On August 2008 I had the chance to visit one of the most remote areas I have ever been to, The Tsaagannuur area which is in the northern part of Mongolia very close to the border with Siberia. My main goal was to reach the Dukha People and after nearly ten days riding a horse through the steppes and the alpine landscapes of the Hovsgol area, I managed to reach their encampment where I only had the chance to stay for a couple of days before heading back (ten more days on a horse) in order not to be in trouble with immigration for my expiring visa.
The Dukha people also known in Mongolia as Tsaatan (literally ” Reindeer People”) live in the prairies north west of the Hovsgol Nur area. They are truly nomadic and base their entire existence on their herds of reindeer, which provide them food, skins for clothing, transport and even medicine. There are only 200 Dukha families in total, spread over the 100.000 sq km of Northern Mongolia. They are known for their strong shamanic beliefs but Irresponsible tourism, research and some evangelical activities have put in danger the Dukha people culture.
For many years now, during the summer months, some herders in search of an easy way of making money have been lured down to the Hovgsgol lake area, more accessible to tourists, where the inhospitable elevation for the sensitive reindeer puts the herds at risk.
You can see some of the images I took in the gallery here
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