Comfortable Riding

Route in the direction of the Khustai Nuruu National Park, a vast protected territory famous for being home to the last Przewalski's horses, called locally Takhi. Successfully reintroduced into the Mongolian steppes, these wild horses now roam in complete freedom.

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

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 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, reminding us of 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 5 days of horse trekking along the Orkhon valley before reaching Naiman Nuur national park.

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

For this first day on horseback, you make your way along the Orkhon river in its namesake valley, which is 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 here.

From your mount, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between free-roaming herds, children playing in front of yurts and horsemen roaming the steppe.

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

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 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 campement at the bend of Uurt, we embark on a day of horseback riding in the mountains and forests, heading towards the Tövkhön monastery. It is here that Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolie, 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 immense Orkhon valley that stretches as far as the eye can see. We take advantage of this remarkable setting to savor our picnic, facing one of the most beautiful landscapes of central Mongolie.

We continue our ride towards the camp.

Today, you 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 milking animals, making dairy products and cutting wood.

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 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 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 scattered 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 into nomadic life.

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

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

You take the road back to Ulan Bator. Along the way, the last herds of horses crossing the road and the last gers glimpsed 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 few moments.

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.