The comfortable ride

Road heading towards the Khustai Nuruu National Park, a vast protected territory famous for hosting the last Przewalski's horses, called locally Takhi. Successfully reintroduced into the Mongolian steppes, these wild horses today evolve in complete freedom.

Late in the day, when the light becomes softer and the animals more active, a walk takes you to their usual watering point. You can then observe them discreetly in their natural environment, in the heart of the vast Mongolian spaces.

Today, we're heading off for our first day on horseback! It will be a real pleasure to discover the landscapes surrounding our host family. Located in a semi-desert environment, in the heart of a protected national park, this region offers pristine nature and magnificent panoramas. As we ride along, we may have the chance to observe several animal species that inhabit these wild lands. A wonderful first immersion on horseback in Mongolian nature!

You take the road to Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongols. Founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan, this emblematic city was one of the major stops on the Silk Road. It was from Karakorum that the Mongol empire was administered until the capital was transferred to Beijing by Kublai Khan. Today, only a few remnants of the capital remain, reminding us of the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

This is truly the beginning of your horseback riding trek. From Kharkhorin, you set out for 9 days of Horseback riding in Mongolie along the Orkhon valley before reaching Naiman Nuur national park.

The first six days take place with the assistance of a logistics vehicle, while days 8 and 9 will be in complete autonomy, with your personal belongings and logistics transported by pack yaks.

For this first day on horseback, you progress along the Orkhon river in its eponymous valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A land of nomadism par excellence, the valley hosts numerous herders each summer who set up their traditional camps there.

From your mount, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between free-roaming herds, children playing in front of gers and riders traveling across the steppe. At the end of the day, you reach the village of Khujirt, renowned for its hot springs with healing properties, highly appreciated by Mongols.

Camp setup on the banks of the Khujirt river, in a peaceful natural setting ideal for concluding this first day of trekking.

We continue our ride through the verdant steppe of the Orkhon valley, a true territory of nomads. Throughout the day, herds of yaks, sheep, goats and horses roam freely around us, offering a vivid and authentic picture of rural Mongolie.

This immersion in the heart of the steppe holds many surprises for us, revealing a picturesque Mongolie where nature and traditions blend harmoniously.

At the end of the day, we reach the "*Uurt bend*", nestled at the foot of the Khangai Mountains. This is where we set up our camp for the night, in a peaceful natural setting open to wide open spaces.

From our campsite at the Uurt bend, we begin a day of horseback riding in the mountains and forest, heading towards the Tövkhön monastery. It is here that Zanabazar, Mongolia's first religious leader, composed the famous Soyombo alphabet, which has since become a national symbol.

Perched at 2,312 meters altitude, the monastery offers an exceptional panorama over the Khangaï range and the immense Orkhon valley that stretches as far as the eye can see. We take advantage of this remarkable setting to enjoy our picnic, facing one of the most beautiful landscapes of central Mongolia.

We continue our ride to set up our camp on the banks of the Orkhon River.

We leave this enchanting setting to head towards the mountain range located south of the valley. As we progress, we become fully aware of the volcanic character of the region, crossing vast expanses of black lava that bear witness to its geological history.

We then begin our ascent of a neighboring valley, where the increasing altitude brings the larch forests back into view. The climb continues through more rugged terrain, until we reach the area of the Mogoit springs.

Setting up the campsite under canvas for the night, in the heart of an isolated and unspoiled mountain landscape.

Today, we ride to the camp of our local guides, ideally situated in the heart of the valley. Upon arrival, we meet their family and discover their daily life as herders, marked by animal milking, dairy product making, and wood cutting.

These moments of sharing are an opportunity to immerse ourselves in Mongolian nomadic life, to observe gestures passed down from generation to generation, and to enjoy simple and authentic scenes. A game of knucklebones with the children or a discussion around the fire make this immersion particularly warm and welcoming.

This morning, we head out on horseback towards the Ulan Tsutgalaan waterfalls, a spectacular white torrent cascading down black volcanic stone. When the sun reflects off it, the water transforms into an ephemeral rainbow, giving all its magic to this site formed more than 20,000 years ago, following a combination of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

We then continue our ride to the gates of the Naiman Nuur national park. The path unfolds through steppes dotted with edelweiss, before skirting beautiful forests of pines and larches.

At the end of the day, we arrive at Boorgiin Oroi, where a family of yak herders welcomes us for the night. Their camp, set at the edge of a small wood, faces the mountains of Naiman Nuur park, offering a peaceful and unspoiled setting for this new immersion in nomadic life.

Your trek is coming to an end, and it is with emotion that you bid farewell to your equestrian guides, with whom you have ridden for these five days.

You then reach the Tsenkher hot springs, where you can relax in the hot water baths of the camp.

Departure for the spectacular rock formations of Khögnö Khan. You discover a park with varied landscapes, between semi-desert steppes, taiga zones, granite massifs and a long band of sand approximately 80 km, which earned it the nickname of "mini Gobi".

Stroll along the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai where we discover the arid landscapes of the Bayan desert.

You head back to Ulan Bator. Along the way, the last herds of horses crossing the road and the last yurts seen in the distance accompany you to the outskirts of the capital.

You then arrive in the city center and settle into your hotel, where you can rest for a moment.

The rest of the day is free. Accompanied by your guide, you explore the city's shops to make your last purchases and enjoy the atmosphere of Ulan Bator one last time.