Nomadic transhumance - Horseback Mongolia
Nomadic lifestyle

Nomadic transhumance

Follow the transhumance of yaks breeders of Arkhangai.

Mongolian nomads migrate about 4 times a year to find new pastures. With this tour, you can follow a transhumance from the inside, following a family. You'll follow the migration on foot and will help the family to set up its camp.

Day 1Arrival in Ulan Bator and visit of the city

Day 1Arrival in 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.

4h 30m-280km

Day 2Let's go to Mini-Gobi !

Day 2Let's go to Mini-Gobi !

Ulan Bator - Khogno Khan

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

  • 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".

  • Pony trek 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: 2 stars hotel
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Eden camp
Accommodation: Eden camp

Day 3-4Among nomads in Orkhon

Day 3-4Among nomads in Orkhon

Khogno Khan - Orkhon valley

  • We definitely leave the road to taste the joys of the Mongolian track. We ride along the stunning landscapes formed by the canyons of Orkhon and the green steppe, then we finally join a breeders family.They will welcome us in the heart of Orkhon Valley.

Day 4

  • 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.

Also
  • Day 3Day 4

    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: Eden camp (3)
Breakfast: Made by your team (4)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (3)
Lunch: Made by your team (4)
Dinner: made by the family (3)

Day 5Relaxing in Tsenkher hot springs

Day 5Relaxing in Tsenkher hot springs

Orkhon valley - Tovkhon monastery

  • 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.

Tovkhon monastery - Tsenkher hot springs

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team
Accommodation: Shiveet Mankhan

Day 6-9Transhumance with nomads in Arkhangai

Day 6-9Transhumance with nomads in Arkhangai

Tsenkher hot springs - Tsetserleg

  • Stop at Tsetserleg, small lovely village nested in mountains of larches. We'll buy fresh supplies at the local market and visit Zayan Gegeen Museum.

Tsetserleg - Ondor Ulaan

Day 7

  • Discover how to prepare the various dairy products : cheese, airag and vodka made with milk.

    Discover how to manufacture wool.

    Prepare the migration.

Day 8

  • It's the D.day, we go with nomads for the transhumance. The yurt and the belongings of the family are packed on the yaks on yaks, we walk until the summer camp of the family, about 8 km (4,97 miles) from the current camp. Once arrived, we help the family unloading their belongings and setting up the new camp.

Day 9

  • Those who wish can horse ride in the neighbouring of the camp.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Shiveet Mankhan (6)
Breakfast: Made by your team (7, 8, 9)
Lunch: Local restaurant (6)
Lunch: made by the family (7, 9)
Lunch: Made by your team (8)
Dinner: made by the family

Day 10Time travel in Kharkhorin

Day 10Time travel in Kharkhorin

Ondor Ulaan - 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 11Back to the Mongolian capital

Day 11Back to the Mongolian capital

Kharkhorin - 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: Anja camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: 2 stars hotel
Flight back

Day 12Have a nice journey and see you soon !

Day 12Have 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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