Steppe Rider Horseback Tour
What You'll Do
Traveling Mongolia on horseback is a real taste of Mongolia. The strong Mongolian horses with a shoulder height of 1.6 m may look like ponies. Even though, the horses played a significant role when Genghis Khaan and his successors conquered half of the world in the 13th century. On this horse riding tour, we will head to Naiman Nuur/Eight Lakes lie 2400 m above sea level in the Khangai Mountain Range. This scenic place is accessible on horseback or hiking from the northern side. The Eight Lakes are called Shireet, Mukhar, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Duruu, Khuis, and Onon located 500 m to 3 km to each other. A volcanic eruption created the lakes. 11,500 hectares area of the Eight Lakes has been protected under state protection since 1992 and being kept well due to its remoteness. The first half of our riding will take place in hilly steppes while the last days will be in mountainous and forested areas. Visiting and learning about the distinctive way of nomadic life is an inseparable part of our horseback adventures. Moreover, you visit and see the top attractions of central Mongolia except for the horseback tour. The attractions are Elsentasarkhai semi-desert, Kharkhorin & Edenezuu Monastery in the Orkhon Valley, Tovkhon Monastery, Ulaantsutgalan waterfall, Tsenkher hot spa, and Ugii Lake.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Our driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to a centrally located hotel. Free day to relax and discover the city on your own while staying in a good location hotel. Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 2 - Leave Ulaanbaatar, meet horse herding nomads and get accustomed to your horses
Our countryside tour will start heading Elsentasarhai Elsentasarhai is a unique place represents features of the Gobi desert, mountain steppes, and grasslands in an area. Arrive at Elsentasarkhai by lunchtime and have an authentic Mongolian barbeque for lunch. 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
In the Orkhon River Valley, the stunning Erdenezuu monastery coexists with Kharkhorin town. The monastery was built on the ruins of Mongolian ancient capital Kharkhorum using old materials of the destroyed city. Erdenezuu is the first and the largest monastery in Mongolia has a history of over 400 years. See some valuable religious items in the temple museum and view its stunning architecture. Seeing some remains of the ancient city and visiting the Kharkhorin Museum is a part of our 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
The riding continues along the Orkhon River. The valley is picturesque, full of nomads and their countless animals. If you like, you visit as many nomad families as you wish. Overnight in a tent in the Orkhon River River Valley. Accommodation: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Riding to Ulaantsutgalan waterfall
Ulaantsutgalan is the biggest waterfall in central Mongolia falls from a 24 m lava cliff. From today, we will see more yaks than we saw flocks of sheep, goats, and horses on past days. The riding takes place along basalt covered valleys crossing some rivers and streams. Arrival at Ulaantsutgalan late afternoon and discover the beautiful area and lava cliffs. If you are a good swimmer, why not challenge yourself swimming through and around the waterfall. Overnight in a tent near 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 will ride through more obstacle areas and narrow trails of forested mountains into more remoteness. Even though, nature will be pristine and untouched. We will reach our main 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 optional activities such as ride/walk between the beautiful lakes, walk around, watch birds and flowers, etc. Accommodation: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Ride back from the mountain
Today you will ride back down into the Buureg valley and meet the support valley. Continue the riding to a ger located 5 km further the Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. Check-in at a 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. Stay overnight in the 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 top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain to visit Tovkhon Monastery. Tovkhon Monastery was established on the 2312 m rocky top of 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 driving to Ugii Lake. Stay overnight at a ger camp enjoying the view of the mountain steppe lake. Accommodation: Ger Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Drive back Ulaanbaatar
We 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.
We will transfer you to the airport/railway station. Meals: Breakfast
What Is Included
2 nights in a 3* hotel (Double/twin share) 3 nights in ger camps (Double/twin share) 6 nights in the tent Luggage and riding horses English speaking biking guide Support vehicle and transfer services Arrival and departure transfe/li> Daily bottled Travel shower Entry fees to the museums and the national parks Camping gears and cooking equipment Meals as indicated in the itinerary
What Is Not Included
Items of personal nature Alcoholic drinks, beverages and bar bills Bar Bills, Laundry, Telephone Calls Travel and Medical Insurance Visa Fee International transportation Optional activities and additional services Single supplements Gratiuty for the guides and drivers
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27/Aug 09:24 - 07/Sep 09:24
1929.02 $ / person