Gobi Steppe Ride Gobi Steppe Mongolia A horseback journey across the Mongolian steppelands is an experience not available elsewhere on Earth. Steppe habitats once made up 25 percent of the global land area. Today the Pampas, the puszta, the Prairies and the Ukraine have largely been developed for agricultural output. Only the Mongolian steppes have survived. The high elevation of Mongolia creates unusually clear air - all the year round. It is an overwhelming visual experience of emptiness and vastness to ride across the completely silent treeless steppes, completely devoid of any fences. Stretching away into the distance: no trace of human activity except for the pastoralist´s - themselves and their herds. Meeting: Ulaanbaatar Airport:   Ulaanbaatar Transfer: Ulaanbaatar

Packages and Options

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Day 01: Ulaanbaatar
 Arrive the Mongolian capital and transfer to the hotel. Tour briefing after dinner.
 Day 02: To Southern Töv
 A.m. Drive south across and continue across the steppes to a place in the middle of nowhere called Holboo. Pitch camp by horse breeding nomads. Selection of horses. Horse riding briefing and try riding. Overnight in tents.
 Day 03: To Saran Tolgoy
 Today we will start our ride across the steppes for 20km. Gobi high altitude fauna such as Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon) are present in the hills and rocks, and quite possible if lucky, to be seen during this day. Moreover small herds of Gazelle may be seen on the steppes, and maybe some wolves.
 Day 04: To Elsen Hudag
 Full day of 20-25km ride across the steppes to the smaller sands at Manhan. It is a small sand dune that visibly has cut its way through the steppe, as it has been moving itself, so pushed by strong winds, towards the east. We continue the ride to Elsen Hudag. Hudag - this area usually has many nomadic families in its immediate vicinity.
 Day 05: To Uushig
 Our ride now continues across the steppes. We ride to the uninhabited area of Uushig, where there is a small spring, and spectacular rock formations. Among the rock formations it is very likely to spot Argali Sheep. Our campsite is within the rocks as a back drop and potentially bring us “Flaming Cliffs” at sunset.
 Day 06: To Baga Zorgol Hairhan Uul
 Continue riding east, passing a small Gobi lake, Hariin Nuur with some interesting birds. The distance is 25 km to the smaller – but still giant – Baga Zorgol Hairhan Mountains and rock formations. The lakes act as “islands” for waterfowl flying across a “sea of grass”. We pitch camp here and scan the ridges of this spectacular rock wall for Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica).
 Day 07: Ikh Zorgol Khairkhan Uul
 The Gobi steppes are in this area quite variable since we ride through the transition zone of the Gobi, meaning there are true steppes, semi arid steppes, sand dunes and also giant rock formations. Today we will ride for 25-30 km across populated steppes and for the full day we can see the Zorgol Hairhan giant rock formations in the distance. They are several hundred meters high, and have dramatic features in the middle of the steppes.
 Day 08: Ikh Zorgol Hairhan Uul
 We will spend two nights camping in this dramatic landscape, and make a day trip around the area.
 Day 9: To Arburd Sands
 A full day ride, for 25-30km towards Arburd Sands. Today we will pass several nomadic herdsmen families. The human features of this open and vast landscape are perhaps the most interesting, since all families in the zone are nomadic herdsmen. In the summer they move with their herds in search of green pastures. Our hosts in the area are themselves keen horse-breeders, and compete in the different Naadam competitions. The Mongolian equestrian tradition is a living cultural heritage since the time of the Huns and Genghis Khan. Still today, the Mongols allow their horses to roam freely in a semi-wild condition. In harem groups with a stallion. There are no fences or any stables. They fend for themselves and forage what they can throughout the harsh winter period, and they also successfully defend their foals against the numerous wolfs. Overnight at Arburd Sands Ger Camp.
 Day 10: Arburd Sands
 The ride today is a short one, but it cuts through the Arburd Sands, a giant 20km long sand dune, which is a hideout for numerous wolves. Our camel carts will make their way around the dunes, while we will be riding right through, providing for Sahara like landscapes. We will stay at Arburd Sands Ger Camp for two nights.
 Day 11: Bogd Uul National Park
 Drive back for half a day to Ulaanbaatar. At lunchtime we will break the journey near Zuunmod, and enter Bogd Khan Mountain, a forested mountain area due south of Ulaanbaatar. Here are the Manzhir monastery ruins and good chances of seeing Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). The drive from Manzhir to Ulaanbaatar is thereafter only one hour. Check into the hotel.
 Day 12: Departure
 Transfer to the airport, railway station, or your next Mongolian destination. We can recommend a stay at Jalman Meadows Ger Camp in the Khan Khentii Protected Area, which provides for a sharp contrast to the Gobi Steppes experience. 

There is a Naadam Festival extension in connection with this ride. 

Subject to change. Reversal of trip: Trips may be done in the reverse for operational reasons.

Average ratings from 3 tour feedbacks (see details below) 1 2 3 4 5 Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date Pal Abrahamsen 7/23/2007 Lisa Jackson 7/23/2003 Michelle Graves 7/25/2002

Staff: A Mongolian English speaking Mongol guide will accompany the group at all times. A cook will follow, with an assistant. In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals. The horsemen will come from Batbadrakh’s families. They follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.


Meals: The meals will be prepared by our cook. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with western, vegetarian and Mongolian cooking on our trips. For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Minimum riding ability: Competent rider. Fit and capable of riding at all paces confidently. Varying terrain, in the saddle for several hours on most days.

Tack:		Mongolian Buryat Soldier Saddles
Horses:		Mongolian
Pace:		5-8 hours - many fast pace stretches | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 to 4.5 out of 5)    Intermediate+
Age:		Min 12	Max 75
Weight:		Max 200
Riders:		Min 2	Max 10

Minimum riding ability: Competent rider. Fit and capable of riding at all paces confidently. Varying terrain, in the saddle for several hours on most days.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of the USA, if entering the country as a tourist, for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
(a) All foreign nationals staying in Mongolia for longer than 30 days are required to register with the police within 10 days of arrival. (b) Nationals entering Mongolia for stays up to 30 days should apply for an Entry and Exit visa; for stays over 90 days nationals should apply for an Entry visa. (c) Nationals transiting via trains can apply for a single-, double- or multiple-entry Transit visa.
Types of Visa and Cost
Entry and Exit visa: £40 (single-entry, 30 days); £55 (double-entry, 30 days per visit). Entry visa: £35 (single-entry, 90 days). Transit visa: £35 (single-entry); £40 (double-entry); £45 (multiple-entry).
Validity
Visas are valid for three months from date of issue.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. If travelling on an organised tour, visas can be obtained through tourism companies or travel agencies. A group visa in the name of the tour leader is valid for all tourists on the list attached, provided relevant details (nationality, sex, date of birth, passport numbers, and dates of issue and expiry) are given at the time of application.
Working Days Required
Two to five. An express service is available which costs an additional £20. 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	1
Other EU	Yes
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No