Nomadic life in Orkhon Valley - Horseback Mongolia
Nomadic lifestyle

Nomadic life in Orkhon Valley

Become a real nomad sharing the life of a nomad family in Orkhon Valley.

In the hugeness of the steppe, Mongolian nomads live in harmony with the natural beauties and wonders of their land. Here, life almost did not suffer from the ravages of time and nomads have kept their ancestral culture and their hospitality.

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

  • Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

  • Appointment at 12 o'clock at your hotel with your guide. He will take you to the restaurant of your choice.

  • Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history, in the wonderful National History Museum. Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan.

  • Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator. Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

  • At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh: folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi, the overtone singing.

Day 2Observing Przewalski's horses

Day 2Observing Przewalski's horses

Ulan Bator - Khustai national park

  • Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.

  • Journey to Khustai Reserve that houses the Przewalski horses (takh). Twilight is the best moment to observe them. We'll walk until the river where they drink, and observe them with no fear to bother.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 2 stars hotel
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: made by the family

Day 3Just a little bit of culture in the former capital

Day 3Just a little bit of culture in the former capital

Khustai national park - Kharkhorin

  • Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

  • Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas. Visit of the Museum of Kharkhorin.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Anja camp
Accommodation: Anja camp

Day 4-7Among nomads in Orkhon Valley

Day 4-7Among nomads in Orkhon Valley

Kharkhorin - Orkhon valley

  • Journey to Orkhon Valley. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the valley is a land of nomadism and many breeders set their summer camp there.

Day 5

  • Those who wish will go pony trekking along Orkhon Valley, from the camp until Orkhon waterfalls.

  • Visit of Ulan Tsutgalaan falls, white flood flowing on the black stone, transformed in rainbow by a short sunray… These 16-metres (52,49 feet) falls are just magic ! They were formed 20.000 years ago, as a result of a unique combination of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Day 6

  • If some people wish, we will go for a pony trek until Mogoit hot springs.

  • Bath in the fitted out pools of Mogoit hot springs. The temperature of the springs is contained between 48 and 75°C (118 - 167°F), and they are perfect to recover from the tiredness of the travel.

Day 7

  • Visit of Tovkhon Monastery. Vehicles can't go until the top of Öndör Ulaan Hill and we will walk until there to discover Tovkhon Ermitage, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view of the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

Also
  • Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 7

    Stay at herders' from the valley. During your stay, you will discover their way of life and you will be proposed many activities, such as milking, making traditional dairy products, or rounding up the animals with a horse.

    You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue that you will enjoy with yours hosts.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Anja camp (4)
Breakfast: Made by your team (5, 6, 7)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (4)
Lunch: Made by your team (5, 6, 7)
Dinner: made by the family (4, 5, 6)

Day 8Khogno Khan desert area

Day 8Khogno Khan desert area

  • We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometre (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".

  • Walk until Erdene Khambiin Monastery. "Monk Erdene's Monastery" dates from 17th century and was built in the mountain. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, monk Erdene.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Eden camp
Accommodation: Eden camp

Day 9Back to Ulan Bator

Day 9Back to Ulan Bator

Khogno Khan - Ulan Bator

  • Back to Ulan-Bator. Last herds of wild horses crossing the road outside our dumbfounded eyes, last yurts smoking far away, the steppe will be with us until the last moment.

    Arrival in town and settling in at your hotel, where you can rest a few moments.

  • Rest of the day free. With our guide, you can go and shop in the centre of the city.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Eden camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: 2 stars hotel
Flight back

Day 10Have a nice journey and see you soon !

Day 10Have a nice journey and see you soon !

  • Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 2 stars hotel

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I am Daniel from "Horseback Mongolia". Send us your request, and we will answer you within 48 hours.
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