Horseback Mongolia: Ultimate Riding Adventure

Ulaanbaatar means ‘Red Hero’, and this bustling city is the capital city of Mongolia, divided by the Tuul River. It is fast growing and developing in many versatile ways, but in contrast to its modern flair, it has kept historical and cultural values as well as monastery temples and other buildings of historical value.

Today, you’ll arrive in UB where you will be met by one of our guides. We’ll help you transfer to the hotel and settle into your room.

After you’ve had a little rest you will have time to see UB and to visit some attractions like The Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, the National History Museum, the Choijin Lam Temple, and the Zaisan Monument, which has a great view overlooking the city. You’ll end the day with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants!

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Hotel

Dinner

The Altai range is Mongolia’s highest mountain range, known in Bay and grand mountains like Malchin Peak rise to divide Russia and Mongolia. Technically, the ridge of Malchin peak is the border. Huiten Mountain is the highest of the five peaks, about 4374km above sea level.

The Potanina Glacier, which partially covers the peaks, is 16km long and is the longest glacier in Mongolia.

Today we will fly to Olgiy- the provincial capital of Bayan-Olgiy province. We’ll head into town to have a look around the fascinating museum and perhaps visit a local mosque. Or maybe, have a walk around the town, visit the local market and climb a short way up to ‘Nairamdal Tolgoi’, where you can see the whole town.

After we visit these places, we’ll head to our hotel or ger camp and have a rest until dinnertime. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

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Hotel or House

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Archaeological evidence from petroglyphs suggests that early in the Bronze Age, the inhabitants of the Altai mountains depended primarily on hunting and fishing, only gradually shifting to a greater dependency on the herding of small and large animals. These included sheep and goats, horses, cattle and, at higher elevations, yak. Bactrian camels seem to have entered the life of the herders in this part of Mongolia only at the end of the Bronze Age. By approximately 3000 years before the present, quasi-sedentary pastoralism was gradually replaced by semi-nomadic, horse-dependent herding involving periodic movement up the long valleys leading to the rich grassland of higher elevations and then, in cold months, down to the protection offered by lower elevation. Today, we will drive about 120 km (4-5h) to the west towards TAVAN-BOGD National Park, through Ulaanhus and Sogoog Valleys. Along the way, we’ll stop by ancient burial sights that date back 4000 years. Some of them have been excavated by Russian archaeologists and still remain open. We’ll make camp in the pristine White River Valley (Tsagaan Gol) near Tavan-Bogd. You will be provided with tents and other camping equipment like mattresses and blankets. Include

Tent or Local guest GER (yurt)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The base camp, at 3000 meters above the sea level, is the exact spot where you will see the shocking beauty of Tavan-Bogd—the eternal snow, high peaks, and enormous glacier spreading down the mountain.

In the morning we will leave the vehicle behind and load up the camels to start trekking towards to the northwest, the edge of the Potanina Glacier, at the foot of Malchin Peak (4050m). The crew’s supplies will be carried by two-humped camels. We’ll head about five hours, or 17 km, to see breathtaking, fantastic views of the mountains and glacier.

Our base camp on the edge of the Potanina Glacier will offer panoramic views of the mountains and is a convenient base for climbs and exploring the surrounding region on day hikes. This is great trekking—exploring a unique and far-removed corner of the world.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Malchin peak is the non-technique climbing mountain; no need for special climbing equipment. This peak is about 4050 meters above sea level and divided by two countries— one side belongs to Mongolia and the other to Russia.

Today our mission will be to conquer one of the peaks of the Altai Mountains. The tremendous views of the mountains and glaciated peaks spread over three countries: Mongolia, Russia, and China.

If today we are lucky with weather conditions, from the summit, we will be able to see Russia’s highest mountain, Belauho (5000 meters). We will spend about three hours to get to the summit and less than three hours to go back to our camp.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The best petroglyphs in the area can be found near Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain (a sacred mountain for local people). On the route between Ulaanhus and this mountain, there are more than 10,000 drawings scattered over a 15km area.

This province has over 150 man stones (balbal), over 1500 statues (stone burial marks), 56 deer stones, about 6,200 ancient graves and tombs, and thousands of petroglyphs. On this holy mountain, about 400 ibex live without any threat from locals— because of the belief and respect toward this mountain, there is no hunting here.

The animals can be seen in the early mornings or before sunset. At the foot of a mountain there are big Ovoos, where local Tuvans make offerings and do other shamanistic rituals.

Today we’ll trek down about five hours to the Tsagan-Gol Valley where our friend, a Tuvan camel herder, lives. On the way we’ll visit a Tuvan nomadic family and be introduced to their unique culture. Here, you’ll probably be offered hot milk tea, dairy products, and a special traditional alcohol drink called ‘Chimi Arhi’, or milk vodka.

When the host offers you milk vodka take it with your right hand, hold it with left hand, and put your ring finger into the cup and raise you hand to the sky. This customary tradition should be repeated three times; after that, you can have a sip. This milk vodka is distilled from yogurt made from yak milk.

Tuvan people also make wonderful felt crafts, feel free to ask them to show some if you are interested.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Shiveet Hairhan mountain is a sacred and respected place for local people. At the foot of this mountain, the biggest printed rock was found. Most rock printers depicted animals like deer, cow, horses, and the predators that chased them. It is said that at this time, the deer was a worshipped animal.

In many ancient burial sites there are representations of deer, for example, the standing deer curved stones. Historians relate these to the Scythian people, who lived on the Eurasian steep three thousand years ago.

Today we’ll trek toward ‘Worship Pass’ via Shiveet Hairhan Uul, where we will see petroglyphs from the Iron and Bronze ages. While we have lunch here, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a Siberian ibex! The area is beautiful and good pasture land for the locals— some Tuvan families have their spring shelters and wooden houses here.

Just before the animals start giving birth, the nomads have to here. Today’s trekking will be enjoyable and we’ll visit Ganaa’s family. Ganaa is a Tuvan man and a skilled archer. His wife makes traditional felt and wool embroidery and other souvenirs.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The local nomads call this pass ‘Tahilbai Pass’, or in English, ‘Worship Pass’. This pass was used by locals for ‘Otor’, pasturing animals in groups seeking good pasture away from regular pasture lands.

The elevation of this mountain chain is about 3600 metres and this pass is covered with snow for almost the whole year—it only stays open for about two months.

The pass itself is spectacular and is good for hiking as well as hiking. Here, you’ll be immersed in tremendous valleys and snowcapped mountains, almost as if you’ve stepped into another world. A locally named ‘Bear Valley’ will be our next destination. This is a beautiful valley where small streams, fed by the melting glaciers, develop into rivers and flow down the broad steppe valley.

The White River flows through this valley, with lurch tree forests escorting it all the way along on both sides.

Today will be a long day. This morning we’ll leave the campsite a little earlier than usual, and we’ll make sure that everyone has enough water and snacks, and water proved boots and warm clothes. Our journey will take about six hours, and our crew will catch up with us by lunchtime.

We’ll lunch together and then they’ll move on ahead and have the camp pitched at our next overnight spot. Overnight in a tent.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This crystal-clean heart shaped lake is located exactly along the way to our next destination. We’ll see a stunning view of the lake, surrounded by lurch tree forests. This is a good place for taking photos, bird watching, having a picnic, and just relaxing for a while.

Today we’ll have an easier trek. We’ll go about five hours along the shore of the White River and stop for lunch by Green Lake.

Tonight, our campsite will be at the end of this gorgeous valley and at the start of the lake, with stunning reflections of neighboring snowcapped peaks drifting on its surface. Overnight in a tent.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The dramatic steep valley, surrounded by snowcapped mountains from the south, is where many Kazakh nomadic families spend their summer time. Even people from Olgiy city who have relatives here like to pass their vacations in this serene place. The area very famous for its hot spring; a lot of locals come here to receive treatment.

Fishing is not a main pursuit for nomads, but if they have got free time, they sometimes fish here. The melt water from Altai Tavan Bogd is a source for the lakes. The mix of lakes, rivers, mountains and forests makes this not only a haven for fauna, but also a great place for riding, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.

On horseback in Mongolia, the world is at your doorstep. What greater freedom is there than to ride through this snowcapped, mountainous, lake-filled landscape without the restrictions of roads and paths? From the saddle, look out for ibex, Altai marmot, and golden eagles. Elk, wolves, brown bears, hares, lynx and the very rare snow leopard also inhabit this area.

Today we’ll trek about five hours towards to the southeast, where we’ll go past some ancient burial sites and man stones (Balbal from the 6th and 7th Centuries) and Aral-tolgoi military base, which means that we are now less than 10km away from the Chinese border.

On the way to our campsite we will cross a few old, wooden bridges and visit some Kazakh herders and their families, who will supply us with copious quantities of tea (locally known as ‘chai’). We’ll pitch our camp on the bank of the lake. Overnight in a tent.

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Tent

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Kazakh ger (yurt) is bigger than the Mongolian ger, and it’s measured by the number of poles. The minimum size would be 60 to 70 poles, the largest, 80 to 100 poles. In ancient times, some wealthy families lived in gers that had 150 poles and big walls.

It was difficult to get the poles into the right position, so people often rode horses while setting it up. Kazakh gers are extravagantly decorated with hand stitched embroidery done by women.

Today we’ll travel to the edge of Lake Khoton, near where it joins with Lake Khurgan, in an area known as Sirgali. Snow caps with lurch tree forests below, crystal clean lakes surrounded with the whistles of herders herding their livestock, and the delighted screams of children playing with their horses makes this area one of the most beautiful parts of this trip. It is also good place for bird watching and fishing.

We’ll stay two nights here and on the second day hike to beautiful Baga Turgen Valley where there are three waterfalls- the area is right on the Chinese border. On the way we’ll visit a Kazakh nomad eagle hunters family.

Overnight in a tent.

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Tent or Yurt

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This area is beautiful, with snowcapped mountain chains, forested hills, and sound of waterfalls that seem to display the power of nature. At the top of the valley there is another beautiful small lake and the shore of the lake is full with birds. From the top of the hill, we will see the whole area and its vast beauty.

The river is sacred for some locals, according to their stories, a lady with her seven-month child with health problems was crossing river on horseback. Her child fell into the river and after that her child recovered from its illness.

Today we will hike toward the south through the valley all the way up where our waterfall is and we will be close to the Chinese border— just behind the southern mountain is China’s Altai mountain range. We will hiking on the ridge of the mountains on the way back and visit a Kazakh eagle hunter’s family. Overnight in a tent.

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Tent or Yurt

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we’ll wake up full of experiences and adventures from our trip. After a good breakfast, it will be time to make ourselves ready for driving. We will drive for six hours via Sengel and Ulaanhus villages. Back in Olgiy, we’ll check you in at a local hotel and reward ourselves with a dinner at Olgiy’s finest— Pammukale Restaurant.

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Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After early breakfast we driving to local airport to register for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Meet our guide in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel.

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Hotel

Breakfast

After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to Chingis Khan International Airport and fly out from Mongolia.

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Breakfast

The weather condition

Mongolia is an acutely continental climatic country. Summers are hot and dry, sometimes with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 18 degrees centigrade between day and night. Sometimes severe weather can occur in mountain areas. We are surely ready for any weather condition.

What to take along – Waterproof clothes, long underwear for travel in the high mountains, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, comfortable footwear, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, prescription medications, binoculars, a flashlight.

Transport – 4×4 drive car with an experienced driver will take us to the national parks and will pick us up on our way back. We’ll hire local herdsmen with his animals while we are riding and camping. Our herdsmen will choose good horses (saddled up) for us to ride. The tour supplies and gear will be loaded on Bactrian camels. Herdsmen will lead us until the end of the horse ride.

Staff – Most of our tours will be guided by Erlan and an assistant guide. Erlan has been leading these kinds of tours for 10 years and he speaks English, Russian, Mongolian, and Kazakh. Also, a cook will follow with an assistant cook. Herdsmen follow us only when we are riding.

Food & Meal – Our cooks are excellent at preparing meals. There always will be vegetables available. For vegetarians, our cooks can make food with advanced notice. Every day you will have fresh hot meals for breakfast and dinner. The exception will be lunch, while we are riding. Lunch will be prepared in boxes with snacks and taken with us.

Includes –

English speaking guide, food (3 times per day), cook, packing horse or camels, all overnights in gers and tents, camping equipment and all local transport /ULN-ULG-ULN flights/, border and national park permits.

Excludes – Alcohol, single hotel rooms, international flight tickets.

Date – 2024- from 20th of June to 20th of September, weekly.