Orkhon Horseback Riding

Route for Kharkhorin, the ancient 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 remains of the capital survive, recalling the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

Today is when 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 are conducted 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 the eponymous valley listed as 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 mount, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between free-roaming herds, children playing in front of yurts and riders traversing 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 across 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 tableau of rural Mongolia.

This immersion in the heart of the steppe holds many surprises 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. This is where we set up our camp for the night, in a peaceful natural setting open to wide spaces.

From our camp at the Uurt bend, we set out 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 Khangaï range and over the vast 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 climbing a neighboring valley, where the increasing altitude allows larch forests to reappear. The climb continues through more rugged terrain, until we reach the Mogoit springs area.

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

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

These moments of sharing are an opportunity to immerse ourselves in Mongolian nomadic life, to observe gestures passed down through generations, 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 stone. 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, following a combination of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

We then continue our horseback 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.

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

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

We first reach Lake Bugat, before continuing our horseback journey across plains and forests to reach Lake Shireet, the largest lake 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 softness and an atmosphere conducive to contemplation.

Today, we are beginning our return to the Orkhon valley. We cross again the marshy area that marks the entrance to Naiman nuur national park, then begin the climb towards the east slope of the mountain. From the summit, a superb view opens up over 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 a few gallops, still fully enjoying the steppe and forest landscapes before setting up our camp at the edge of the woods.

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

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

We head 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 final moments in the heart of nature, until we reach the capital's gates.

Upon arrival in the city center, check-in at your hotel where you can rest for a while 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 final purchases and bring a piece of Mongolia back with you.