Horse & Gobi

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 transfer of the capital to Beijing by Kublai Khan. Today, only a few remnants of the capital remain, recalling the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

This is when your horse riding adventure truly begins. From Kharkhorin, you set out for 5 days of horse riding along the Orkhon valley before reaching Naiman Nuur national park.

The first five days take place with the assistance of a logistics vehicle.

On this first day on horseback, you travel along the Orkhon river in the eponymous 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 saddle, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between free-roaming herds, children playing in front of gers and riders crossing the steppe.

You spend this first night in the valley, within a nomadic family from the region.

We continue our ride through the verdant steppes 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 Mongolia.

This immersion in the heart of the steppe holds many surprises in store for us, revealing a picturesque Mongolia 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.

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

Perched at 2,312 meters above sea level, the monastery offers an exceptional panorama of the Khangai range and the vast Orkhon valley stretching 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 towards the camp.

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

These moments of sharing are an opportunity to immerse yourself 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.

Those who wish can set off on a horseback ride along the Orkhon Valley from the camp to the Orkhon Falls.

For others, it is possible to reach the falls during a hike of approximately 6 km, or by vehicle according to your preferences.

Transition day between two ecosystems: you leave the green mountains of the Khangai to head towards the Gobi.

Last day on the trail before reaching the gates of the Great Gobi and its "Three Beauties", the three highest peaks in this section of the Gobi-Altai mountain range: Baruun Saihan, the Western Beauty; Dund Saihan, the Central Beauty; and Züün Saihan, the Eastern Beauty, which reaches an altitude of 2,846 meters.

Early in the morning, you will head towards Khavtsgait Mountain. After a short transfer, you begin your hike. Climbing Khavtsgait Bagh mountain requires sustained effort, but the view of the desert from the summit is remarkable. You will observe many rock paintings depicting argali sheep, horses, camels and human figures in hunting scenes.

We then head west through the park to reach the Khongor sand dunes, or "light bay sand". They extend in a wide belt at the foot of the "Three Beauties", forming one of the most emblematic landscapes in the Gobi desert.

Visit of the Khongor dunes. This long expanse of sand, which stretches for nearly 180 km long and 20 km wide, features dunes of approximately 80 meters high, with the highest reaching 120 meters. From their summit, the view opens onto the vastness of the desert, while the movement of the sand produces a natural humming, at the origin of the name "singing dunes". Beyond the golden crests, the steppe unfolds as far as the eye can see.

You take the track heading East from the "Three Beauties" to reach the canyon region.

You travel through one of the emptiest regions of Mongolie. Between rocky desert and semi-arid steppes, you reach the Baga gazariin chuluu rocky formation, where imposing granite formations shaped by the often harsh elements of this area appear.

In the 19th century, two venerated monks lived here, and their inscriptions carved into the rock are still visible. According to legend, Genghis Khan stayed in this region, which is pleasant for walking.

Return to Ulan Bator. The last herds of wild horses sometimes cross the road before your eyes, while the last smoking yurts in the distance remind you of the steppe right up to the city gates. You then arrive in the city center and settle into your hotel, where you can rest as long as needed.

Rest of the day free. Accompanied by your guide, you explore the city's shops to make your last purchases.