Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

Our driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to a centrally located hotel. Have a free day to relax and discover the city on your own while staying in a hotel in a good location.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Day 2: Leave Ulaanbaatar, meet horse herding nomads and get accustomed to your horses

Our countryside tour will begin with a trip to Elsentasarhai This unique location showcases the diverse features of the Gobi Desert, mountain steppes, and grasslands all in one area. We will arrive at Elsentasarkhai by lunchtime, where you can enjoy an authentic Mongolian barbecue. Next, we will see how the equestrians catch the horses, get instruction about local riding techniques, the best way to treat Mongol horses, their character, and have a 2-3 accustom riding in the semi-desert area of Elsentasarkhai. Continue the journey to Kharkhorin and stay overnight in a ger camp.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Visit Erdenezuu Monastery and the riding starts heading Naiman Nuur/Eight Lakes

The stunning Erdenezuu monastery coexists with Kharkhorin town in the Orkhon River Valley. The monastery was built on the ruins of the ancient Mongolian capital, Kharkhorum, using old materials from the destroyed city. Erdenezuu is the first and the largest monastery in Mongolia and has a history of over 400 years. See some valuable religious items in the temple museum and its stunning architecture. Seeing some ancient city remains and visiting the Kharkhorin Museum is part of today’s tour. After lunch, we mount on the horses and ride along the Orkhon River Valley.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: The landscape changes into the mountainous area and riding along the Orkhon River Valley

You will observe the landscapes are turning more grassy, mountainous, and tree-covered with countless herds of animals. The riding continues along the Orkhon River. You will notice that the landscapes are becoming more grassy, mountainous, and covered with trees, along with countless herds of animals. The journey continues alongside the Orkhon River. You can choose to visit as many nomadic families as you wish. You will spend the night in a tent in the Orkhon River Valley. Embrace the magic of a night spent in a tent, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Orkhon River Valley.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Riding to Ulaantsutgalan waterfall

Ulaantsutgalan is the largest waterfall in central Mongolia, dropping 24 meters from a lava cliff. Today, we will see more yaks than sheep, goats, and horses in the past few days. The ride takes place along basalt-covered valleys that cross some rivers and streams. Arrive at Ulaantsutgalan in the late afternoon and discover the beautiful area and lava cliffs. If you can swim well, consider challenging yourself by swimming near the waterfall. We will spend the night in a tent close to the waterfall.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Reach the main destination Eight Lakes/Naiman Nuur

The riding becomes more challenging as we ride through more obstacle areas and forested mountain trails into more remoteness. Even though nature will be pristine and untouched. We will reach our leading destination, Eight Lakes. Overnight in the tent on the shore of Khuis Lake.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Ride between the lakes and relax

It is a day to relax or do optional activities such as riding/walking between the beautiful lakes, walking around, watching birds and flowers, etc.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Ride back from the mountain

Today, you will ride back into the Buureg Valley to meet the support vehicle. After that, continue riding to a ger located 5 km beyond the Ulaantsutgalan waterfall and refresh from the mountain adventures.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Riding to Shiveet Ulaan Mountain

The scenic ride continues through the beautiful Orkhon Valley. Arrive at the base of the forested Shiveet Ulaan Mountain. Stay overnight in a tent.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Hiking to Tovkhon Monastery, drive to Ugii Lake

In the morning, you will hike or ride to the summit of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain to visit Tovkhon Monastery. This monastery is located at the 2,312-meter rocky peak of the forest-covered Shiveet Ulaan Mountain. Visit the monastery and the meditation caves. Vistas are fascinating from the top of the mountain. Return to the campsite, lunch, and time to say goodbye to the horses and equestrian. The journey continues with a drive to Ugii Lake, where you will stay overnight at a ger camp, enjoying the picturesque view of the lake and the surrounding mountain steppe.

Accommodation: Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Drive back Ulaanbaatar

We will arrive in Ulaanbaatar around lunchtime. After we've checked into our hotel, the afternoon is yours to explore and discover this fascinating city's vibrant culture and sights!

Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Transfer to the airport/railway station.

We will transfer you to the airport/railway station.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Price

Background

The 12-day tour includes 8-day horseback riding adventures designed for advanced riders. Depending on the terrain, we have planned a maximum of 35 to 45 kilometers of riding daily. An optional ride is available after we set up camp for those who want to ride more than 40 kilometers. A support vehicle will accompany us for 5 of the 8 riding days, allowing riders to choose their preferred distance and drive if necessary. We will set up our tents after approximately 7 to 8 hours of riding, including 1 to 1.5 hours for a field lunch and time to relax. Since we start the tour in the morning, you'll have plenty of free time in the evenings. The equestrian and guide will instruct the local riding techniques, the best ways to treat Mongol horses, and their character at the beginning of the tour. We ride at walking speed in burden areas. Cantering and trotting will help us to cover the distance faster when available. You can gallop on the steppes and in flatter areas if you wish.

During the tour, you will stay at a centrally located 3* hotel for 2 nights in Ulaanbaatar and 3 nights in a ger camp between the camping days. Wilderness camping with horses is one of the most rewarding experiences for riders. Throughout the 6 days of camping, we will supply high-quality camping gear. We recommend bringing your own sleeping bags suitable for temperatures as low as -10°C; however, we can also provide sleeping bags if needed.

Most of our company guides are English-speaking, but we also have guides who speak German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Japanese. They are all friendly and helpful, most born and raised in the countryside. As a result, they possess excellent knowledge about all aspects of Mongolia and are skilled in horse trekking, with at least three years of guiding experience.
In addition to your interpreter-guide, one or more local nomad men will accompany you as equestrians, depending on the number of riders in your group. Your guide will also cook for small groups of 2-4 people. If your group exceeds 4 PAX, we will provide a separate cook.

Most of our tours are in four-wheel-drive Japanese or Korean vans operated by experienced, friendly, and skilled mechanic drivers.

The most suitable time to take the tour is between 15 May and 15 September. The day temperature in July and beginning of August could rise to +35°C. Therefore, consider your health when riding in hot weather. On the contrary, July and the beginning of August could be the wettest time of the year. Therefore, be prepared for some occasional rains. May, June, August, and September are the most suitable months for riding. Mongolian weather fluctuates a lot seasonally during the daytime and at night. We suggest you expect and be ready for sudden weather changes, such as in hot temperatures, you ride in a T-shirt and later ride wearing your woolen hat and gloves on the same day. The weather in May and September is crisp in the evenings and at night. It could even snow in mountainous areas. For your pre-departure preparation and an idea to prepare for this inflexible weather condition, you may check our detailed 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, and Northern Mongolia.

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