The Darkhad Seasonal Migration Journey on Horseback
Join a Darkhad Nomadic Family’s Seasonal Move
Across the Khoridol Saridag Mountain Pass
Dates: October 25 - November 8, 2026
Price: $4,150
Group Limit: 3
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Group of 2 discount 5% each, 3 or more 10% each
Mongolia’s nomadic herders move with the seasons—gathering their animals, packing their homes, and crossing great landscapes in search of better pasture. This two-week expedition invites you to become part of a Darkhad family as they move from their autumn pastures to their winter camp, crossing the mighty Khoridol Saridag mountain pass, a rugged range of breathtaking beauty.
The Darkhad families, like many herders in Mongolia, still practice the old way of life, moving their homes and herds using horses, yaks, and cows, yet their daily lives are subtly adapting to modern influences. Traveling to Mongolia offers a rare chance to witness this balance firsthand—the irony of a people striving to sustain centuries-old traditions while selectively embracing the advantages of modernity. You’ll ride alongside the family, help care for their animals, and experience the rhythms of migration as both guest and participant.
Traveling to Mongolia offers a rare chance to witness this balance firsthand—the irony of a people striving to sustain centuries-old traditions while selectively embracing the advantages of modernity.
At SEEK Adventure Travels, we craft journeys with conscious respect for both communities and the land. This expedition is built on genuine relationships with the Darkhad families we travel with, ensuring your experience supports their traditions, livelihoods, and the fragile landscapes they call home. You won’t just visit this part of Mongolia—you’ll connect with it meaningfully, ethically, and responsibly.
What to expect
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Riding on Horseback
You’ll spend up to 10 days riding alongside the herd. The length of each day’s ride will vary depending on the family’s plan, the condition of the animals, and the weather.
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Daily Chores and Shared Work
Migration is a collective effort. You’ll help pack and unpack belongings, round up livestock, fetch water and firewood, and share in the responsibilities that make this way of life possible.
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Camping
Each guest will have their own tent to sleep every night during the migration, and at times may share gers with the family. Nomadic families have a very different sense of personal space, so be prepared to be flexible and share space when needed.
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Unexpected Weather
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Packing With Yaks and Cows
The family’s belongings—furniture and parts of their gers—are loaded onto yak and cow carts. You’ll witness and assist with this traditional migration practice, moving with the family across valleys and mountain passes.
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Simple Meals
Meals are very simple, hearty, and homemade, often including what the family eats daily, such as noodle soups and cooked meat, shared around the fire. Comfort is modest, but the cultural and personal connection is profound.
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No bathroom facilities
There are no bathroom facilities during the migration. You’ll need to find appropriate spots in nature and manage your personal hygiene in the backcountry.
The mountains are unpredictable. Some nights can be very cold—even below freezing—while snow or rainfall may occur unexpectedly. Other days can surprise you with bright, sunny skies and warm temperatures.
IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?
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Flexible Mindset – The daily plans will change depending on the family, the condition of the animals, and the weather.
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Respectful Manner – You are open to engaging with local communities and the land with care and humility.
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Adventurous Spirit – You are ready to try meals that herder families eat and experience life as the Darkhad do.
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Physical & Mental Fortitude – You are prepared to spend up to 10 days on horseback. Advanced riding skills aren’t required, but you should be comfortable handling and spending long periods with horses.​
This trip is designed for travelers who embrace immersion over comfort, are curious, and want to participate fully in the seasonal migration of a nomadic family.
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WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At SEEK Adventure Travels, we believe the most meaningful journeys come from stepping into the lives of the people who know these landscapes best. This Darkhad Migration Expedition is about partnership, humility, and shared discovery. You won’t just watch nomadic life—you’ll live it.
We also work consciously to treat both the communities and the land with respect. Every journey we create is rooted in real, long-standing connections with the herding families we travel alongside. We collaborate only with communities we know personally, ensuring that the benefits of your trip go directly to the people who host you. By traveling with us, you are supporting traditions that continue to thrive while leaving the lightest footprint possible on Mongolia’s fragile landscapes.
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Email seek.mongolia@gmail.com to book this trip and for inquiries!