7-Day Nomadic Adventure in Mongolia with Local Families

Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Ulaanbaatar to Deren soum, covering approximately 200 kilometres in around four hours.

Upon arrival, you will receive a warm introduction to the Nomad Challenge project, where participants are divided into teams and briefed on the upcoming activities.

Lunch introduces traditional Mongolian cuisine, featuring boiled meat, one of the most authentic dishes in nomadic culture.

In the afternoon, take part in the first team challenge of building a traditional Mongolian ger under the guidance of local experts. This hands-on activity highlights teamwork while offering insight into the traditional portable home design used by nomadic families.

In the evening, the winning team receives fresh vegetables as a prize to prepare tsuivan, a classic Mongolian stir-fried noodle dish, for dinner.

After the meal, enjoy leisure time to relax and unwind after an engaging first day.

After breakfast, the morning challenge focuses on one of the most important aspects of nomadic culture, Mongolian dairy production.

During the Dairy Master Challenge, teams learn how traditional dairy products (Tsagaan Idee) are made, including curds and fermented milk products.

The winning team is rewarded with traditional treats such as aaruul and Mongolian milk vodka (Shimiin Arkhi).

Lunch offers a hands-on culinary experience where participants prepare Mongolian dried meat soup and learn traditional preservation methods for long winters.

In the afternoon, the Nomadic Arts and Talent Challenge introduces Mongolia’s cultural heritage through performances and creative activities.

Activities include Khoomei throat singing mimicry, Biyelgee dance battles, Morin Khuur demonstrations and other nomadic-inspired performances.

Dinner is served in the evening, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the peaceful steppe atmosphere.

The day begins with a traditional breakfast featuring Mongolian cream (Urum) and Boortsog, a beloved fried pastry.

In the morning, participants ride horses across the steppe to water livestock, experiencing a daily nomadic routine.

Later, teams take part in the Argal Magic Challenge, learning about argal (dried animal dung) used as a sustainable biofuel for cooking and heating.

For lunch, the winning team enjoys authentic Mongolian Buuz, while others participate in a hands-on Buuz making experience.

In the afternoon, the group travels to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a granite rock formation in the Gobi steppe known for its dramatic landscapes and historical significance.

After exploration, participants enjoy free time before returning to the camp for dinner and overnight stay at a tourist ger camp.

After breakfast, the group departs for Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the White Stupa, one of Mongolia’s most spectacular natural formations.

Participants take part in a Content Creator Challenge, capturing dramatic cliffs, colourful sediment layers and vast desert landscapes through photography or short videos.

The activity encourages creativity while exploring one of the Gobi region’s most iconic locations.

The afternoon is kept free for exploration, relaxation and enjoying the surrounding desert scenery.

After breakfast, the group drives back to Deren.

Lunch includes a DIY Dumpling Tea experience, where participants learn to prepare small traditional dumplings served with tea.

In the afternoon, the nomadic lifestyle experience continues with horse riding to water livestock, followed by the Argal Biofuel Challenge, highlighting sustainable nomadic practices.

Later, participants take part in the Nomadic Games Challenge featuring Shagai ankle bone shooting, Alag Melkhii puzzle assembly, horse racing simulations and traditional brain-teaser games.

Dinner is an interactive Noodle DIY cooking experience, where the winning team receives fresh bread and pickled vegetables as a prize.

The evening concludes with rest and preparation for the grand finale.

After breakfast, the highlight of the journey begins with the Mini Naadam Challenge inspired by Mongolia’s national Naadam Festival.

Throughout the day, participants compete in traditional games and challenges reflecting the spirit of the “Three Manly Sports” and nomadic traditions.

In the evening, the experience concludes with a bonfire party and festive award ceremony under the open steppe sky.

Participants celebrate their achievements while enjoying a special Nomadic Feast.

Awards include “The Ultimate Nomad” Grand Prize.

Additional awards feature Nomadic title T-shirts such as King of Buuz, Master of Shagai and True Nomad 100%.

Traditional calligraphy scrolls with participants’ names are also awarded.

Traditional silver cups are presented as part of the ceremony.

Survival kits including aaruul, urum and boortsog are included as fun rewards.

Golden shagai game sets are awarded to selected participants.

The Grand Prize may include a traditional Mongolian deel and hat, a Morin Khuur instrument, or a 20 to 30 percent discount for a future Mongolia adventure.

After breakfast, the group drives back to Ulaanbaatar.

Upon arrival, the guide and driver will drop participants at the hotel.

This marks the end of an unforgettable Nomad Challenge experience filled with culture, adventure and authentic nomadic traditions.