Orkhon Horseback Ride

Route for Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongols. Founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan, this emblematic city was one of the major stages of 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 remains of the capital survive, recalling the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

This is where your horse trekking truly begins. From Kharkhorin, you set off for 9 days of Horse trekking in Mongolia along the Orkhon valley before reaching Naiman Nuur national park.

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

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

From your horse, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between free-roaming herds, children playing in front of yurts and riders crossing the steppe. By the end of the day, you reach the village of Khujirt, renowned for its hot springs with healing properties, highly appreciated by Mongolians.

Camp is set up 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 lush 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 Uurt bend, we embark on a day of horseback riding through mountains and forests, 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 Khangai range and the immense Orkhon valley stretching as far as the eye can see. We take advantage of this remarkable setting to enjoy our picnic, facing one of central Mongolia's most beautiful landscapes.

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 nature of the region, crossing vast expanses of black lava that testify to its geological history.

We then begin climbing a neighboring valley, where increasing altitude allows larch forests to reappear. The climb continues through more rugged terrain, until we reach the Mogoit springs area.

Installation of the campement under canvas for the night, in the heart of an isolated and unspoiled mountain setting.

Today, we ride to the camp of our local guides, ideally set 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 makes this immersion particularly warm.

This morning, we set off on horseback towards the Ulan Tsutgalaan waterfalls, a spectacular white torrent cascading down black volcanic rock. When the sun reflects off it, the water transforms into an ephemeral rainbow, giving all its magic to this site formed over 20,000 years ago, as a result of 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 bordering 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.

We venture today into the Naiman nuur national park by crossing the Khangai Nuruu pass, and we immediately notice a radical change in landscapes. The verdant steppes give way to a much more varied mosaic of scenery: pine and larch forests, wild roses, wildflowers, junipers, currant bushes and wild onions.

This alpine-inspired vegetation, particularly rich, will delight botany enthusiasts.

We first reach Bugat Lake, before continuing our ride through plains and forests to reach Shireet Lake, the largest in the park (10 km²) and also the highest, perched at 2,366 meters altitude. This wild lake, surrounded by forests and reflecting Tenger, the azure sky, offers a landscape of great gentleness and an atmosphere conducive to contemplation.

Today, we begin our return to the Orkhon valley. We cross again through the marshy area that marks the entrance to Naiman nuur national park, then start climbing towards the eastern slope of the mountain. From the summit, a superb view opens onto the meanders of the Orkhon river, offering a peaceful and harmonious panorama.

We then rejoin our hosts at Boorgiin Oroi for lunch, then resume the trail for some gallops, still fully enjoying the steppe and forest landscapes before setting up our camp at the forest's edge.

For this last day on horseback, we fully enjoy the final gallops in the heart of the steppes, taking one last time advantage of the freedom and vastness offered by these Mongolian landscapes. We take a break by a waterfall for lunch in the middle of nature, lulled by the sound of water.

It is with particular emotion that we take leave of our local guides, precious companions of these nine days of horseback riding. We resume our journey towards the splendid rock formations of Khogno Khan, where the landscape changes radically. Here, semi-desert steppes, taiga, rocks sculpted by time and a long band of sand nearly 80 km long compose a fascinating region, often nicknamed the "mini Gobi".

We take the road towards Ulan Bator. Along the way, the steppe offers us one last farewell: herds of wild horses crossing the track, silhouettes of yurts smoking on the horizon… so many images that accompany our last moments in the heart of nature, until the gates of the capital.

Upon our arrival in the city center, you will be installed at your hotel where you can rest for a moment and enjoy some comfort.

The rest of the day is free. In the company of your guide, you will have the opportunity to explore the shops and markets of the city to make your last purchases and take a piece of Mongolie with you.