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You will be met at the airport/train station and taken to your accommodation. You are free to explore this fascinating city before we meet for an evening meal and a chance to get to know your fellow travellers.
Drive across the vast rolling steppe that leads to Kharkhorin (Karakorum), which is the famous site of the 13th century capital of the Mongolian Empire (7 hrs). Visit Erdene Zuu Khiid (monastery), founded in 1586.
The drive continues on to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (8 hrs), a beautiful spot surrounded by forested volcanic mountains. Stop at Tsetserleg to stock up on any last supplies at the local market.
Today you will cross the high Solingontyn Pass and reach the wilds of Zavkhan (6 hrs). Arrive by early afternoon at the river-side camp where you will meet the local wranglers and the horses. These are born and bred in the wild mountains of Mongolia. You will be matched with the horse you feel comfortable with, you will get to know each other very well over the coming days!
Have your first ride to familiarise yourself with the horse and the surroundings.
For the next eight days you ride through steppe and forest and in to the mountains of Tarvagatai Uul National Park.
There is no set route while riding; however around Day 8 you will reach an old hot spa for a well-earned soak.
At the end of each day you meet the support vehicles with all luggage and camping equipment. By Day 13 you will be back in the area where you first started riding.
After a final morning ride you are driven south-west through desert-steppe to Khar Nuur (5 hrs), a beautiful lake where desert sand dunes meet crystal clear water.
No trip to Mongolia is complete without seeing the country’s spectacular sand dunes, and here they plunge in to the clear waters of Khar Nuur, a lovely desert lake. Perfect for hiking, swimming or just relaxing after all that riding.
Camp for two nights amongst sand dunes by the shores of Khar Nuur.
Drive from Khar Nuur to Uliastai (4 hrs), and fly back to Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon.
If you have time we will help with finding any last minute items to take home for friends and family, and you can see some more of the city. Finally we take you to the airport/train station and say farewell.
Note: Flights between Zavkhan and Ulaanbaatar can be erratic. We include a trip to Khustai National Park, near Ulaanbaatar, if it becomes necessary to fly back to Ulaanbaatar earlier than planned. Khustai is home to Przewalski’s horse, the world’s only true wild horse. This is also a good opportunity to spot some of Mongolia’s other rare and elusive wildlife such as wolves and elk.
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