Tour Description

Mongolia’s Horse Riding Tour 2022

The Eight Lakes horse trekking tour allows you to explore the most beautiful landscapes of central Mongolia and learn the authentic nomadic culture of the Mongols. Spend your time with nomadic people in nature, ride through the shores of stunning lakes and discover the historical Orkhon valley. Some areas as far as the eye can see, herders “of five muzzles”: goat, sheep, cattle, horse, and camel; nomads riding horses and meadows dotted with white gers. We smoothly begin that trip in the steppe by the Kharkhorin, we walk by the bank of the historical Orkhon river and we can also learn horse riding. Then, we go to the Orkhon Valley and explore Red River Waterfall and its surrounding landscape. After, for four days, we go to the Eight Lakes of Khuis by a real travelling trekking with horses of packsaddle. Eight Lakes with its exceptional configuration is surrounded by the beautiful nature of the middle part of the Khangai Mountain. These lakes with fresh water and interconnected by groundwater channels such as Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Khuis, Onon, Doroo, Bayan-Uul are called Huisiin Naiman Nuur. Finally, we reach the dunes of the small Gobi Desert… deserted atmosphere to discover with the family.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1:

ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR CITY

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar city, our driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up from the airport and be transferred to your hotel in downtown. After you settled in, we will start a sightseeing tour including a visit to Sukhbaatar’s square. The Square is in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, in front of the Mongolian Parliament House. Across from the central square, we will visit the National Museum of Mongolia, the biggest museum with over 54000 exhibitions from the prehistoric period till the 21st century. Our next stop will be the Gandan Monastery. The monastery is the largest and most significant Buddhist monastery in Ulaanbaatar city with over 200 years old. If time permits, we will visit Zaisan Hill memorial, the hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in a hotel.

• Transfer to Hotel from Ulaanbaatar New International Airport, about 35 km, and Ulaanbaatar City tour
• Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

DAY 2:

VISIT TO KHARKHORIN

After having breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up and travel to Kharkhorin city. The city had existed as a capital for the world’s largest contiguous empire through over 40 years. In Kharkhorin city, we will visit a museum, has many exhibitions which show the history of Mongolian nomadic life from hunter gatherers’ period till the most powerful and consummate empire throughout the world in the 13th century. Overnight in a ger camp.

• Travel time: Approx 250 km on paved road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving, but have photo breaks en route to Kharkhorin. We will take a photo break on Semi Gobi, and other relevant beautiful spots.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional ger camp on the Orkhon River’s shore. The Ger camp has a western toilet & shower. The next 3-4 days would not be available to use the western toilet and take a modern shower. This ger camp will be a preparation for our real Mongolian Wilderness Horse riding.

DAY 3:

EXPLORE RED RIVER WATERFALL

Today we will visit Erdenezuu monastery, the biggest Buddhist Monastery Museum in Mongolia. Which has many expensive and precious Buddhist artworks from the 17th century including mould deities of gold and silver, thankas, split paintings and manuscripts. After the monastery museum, we will head for a long drive to the historical place Orkhon river valley. Once we reach the place, we will explore the biggest waterfall in Mongolia, and visit a nomadic family. We offer travellers to visit one of the nomadic families and experience their way of life in favour of learning about nomadic culture and traditions. You will be welcomed with open arms and you are invited to join in the milking, herding and general care of livestock. Overnight in a nomadic ger.

• Travel time: 130 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: Today we will be invited by our community-based tour programme member, our long term cooperative family. The host family offers 3 extra “gers”, our group will share a ger with 2-4 other members of the group. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. An option for a (brilliantly engineered) cold shower.

DAY 4, 5:

HORSE TREKKING IN THE EIGHT LAKES OF KHUIS NATURAL RESERVE

This morning, we will have breakfast in the ger with our nomadic friends, and load our luggage and camping gear on yaks’ back, then begin our horse trekking to the mystical Eight lakes of Khuis. In the course of trekking, you will enjoy the stunning view of the landscape as you ride around 5 hours west per day in favour of the last one of the eight lakes. We will erect our tent on the shore of one of the eight lakes, and familiarize ourselves with mother nature. Each night, you have a chance to stargaze from your tent on a lakeshore. Overnight in a tent camp.

• Travel time: On these two days, we will ride well-treated horses. On each day, we will trek averagely 4-5 hours by horseback riding but depends hugely on weather conditions.
• Meal(s): Trekking days’ meals will be made by our tour guide(s), who are well trained for outdoor cooking. But you should not expect chief style meals.
• Accommodation: On our horse trekking days, we will sleep in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.  Don’t worry about the lack of showers – we provide heated water for washes en-route.

DAY 6:

THE LAST DAY OF THE HORSE TREKKING IN NAIMAN NUUR LAKES OF KHUIS NATURAL RESERVE

It’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful and peaceful Eight Lakes. Today we will have a last breakfast on the lakeshore and pack up to continue our trekking through the Eight lakes’ valley. After approximately 3 hours of trekking, we will reach a ger camp next to the border of the Eight Lakes of Khuis Natural Reserve. Once we reach the camp, you have time to relax and prepare yourself for the next days’ trip. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner with the horse riding team.

• Travel time: Today is the last day with our horses. We will trek on averagely 4-5 hours by horseback riding but depends hugely on weather conditions.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will sleep in a small community-based ger camp operated by our long-term cooperative family. One ger for two travellers. A basic long drop Asian toiled will be used.

DAY 7:

DRIVE TO KHUJIRT HOT SPRING

Today we will drive to Khujirt hot spring in Orkhon River Valley. The chemical ingredients of the hot spring have healing properties for some ailments. Facilities include outdoor pools (separately for men and women), showers, and both cosy gers and houses. Overnight in a ger camp.

• Travel time: 120 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will sleep in a hot spring-based Khan Khujirt Resort. (2 guests in a twin room). Shower, and western toilet.

DAY 8:

DRIVE TO KHUSTAIN NURUU NATIONAL PARK

We will pack up and continue our journey to Khustain Nuruu National Park. The national park is famous for its unique inhabitants such as the world’s last species of truly wild horses named ‘Przewalski’s horse’, Asiatic red deer, wild mountain sheep ‘Argali’, ibex, and lynx. Once we arrive in the Khustain Nuruu National Park, we will explore the national park and observe the wildlife, and you have a chance to see the last species of wild horses in nature. Overnight in a ger camp in the national park.

• Travel time: 300 km on the asphaltic road. Approximately 6-7 hours of driving. An average pace of 50-80 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will sleep in a ger camp. (2 guests in a twin room). Shower, and western toilet.

DAY 9:

DRIVE BACK TO ULAANBAATAR CITY

In the morning, we will have breakfast at the camp and drive back to Ulaanbaatar city. En route to the capital city, we will behold the Mongolian pristine steppe landscape. We will arrive in Ulaanbaatar city in the afternoon, and you have time for visiting the world’s number one cashmere store and Mongolian souvenir shops or relax in your hotel until dinner. In the evening, our farewell dinner will take place in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.

• Travel time: 80 km on the asphaltic road. An average pace of 50-80 km/hour, depending on the weather and road conditions.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

DAY 10:

DEPARTURE

Today is the end of the Horse Trekking tour. Our team will transfer you to the airport in time for your international flight. Have a nice trip back home and thank you for choosing Way To Nomads.

• Meal(s): Breakfast
• Transport: Transfer to the airport from the hotel by vehicle.