The adventure of the Orkhon Valley on the horseback

The following day, around 9 a.m, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation to start your journey. We’ll drive along a 350 km asphalt road from Ulaanbaatar to the capital of the “Ancient Mongol Empire” – Kharkhorin. Kharkhorin, once the illustrious capital of the Mongol Empire, was situated near the enchanting Elsen Tasarkhai. Founded by Genghis Khan in 1220, this ancient city thrived as a political, cultural, and economic hub. It housed the Great Khan’s grand palace and played a pivotal role in trade along the Silk Road.

We will visit Erdenezuu monastery. Erdenezuu Monastery, established in 1586, was constructed upon the ruins of Kharkhorin, preserving the city’s spiritual essence. It became a significant center of Buddhism in Mongolia, boasting remarkable architecture and housing precious religious relics. Despite periods of religious suppression, Erdenezuu endured the test of time.

After the decline of the Mongol Empire, Kharkhorin faced a somber fate, suffering destruction at the hands of invading armies and the passage of time. While its former glory now lies in ruins, its historical significance remains palpable.

Then we’ll leave Kharkhorin and drive for about 20kms where our horse crew will be waiting for us. Will set up our camp and enjoy the dinner with horse crew.(B/L/D)

We will kick off the amazing horse trek journey through the vast steppe of Orkhon Valley. We’ll stay at the tent on the way right to the heart of the Orkhon Valley and next day, we’ll arrive at the local family who lives with his wife and their 4 grandchildren. Here, you’ll experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Mongolian steppe while resting in the Ger dedicated to travelers. For the best experience of nomadic culture, plan on spending 2 nights learning about nomadic agricultural practices, lifestyle, and cultural traits.

After a short rest, you’ll experience cattle entrepreneurship. You and the local herders could cooperate, for instance, herding cattle off the mountaintop once sundown. Overnight in the Ger of a nomadic camp. During stays at nomadic families, there are usually no bathroom facilities, so we’ll organize a bio-toilet and an eco-shower at the family.(B/L/D)

You’ll immerse yourself in the daily life of a nomadic family, learning firsthand how they preserve their traditions and navigate their unique way of life. Nomads are known for their hardworking spirit, engaging in tasks such as processing dairy products, tending livestock, cleaning cattle sheds, and searching for fertile pastures. You’ll have the chance to experience activities like milking yaks, processing and fermenting horse milk, making dried curd, and skimming yak milk, all guided by the family.

You’ll also take part in a mini-tournament to test your skills against locals and fellow travelers after a brief introduction to Khalkha archery, a traditional Mongolian sport. Additional activities include herding cattle and milking cows.

For more excitement, a mixed-team competition between tourists and locals will be held, offering a fun and interactive way to deepen your understanding of Mongolia’s horse culture and traditions.Activities include:  

– Making and tying a headstall.  – Participating in traditional games that test your speed and skill in preparing a horse, such as removing hobbles, bridling, and saddling. Compete to see who can gear up a horse the fastest!  – Enjoying a short horse race to showcase your newfound skills.  

After a day full of adventure and cultural experiences, you’ll share dinner and spend the night with the nomadic family, fully immersing yourself in their way of life.(B/L/D)

We’ll ride horses to the picturesque Tuvkhun temple at the mountaintop, through a stunning forested area, immersing ourselves in the serene atmosphere. Upon arrival at a small open meadow in front of a towering rocky cliff, you’ll ascend to the monastery using rocky steps. Along the way, you’ll encounter three small temples. Exploring the monastery, you’ll discover various meditation caves and a small cave known as the “mother’s womb,” believed by locals to cleanse the body like being reborn. At the mountaintop, you’ll find several ovoos and monuments dedicated to natural deities, offering a breathtaking display of nature. Afterward, return to the family and experience the breeze, and atmosphere, and keep trying the local’s daily culture.(B/L/D)

Every morning on the Mongolian plateau feels special, with its breezy and peaceful atmosphere. After breakfast, we’ll pack our gear, load it onto the horses, and prepare for our journey. Our horseback trek to the Orkhon Waterfall promises exciting adventures, covering 90 kilometers through scattered basalt rocks, vast grasslands, and winding rivers. We’ll also visit Redfall, a stunning waterfall over 20 meters high, located about 50 kilometers away. Along the way, we’ll pass through striking basaltic formations, untouched wild landscapes, and endless grasslands that are sure to inspire. There will be plenty of opportunities for photography, including breathtaking shots of Redfall framed by pine trees.

The trek will continue, and by the evening of the following day, we’ll set up camp at the foothills of the Khangai mountain range—one of Mongolia’s five highest ranges. We’ll enjoy dinner surrounded by the beauty of this majestic landscape.(B/L/D)

From here, we’ll kick off 2 two-day horse trek moving forward to Eight Lake with exclusive natural formation. A car trip is impossible for the destination due to the surrounding pine forest and the natural formation of rock cliffs. During the trip, you will experience wild nature, livestock, yak, goats, horses, sheep, and wild animals. Also, the landscape today would vary—from wide open steppes to rolling hills, and all the way to the rising Khangai Mountain range, Mongolia’s second largest mountain range. We pass through the Eight Lakes Protected Area, which is 2500 meters above sea level. We stroll by numerous small lakes on the way and arrive at Shireet Lake, which is arguably the most beautiful of all the lakes in this natural reserve. We will continue our ride into the southern half of the nature reserve after a picnic lunch on the lake’s banks. We’ll stay in tents. We’ll return to Buurug camp the next day in the evening and spend the day at the tourist camp.(B/L/D)

After breakfast, we will drive for about 4-5 hours to the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes. The Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes in Mongolia are a stunning natural wonder known for their unique beauty. What sets them apart are the Mongolian Bactrian camels, a rare sight not found in the Sahara or most other places. These camels have adapted to Mongolia’s harsh climate and are known for their gentle and slow-paced demeanor. Riding them through the dunes offers a one-of-a-kind experience, allowing you to appreciate the breathtaking landscape at a leisurely pace that’s truly unforgettable. Combining these gentle giants and the mesmerizing dunes makes for an extraordinary adventure you won’t find anywhere else. Overnight in the tourist camp.(B/L/D)

You’ll depart from Kharkhorin in the morning and drive to Khustai National Park for about 3-4 hours, arriving at noon. Known for its successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horse, also known as the Mongolian wild horse or Takhi, into its native habitat, Khustai National Park boasts diverse landscapes including vast grasslands, rolling hills, and rocky outcrops. These provide habitats for various wildlife species such as deer, marmots, and more, in addition to wild horses. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, and learning about conservation efforts in this beautiful protected area. Afterward, we’ll head back to Ulaanbaatar on a paved road for 100km.(B/L)