Horse Riding in the Mongolia's Heartland

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the bustling capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to a centrally located hotel. After settling into your room, meet your guide in the lobby for a walking city tour to the main square and nearby museums. Then attend an evening show of traditional performances followed by a welcome dinner.

Drive to Kharkhorin, a recent town named after the capital of the Mongol Empire that once stood adjacent here during the 13^th century. Kharakhorum was a multi-cultural, multi-religious city where travelers and traders across Eurasia passed through during its heyday until its destruction by the Chinese Ming dynasty. The main attraction here is the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery center named Erdene Zuu, which was constructed in 1585 from the ruins of the ancient Mongol capital. There is also a local museum displaying artifacts and a miniature model of how the old Mongol capital appeared during its peak. Stay overnight in outdoor tent nearby in nature.

Mongolia’s longest river, the Orkhon River flows through the UNESCO-inscribed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Orkhon Valley was once the cradle of successive nomadic empires shown by archaeological remains of Turkic memorial sites of the 6^th-7^th centuries, Uighur capital ruins of the 8^th-9^th centuries, and the site of the ancient Mongol capital of the 13^th-14^th centuries. The Orkhon River originates from the Khangai Mountains and joins the Selenge River to the northeast, which eventually drains into Lake Baikal in Siberia. Tonight, stay with a nomadic family near the Orkhon Waterfall. This is the country’s largest waterfall; it drains from a height of 20 meters with a width of about 10 meters. Ride horses around the area in the evening.

Start horse trekking to the Eight Lakes National Park located within the Khangai Mountain range. Deep into this region is inaccessible by vehicle, so usually hikers and horse riders travel here. This nature reserve is located in a high mountainous area comprising lush meadows and forests of conifers (Siberian larches and Siberian pines). The eight lakes are situated at about 2,400 meters above sea level and distanced between 500 meters to 3 kilometres from one another.

Horse ride to some of the lakes. The terrain is at times gentle and sometimes a bit difficult with mud. Ride through meadows and wooded areas.

Horse ride back to the Orkhon Valley.

Horse ride to Tuwkhun monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest and most important monasteries. It was first established in 1648 by the 14-year-old Zanabazar, the first Jebtsundamba, who was the head of Mongolia’s Tibetan Buddhism. Zanabazar was a very influential religious figure who was a gifted artist and teacher. He used the monastery, secluded in a forest, as his personal retreat over the course of 30 years. It was here, where he created many of his most famous works including the development of the Soyombo script.

Drive to Tsenkher hot spring, Mongolia’s most popular natural hot spring, situated between forested hills. This natural wonder is located just 27 km south from the provincial capital of Tsetserleg. The hot water gushes out from underground and there are several tourist camps nearby that pump its water into their pools. Get refreshed in the comfort of a tourist camp after five days of horse-riding. Relax in the hot water in an outdoor pool and sleep on a proper bed tonight.

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Check-in to the hotel and meet-up later for farewell dinner.

Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.