An awe-inspiring Mongolian horse riding adventure takes place in the World Cultural Heritage Site Orkhon Valley and among Khangai Mountains. You will spend 8 of the 11 days in a saddle captured by the natural scenery, randomly visiting nomads, and riding beside thousands of freely grazing animal herds of the herders.
Not only horse riding, but we assume you would also love to discover popular sites, attractions, and scenic places in central Mongolia. That is why our trip plan includes the ancient monastery Erdenezuu, picturesque Eight Lakes among the forested mountains, Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall, Ugii Lake, Elsentasarkhai semi-desert, and Tovkhon Monastery on a mountain top.
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and a half-day city sightseeing
Your guide and driver greet you at the arrivals hall of the airport or the railway station. Drive to downtown with a stop by Zaisan Hill to see the panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar. After checking in a hotel, you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour if the time permits. First, visit the Gandantegchilen Monastery, a favored place for both locals and foreigners due to its interesting religious artifacts and peacefulness. A 26 m gilded statue of a Buddha is another thing of interest. Next, visit the National Museum of Mongolia and Central Square.
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Visit the nomads and the Mongolian horse riding starts
The adventure starts with driving through the steppes, heading Elsentasarhai semi-desert in central Mongolia. You arrive at Elsentasarkhai by lunchtime, visit a nomad family and enjoy authentic Mongolian barbeque lunch prepared by your nomadic hosts. Next, you will see how the equestrians catch the horses, get some 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 steppe. Continue the journey to Kharkhorin and stay overnight in a ger camp.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Ancient monastery Erdenezuu and the horse riding in the Orkhon Valley
In the Orkhon River Valley, the stunning monastery Erdenezuu coexists with the modern town Kharkhorin, built on the site of the 13th-century capital Kharakhorum. The first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, Erdenezuu monastery displays valuable religious arts in its temple museums, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese monastery architectural design of over 400 years. The Mongolian-style ger temple and Tibetan-style temples function daily, where local worshippers from all over Mongolia visit with much respect. Following the monastery tour, you will visit the Kharkhorum Museum to see the remains of the destroyed city. After lunch, you will mount on the horses and ride along the Orkhon River Valley.
Accommodation: camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: The Orkhon River Valley horse riding continues
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. If you wish, you could visit as many nomad families as you like. Overnight in a tent in the Orkhon River River Valley.
Accommodation: camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Riding to Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall and soft hiking
Ulaantsutgalan is the biggest waterfall in central Mongolia, falls from a 24 m lava cliff. You will ride along basalt-covered valleys crossing some rivers and streams. Upon late arrival at the waterfall, do soft hiking up and down the lava canyon. If you are a good swimmer, why not challenge yourself swimming around the waterfall.
Accommodation: camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: The picturesque Eight Lakes/Naiman Nuur
The riding becomes more challenging as we will ride through obstacle areas and narrow trails of forested mountains into the depths of the mountains. We will reach Khuis Lake, one of the Eights Lakes.
Accommodation: camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Ride between the lakes and relax
Shireet Lake is the largest, as well as the most scenic lake among the Eight Lakes. First, you will reach Shireet Lake riding your horse, then walk to a spot where you will see the beauty of the lake followed by riding to the other 6 lakes.
Accommodation: camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Ride back the Orkhon Valley
Ride down the mountain and meet the support vehicle at Buurug. Continue to ride to a ger camp located 6 km distance from Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. The riders who have enough riding on this day could drive to the ger camps. Refresh from the adventure while staying in the ger camp.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Riding to Shiveet Ulaan Mountain
The scenic riding continues back through the Orkhon Valley. Arrive at the bottom of forested Shiveet Ulaan Mountain.
Accommodation: camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Visit the Tovkhon Monastery, drive to Ugii Lake
In the morning, you will hike or ride to the top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain to visit Tovkhon Monastery. Tovhon Monastery was established on the 2312 m rocky top of forest-covered Shiveet Ulaan Mountain. On the top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain, you will be fascinated by the views of the surrounding mountain besides visiting the small monastery, meditation caves, and see ovoo ceremonial site. Return to the campsite, have lunch and say goodbye to the horses and equestrian. Drive Ugii Lake. Enjoy the evening while staying at a ger camp in the vicinity of Ugii Lake.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Return to Ulaanbaatar
You will arrive in Ulaanbaatar at lunchtime. Have lunch and check-in a hotel. Free afternoon.
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Transfer to the airport/railway station
Your Mongolian horse riding tour will end when we transfer you to the airport/railway station.
Meals: Breakfast
2 PAX 2400 USD
3 PAX 2174 USD
4 PAX 2070 USD
Group tour price 1858 USD
For children of a family trip
One free space for every 16 pax
Low season discount: 5-10% (May, September)
Please contact us for more trip details.
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