Khovsgol Ice Festival | 14 Days | Small Group Winter Tour

At a Glance

Dates: February 20 – March 5 2027

Group Size: 2-5

Duration: 14 Days

Trip Style: Small group, road trip, winter, cultural

Locations: Ulaanbaatar, Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Uran Togoo Volcanic landscapes, Khövsgöl Nuur National Park. Tsagaannuur

Price: US$ 3,655

Key Experiences

Explore the frozen surface of sacred Khövsgöl Lake by traditional horse-drawn sleigh with members of the Darkhad community
Overland travel from Ulaanbaatar – alowing time to slow down and experience the vast diversity of Mongolia’s landscapes and cultures
Spend time alongside the Tsaatan reindeer herders
Discover rural and urban heritage through genuine connection and shared experience
Overnight in small, family-run accommodations including traditional Mongolian gers supported through our long-term community partnerships, ensuring your visit benefits rural families directly
Find time to pause in Mongolia’s vast winter landscapes, beneath some of the clearest night skies on earth

‘Honestly, I think about my trip with your team every day. It's genuinely one of the best experiences of my life so far and I really hope I can go back one day!'

EL guest Grace, Khovsgol Ice Festival

Khovsgol Ice Festival Journey Details

We love a road trip at Eternal Landscapes, and this is one of our favourites: a winter journey through northern Mongolia. Experience the vastness of the country as you travel from Ulaanbaatar to the remote taiga, home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders, and back again via sacred Khövsgöl Lake, which you explore by horse-drawn sleigh before celebrating at the Khovsgol Ice Festival, a community gathering that celebrates winter life on and around the lake.

Along the way, the route threads together Mongolia’s varied landscapes, from open steppe to forested taiga, and ways of life, from small towns to rural communities in between. It is a journey that shows how people and landscapes remain closely connected.

It is also a journey shaped by the road itself: tea breaks, changing weather, conversations in warm gers, and the steady rhythm of travelling slowly through a region shaped by winter, as well as by the landscapes you spend time in and the people you meet along the way.

You’ll find the key locations below. For the full day-by-day flow (and the why behind it), please email us. We share the detailed itinerary by email so we can explain the pacing, driving days, and options in context. We also keep a few moments back as a quiet surprise.

A local introduction to Ulaanbaatar
Overnight train to Erdenet
Khovsgol's provincial capital of Mörön with its rough around the edges vibe.
The vastness of the Darkhad Depression including Ulaan Uul, the East Taiga and the Jargant / Jargalant River
The winter beauty of frozen Khövsgöl Nuur
The small rural community of Khatgal
The mighty Selenge River
The Uran Togoo volcanic landscapes
Sacred Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Ulaanbaatar's Spring Eagle Festival (complimentary)
Chinggis Khaan Statue & Terelj National Park (complimentary)

US$ 3,655 pp

During this journey, you’ll experience a variety of accommodation styles, each offering insight into daily life in Mongolia and shaped by the season and setting:

We don't offer single supplements on our small-group trips. However, when staying in a hotel, you are welcome to pay the hotel directly for a private room if one is available.

Winterised Mongolian Gers

Throughout the trip, you’ll stay in winterised gers hosted by local families. These traditional felt dwellings have been insulated and prepared for winter, with heating provided by a central stove. Each ger accommodates 3–4 people, but you’ll always have your own bed and personal space.

A sleeping bag is required at the family accommodation: We provide a free rental service but our bags are not temperate rated.

Homestay at Khögnö Khan Nature Reserve Mongolia

Showers

Running water is rare in rural Mongolia, so showers are limited. On this itinerary we use town shower houses—simple cubicles with plenty of hot water, which many travellers describe as a highlight! You will need to bring a towel.

We also provide bowls and soap powder for hand-washing clothes if needed. Just to be clear: there are no washing machines.

Toilets

Think: a loo with a view!

Mongolia has very few public toilets, so on drives it’s a case of finding a private spot in nature (your trip assistant will give what we call “the toilet talk”).

At host family homes, expect Asian-style squat or long-drop toilets.If squatting isn’t second nature, you may want to practice before travelling—several of our guests recommend it.

These toilets aren’t designed to shock you; they’re simply part of everyday rural life. We provide toilet paper (though not the aloe vera variety!).

Simple Guesthouse

A simple but welcoming wooden cabin in a rural community, rooms will have between 2-4 beds.

Ortz | Tepees

The Tsaatan live in canvas tents called ortz. As. a group, you may sleep in a separate ortz provided by the family or you may sleep in the family home. If you sleep in an ortz, be prepared to sleep on the floor on your Thermorest. There won’t be showers and the toilets will be outside Asian-style long drops or just a hole in the ground.

Handbuilt Family Log Cabin

In Khatgal, you’ll stay in Bambakh’s family home, a cosy, handbuilt log cabin also heated with a central stove. Sleeping arrangements are simple and culturally authentic—as is common in Mongolian households, most people sleep on the floor, and you’ll likely be provided with a floor mat (but pack a Thermorest as well!).

Facilities: Similar to the ger stays, showers are at the local public shower house, and toilets are basic outdoor latrines.

Overnight Train (UB to Erdenet)

You’ll travel in a four-bed sleeper compartment on the overnight train from Ulaanbaatar to Erdenet. Clean bedding is provided by the carriage attendant, and each carriage has one toilet, which is kept clean and regularly maintained.

Mongolian Style Hotel

You’ll also spend a few nights in a simple Mongolian-style hotel, typically in a warm, twin-share room. Rooms are en-suite, though please note that hot water for the shower cannot always be guaranteed.

Ulaanbaatar

Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar is not included although we provide recommendations and can help with booking.

Meals

Each EL team travels with a simple mobile kitchen, and most meals outside Ulaanbaatar are either prepared by your trip assistant or eaten in local restaurants along the way. We also stop at guanz — local roadside cafés — and, where appropriate, share meals with the families we stay with.

We deliberately don't expect rural families to provide meals for our guests. Access to shops and fresh supplies can be limited, and dietary requirements have become increasingly varied. Preparing much of the food ourselves gives our host families less work and gives us more flexibility over what we can provide.

Our trip assistants are not trained chefs, but they cook for their own families and know how to keep you well fed on the road. Food is simple, filling and based around ingredients we can realistically buy as we travel. We grocery shop every few days in towns along the route, which helps us keep supplies fresh while also giving you a glimpse into everyday life in Mongolia.

Fresh fruit and vegetables can be limited outside Ulaanbaatar and larger towns, particularly in more remote areas and depending on the season. If five portions of fruit and vegetables every day are essential to you, rural Mongolia may be challenging.

We can usually accommodate vegetarians and a range of dietary requirements, including vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free diets, but please speak with us before booking. Choice can be limited and meals may become repetitive — there may be rather more boiled rice than you are used to! We would much rather explain the realities beforehand than promise a level of variety that isn't always possible once you are on the road.

In Ulaanbaatar, meals are generally not included unless specifically shown in the itinerary. On this journey, the included UB meal is lunch during your Intro to Ulaanbaatar day.

Vegetarian Options in Mongolia

Drinks & Drinking Water

We provide drinking water throughout the journey, collected from the water stations found in towns along our route. Rather than routinely buying single-use bottles, each team carries larger reusable water containers.

We recommend bringing a filtered reusable water bottle. We can provide a 15% discount, with details sent when you book and linked below. Alternatively, bring a standard reusable bottle and some Aqua Tablets for additional water purification.

If you would prefer bottled water, you can buy it yourself in shops along the way.

As well as drinking water, we provide tea and coffee with meals and at various times throughout the day.

Soft drinks such as juice and fizzy drinks are not included but are widely available. Alcohol is also excluded apart from the welcome drink during your Intro to Ulaanbaatar day. Beer, vodka and other drinks can be bought in shops and supermarkets along the route, although the choice becomes more limited in rural areas. Your team makes regular shopping stops during the journey.

Why We Ask Travellers to Bring a Reusable Water Bottle to Mongolia

Transport

Our driving team is made up of experienced Mongolian men we know personally and have worked with for many years. Their English is limited, but their driving knowledge is exceptional — from navigating rough terrain to mongolchlokh, improvising the Mongolian way when a tyre bursts or a vehicle breaks down.

And breakdowns can happen. Mongolia is hard on vehicles, particularly away from paved roads. What matters to us is having drivers who know their vehicles, understand the terrain and can usually deal with problems as they arise.

Each driver owns his own vehicle. Depending on the journey, this may include a UAZ Furgon 4×4 van, Hyundai Starex or Mitsubishi Delica. Because the vehicles are individually owned, interiors and seating layouts vary, including forward- and rear-facing seats. Vehicles are fitted with either lap belts or standard seat belts.

If you are expecting a luxury or high-end 4×4, that is not our style of travel. We choose our drivers first for their experience, reliability and knowledge, and then for the vehicle they own. Using driver-owned vehicles also helps provide long-term work and income for experienced local drivers and their families.

We contribute towards vehicle maintenance, and the vehicles used for our journeys undergo the required annual inspections and licensing for tourism use in Mongolia.

Learn more about our drivers and their tour vehicles here.

Travel Times

Road travel is a central part of experiencing Mongolia. It is a vast country, and getting from one place to another is very much part of the journey.

The daily travel times shown in the itinerary are estimates rather than promises. We deliberately allow generous timings because road surfaces, weather, traffic, river levels and occasional vehicle issues can all affect progress.

Average speeds are usually around 30–65 km/h, depending on conditions. On unpaved routes, the road may vary from relatively smooth gravel to corrugated tracks, rocky sections, mud, sand or uneven ground, sometimes all within the same day.

You really do need to be comfortable with road travel to enjoy this style of journey.

Drinking Water | Tea & Coffee

We provide drinking water collected from the water stations found in towns along the route. We recommend bringing a filtered reusable water bottle — we can provide a 15% discount, with details sent on booking. Alternatively, bring a standard reusable bottle and some Aqua Tablets for additional purification.

Bottled water can also be purchased along the way if you prefer.

As well as drinking water, we provide tea and coffee with meals and at various times throughout the day.

Meals

Meals are included as outlined in the itinerary, with most prepared by the EL team or eaten in local restaurants along the way. In Ulaanbaatar, the only included meal is lunch during your Intro to Ulaanbaatar day.

If you are vegan, gluten-free, lactose intolerant, or have any other dietary requirements, please speak with us before booking. We can usually accommodate dietary restrictions, but food choices outside Ulaanbaatar can be limited and repetitive — so be prepared for plenty of boiled rice!

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees to monasteries, temples, and museums are included when you are with the local team. Please note this excludes camera tickets. Festival tickets are provided if listed in the itinerary.

Accommodation Outside Ulaanbaatar

Please read the itinerary carefully so you understand the style of accommodation used throughout the journey, including where you will be expected to share as a group and the standard and style of toilets and showers available. We embrace using the local town shower houses so you'll have to forgo your power shower for a few days/weeks.

We don't offer single supplements on our small-group trips. However, when staying in a hotel, you are welcome to pay the hotel directly for a private room if one is available.

Support From The EL Team

You'll travel with one of our intergenerational EL teams: an experienced male Mongolian driver and a female English-speaking trip assistant who acts as an informal cultural bridge throughout the journey. Jess and Tuya are also available via WhatsApp while you are travelling.

Our complimentary 'Intro To Ulaanbaatar' experience: including a local lunch and welcome drink

Transportation to and from the airport or train station: on arrival and departure days

What’s Not Included & Other Costs to Consider

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory. We provide detailed guidance on what your policy should cover when you book.

International Flights & Train Travel

International flights are not included and we do not book these on your behalf. The following links may be useful:

Routes into Ulaanbaatar: FlightConnections
Ulaanbaatar International Airport: Airport Website
Airport code: UBN

If you are planning to travel to or from Mongolia by train, train tickets are also excluded. Let us know, however, as we can provide advice and help with booking.

Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar

Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar is not included in the trip price. Why? Everyone has different preferences when it comes to the standard and style of accommodation they want at the beginning and end of a journey.

UB now has a huge range of options, from homestays, guesthouses and apartments through to boutique and international hotels. By keeping this cost separate, you can choose what best suits your budget and travel style. Once you book, we provide a list of recommended options across a range of prices and can also help with reservations.

Bedding & Winter Sleep Kit

Bedding is provided when staying in hotels and standard tourist ger camps. However, when staying in homestays or family-run camps, you will need to bring your own winter sleep kit:

a winter-rated sleeping bag, ideally with a comfort rating of –20°C to –30°C
a sleeping pad or mat for insulation from the ground
a travel pillow, if you prefer to use one

We have a small number of sleeping bags that guests can borrow free of charge, but these are basic and are not temperature-rated. They may not be warm enough for winter conditions, particularly if you feel the cold.

If you plan to use one of our sleeping bags, we strongly recommend bringing a silk or fleece liner for additional warmth and comfort. In fact, we recommend bringing one even if you have your own sleeping bag.

Horse & Camel Riding

Where optional horse or camel riding is mentioned in the itinerary, the cost is not included because not everyone wishes to take part.

If you are considering horse riding, we highly recommend having previous riding experience, as Mongolian horses can be strong and independent. Riding helmets are not normally provided, so please also check that horse riding is covered by your travel insurance.

If you would like to ride, let us know and we can give you an approximate cost. Payment is made locally, in Mongolian currency, directly to the herder with whom we arrange the ride.

Passport & Visa Fees

Let us know your nationality when booking and we will confirm whether you currently need a visa for Mongolia. Where a visa is required, the process is generally straightforward depending on nationality, and we can help with some of the formalities.

Any passport, visa, registration or related fees are not included in the trip price.

Personal Expenses

There is no food or tipping kitty on our trips.

We provide detailed guidance on likely personal spending when you book. Typical personal expenses include souvenirs, additional drinks and any optional horse or camel riding you choose to do.

Soft Drinks & Alcohol

Soft drinks such as juice and fizzy drinks are not included but are widely available.

Alcohol is also excluded, apart from the welcome drink included during your Intro to Ulaanbaatar day. Alcohol can be purchased in shops and supermarkets along the route, and your team will make regular shopping stops during the journey.

Tips & Gratuities

Every member of the EL team receives a fair salary and does not rely on gratuities to supplement their income. We also make sure that the people who work with us or provide services during our journeys are fairly paid for their time and work.

If, at the end of your journey, you would like to give a gratuity to the team, thank you. It is entirely optional but always appreciated. We provide more detailed guidance when you book.

Camera Tickets

Some locations, particularly the interiors of monasteries and museums, charge an additional fee for permission to take photographs. These fees vary by location and are not included in the trip price.

Lost Luggage

If your luggage does not arrive with you, don't panic. We can help with the retrieval process.

However, if you ask one of our drivers to make a separate journey to the airport to collect delayed luggage, an additional charge will apply. Ulaanbaatar's international airport is around 50 km from the city, so this involves additional driver time and fuel.

Wi-Fi & Mobile Data

Free Wi-Fi is available in many cafés, hotels and other locations in Ulaanbaatar, although speeds and reliability vary. Outside the city, Wi-Fi is much more limited.

If you would like more regular access to the internet during your journey, we recommend buying a Mongolian SIM card with mobile data. These are usually available at the airport or once you arrive in Ulaanbaatar.

We believe the value of tourism is not only how much money stays in Mongolia, but how widely it is shared. We do not just want more tourism money to remain in Mongolia. We want it to reach more Mongolian people in ways that genuinely benefit them.

This journey directly supports

6 EL team members
Including your main driver and female trip assistant team, our small office team of two women, and the local team supporting your arrival and time in Ulaanbaatar, including our airport and city driver and our city trip assistant.

3 local families
Part of our long-term local community partnerships, through homestays, family-run accommodation and activities hosted by the families themselves.

31 locally supported meals
Prepared by our team using food bought from local shops and markets, or eaten in independent local restaurants.

1 community projects / NGOs
Part of our long-term partnerships and intentionally built into our itineraries, with support coming through direct payments from EL as well as planned activities, visits and entrance fees.

5 cultural or protected sites
Supported through entrance fees paid directly to monasteries, museums, national parks and locally managed places.

Tourism money rarely stops with the first person who receives it

Our drivers buy fuel and maintain their own vehicles. Our team buys food from markets

Our drivers buy fuel and maintain their own vehicles. Our team buys food from markets and shops. Families purchase livestock fodder, school supplies and household goods. Community projects and NGOs use the income they receive to support their own work and the communities around them.

We cannot accurately claim to measure every tugrik as it circulates through Mongolia, but we can show you who your journey pays directly. And not everyone your journey supports is visible to you.

We work directly wherever we can. Many of the families, community organisations and small businesses involved in this journey are people we know personally and have worked with over many years, rather than suppliers booked through layers of intermediaries.

A Few Examples

Throughout the examples below, we use three simple markers to show how each person, family or organisation connects with your journey.

DIRECT
EL works directly with the person, family or organisation, without unnecessary layers of intermediaries.

LOCAL
A Mongolian-owned or Mongolian-led business, family, organisation or service.

LONG-TERM
An established EL relationship built over time, rather than a one-off supplier.

A few examples from this journey

Bambakh Family · Khövsgol
DIRECT · LOCAL · LONG-TERM

Part of one of our long-term local community partnerships. Your stay, meals and activities contribute directly to their household income.

Your EL driver
DIRECT · LOCAL · LONG-TERM

Our drivers are part of our long-term team and own their own vehicles. This means transport income supports the driver directly, while also circulating through fuel stations, mechanics and local suppliers.

Our Ulaanbaatar team
DIRECT · LOCAL · LONG-TERM

Your journey supports not only the team members travelling with you, but also our small office team, city and airport drivers and Ulaanbaatar trip assistants working behind the scenes.

Uuliin Nuur
DIRECT · LOCAL · LONG-TERM

A Mongolian-led community project included deliberately within our itineraries. Your visit supports the project through direct payments from EL and through the activities connected with your journey.

Local meals and food purchasing
DIRECT · LOCAL

Rather than relying entirely on inclusive ger-camp catering, some meals are prepared by our team using food bought from local shops and markets, while others are eaten in independent local restaurants. This helps spread tourism spending more widely through the local economy.

Protected and cultural sites
DIRECT · LOCAL

Entrance fees are paid directly to the national parks, monasteries, museums and cultural sites included in your journey.

We do not just want more tourism money to stay in Mongolia. We want it to reach more Mongolian people.

Travelling With Our Team

FAQs

We have a detailed FAQ page covering everything from packing lists to payments. Below are answers to the most common questions our guests tend to have at this stage.

Booking Conditions & Payment

Deposit

Deposit of US$ 600 pp with flexible payment options for the remaining balance

Booking Conditions

Our booking terms and conditions cover payments, cancellations, and other key details. You can read them here.

If you decide to cancel your trip, by choice or necessity, up to 10 weeks before departure, we will fully refund your deposit (and balance if paid). Refunds will be made in GBP or US$ excluding fees we incurred to receive your payment and any cancellation fees we incur for domestic flights or accommodation booked at your request. The actual amount you receive may be lower or higher depending on the exchange rate used by your bank.
If you decide to cancel between 10 and 31 days before departure, we will fully refund your balance (if paid), and your deposit will be held as credit to be used on a different trip instead (with no cut off date. This can be transferred to a friend or family member). Refunds will be made in GBP or US$ excluding fees we incurred to receive your payment and any cancellation fees we incur for domestic flights or accommodation booked at your request. The actual amount you receive may be lower or higher depending on the exchange rate used by your bank.
If you cancel within 30 days of departure, we will retain the following percentage of your deposit and balance.
30 days before departure – 50% of holiday cost
29 – 15 days before departure – 90% of holiday cost
Less than 15 days before departure – 100% of holiday cost

Notes

There is no time limit on when you may use your deposit credit, but it is non-refundable if you decide to cancel in future.
Failure to join the tour will also mean you forfeit the tour cost. We will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

Who This Experience Is For

This Is Right For You If…

You’re curious, adaptable, and interested in Mongolia as it is — including the occasional bumps, irritations and frustrations along the way
You’re comfortable travelling with real people and adapting to change, understanding that plans may shift (with thoughtful alternatives in place)
You enjoy unstructured time — space to read, wander, or share a mug of tea, letting the day unfold naturally
You value travel that supports more equitable tourism, using travel as a force for positive social impact

This May Not Be Right For You If…

You prefer luxury accommodation or frequent hot showers
You’re uncomfortable with basic rural facilities, including occasional shared accommodation
You expect fixed schedules and tightly planned days
You’re looking for staged cultural performances or highly curated moments for social media or photographer purposs
You approach travel with a checklist mindset rather than an interest in everyday life

Accessibility Considerations

Our small-group journeys are shaped around traditional celebrations, rural environments, and specific travel routes. As a result, experiences may or may not be suitable depending on individual accessibility needs. We encourage travellers to review our Accessibility Information page for further detail and to get in touch with us directly with any questions — we’re always happy to talk through what’s possible and help you decide whether a particular trip is the right fit.

Experiencing Mongolia In Winter

Winter is a defining season in Mongolia. Yes, it’s cold — sometimes very cold — but it’s also what gives the landscape its clarity, stillness, and scale. Temperatures can sound daunting on paper, yet Mongolia’s cold is dry and often feels less severe than expected. With the right preparation and good thermal layers, –25°C here can feel comparable to –5°C in damper parts of Europe.

Winter travel doesn’t require specialist expedition gear, but it does ask for thoughtful preparation. A simple layering system — base layers, insulation, and a windproof outer shell — goes a long way. Warm, practical essentials such as sturdy boots, thick socks, gloves, and good head and neck protection are key.

Travel also moves differently in winter. Distances take time, weather can change quickly, and daylight hours are shorter. This slower rhythm is part of the season and part of the experience.

We provide all guests with a detailed packing list on booking to help you arrive properly prepared without overpacking. Winter travel also calls for something less tangible: a willingness to adapt, to slow down, and to move in step with the season — embracing a quieter, more deliberate way of travelling.

Turn It Into A Tailor Made Experience

If our travel philosophy resonates with you but you’d prefer a private trip or some flexibility around the itinerary, we can tailor elements of this journey to suit your needs. This might include upgrading some accommodation, adjusting travel dates, or extending or shortening the journey. Get in touch to talk through the options and see what’s possible.

What is the Khövsgöl Ice Festival in Mongolia?

The Khövsgöl Ice Festival, also known as the Blue Pearl Ice Festival, is a winter community festival held on or near frozen Khövsgöl Lake in northern Mongolia. It celebrates winter life in the local area, and the diverse communities who live around the lake. Events usually include horse-drawn sleigh races, ice sculpting competitions, traditional clothing shows, and live music, s well as a plethora of food stalls.

Where is the Khövsgöl Ice Festival?

The Khövsgöl Ice Festival takes place in northern Mongolia, in Khövsgöl Province, on or near the frozen surface of Khövsgöl Lake. The festival is usually connected with the rural community of Khatgal at the southern end of the lake, although the exact location can vary depending on ice, weather, and local organisation.

When does the Khövsgöl Ice Festival take place?

The Khövsgöl Ice Festival usually takes place in early March, when Khövsgöl Lake is still frozen. The exact dates are confirmed each year by the organisers and can vary slightly depending on local conditions. For this journey, we design the route around the published festival dates while allowing flexibility for winter weather, road conditions, and any changes to the programme.

Explore The Festival And The Places You’ll Visit Through Our Journal

Amarbayasgalant Monastery - Selenge Province, Mongolia

Focus on Amarbayasgalant Monastery Mongolia

According to Mongolia’s recent 2020 Population and Housing Census, 59.4% of Mongolia’s population aged...

Khovsgol Ice Festival

Khovsgol, short for Khovsgol Nuur National Park in northern Mongolia, is best known for its stunning...

Mongolia's Tsaatan Reindeer Herders

Learn about, visit and experience the fascinating way of life of Mongolia's Tsaatan reindeer herders...

The western shore of Khovsgol Nuur National Park in northern Mongolia

Khovsgol Nuur National Park In Mongolia

Khovsgol Nuur National Park is one of the defining features of Khovsgol Province in northern Mongolia....

Guest Reviews

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      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   debsi0108 
 
 
 Verified Absolutely best trip ever That was one of my best trips ever. I went on a 19 days tour to the northern part of Mongolia and everything was so well organized. We were only 2 in the group and had an awesome guide plus a driver only for us. The tour gave me very deep and authentic insights to the country and I loved every part of it. Jess the owner of the company is super lovely and very helpful. I can recommend this company 100% to everyone!!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   LavenderFive 
 
 
 Verified Amazing October trip We traveled to Mongolia in October with a group of friends and had an incredible experience with Jess and her team at Eternal Landscapes. Jess's suggested itinerary was perfect for us, and we felt we really got off the beaten path. Staying with local families in ghers, biking and riding horses and camels, being outside and exploring the local countryside and culture: all days were incredible. Our drivers and guides were friendly, helpful and wonderful, as were our host families. We felt so welcome throughout our time. We were lucky to meet Jess one night at a homestay and she is absolutely delightful with a vision for offering authentic experiences in Mongolia. I highly, highly recommend connecting with Jess if you'd like a unique and exciting itinerary for your time in Mongolia.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Dr Jeanette Aditi Holden 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +5
I have travelled my entire life, and when I was younger, always on a shoestring. I have always avoided ‘tours’, unless I was volunteering or directly connected with a local organization. I was so deeply grateful to find Eternal Landscapes Mongolia, and so proud to be a part of what they are doing… which is everything right with regards to healthy and ethical ‘tourism’. It is a relief to know how much care and awareness they put into their work. I highly recommend this experience, that allows you to be a part of Mongolian families lives, in a way that is reciprocal & authentic, and based on all the beautiful relationships Eternal Landscapes has created over the years, and work to maintain ! Thank you so much!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Zoe C 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience I DEEPLY recommend Eternal Landscape to all people willing to explore Mongolia. They accompanied me and other four friends in a 6 days tour in the Gobi desert in August 2017. The thing I appreciated the most was to feel treated as a valuable PERSON, not as a mere source of money, as it happened very often in the tourist sector. I've always felt Eternal Landscape staff’s first objective was to let us get to know and appreciate beautiful Mongolia and have very good vibes about it. I could really feel their love and passion for this country since the very beginning. That impression was proved by little gestures during our stay in Mongolia, such as a free tour in Ulaanbaatar after the tour and some nice souvenirs we received from them. I was impressed by how the director of the agency, Jessica Brook, was responsive to all our requests and needs during the organisational phase before our departure. We had very specific requests about the itinerary and a quite complicated logistics, since part of our group came from China and the other from Ulaanbaatar. All the other agencies we contacted told us they were not able to deal with it, while Eternal Landscapes was and managed to organise a tailor made tour. Before our departure we were able to communicate with Jessica almost on a daily basis to organise the tour in details and ask all the questions we had in mind about operative details and Mongolia more in general. She even helped us booking our train tickets from China to Mongolia and from Mongolia to Russia (two of us went to the Baikal lake after Mongolia). During the tour everything went just perfect. Since everything had been arranged in details, we complied with the planning. Our guides were experienced, so we always felt safe. And this is very important in the desolate lands of Mongolia! They were also friendly, responsive to our requests and sensitive about our needs (including food requirements). To sum up I could not recommend Eternal Landscape enough. You can contact me, should you are not convinced and want to know more about our experience with Eternal Landscapes!!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   PortlyPenguin 
 
 
 Verified Expect the Unexpected and Leave your world behind Favorite part(s)... first and foremost meeting the people of Mongolia. They are happy to see you and say 'hello'... I got to hold an eagle!!! I got to eat horsemeat!! (HIGHLY recommend!!)... clean air.. wide open spaces.. 2 Eagle festivals were both uniquely different and such an experience!Recommendations- they will provide you with a "suggested" list of things to bring. READ IT! Highly highly recommend 2 things- earplugs and a good inflatable mattress for back support. Also leave your "that's not how we do it where i'm from" attitude at home.. immerse yourself and just take a deep breath and, like my group did when we hit a moment of "irritations and difficulties on the tour" and say to yourself, "i'm in f**king Mongolia!!!!"
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Maiju V 
 
 
 Verified Experiencing the authentic Mongolia I joined the amazing Khovsgol trails tour by Eternal Landscapes, and it was definitely worth it. The trip was well organized, and the trip assistants, guides and drivers were professional, warm and knowledgeable. It was clear that they love their country and culture, and always walk the extra mile to ensure that the guests are happy. Their impressive cooking, driving and organizational skills as well as brilliant sense of humour elevate the whole experience to a new level. Many thanks! 😊 The trip itself was nicely paced – it was not too rushed, but during these two weeks we got to experience a lot. In some occasions, the original plans had to be changed, but the team always managed to rearrange the schedules and make everything work.  Mongolia might not be an easy destination, but it is a fascinating country to visit. There will be long drives, changes in plans and waiting around, but that’s how the country works – in return, we got to see the authentic herder lifestyle, untouched nature and amazing landscapes and experience the friendly and welcoming Mongolian culture. It was magical to stand on top of a hill in the morning sun, observe the serene view to a valley and hear a shaman drum from the distance. In the bigger picture, getting to know the Mongolian way of life gave me new perspectives to our western society and values. I warmly recommend to experience this unique country with a reliable, professional company with strong ethical principles. Eternal Landscapes is definitely a five star partner for the adventure in Mongolia and I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Kelly G 
 
 
 Verified Superb Staff Travelled to Ulaanbattar and onto the Gobi and back. Jess helped the group of five plan a great ten day trip. Weather turned bad on the way to the Gobi and one of the vans got stuck in the snow. This was no problem for the drivers and the the Russian vans. The guides surprised me with a no bake bday cake on the last night. Excellent!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cherilyn M 
 
 
 Verified Amazing window onto life in Mongolia. This is a review of my two trips with EL, in June 2015 and March 2017.Our first trip with Eternal Landscapes was the first time I had ever travelled outside North America or Europe. I considered a number of travel companies, but Jess’s promptness of response and warmth at the outset, answering all my questions and putting together a plan that made sense for our family (parents and two teenagers) was quickly the deciding factor in favor of going with Eternal Landscapes. Our actual trip was about two weeks long, featuring lots of walking, driving, camping, and a bit of horseback riding. We had a guide and driver, and our family travelled in a Russian furgon, which is kind of like a 4WD VW bus on steroids. Highlights included visiting with a local family in the Orkhon river valley, finding wild peonies, riding camels in the Gobi desert, and the amazing feeling of being able to walk cross country without a path and camping in beautiful spots. Jess even set up a private concert for us featuring local folk musicians. I was so overwhelmed by the whole experience that even now I have a hard time putting it into words. At the same time, the price tag was moderate compared to other choices. The style of travel was very basic, but this certainly wasn’t an issue, and allowed us to get a taste of life more similar to what people who live there experience.Two years later, I went back alone, and joined a small group travelling to Western Mongolia. This trip was led by Jess directly, and was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. For one thing it was in the winter (spring really, encompassing the Nauryz festival in Ulgii), and we stayed almost exclusively in people’s homes. We stayed in the homes of several eagle hunters, met their families, shared meals, played games. This involved lots of sleeping on the floor, sometimes in a room containing all of us plus the entire family, but the privilege of having this kind of a window onto people’s daily lives is still astonishing to me. Also on this trip, I was able to spend a bit more time in Ulaan Baatar, visiting a family in a ger district and a felt-making workshop, and these were also highlights of the trip. Both trips were well organized and we were comfortable and well fed. The activities tended to be low key and unscheduled -- walking, driving, visiting, having tea, waiting around for a parade to start, but this felt natural, and by the same token it was easy to find time to explore on our own a little, which generally took the form of walking up the nearest hillside. The guides, aka “trip advisors” were kind, helpful, and responsible, and although occasionally language issues emerged, they would be on the phone to Jess sorting things out satisfactorily. There is very little good that can be said about driving in Mongolia, but the drivers were experienced and responsible and we felt safe. They were also excellent ad hoc mechanics, constantly taking care of the beast (and fixing a flat on the way to the Gobi, where not a single car came by during the two hours we were stopped on the road).Anyway I can’t say enough good things about Jess and Eternal Landscapes, if you are looking for a window onto real life in Mongolia. This is not a luxury outfit, and you’ll go longer than you ever thought possible without indoor plumbing, but you gain far more than you give up travelling with EL.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dunja R 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Mongolia Amazing snapshot of Mongolia ! Amarra and Nyemka were best team and went above and beyond for all of us.Can’t fault this trip.Amarra , our tour leader was great and made everything so easy and enjoyable!The itinerary was spot on, we enjoyed every stop, and all activities were amazing too. This trip provides the most authentic Experience possible! I would highly recommend if you Are someone who loves am adventure. I especially loved the geir home stay and my tour group .
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   David Salmanowitz 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A top notch extremely well run operation, had the trip of a lifetime on so many levels. Highly recommended!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   craj11_11 
 
 
 Verified Small personalised perfect tours for travellers I found Jess on Tripadvisor Forum and I am so grateful to travellers who post there, as the recommendations were found to be spot on. I was looking for a small private tour rather than joining a large group organised by large international tourist companies, and especially I did not want to share a ger or tent with 5 strangers. Having found Jess I set about inviting friends to join me. I had a ger to myself and the other three couples had a ger each. Jess was organised and sufficiently prompt in responding to queries for me to have complete faith in her suggestions. And the tour was very good value. The trip assistants, who were also our wonderful cooks learned on our first trip to the supermarket (also fascinating) that everyone wanted healthy food, and so rather than the predicted daily boiled mutton we had lots of salads, vegetable and noodle soup (with some mutton), pesto pasta as well as traditional Mongolian foods. Whilst in the early days we offered to help chopping vegetables, the assistants were so amazingly efficient that we found we were more likely to get in their way. And we also had restaurant meals when we were in a town or city. Every day of the tour provided new surprises; one of the benefits of a private tour is that the keen photographers on our tour could ask the driver to stop the vehicles to capture the special moments. Our two drivers were great and also very handy, able to fix any car issue as well as stopping to help other stranded tour groups!Eternal Landscapes also has a social responsibility approach to travel which was admirable. The big highlight was of course Naadam, which provided extraordinary photographic opportunities.Other hightlights: - We had a wonderful unmissable and unforgettable night with a goat herder nomad family – a priceless experience that was completely Mongolian. (The seven of us shared one of the family’s gers on this occasion).- We covered a large variety of landscapes and Jess incorporated walks into the tour on many days so that we could be IN the landscape. - And we were able to interact with Mongolian people who came to visit us at our lunch stops, teach us archery and about archery competition, play musical instruments/ throat sing, in the arena at Naadam as well as to our times shopping for our meals.I have no hesitation in recommending Eternal Landscapes. We had a truly wonderful trip.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   alex d 
 
 
 Verified Phenomenal Trip of a Lifetime I was lucky enough to spend a week with the Eternal landscapes team, more specifically with Khisgee my trip assistant and Sandag our driver as I cycled through parts of the Gobi desert and Western Mongolia. I can honestly say, I've never met a team who are so passionate and caring about what they do, but also who believe so strongly in the principles of real authentic tourism. Both Sandag and Khisgee were great entertainment as I worked on my Mongolian throughout the trip, but also chuckled at me several times hurtling on my bicycle through the desert. The eternal landscapes team have a great reputation amongst the Mongolian countryside and the people here, which is such an important aspect of choosing a tour group, as they'll drive you deep into remote areas of Mongolia and you'll be welcome with open arms to catch and sheer sheep, ride camels and horses and use slingshots with the kids. I couldn't recommend this team any more, and don't hesistate in using them.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   livinglifetothefull1 
 
 
 Verified Attention to Detail was Amazing I found Jess and Eternal Landscapes through a search on tripAdvisor. I wanted a tour that incorporated Nadaam as well as the Gobi desert for myself and my husband. Jess was very prompt to reply and gave us a personal touch in putting together a plan that suited us. I have never received such a high level of personal service when dealing with a travel company.Once in Mongolia everyone that we met from the company were fantastic.Our guide Amaraa couldn't do enough for us and her cooking skills were great - we even had pizza in the Gobi dessert! Bayarra our driver didn't speak much English but that didn't matter as we still played cards and felt very safe with him at all times.The ethics of the company were what really stood out for me - you know that the employees are treated well and I felt I was giving back to the country rather than some large tour group run overseas.Book with this company - you will not regret it!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Peter M 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Mongolia with the amazing Eternal Landscapes We travelled with Eternal Landscapes on their 23 day Untamed Mongolia trip. Wow, what a trip!Let's be honest. It's Mongolia, first and foremost, that is the star. Wonderful scenery, fascinating history, a living, breathing culture and big skies. Astounding. Go. You'll love it. And it's uncrowded. But who to go with? Well, in most instances, my wife and I prefer to organise our own itinerary. But Mongolia is big, largely devoid of road signs in its vast landscapes and we felt local knowledge would add greatly to our travel experience. An organised trip seemed to be the best option. We initially chose Eternal Landscapes for their sustainable credentials. We got so much more. Their group size is maximum of 6 (4 guests on our tour), so we never overwhelmed anywhere we stopped. Jess and Turuu, the owners of EL, have searched for the less visited, and rarely visited locations (as well as the big highlights). The mix of private Ger accommodation, camping and regional hotel stays was good. When we camped (my favourite) we were always by ourselves and always in a stunning location. And there were no tourist Ger camps for us, just family run and authentic. Our guides and drivers were knowledgable, enthusiastic and great fun. We visited places other tour groups didn't go, we walked to amazing vistas and historic monasteries. But it was never hurried and there was always time. We laughed, we celebrated and we had, perhaps, our best trip ever. We loved Mongolia and our time with Eternal Landscapes so much we're going back. This time in winter.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   IvanaParty 
 
 
 Verified Well organised and interactive small group tour to Western Mongolia I joined the Eternal Landscape small group tour Altai and Eagles in September 2018, and it was an amazing experience. The highlight of the tour was the Eagle festival where we had the opportunity to see Eagle hunters we had met and stayed with en route show off their skills, as well as to observe some other local sports (wrestling, archery, wife catching races....).The trip offered the unique experience of traveling through Mongolia in the famous Furgon - each furgon is different and personalised but all are extremely safe and far more reliable than the western 4x4s of which we encountered a number stuck in rivers and on rough dirt roads. The accommodation was mixed - sometimes we stayed in separate visitor gers, other times on the floor of the family ger with the family. However the experience was always wonderful - the families were busy but welcoming, and we had up close encounters with the eagles and hunters we later saw in action at the festival.The EL employees were also very good - diligent in working with the tourists to experience the best of Mongolia, and always respectful and pleasant to the host families.Food was mixed - generally meat heavy so if you’re a vegetarian bring some supplements - but meal times were social and enjoyable. The team even produced a birthday cake one day for one of the group! And there were always tea and biscuits with the host families.This isn’t a luxury holiday so if long drops and sleeping bags on the ground aren’t your thing, this holiday isn’t for you. However if you want to experience the real Mongolia in a unique and respectful way, it is highly recommended.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jeanne W 
 
 
 Verified Extremely helpful Jess at Eternal Landscapes was so helpful and patient with all of my questions over email - even though my dates didn't work out and I didn't actually get to go on an EL trip, I would highly recommend EL as a tour group. They were so considerate and supportive and took the time to listen to all my concerns!
  
 
 
  
 
 
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Khovsgol Ice Festival | Small Group Winter Tour | 14 Days | Feb 20th 2027 | Guaranteed Departure

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