The pearl we will search for is Khagiin Khar, a glacial lake in the depths of Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. The lake lies at 1817 m above sea level, surrounded by coniferous forests. The reflection of the surrounding coniferous tree-covered mountains in the lake water makes the lake more beautiful. As the lake is only accessible by foot, horse, or helicopter, the way to the lake and its surrounding remained pristine. Therefore, the lake is called “Secret beauty.” Its inaccessibility allows wild animals such as red deer, elk, roebuck, musk deer, brown bear, wolf, lynx, and wolverine have left peacefully in the wild without the danger of people. While riding the strong Mongolian horse on this tour, you will be completely departed from urbanization and will be captured by untouched nature. You won't see people for most of the days of the trip except for your tour team members. You may see some wild animals, but they are extremely shy. During the tour, you will travel without a support vehicle but with some luggage horses.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia and city tour
We will greet you at the airport/railway station. Depending on your arrival time, have a city sightseeing tour, including visits to the Mongolian Buddhism center Gandantegchilen Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, the central square, and Mongolian traditional cultural performances. The performance is one of the most attractive things in Ulaanbaatar with its colorful dances, the play of horse-headed fiddle, contortion, throat singing, and songs.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Drive to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, start horse riding trip
After breakfast, we will drive to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, 70 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar. Meet with the local equestrian and our horses on the shore of the Terelj River. The trip will start by crossing the Terelj River on horseback. Have a field lunch. Continue the riding to the Baruun Bayan River Valley. The Baruun Bayan River is the home and pastureland of nomads' animals. The riding distance is 30 km.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Ride to a wilderness area and camp near Zuu spring
From today, we may not see people for a few days except for our group members as we are riding to more remote and wilderness areas. You will enjoy only virgin nature. At the same time, the trails become more obstacles with small bushes, forest trails, and some swampy areas. In the evening, we will arrive at Zuu spring. Riding distance 30 km.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Ride over Havirga Mountain Pass
Havirga is a mountain pass to cross the marvelous Altan-Ulgii Mountain. Altan-Ulgii is one of the highest mountains in the Khentii Mountain Range. On the mountain pass, we will have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. It is possible to see tops of over 1000 mountains from the top of Atan-Ulgii Mountain. Riding distance is 20 km. Overnight in the tent in an area called "Honog Tolgoi.”
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Find the hidden pearl, Khagiin Khar Lake
In the evening, we reach beautiful Khagiin Khar Lake. The freshwater lake is incredibly rich in fishes, particularly perch. Put our tents on the shore of the lake and be refreshed from the long adventures. In the evening, we will have a bonfire party. Riding distance is 30 km.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Stay at the lake, hike and ride around
Today you will enjoy your time as you wish. Options are fishing, hiking around the lake or explore glacial moraine where the Hul River flows out the lake. The lake is 1.1 km wide, 2.7 km long, and the total length of its shore is 6.2 km. Enjoy evening bonfire and stay in a tent.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Leave the lake and ride back
After two wonderful days at the lake, we will pack and mount on the horses. Today we will travel back to the Khongor River. At sandy banks of the river, we mostly see footprints of various wild animals. Riding distance is 28 km. Riding distance is 28 km.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Ride to Zuunbayan Mountain
From today, the trails become less obstacle, and the mountain valleys become much wider. We start to see a few nomad families. Riding distance is 30 km. Overnight in the tent near Zuunbayan Mountain.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Last day of the horse riding trip, stay at traditional Ger
We will ride to the Terelj National Park. Our adventure will finish when we reach a Ger camp. It is a time to say "thank you" and "goodbye" to the equestrian and the beautiful horses. Riding distance is 35 km.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: See a giant statue of Genghis Khaan and drive to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we will drive short and see the giant statue of Genghis Khaan. This 40 m tall statue is considered the biggest statue of an equestrian and was built in the historical area of Genghis Khaan. Next, drive to Ulaanbaatar, check-in a hotel and free time.
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Transfer to the airport/railway station.
We will transfer you to the airport/railway station.
Meals: Breakfast
Background
Is this horse riding tour suitable for you?
The tour specializes the most beautiful, wild, and pristine Khan Khentii National Park. We will spend seven full days riding horses and camping under big bright star skies. The tour is suitable for advanced and adventure riders. If you are a big fan of wild nature, then this is a tour for you. We planned the tour to have a maximum of 20 to 30 km riding a day. However, you may feel riding longer because we should ride slowly on some obstacle terrains. Local riding techniques, best ways to treat Mongol horses and their character, etc. will be taught at the beginning of the tour. We ride at walking speed in burden areas and cantering and trotting at suitable places. You can gallop on the wider and plainer areas if you wish. The tour includes 1 overnight stay in a ger camp at the end of your countryside tour, 7 nights in the tent among outstanding nature, and 2 nights in a hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Accommodation
Mongolian tourism depends highly on the season, and seasonal accommodation ger camps are fully open between 15 May and 25 September. It could be earlier or late. However, we will be traveling in central Mongolia and most ger camps start earlier and close late autumn. Nomad family home stays are available if you are a keen traveler and would like to discover more about the nomadic life. The company will provide good quality camping gear. Bringing your sleeping bags suitable for as low as -10°C is recommended. Alternatively, we can provide sleeping bags. For more detailed information about the main accommodation ger camp, please visit Mongolia Ger camps and Mongolia hotels
Guides
Most of our company guides are English-speaking. We also have some guides who speak German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Japanese. They are all friendly, helpful and most of them were born and grown in the countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia, good at horse riding and have at least three years or more years of guiding experience. Except for your interpreter-guide, one or more nomad men will be your equestrian depends on the riders’ number.
Transportation
Most of our tours were designed with four wheels driving Japanese or Korean vans driven by experienced, friendly and good mechanic-drivers. For bigger groups, the Russian van serves due to its capacity and load capacity. Different types of vehicles are available on request. The support vehicle will stop when you reach Altan-Ulgii Mountain and the tour will continue with luggage horses for 6 days.
When is the best time to travel Mongolia on horse riding tour?
The most suitable time to take the tour is between 20 May and 15 September. The weather will be warm during this period. However, Khan Khentii Mountains accept snow earlier in autumn, and the winter snow remains until the end of June in some areas. Due to altitudes of the areas, it snows on some summer days. The highest altitude of our route is Havirga Mountain Pass elevated 2200 m above sea level. The average altitude is 1500 to 1850 m above sea level. The average temperature is +18°C to +30°C daytime and night temperature is +10°C to +20°C at the end of June, July, and August. May, September and the beginning of June is cooler. Average day temperature is +8°C to +18°C and night temperature is -5°C to +10°C. Mongolian weather fluctuates a lot seasonally, daytime, and at night. Therefore, be ready for sudden weather changes such as hot, warm, cool, rain and wind. The different natural phenomena sometimes happen on the same day. The best time to travel the hidden lake Hagiin Khar is in cooler months. The area we will ride through is vegetated well which adds even more beautiful scenery. However, there will be some flies. Particularly, when it is hot. That is why we recommend you take the tour in cooler months.For more information about the weather visit best time to travel Mongolia and for your pre-departure preparation, you may check packing list of the horse riding tours
To plan your dream holiday or customize the tour exclusively for you, what to do and see in Mongolia page may help you.
As well as, please check attractions in Central Mongolia
