Horse Riding in the Mongolia's Heartland
10 days
Overview
Go on an unforgettable horse-riding journey through Mongolian wide-open grasslands, lush forests and reach alpine lakes. On this journey you’ll ride in the Orkhon Valley, named after its flowing river, renowned for revealing remains of its historical significance as cradle of great nomadic confederations throughout the ages. Ride through woodlands and camp near pristine lakes at the Eight Lakes nature reserve. Visit two of the few most important monastery centers. Imagine 13th century Mongol Empire’s capital, Kharakhorum, at the site where it once flourished connecting Eurasian cultures facilitating trade and exchange of ideas between them. Finally after days of riding, feel rejuvenated by bathing in water from a natural hot spring.
Date & Price:
Departing: 15-05-2023
Finishing: 30-09-2023
Status: Open
Price Per Person:
Includes:
- 2 overnights in a 4 star hotel in UB (twin)
- 5 tented overnights (twin)
- 1 overnight at Local family guest ger (4 people in a ger)
- 1 overnight in tourist ger camp (twin/ triple)
- Airport transfers
- Russian 4*4 vans in countryside including gas
- English speaking guide throughout
- Travel Cook
- Horse hire & Local riding guide
- All indicated meals (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
- Complete camping equipment (twin tents, dining tent, toilet tent)
- National park fees
Exludes:
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
- Meals not indicated
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Visa to Mongolia
- International flights & Travels
- Hotel early check-in and late check-out
- Other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel information:
- * Visit and Horse riding UNESCO inscribed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
- * Visit Mongolian ancient capital city Karakorum
- * Visit Mongolian biggest waterfall
- * Horse riding to the Eight lakes were formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and are a part of the 11500 hectares of Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve.
- * Visit Tuwkhun monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest and most important monasteries
Day 1 Arrival in Mongolia
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.
- D
- Hotel
Day 2 Drive to Kharkhorin
Drive to Kharkhorin, a recent town named after the capital of the Mongol Empire that once stood adjacent here during the 13th 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.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- Drive: 370 km
Day 3 Drive to Orkhon Valley and homestay
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 6th-7th centuries, Uighur capital ruins of the 8th-9th centuries, and the site of the ancient Mongol capital of the 13th-14th 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.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- Drive: 120 km
Day 4 Horse ride to the Eight Lakes region
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.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- Horse ride: 40 km
Day 5 Horse riding in the Eight Lakes region
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.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- Horse ride: 40 km
Day 6 Horse ride back to the Orkhon Valley
Horse ride back to the Orkhon Valley.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- Horse ride: 40 km
Day 7 Horse ride to Tuwkhun monastery
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.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- Horse ride: 48 km
Day 8 Drive to Tsenkher hot spring
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.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- Drive: 120 km
Day 9 Return to Ulaanbaatar
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Check-in to the hotel and meet-up later for farewell dinner.
- B.L.D
- Hotel
- Drive: 500 km
Day 10 Departure
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
- B
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