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Mongol Horsetrails
Khan Khentii
Mongolia
A close encounter with the Mongolian horsemen and their exquisite horse culture...
The nomads of Mongolia, who to date have survived the global spread of modern lifestyles and therefore the pressures that come with, welcome you to explore their culture and their landscapes. There is no other nation in the world that depends so readily on the horse. Mongol horsemanship is famous and strikingly different to anything else. This horse trek is without vehicle support out in remote, rugged and wild terrain - our luggage will be loaded on to yak- and horse-carts as the nomads traditionally would. Mongolian families frequently move from place to place using these wooden carts which are hitched to the animals available in the region like yaks, or rather yak-cow crossbreeds called hainag. The 'Ger's will be carried to house our mobile restaurant unit and for our days and nights camping along the rivers. The ride starts over the treeless steppes and across rather hilly terrain with occasional patches of lonely birch forest. We will encounter nomadic families where some of the most famous horse trainers of Mongolia live. The herders out here keep their horses in semi-wild conditions, allowing them to live freely in harem groups. There are no fences or any stables - anywhere. Eventually the forests will appear and we will ride towards the Hentii wilderness area consisting of Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area which is within the interior parts of Gorkhi Terelj National Park. We ride through larch forests, up the soft slopes of the mountains following ridges with the most superb Mongolian scenery whilst our yak carts follow the broad river valleys. Two nights in the Sharbulag Valley, then we cross a pass and ride into the upper parts of the Tuul River Valley, near the main ridge of the Hentii Mountains before we reach Jalman Meadows, famous for its wildflowers and ger camp, where we spend two more nights before returning to UlaanBator. Riding in Mongolia is an extraordinary experience you don't want to miss.
In early July this trip can be combined with the world famous Naadaam in Ulaanbataar! Reserve early! A once in a lifetime experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in the horse culture of Mongolia!
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Camping Ride with vehicle support
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Meeting:
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Ulaanbaatar
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Airport:
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Ulaanbaatar
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Transfer:
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Ulaanbaatar
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
10 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Accommodations - 6 nights in tents 2 nighs in Ger Camps portable showers and 2 nights in Hotel,
Leadership, breakfast every day, and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. Camping equipment and all local transport. SOS Medical insurance.
| A | 2012 | 11 day trip, AP except in Ulanbataar | 11d / 10n | $1850 |
| Single room/tent/ger supplement per night | $40 |
| Nadaam Extension July 10 to 12 | $580 |
| Nadaam Extension July 10 to 13 | $660 |
| Night in Ulaanbaatar per room (Single) from | $134 |
| Night in Ulaanbaatar per room (dbl) from | $144 |
Group Leader stays FREE with group of 7+
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Ulaanbaatar included on Day 1
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Tour Dates for 2012
Check here for details and availability
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| A |
2012
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06/09
- 06/19
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11d / 10n
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11 day trip, AP except in Ul...
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2
/10
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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06/30
- 07/10
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11d / 10n
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11 day trip, AP except in Ul...
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2
/10
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Sold Out
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| A |
2012
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07/21
- 07/31
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11d / 10n
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11 day trip, AP except in Ul...
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2
/10
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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08/11
- 08/21
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11d / 10n
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11 day trip, AP except in Ul...
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2
/10
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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08/31
- 09/10
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11d / 10n
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11 day trip, AP except in Ul...
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2
/10
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Gratuities, airport departure tax, Alcoholic drinks.
Air and trail tickets in and out of Mongolia. Meals in Ulaanbataar. Nadaam Games Extension.
Day 01: Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel. Tour briefing after dinner.
Day 02: To the Steppes
A.m. Visit the Gandan lamasery, possibly in time for the prayers, center for the Buddhist revival in Mongolia. The Mongols follow the Tibetan version of Lamaism, Dalai Lama being the supreme theoretical leader.We depart for towards the steppes and have a picnic lunch on arrival. Pitch camp nearby some nomadic families. Here will meet the yak carts and the horses.
Day 03-04: Steppe Ride
Ride over the treeless steppe. We will ride across rather hilly terrain with occasional patches of birch forest. Throughout the ride we will have contact with local herdsmen, often relatives and friends of our wranglers. Our support structure is free from vehicles. All our provisions, camping equipment and luggage will be loaded onto yak carts. Even a ger (yurt) will be brought, and we will learn how to set it up. On the last day, forests will suddenly start to appear and we are now riding towards the Hentii wilderness area, which includes the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area and Gorkhi Terelj National Park. In Mongolia the Siberian boreal forest meets the Central Asian desert and steppe. All the while we will be riding in this transition zone.
Day 05-06: To Sharbulag Valley
The horses will now permit us riding through the larch forests, up the slopes of the mountains following the ridges with superb scenery whilst the yak carts will follow the broad river valleys. We will arrive and pitch camp at the Sharbulag Valley. We will spend two nights here, and it will allow for some flexibility in the middle of our ride.
Day 07: To Tuul River
Cross a pass and ride into the upper parts of the Tuul River Valley. We are now near the main ridge of the Hentii Mountains. The horses will help to get up on to the ridges where the panoramic views are extraordinary. It is a partly forested area.
Day 08-09: To Jalman Meadows
We will ride towards the Jalman Meadows famous for its wildflowers and reach our semi-permanent ger camp. It is situated next to a beautiful wooded meadow on the upper parts of the Tuul River. We will overnight for two nights at Jalman Meadows, making a superb last day ride in the area.
Day 10: To Ulaanbaatar
A.m. Return to Ulaanbaatar and check into the hotel. See the capital city on your own. Distances are short. The local guide is standing by to assist where your points of interest are located.
Day 11: Departure
Naadam: There is a Naadam Festival extension in connection with this ride.
--Subject to change
Meeting:
Ulaanbaatar
Airport:
Ulaanbaatar
Transfer:
Ulaanbaatar
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Tack:
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Mongolian Buryat Soldier Saddles
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Horses:
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Mongolian
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Pace:
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Moderate, long trots and canters, 5 to 8 riding hours daily
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate+
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Age:
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Min
12
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Max
75
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Weight:
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Max
200
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
10 riders
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Mongolia is probably the most
equestrian nation in the world. Not only is the Mongol heritage and
lifestyle intimately connected with the horse, Mongolia is an
exceptionally inviting place for keen horse riders.
The absence of
fences and the vast expanses of the steppes and forests are ideal for
uninterrupted and scenic riding at its best!
It should be remembered that the most professionally bred horses exist
in central and steppe areas close to the city of Ulaanbaatar, since it is there that the horse
racing tradition is more competitive and pronounced. The reason for
this is the competitive edge needed to succeed in the national annual
Naadam Games held in Ulaanbaatar.
We will provide you Russian saddles,
which are more convenient for "western bottoms" than the Mongolian
equivalent. The latter are made of birch wood! We recommend that you
bring your own hard hat. Riding boots or short chaps are essential. We
provide a saddle bag if needed.
Minimum Riding Ability:
Must be a competent rider who is fit and capable of riding at all paces
confidently over varying terrain spending several hours in a row in the
saddle on most days.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
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 . more
The mean elevation of Mongolia is about 1500 meters above sea level (5000 ft) which enhances the sharp continental climate. For most of the year it is very cold, especially at night. Precipitation is low and skies are usually clear during the wintertime. Summers, however, are very pleasant just as in the US and Europe. There is a short rainy season in July and August during which most of the yearly rain falls. Around 67-78 percent of all precipitation falls during these three summer months. This rain, however, is just what we get in northern Europe, at about the same time. Occasional strong winds can come and go quickly. Spring and fall pass very quickly.
In Mongolia the Central Asian desert zones meet with the Siberian taiga. Hence, Mongolia is a country of climatic extremes. Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city on Earth. Mongolia is known as the Land of the Blue Sky. Indeed, this is true throughout the winter. Throughout the year, there are 250 sunny days and 9-23 cloudy days. The duration of the period with a mean daily temperature higher than the freezing point lasts about 170-190 days, increasing to the south and southeast up to 200-215 days. The summer climate, when most visitors are likely to be in Mongolia, could be described as being similar to Scandinavian summers. However, with somewhat more pronounced extremes.
Dress is very informal but Mongolian sensibilities dictate a degree of modesty in the cut of the clothing worn. Hotel laundry services are available but you will need to bring two or three changes of clothing for the camping portion of the trip. This basic list will be adequate for the demands of our trips. While in Mongolia we will have weather in the 60's and 70's during the day, but nights will be cold. If you are passing through Beijing on the way to or from Mongolia, be aware that Beijing is hot and humid.
Useful items:
Small binoculars, travel alarm clock, earplugs, journal and pen, pocket knife (put in checked luggage, not allowed as carry‑on), lightweight snacks like granola bars, fruit bark, jerky, trail mix, nuts, tea bags that you can't start the day without, vitamins, water purification tablets, Mongolian phrasebook.
Our support structure is free from vehicles. All our provisions, camping equipment, luggage will be loaded on to yak carts. Even a ger (yurt) will be brought, and we will learn how to use it.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Comfortable riding jeans or Jodhpurs |
| Riding boots (well broken in) or ankle-high riding shoes meant for endurance rides or ‘ride & ties’. These work especially well when worn with a pair of ‘half chaps’ (knee-high leather gaitors). They have a riding heel, but are comfortable enough to be used for your city and village footwear too. |
| Rubber overboots, especially if your riding boots have leather soles. |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Good rain gear: parka and rain pants or “duster” (no ponchos) |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Pile jacket or down vest |
| Wool sweater or wool shirt |
| Warm gloves |
| wool cap or other warm hat |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Long underwear for cold nights (polypropelene or capilene) |
| Women: Jogbra or other suitable sporty support |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Comfortable footwear for city and village walking (sturdy walking shoes or tennis shoes or lightweight hiking boots well broken in) |
| Swimsuit |
| Bandana or scarf |
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| For Camping trips: |
| Sturdy large duffel bag (30x15x14) |
| Sleeping bag (four‑season) |
| Ground mattress (supplied) |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| small towel |
| Camera and enough extra films and batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
| Biodegradable campsuds |
| Minimum 1 liter water bottle (leather bota bags work great for riding) |
| Flashlight with change of batteries |
| Toilet paper |
| Extra baggage tags ("collecting" tags is popular with baggage handlers in Asia) |
| 5 large trash bags to line duffel and sleeping bag stuff sack |
| 6 small & medium zip loc bags for trash disposal |
| Luggage padlocks |
| 25 feet of nylon parachute cord (useful for tying raingear and saddle bags behind saddle) |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
Meals:
The meals will be prepared by our assigned cook for the trip and the menu is originally and personally designed each time by the cook. This means we do not have the exact same mealsmenu for every departure.
We pride ourselves in having cooks that can adapt to both Western and Mongolian cooking on our trips. One may expect the meals to be "Asian", but cuisine in Mongolia (whether traditional or Westernized) is much more similar to Russian cuisine as that is what has been readily available for the past 50 years. Some is quite "Westernized" due to the continued globalization of Russia as it becomes more and more similar to cuisine further West. Most of the urbanized sectors of the country serve this cuisine, while only the traditional and nomadic families live off the traditional Mongolian dishes. Examples of traditional dishes would be huushuur, similar to an empanda, and buuz, a type of meat pasta dumpling.
Breakfast is Western-style - please let us know ahead of time if you do NOT eat eggs & dairy!
Lunch and Dinner are subjective to the current cook's menu, but will often involve pastas, potatoes, veggies, eggs, yohgurt, tuna, breads, various cow meats and sometimes mutton.
There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians on our trips. For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.
If you have a type of food you would like to avoid, please advise us ASAP so we can plan around it!
Accommodation:
When in Ulaanbaatar you will stay at Bayangol Hotel or another modern hotel of reasonable standard. There is a private bathroom in all rooms. Outside Ulaanbaatar we will bathe and wash ourselves in the many streams and lakes. The water temperatures sometimes allow for swimming, but just as often only "a dip". We have in Mongolia portable camping showers of western models and we will set up a shower tent.
This is also necessary at all times in the Gobi, where indeed there are some streams, but they are scarce and not for bathing in, since it is also the drinking water of the locals. We ask our clients to bring bio-degradable toiletries only. We provide a toilet tent which is erected around a squat style hole, which of course is covered after use.
We use Swedish manufactured Hilleberg tunnel tents, that have proved to be resistant to the sometimes strong and sudden Mongolian winds, and they can be erected easily even during rains. We will also provide you with an air mattress or Therma Rest mattress.
You will have to bring along your own sleeping bag when on long journey’s that involve camping. During cold spells early and late in season, there is a slight chance of night temperatures below zero centigrade. Frost is unlikely - but happens - also between June 15th to September 1st. A four season sleeping bag is definitely necessary early and late in the season. If you feel cold easy, or your body is small, you should take some care in the selection of sleeping bag. The idea of a sleeping bag is that your own body heat will maintain and keep the warmth inside the sleeping bag. It means that sleeping without clothes is better than having warm clothes on. And small persons should not sleep in a very large sleeping bag.
If you have never slept under the stars. Don’t worry! You will find it a real pleasure.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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Mongolian Buryat Soldier Saddles
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Mongolian
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate, long trots and canters, 5 to 8 riding hours daily
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate+
|
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Age:
|
|
Min
12
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Max
75
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|
Weight:
|
|
Max
200
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
10 riders
|
|
Mongolia is probably the most
equestrian nation in the world. Not only is the Mongol heritage and
lifestyle intimately connected with the horse, Mongolia is an
exceptionally inviting place for keen horse riders.
The absence of
fences and the vast expanses of the steppes and forests are ideal for
uninterrupted and scenic riding at its best!
It should be remembered that the most professionally bred horses exist
in central and steppe areas close to the city of Ulaanbaatar, since it is there that the horse
racing tradition is more competitive and pronounced. The reason for
this is the competitive edge needed to succeed in the national annual
Naadam Games held in Ulaanbaatar.
We will provide you Russian saddles,
which are more convenient for "western bottoms" than the Mongolian
equivalent. The latter are made of birch wood! We recommend that you
bring your own hard hat. Riding boots or short chaps are essential. We
provide a saddle bag if needed.
Minimum Riding Ability:
Must be a competent rider who is fit and capable of riding at all paces
confidently over varying terrain spending several hours in a row in the
saddle 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 |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Mongol Horsetrails
Tour Code:
IT-MNRT01
11 days /
10 nights
~$1,850.00
Dates :
June to Sept
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Mongolian Buryat Soldier Saddles
Horses:
Mongolian
Pace:
Moderate, long trots and canters, 5 to...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Gallop,
Airport:
Ulaanbaatar
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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