Navigate The Snowy Landscapes Of Mongolia With Reindeer Herding Family

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev’s reflection is perfectly captured in the icy water in Altai Mountains, Mongolia, September 2016. Navigate the snowy wilds of Mongolia with this nomadic reindeer herding family. Photographer Joel Santos dived 1000km into the depths of Northern Mongolia to visit the Ganbaa family near Khovsgol Lake. Despite only being able to spend three days in the Tsaatan familyÌs camp, Santos travelled for four days to reach them – three driving and one on horseback – before repeating the epic journey to return home. Travelling with an interpreter and a fellow photographer from Màràn, Mongolia, the photographer met the Ganbaa family, led by matriarch Purev who lives with Buyantogtokh, a widowed reindeer herder.

Purev of the Ganbaa family poses next to one of their teepees in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

One of the youngest members of the family cuddles her reindeer in the woods in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

To visit the Tsaatan people the photographer travelled 1000km into the furthest reaches of the North in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Matriarch Purev poses with the family reindeer with Batbayar and Bayardalai in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev gives her snow white reindeer a stroke next to the lake in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

The Tsaatan people rely on their reindeer for milk, cheese and transportation in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Uchraa is already well trained in riding the family reindeer in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev stokes the fire in her teepee oven, heated with reindeer dung in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev’s reflection is perfectly captured in the icy water in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev and Buyantogtokh enjoy the warmth of the fire in the snow in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev is the matriarch of the Gabaa family in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Buyantogtokh is a widowed woman who lives with Purev in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Bayardalai, nicknamed Jijee, rides his reindeer in the snowy forest in Altai Mountains

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images

Purev, Bayardalai and Batbayer take a reindeer trek through the snowy forest in Altai Mountains, Mongolia

Photo by Joel Santos/Barcroft Images