Overview
Embark on a transformative journey to Mongolia, where rich traditions of storytelling and spirituality illuminate our shared human experience and connection to the natural world. Immerse yourself in the wellspring of indigenous wisdom and discover the interconnectedness of self, nature and humanity. This will be part retreat, part expedition, with a focus on cultural exchange and embodied practice. We’ll spend time in the capital—where traditional spirituality and storytelling intersects with contemporary life, and in the countryside—both on retreat and with a remote reindeer herding community of the Siberian Taiga. With intention and reverence, we’ll explore Mongolia’s landscapes along with our own inner geographies.
Start: Ulaanbaatar
Exploring Ulaanbaatar
Khovsgol Province
A visit to Khuvsgul Aimag reveals Mongolia's pristine natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The area consists of vast steppe, mountains, rivers and lakes, and plentiful encounters with nomadic families living in deep connection with nature.
Onward to the Taiga
Exploring the Taiga
Darkhad Valley
Exploring Khuvsgul Lake
As the second-largest freshwater lake in Asia, Khuvsgul offers an opportunity to explore one of Mongolia's natural wonders. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and rolling meadows, the lake provides a stunning and picturesque setting to unwind and further integrate our experience among the Tsaatan.
End: Ulaanbaatar
About your trip leader
Brandt Miller
Trip leader
Brandt Miller’s relationship with Mongolia started in 2006 during his junior year abroad, igniting a connection that has shaped his life. In 2008, Brandt returned on a Fulbright Fellowship documenting the nascent LGBTQIA+ movement. He returned in 2011, working on a National Geographic documentary series about wolves. In 2019, Brandt directed his own short documentary in Ulaanbaatar, which premiered in 2022. During his more recent visits, he has explored Mongolian shamanism, which like traditional storytelling, is inextricably intertwined with the natural world.
Brandt brings a wealth of experience in the realms of transformation and creative expression—ranging from journalism in Cambodia, to an MFA in Creative Writing, to storytelling in tech and nonprofit, to producing for National Geographic, Discovery and Smithsonian. He has trained in Breathwork, Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Ancestral and Collective Trauma Healing—which infuse his practice as a Somatic Coach, Breathwork Facilitator and Transformational Guide.
Brandt is thrilled to weave together his passions for Mongolia, nature and transformation into this unique experience with Earthtones.
Justin Randolph
Trip leader
Justin is the founder and CEO of Earthtones, a regenerative collective of tour operators and destinations that facilitates meaningful, nature experiences in hopes of inspiring stewardship and sparking reverence for the natural world.
Justin brings over a decade of experience planning trips and leading complex tours to remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations, with experience guiding groups on four continents and visits to 70+ countries.
His passion for travel is rooted in a desire to better understand different ways of being and learn from communities who live in harmony with their natural environments.
Keep in mind
The above itinerary is subject to change closer to the departure date to accommodate logistics. We'll do our best to keep the above route, and any changes will be made only in efforts to deepen the flow of the experience.