelter and take the livestock to healthier pastures while the rest of the family stays behind. This strategy allows herders to adapt to challenging conditions and secure food for their animals.

The Role of the Lunar Calendar

As a Mongolian herder, life revolves around the lunar calendar, with most activities conducted on “auspicious” days. In the Mongolian lunar calendar, days are deemed favourable or unfavourable based on the combination of the elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Herders consult the calendar to select a suitable, positive day for moving their herds. In contrast, Kazakh herders in western Mongolia typically follow fixed dates for their migrations, blending tradition with a structured routine.

Migration Day

Migration days begin early. The family’s ger must be dismantled, and animals rounded up, often migrating in separate herds. Remarkably, the animals seem to understand the routine, a testament to the cyclical nature of migration.

Image: EL guest Paul Allerton

Traditionally, men rode on horseback while women traveled on either horseback or pack animals used to transport the family’s possessions—everything from ger parts and carpets to stoves and cooking pots. Today, modern conveniences have found their way into this ancient tradition. Families that can access vehicles often use trucks, and sometimes even cars, like a Prius, to move their homes. Despite these modern tools, families continue to rely on natural landmarks for navigation. Using the sun, the shape of hills and mountains, and other geographic features, herders find their way without the need for maps or GPS devices. This blend of tradition and pragmatism reflects the herders’ ability to balance their cultural heritage with the efficiency of modern tools, making their nomadic lifestyle more manageable.

Joining a Nomadic Migration

The herding families we work with in long-term local community partnerships all migrate, and you can join them in one of their seasonal migrations. Experiencing a nomadic migration offers a unique perspective on this traditional lifestyle. It requires flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unpredictable. Herders do not move for personal comfort but for the well-being of their livestock. You’ll be on “nomad time,” where schedules are dictated by the herd, the migration route, and the family.

We encourage you to leave expectations and preconceptions behind. If you remain flexible and open to the experience, you’ll start as a stranger but leave with a sense of true friendship and an unforgettable understanding of this resilient way of life.

For more details, visit our Altai Migration Trails Tour. Alternatively, if you are interested in joining one of our families to experience a Mongolian nomads’ migration but cannot join our Altai Migration Trails experience, get in touch with your available dates.

Jess @ Eternal Landscapes

Jessica Brooks
Jessica Brooks
I'm Jess Brooks, the founder of Eternal Landscapes Mongolia and the voice behind EL's blog posts. For almost two decades, since 2006, I've been based in Mongolia, working closely with my beloved Mongolian team to advocate for a tourism approach that brings about positive change.. What sets our blog apart is our deep understanding of Mongolia—our home. Unlike content from influencers or creators, our posts prioritise authenticity and firsthand knowledge as guiding principles.