Pony trekking in Orkhon valley - Horseback Mongolia
Horse riding

Pony trekking in Orkhon valley

A 9-day horseride, of which 3 self-sufficiently, on the nomadic lands.
The horseride will lead you to Kharkhorin, the deep heart of the Mongol Empire, in the ruins of the capital of Genghis Khan, then in the lush Orkhon Valley, where fragrances of thyme and fresh herbs merge. Here, the richness of the landscapes is matched only by the richness in the heart of the inhabitants. You will finish the trek in the Naiman Nuur Park, where you'll discover eight wonderful lakes nestled in a peaceful gree...

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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 2Let's hit the road to Kharkhorin, gateway into Orkhon Valley

Day 2Let's hit the road to Kharkhorin, gateway into Orkhon Valley

  • 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: Hôtel Nine

Lunch: Local restaurant

Lunch: Included

Accommodation: Anja gers camp

Day 3Saddle up !

Day 3Saddle up !

  • We go riding along the Orkhon River, in the Orkhon Valley that is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. Orkhon Valley is a land of nomadism where many breeders settle their summer camp. We will attend the daily nomadic life.

    We reach Khujirt, where there are famous hot springs that have curative properties. Mongolians enjoy them a lot.

  • We set up the camp on the banks of the Khujirt River.

Meal and accommodations

Dinner: Made by your team

Accommodation: Tent camping

5h-35km

Day 4-5Orkhon Valley and Tovkhon Monastery

Day 4-5Orkhon Valley and Tovkhon Monastery

  • We go on riding in the green steppe. Here, herds of yaks, sheeps, goats and horses graze in total freedom outside our dumbfounded eyes. A picturesque Mongolia stretches outside us and we go from surprise to surprise. We go to the place called "bend of Uurt" at the foothills of the Khangai Mounts.

  • From our camp in Uurt, we ride through mountains and forests until Tovkhon Monastery, 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 on the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Made by your team

Accommodation: tent camping

Day 6Hot bath in Mogoit hot springs

Day 6Hot bath in Mogoit hot springs

  • We leave this enchanting place to ride towards South and the mountain range that lines the valley. While we cross entire areas of black lava, we become wholeheartedly aware of the volcanic aspect of the place. Then we climb on a neighbouring valley. As soon as we go higher, we find again the forests of larches and climb on this undulating valley until Mogoit hot springs where we can lounge in the hot water pools.

  • Night under the tent.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Made by your team

Accommodation: tent camping

Day 7Meeting with our local guides

Day 7Meeting with our local guides

  • Today, we ride until the camp of our local guides, perfectly located in the heart of the valley. We meet their family and discover their way of life : milking the animals, making dairy products, cutting the wood, etc. Rich and gentle moments with the family, we can enjoy the small pleasures of life, such as playing thucklebones with children.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: made by the family Mongolian barbecue "Khorkhog"

Accommodation: Yurt for guests with a family

Day 8Getting nearer to Naiman Nuur National Park

Day 8Getting nearer to Naiman Nuur National Park

  • 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.

  • Horseriding until the entrance of Naiman Nuur National Park. We'll follow our path across the steppes scattered with edelweisses, then we'll ride along the forests of larches and pines, before stopping for the night at Boorgiin Oroi, on the edge of a small wood, in front of the mountains of Naiman Nuur Park.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: made by the family

Accommodation: Yurt for guests with a family

Day 9Discovery of Naiman Nuur National Park

Day 9Discovery of Naiman Nuur National Park

  • We enter Naiman Nuur Park via Khangai Nuuru pass and the landscape completely changes. The green infinite steppes give way to much more diversified landscapes : forests of larches and pines, wild roses and wild flowers, junipers, gooseberries, and wild onions. A quite rich alpine-styled vegetation that will delight botany lovers.

    First we go to Lake Bugat, then we will ride across plains and forests to reach Lake Shireet, the largest lake of the park (10 square kilometres, 3,86 square miles) and the highest (2366 mètres, 1,47 mile). This wild lake is lined with forests, and Tengri, the blue sky, reflects in it ; it will delight your senses.

Meal and accommodations

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Made by your team

Accommodation: tent camping

5h-30km
Boorgiin Oroi

Day 10A lovely landscape of mountains and rivers

Day 10A lovely landscape of mountains and rivers

  • Today, we take the return road passing through the other bank of lake Shireet. On the way, we will see two other lakes, Lake Shanagar and another smaller one. We'll leave Naiman Nuur Park, its lakes that seem to be mirrors, and its deep forests, by the craggy pass of Bayarag. The fast trot of the horses will lead us to the stormy Shuranga River, by which we'll spend the night.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Made by your team

Accommodation: tent camping

Day 11Last day horseriding

Day 11Last day horseriding

  • During this day, we'll see a great variety of landscapes. We'll begin riding along the Shuranga River until the charming Lake Bayan, where we can observe some species of birds, such as ducks and common cranes. Then we'll retrace our steps to find again the green steppes dappled here and there by white yurts.

  • At the end of the day, you will attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue which you will enjoy with your hosts.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: made by the family Mongolian barbecue "Khorkhog"

Day 12Change of scene in the Mini-Gobi

Day 12Change of scene in the Mini-Gobi

  • 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: Included

4h 30m-280km

Day 13Back to the Mongolian capital

Day 13Back to the Mongolian capital

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

  • 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.

Meal and accommodations

Lunch: Included

Accommodation: Hôtel Nine

Flight back

Day 14Have a nice journey and see you soon !

Day 14Have 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.

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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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