THE LAST REINDEER RIDERS
A Journey Into Mongolia's Sacred Taiga with the Tsaatan Tribe
June 23 - July 3, 2027
Somewhere along the Mongolian-Russian border, past the last village and the last road, the taiga opens into a world that has changed very little in centuries. This is where the Tsaatan live. Only 44 families remain, moving through the forest on the backs of reindeer they have raised for generations.
Join Ting Ting and Erik Cooper for an 11-day journey into this remote corner of Mongolia. You'll ride horseback through alpine forest and boreal woodland to reach the Tsaatan camps, then trade your saddle for a reindeer's back and learn to move the way they've moved for thousands of years.
This is a way to truly experience their daily lives. You'll milk reindeer with a Tsaatan mother teaching you one on one and sit around a fire while the family elder tells stories of bears and wolves. You'll be welcomed in, not as a tourist, but as a guest.
Through the beautiful reciprocity of the Tsaatan's bond with their reindeer and the daily spiraling movements of the GuanJing Method, you'll find your own steadiness, strength, and a renewed connection to life's natural rhythms.
This retreat is about returning to ancient traditions and remembering what the body already knows how to do. Together, we'll create moments of clarity and presence that stay with you long after the journey ends.
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
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Each day begins and ends with a GuanJing flow practice, designed to prepare your body for hours on horseback and reindeer, and to help it settle again once the saddle comes off.
Inspired by the spiraling movement of the natural world around you, these practices release tension held in the hips, low back, and shoulders, and keep your energy steady across long riding days.
Practicing in the stillness of the taiga, morning mist still on the ground, deepens your connection to your own body and to the land you're moving through.
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Learn to ride reindeer the way the Tsaatan have for generations. A family will teach you the milking process by hand, the saddling process, and how to guide your reindeer without ever touching the antlers.
This is not a demonstration. You'll ride alongside Tsaatan riders through the valley, crossing rivers together, learning a relationship between human and animal that goes back thousands of years.
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Your journey to the Tsaatan is made on horseback, through alpine forest, past herds of yaks and Darkhad horses, and into boreal woodland few outsiders ever see.
The terrain shifts as you go: open valley, glacier slate, twisted pine roots, deep arctic bog. Each day in the saddle brings you closer to the sacred lands where the last reindeer riders make their home.
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Sleep in a teepee alongside a Tsaatan family. Share reindeer milk chai tea, watch antler carving passed down through generations, and sit by the fire while the family elder, who everyone calls Grandpa, tells stories of bears, blizzards, and wolves.
You'll be welcomed in as an invited friend. What you'll take from this camp has less to do with what you did there, and more to do with how it felt to belong, even briefly, to a way of life this old.
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This retreat is more than an adventure; it’s a journey inward. Long days on horseback and reindeer, nights without electricity, and the steady rhythm of GuanJing practice all work together to bring you to a place of silent relfection.
You'll return home with a body that remembers how to move, and a clearer sense of what matters when the distractions fall away.
Meet your Guides
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My name is Ting Ting and I have been in the movement and wellness industry for over two decades.
My passion is sharing the techniques and knowledge learned through the years to help others move better, breathe better, and feel better. I love to help people rediscover a new respect for their bodies, gain confidence, and empower their spirit.
This passion led me to develop a new movement technique, the GuanJing Method. An easy-to-learn meditative movement practice that cultivates Qi energy using spiraling circular shapes. The movements are designed to transform tension and heavy emotions into renewed vitality, leaving the practitioner feeling refreshed and at peace.
My dedication to this practice is globally recognized as a pioneer in the movement industry, merging elements of Yoga, Qi Gong, and Dance. My latest book, "Meditative Movements to Optimize Health and Vitality," hit the bestseller list on Christmas Eve last year.
Every day, I strive to embody my practice and live in full flow with the current of life. To not take life so seriously and dance with the elements that come my way.
I would be honored to flow with you!
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Your epic adventure has been curated by Adventurist Erik Cooper. Erik has a passion for exploring the world in its authenticity. He has called Mongolia his part-time home for the past nine years, exploring the deepest corners of the Steppe.
From his friendships with the horse herders, reindeer riders, and the famous Eagle Hunters, he’s excited to share these special people with you.
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The extraordinaire translator
Meet Dougie, AKA Mr. Boujee. He hails from Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, and knows the city and the country inside and out, from the best restaurants to the rich history and culture that shapes it. He's spent the last decade working in tourism and event organizing, and now works alongside Erik on the reindeer adventures and out of the Mongol Derby headquarters.
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The Horse Hustler
Gansukh is our horse hustler. You'll be adventuring with him and his horse wrangling brothers atop their Darkhad horses. Don't let his mirror face fool you, he's a bit of a crazy, giggly character who prefers to ride the feistiest horses in the herd. Gansukh will teach you the art of the Mongolian lasso during the horse catching segment of the journey. He's been working alongside Erik and Dougie for the last decade.
Our Itinerary | June 23 - July 3, 2027
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June 23, 2027 | Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Your journey begins in Mongolia's capital. The drive from the airport takes about an hour to an hour and a half, leaving you time to rest before your welcome lunch late in the afternoon.
Ting Ting and Erik will meet the group to set intentions for the retreat with a grounding GuanJing session, aligning your energy with the days ahead.
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June 24, 2027 | Flight to Mörön & Red Mountain Village
Start the morning with a GuanJing practice before leaving your excess luggage at the front desk and heading to the airport for the flight to the central village of Mörön. Once you land, you'll meet your off-road driving team and fuel up before heading into the countryside, off-roading until you reach Red Mountain Village, where you'll camp for the night.
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June 25, 2027 | Into Horse Camp
Begin the day with breakfast and a GuanJing session to open the body before a full day in the saddle. You'll pass through alpine forest and herds of yaks, Darkhad horses, sheep, and goats on your way to horse camp, meeting Gansukh and his family over horse milk tea and yak yogurt. You'll be introduced to the Darkhad horses you'll be riding, and if you're up for it, try your hand at lassoing one from the corral. The evening closes with a dinner of roasted sheep, and a GuanJing wind-down practice by the fire.
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June 26, 2027 | Toward the Tsaatan
An early GuanJing practice helps the body settle before a full day of riding. You'll help Gansukh and his brothers pack the horses, fill water packs, and check tack before saying goodbye to his family and setting out toward the Tsaatan. Today's ride is mostly flat, crossing rivers and entering the boreal forest. You'll camp along the river tonight, splitting into teams to water and stake the horses, before Ting Ting closes the evening with a grounding session and Gansukh and his brothers pull out the campfire stories and songs.
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June 27, 2027 | Arriving in the Sacred Taiga
Begin the morning slowly, with breakfast, a GuanJing practice, and time to sort the horses before climbing into the high mountains. The ground turns demanding here, glacier slate, twisted pine roots, deep arctic bog, and as you enter the sacred lands of the Tsaatan, you may catch a glimpse of the bears, wolves, and lynx that call this place home. When the mist clears, the teepee camps of the last reindeer riders come into view. You'll dismount, meet your Tsaatan family over reindeer milk chai tea, and settle into your teepee for the night.
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June 28, 2027 | Meeting the Reindeer
For early risers, this morning brings the chance to milk the reindeer, taught one on one by a Tsaatan mother. Then comes the moment you've been building toward: meeting your reindeer. Your Tsaatan family will teach you the saddling process and how to ride, and the one rule that matters most, never steer by the antlers. You'll ride through the valley, crossing rivers, before an evening GuanJing practice and time by the fire with your Tsaatan family, hearing more about life in the taiga.
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June 29, 2027 | Family to Family
After a GuanJing session and breakfast, and another opportunity to milk the reindeer, you'll saddle up and ride to visit the other Tsaatan families scattered through the taiga, known for their hand-carved antler jewelry, sculptures, and knives. On the ride back, you'll stop at your family's seasonal campsites along the way. In the evening, your family's elder, known to everyone simply as Grandpa, leads a tea session around the bonfire, telling stories of bears, blizzards, and wolves.
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June 30, 2027 | Firewood and Fireside
Saddle up your reindeer and join your Tsaatan hosts on a scouting mission for firewood through the forest. In the evening, you'll help herd the reindeer in for the night, keeping them safe from the wolves that share these mountains. A closing GuanJing practice brings the body back to stillness after a full day of movement.
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July 1, 2027 | Farewell to the Tsaatan
You'll say goodbye to your Tsaatan family in the late morning, beginning the ride to a secret spot where you'll make camp for the night. A reflective GuanJing session in the evening gives you space to sit with everything the last few days have given you.
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July 2, 2027 | Back to Mörön
Finish breakfast, pack up camp, and say goodbye to Gansukh and his brothers before the ride back toward Mörön. Once you arrive, check into your hotel, wash off the wild of the taiga, and enjoy dinner together in the hotel restaurant. A closing GuanJing practice helps the body transition out of camp mode.
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July 3, 2027 | Departure
A quick breakfast, then it's off to catch your flight back to Ulaanbaatar, where drivers will meet you and take you back to your hotels. Ting Ting will guide one final GuanJing session before you part ways, a chance to carry the stillness of the taiga into whatever comes next.
PRICING (in USD)
Your epic adventure awaits for $6,500—secure your spot today with just a $500 deposit!
What’s Included?
All airport taxi transfers (pick ups & drop-offs)
Adventure launch lunch in Ulaanbaatar (Day 1)
Round trip domestic flights to Mörön plus luggage fees
Luxury off-roading vehicle transportation
All lodging and meals as per itinerary
Horses, horse wranglers, and tack
Translator/culture expert
All trip activities
What’s NOT Included?
International flights to and from Mongolia
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Beverages besides water, tea, & coffee
Laundry
Activities outside of this itinerary
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Your journey begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia.
It’s a destination well-connected to major international hubs via airlines such as MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, and Air China.
We recommend booking flights early to secure the best rates.
Arrival: [Please specify recommended arrival times and dates, if applicable.]
Airport: Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN)
Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our team will be there to greet you and guide you through the next steps of your adventure.
We’ll provide detailed instructions and meeting points closer to your travel dates.
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The retreat includes a domestic flight to Mörön, the gateway to the Darkhad taiga and the start of your journey on horseback toward the Tsaatan. This flight is arranged as part of the retreat package.
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Mongolia requires a valid passport for entry. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
Visa Information: Many countries, including the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe, may not require a visa for short-term stays. However, we recommend confirming visa requirements for your nationality well in advance.
Helpful Resource: Check the Mongolian Immigration Agency website for up-to-date visa and entry information.
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Travel insurance is mandatory for this adventure. You must make sure it covers horseback riding and it’s a good idea to cover your trips costs, flights, etc. Book this as early as possible.
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Horse riding days will range between 5 to 7 hours in the saddle, varying depending on where camps are set and what the day's activities call for. We ride in all weather conditions, rain, snow, or shine. You'll need to be physically able to ride these hours, and hike if necessary. Intermediate riding level is recommended.
When traveling in Mongolia, a flexible mind is necessary. Plans could change at the discretion of the trip leader.
Meals on the trip are meat and gluten based, and dietary restrictions are difficult to accommodate. Speak directly with Erik regarding any food allergies or dietary restrictions to see what's possible.
Total weight limit for horseback riding is 200lbs. Weight limit to ride the reindeer is 185lbs.
Accommodations include shared gers and tents.
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We'll be packing gear on our horses, so light is right.
Helmet
Sunglasses
Buff
Backpack with hydration
Dry bags
Riding gloves
Waterproof jacket/pants
Compressible down jacket (warm!)
Warm, thick wool base layers
Half chaps
Riding tights/jodhpurs
Riding/hiking boots (something with a heel for riding, narrow boots work best for Mongolian stirrups)
Wool beanie
Leatherman
Water purification tablets or filter
Sunblock/chapstick
Toiletries (eco-friendly)
Camping mug/bowl/spork
Bug spray
Sleeping bag (0°F/-18°C mandatory)
Sleeping pad (insulated)
Headlamp
Powerbank
Snacks (powerbars are suggested, they're difficult to find in Mongolia)
All gear must fit into a duffel bag. This bag will be strapped to a pack horse, and you won't have access to it until you reach the campsite. Items you'll need access to while riding, waterproofs, bug spray, sunblock, snacks, should go in your hydration pack. Mountain biking packs work best. Make sure your pack has a chest and waist strap for stability and comfort in the saddle.
Travel Information
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This retreat involves moderate physical activity, including horseback riding, hiking, and participating in reindeer riding.
While no advanced fitness level is required, participants should be comfortable with outdoor activities and prepared for Mongolia’s rugged terrain. If you have specific concerns, please contact us.
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We'll be packing gear on our horses, so light is right.
Helmet
Sunglasses
Buff
Backpack with hydration
Dry bags
Riding gloves
Waterproof jacket/pants
Compressible down jacket (warm!)
Warm, thick wool base layers
Half chaps
Riding tights/jodhpurs
Riding/hiking boots (something with a heel for riding, narrow boots work best for Mongolian stirrups)
Wool beanie
Leatherman
Water purification tablets or filter
Sunblock/chapstick
Toiletries (eco-friendly)
Camping mug/bowl/spork
Bug spray
Sleeping bag (0°F/-18°C mandatory)
Sleeping pad (insulated)
Headlamp
Powerbank
Snacks (powerbars are suggested, they're difficult to find in Mongolia)
All gear must fit into a duffel bag. This bag will be strapped to a pack horse, and you won't have access to it until you reach the campsite. Items you'll need access to while riding, waterproofs, bug spray, sunblock, snacks, should go in your hydration pack. Mountain biking packs work best. Make sure your pack has a chest and waist strap for stability and comfort in the saddle.
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Accommodations vary throughout the journey. In Ulaanbaatar and Mörön, you'll stay in shared hotel rooms. During the days on horseback and in camp, from Red Mountain Village through the ride to the Tsaatan, you'll be in shared tents, and once you reach the Tsaatan camps, you'll sleep in a traditional teepee alongside your host family. Expect a simple, close-to-the-land setup throughout, this is a trip built around being fully in the landscape, not around hotel comfort.
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Meals on this trip are meat and gluten based, reflecting how the Tsaatan and Darkhad families actually eat. Because so much of the trip happens far from any town or kitchen, dietary restrictions are difficult to accommodate. If you have food allergies or specific dietary needs, please speak with us directly before booking so you can figure out together what's possible.
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Expect the wide swings typical of Mongolia's continental climate. In Ulaanbaatar, daytime temperatures generally sit in the 60s to low 70s°F (15-21°C). Once you're out in the Darkhad taiga near Mörön, days can be similarly mild, but nights and higher elevations run noticeably colder, often dropping into the 40s°F (5-9°C) or lower.
Rain is possible at any point on the trip, and conditions can shift quickly, which is why the packing list includes waterproof layers and a sleeping bag rated to 0°F/-18°C.
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Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover any unexpected events, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost baggage.
Please ensure your policy includes coverage for outdoor activities such as horseback riding.
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May is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the intense summer heat and still enjoy just as much sunshine. There's up to 14 hours of sunlight per day and humidity levels are around 41%. 8mph winds bring cooling breezes at night and lower temperatures to the mid-teens.
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Ulaanbaatar New International Airport, (UBN/ZMCK), Mongolia
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If you are serious about joining us in Mongolia, you can contact Ting Ting at support@guanjingmethod.com to schedule a call.
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