Mongolia - Riding with Nomads

On this 12 day horse riding adventure you will experience nomadic life, horse trekking through areas used by nomads for centuries.

The Khangai Mountain range in Central Mongolia has seen many fine horse riders over the centuries, join present day nomads on a horse trekking adventure in the land of wide open spaces and horsemanship.

The Orkhon river has been the reason for tens of thousands of years why the Mongols settled in this particular location. The Orkhon has provided drinking water, and was / is a magnet to the horse riding nomads. The nomads lifestyle has changed little over the years – they still herd their sheep with horse and yak, protecting them against the harsh winter and the wolves. Join us for a horseback trekking experience in this pristine land with our nomad hosts.

Local horsemen will take you to their homes to give you a greater insight to their lifestyle. We camp overnight with everything set up for you by our staff. There will be good food, including vegetarian options (rare in Mongolia), prepared by our experienced cooks, with a a dining tent to shelter you from the sun or give you warmth at night. We also provide a shower tent and a toilet tent. Vehicles will be following us, so rest days will be an option for those who do not want to horse ride every day.

Suitable for all riders who are conditioned to regular riding. The route includes a number of areas that are used for grazing, so it is like a lawn and an excellent pace can be achieved on theses sections, for those who choose to gallop. There is a support vehicle with the group all the time, so you can choose to ride in it if you need to rest for some of the time.

Day 1 Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB) and transfer to a 3 star hotel. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore the city. In the evening, your guide will take you to a cultural performance, which will be followed by dinner in a local restaurant to welcome you to Mongolia.

Day 2 In the morning we will head east out of Ulaanbaatar, reaching Khentii National Park after a 3-hour drive, where the landscape consists of green, forested hillsides, and spectacular granite cliffs. Many nomads live in this area, and you can see yaks, sheep, goats and horses grazing in this peaceful valley. After lunch in a ger camp, we will hike through lush meadows for a couple of hours towards the Tuul River valley, where we will meet our horsemen. Then, we will have dinner and camp on the Tuul River bank. B, L, D.

Day 3 After a substantial breakfast, we will saddle our horses and prepare for the linear ride, while the packhorses are being loaded. As we start, we will ride into the valley along the base of the mountains. You will soon realize that you are slowly leaving civilization behind, entering the wilderness - birds, marmots and other ground squirrels nestle in the surrounding area. After 4 hours of riding, we will reach our campsite for the night. B, L, D.

Day 4   Today, as we follow the Tuul River, we enter the dense pine forest, at the southern tip of Siberian Taiga. Throughout the three-and-a-half hour ride, we will see Golden eagles, woodpeckers, and other birds. We will arrive at the confluence of the Tuul and Hagiin rivers, where we will camp for the night B, L, D.

Day 5 Leaving the Tuul Valley behind us, we will enter the tundra forests. This environment is typical moose habitat, and you will see so many marks of this magnificent animal that by the end of the day, you will be able to detect their presence like an expert! After an hour of riding, we start to ascend a mountain through deep forest noted for its abundance of wolves, bears, deer and moose. Reaching its top, we overlook and descend to the breathtaking Black Lake. We will set up camp on the yellow sandy beach of the Lake. B, L, D.

Days 6 & 7 After 3 days of riding we will enjoy a deserved rest at the lake and let our horses rest and enjoy the lush grass. There will be ample time to swim, fish, hike and explore the abundant wildlife of the area . B, L, D.

Day 8 We will saddle our horses and ride to 3 wonderful smaller lakes further on in the valley,known locally as the ‘three pearls’. The most adventurous of you can climb the surrounding mountains and admire the superb panorama. We will spend the night in a nearby valley. B, L, D.

Day 9    After breakfast we will ride through Khongoryn River valley. Riding down the stream for 4 hours, we will ford the river. After a couple more hours, we will come across a mountainous forest of birch, pine and age-old cedar. We will spend the night camping in the forest, close to a stream. B, L, D.

Day 10 We will make a steep ascent, and an even steeper descent across the Khaviragiin Pass, which lies at the eastern shoulder of Altan Olgii Peak. Translated as ‘Golden Cradle,’ this 2646m mountain is one of the highest peaks of the Khentii Range. We will continue riding towards Terelj through the Dund Bayan Gol Valley. As before, luggage, food and equipment will be carried by packhorses. Towards the end of the day, we will meet up with the support vehicles, and set up camp for the night. B, L, D.

Days 11 & 12    We will drive to our camp in Ogoomor Valley and enjoy 2 days of rest. There will be opportunities to hike or visit local families and learn about their ways of life. On the last evening, you will have a traditional Mongolian meal of “Khorkhog”. This is mutton cooked slowly in a huge, metal urn with vegetables, water and hot stones from a flaming fire. The meat becomes soft and tasty and the water turns into a thick meaty broth. B, L, D.

Day 13   After breakfast we will return to UB and check into the hotel. B, L, D.

Day 14 In the morning, you will visit Gandan, the largest functioning monastery in the country, and there will be time for shopping before lunch. In the afternoon, you can discover the treasures of the National History Museum. The rest of your afternoon is free, before a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. B, L, D.

Day 15 Departure for home. B.

Visa Rules - If you are planning to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days you must register (and de-register) with the Foreign Citizens Registration Office – the cost of this is negligible, but you may need to allow extra time for the two visits to the registration office.

Dates: NRT008 06-20 Aug 2009

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Price Indication per person:

2 - 3 riders USD2799
4 - 5 riders USD2449
6 - 8 riders USD2149
9 or more riders USD1859

Single supplement: USD150

The base currency is the US Dollar and payments in any other currency may need to be adjusted for exchange rates.

The base currency is the US Dollar and payments in any other currency may need to be adjusted for exchange rates.

What is Included
All transfers and transportation within Mongolia. Shared accommodation in the Bayangol hotel, single accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost . Tented and ger camp accommodation in the countryside. Meals as stated above by use of the code (B = Breakfast etc.). An English speaking guide. All sightseeing costs and fees. Horse and all riding equipment, except helmet (you must bring your own to ensure a good fit). All support staff including drivers, horse men and camp assistants.

What is Not Included
The price is based on joining in Ulaan Baatar and international flights and airport departure taxes are not included, but we will be pleased to quote for UK residents. Comprehensive travel insurance is required.
Visas fees. Alcoholic drinks. Tips and any item of a personal nature.

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.