No fences, no power lines, no paved roads! Mongolia is a unique area of unsurpassed geographical and human diversity, with forest, desert, steppe and lake lands populated by over 15 distinct ethnic groups. Join us on a horseback riding adventure in Mongolia to experience this culture first hand and from the saddle.
Horses are deeply embedded within Mongolia’s culture; they are an indication of a man’s wealth. The pace of life is governed by the speed of the horse and horses are woven into Mongolian song, verse and history. Infants are taught to ride before they can walk, and a young man’s prowess is measured by his skill as a horseman. This offers an ideal setting for a small adventurous group to experience a way of life unchanged since the days of the Golden Horde, when Chingis Khan’s “devil horsemen” created the largest empire the world has ever known.
Ask anyone who has spent much time in Mongolia, and they will confirm that seeing the country from the back of a horse is by far the best viewpoint, and in fact the only means of transportation that makes any sense at all. This is true in Mongolia as nowhere else on earth for three reasons. First, the roads are in such abominable condition, and the Russian-made vehicles so lacking in passenger comforts as to render sightseeing by car a trial of endurance rather than a convenience. Second, the landscape is ideally suited to travel by horseback.
Third - you meet the locals. The Mongolians, particularly in the countryside, are naturally warm, hospitable, and quick to laugh. They invite strangers into their gers, generously offer milk tea and cheese curds, answer and ask questions. Travelers arriving by horseback have the advantage of living within a framework familiar to both cultures, and conversation flows quicker and easier as a result.
Highlights:
♦ Mongolia at its best - boundless steppes, ger camps, nomad families, Mongolian horses, vast landscapes, unspoiled nature
♦ Terelj National Park with Turtle rock and numerous unique stone formations amidst the vast steppes and hilly landscape
♦ Ulan Bator - the capital of Mongolia where the nomadic spirit can be still felt no matter of the modern buildings in the centre
Itinerary:
Day 1. Ulan Bator
Arrival in Ulan Bator and transfer to the hotel. Free time.
Optional: Sightseeing of the town including a folklore show in the evening. We visit The Temple Gandan Hiid, The National History Museum, Zaisan Memorial etc. In the evening Mongolian folklore show and dinner will put a good start to your Mongolian experience.
Day 2. Ulan Bator - Terelj
In the morning transfer to Terelj National Park (about 80 km from Ulan Bator), to the base ger camp. We meet the horses and the local guide. Start horse riding to Turtle rock and Ariyabal meditation emple./15km/. Full board /lunch and dinner picnic/. Overnight in camping tents.
Day 3. Real steppe riding
Horse riding to Gunj monastery ruins /20-25km/. Full board /lunch and dinner - picnic/. Overnight in camping tents.
Day 4. Real steppe riding
Horse riding to Yoliin davaa /20-25km/. Full board /lunch and dinner - picnic/. Overnight in camping tents.
Day 5. Terelj
Ride back to the base ger camp for a shower and relaxation after the first riding stage. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp.
Day 6. Tuul River
The second riding stage continues westwards in the direction of the new statue of Chinghis Khan. We pass the forest and reach Tuul River /25 km/. Full board /lunch and dinner - picnic) Overnight in camping tent near the statue.
Day 7. Tuul River
Horse riding back to Tuul river /15km/. Overnight in a tent camp at the banks of Tuul River.
Day 8. Terelj
We cross the river and ride back to the base ger camp, where we say good bye to the horses. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp
Day 9. Terelj - Ulan Bator
Travel back to Ulan Bator, where we spend the night in a hotel. Free time after arriving in Ulan Bator.
Day 10. Departure
Depending on the flight times, transfer to the airport for departure.
Luggage transport: The luggage is transported on horses, so don't pack too much. You can leave your extra luggage at the camp in Terelj.
Practical information: Terrain: Most parts of the tour feature steppes, rounded hills and open valleys. Riding will be about 6-8 hours a day. Horses and saddling: The weight limit of the riders is 95 kg. You will ride traditional Mongolian horses (about 150 – 160 cm high) equipped with tour saddles (wooden base with leather gaskets and pillows), requiring a period of adaptation during which the risk of fall is higher. There are some Western and Russian saddles available. The Mongolian horse is small, with particularly developed forequarters and a short and massive neck. The Mongolian horse is very strong for its size and very tough, they are well able to cope with riders up to the weight limit. The horses are almost never shod, except in winter in the Lake Khovsgol region in winter; this is in order to fix spikes to horses that pull the sleigh on the frozen lake.
Almost all colours are possible, including those with very old markings such as zebra stripes. Mongolian nomads do not name their horses, they call them by their colour and they have dozens of different terms to describe the subtleties of possible colours of their horses. The Mongolian horse has a docile temper, despite spending months of freedom in the steppe it shows a very quiet behaviour as soon as its owner catches it for the ride. They are ridden very differently to the Western style, you do not kick to increase speed, but simply use voice commands. Reins are held in one hand and the ponies are steered by neck-reining. In trot and canter riders should stand in their stirrups as much as possible.
Rider requirements: Must be confident in walk, trot and canter. This is an adventurous ride and riders will be required to participate in horse care, grooming and tacking up etc. Must be fit enough for long hours in the saddle.
Mongolians stand in the stirrups at all paces and so the horses are not used to riders sitting in the saddle. You should be fit enough to stand in the stirrups at trot and canter for periods of up to twenty minutes. Minimum riding age is 12 years.
Gallery
We recommend a flight with Aeroflot or Turkish Airlines
medium-high
Tour: Balkan Kaleidoscope
★★★★★
I just returned from a 2 week tour of the Balkans and thoroughly enjoyed the experience offered by Penguin. Communication leading up to the tour was exceptional. Our itinerary was fast paced and comprehensive and the sights were spectacular. Accommodations were were clean and amenities sufficient for the price paid for the tour. The tour leader, bus driver and the local guides were efficient friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend Penguin travel, especially for off the beaten path destinations.
Tour: Iraqi Kurdistan
★★★★★
My recent trip in Iraq organized by Penguin was excellent from start to end. Both Penguin tour guide (Nessi) and the local guide (Fahad) managed all topics efficiently and facilitated an amazing experience for the group. Now I dream about visiting the Northern part of the country, too.
Tour: Socotra Island Adventures (Yemen)
★★★★★
Thanks for everything in terms of your work and help with this trip to Yemen. It was an amazing experience - one I would recommend to almost anyone. By the numbers of people who travelled to the island, it is only going to get more exposure. The local company was very good - so you can have no problems with them at all. I was really lucky though - there were only 2 of us on the trip - and it was a really nice experience. I will continue to work with Penguin in getting ideas for great places to travel.
04.12.2023 11:00
Nestled amidst the undulating majesty of the formidable Tian Shan mountains, Almaty stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity, presenting an expeditionary sojourn that etches itself indelibly into the traveler's consciousness. Markets pulsating with vitality and parks exuding an air of tranquility, Almaty unfolds its multifaceted allure, catering to every...
02.12.2023 09:40
Nestled within the undulating tapestry of Moravia's landscape, Vranov Castle emerges as an awe-inspiring testament to the relentless march of centuries. Perched atop a defiant rocky outcrop, this medieval gem stoically bears witness to the ceaseless ebb and flow of time, encapsulating tales of nobility, epic battles, and an architectural grandeur that resonates through the ages. Our expedition...
30.11.2023 09:20
Nestled amid the meandering Thu Bon River, Hoi An, a beguiling ancient town ensconced in the tapestry of Vietnam, extends an invitation laden with historical opulence, cultural vibrancy, and a beauty that ensnares the senses. This UNESCO World Heritage site, a siren call for those in pursuit of a harmonious amalgamation of antiquity's allure and the modern era's enchantment, beckons enthusiasts...
28.11.2023 08:00
Nestled in the heart of the Philippines, Palawan beckons with promises of pristine landscapes, turquoise waters, and a tapestry of cultures waiting to be explored. Aptly dubbed the "Last Frontier" of the country, Palawan is a haven for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those in pursuit of a genuine tropical escape. Natural Wonders: El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa Begin...