Throat Singing and the Morin Khuur
What it's like
One voice, two notes: a low drone and a whistling melody floating above it. Khöömei imitates wind, water and the steppe itself, and paired with the morin khuur a single ger can feel as wide as the valley outside.
Khöömei is a form of overtone singing in which a performer produces a fundamental note and one or more harmonics at the same time. Mongolian khöömei is inscribed on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The morin khuur, a two-stringed fiddle topped with a carved horse's head, is a symbol of Mongolia and is also UNESCO-listed. Its music often evokes horses: galloping rhythms, whinnies and the long, slow songs of the steppe.
In Ulaanbaatar you can see polished concert performances; in the countryside we arrange informal evenings with local musicians, sometimes with a chance to try a few notes yourself.
Adventures with this
More experiences
Staying with Nomad Families
Sleep in a family ger, help with the herds and share the rhythm of a working nomadic camp.
Horse Riding
Ride sturdy Mongolian horses across open steppe, river valleys and forested hills with local horsemen.
Camel Trekking
Travel the Gobi on the back of a two-humped Bactrian camel, guided by the herders who raise them.
Eagle Hunting Traditions
Meet the Kazakh burkitshi of Bayan-Ölgii, who raise and train golden eagles to hunt in winter.
The Naadam Games
Wrestling, horse racing and archery: the three manly games at the heart of Mongolia's summer festival.
Dinosaur Fossil Sites
Walk the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, where the first recognised dinosaur eggs were found in the 1920s.
Ready when you are
Tell us your dates and dreams. One specialist plans everything and replies within two working days.