Horseback Riding the Nomadic Trail - Zavkhan Province
Included In-Country Services
Horseback Riding Zavkhan Trail
This horseback riding trip in Zavkhan is an exciting ride in the heart of the Khangai mountains, an area that is renowned for its abundance of wildlife and generosity of nature. For the people of the Khangai, generosity is natural and is never questioned. A visitor is just asked to bring his vessels and have them filled up with mare’s milk, the most adorned beverage of the Mongols.
Horseback riding through mountains and green forested valleys you will visit pristine lakes, freshwater lakes, and experience this immensely rich and beautiful country.
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Sightseeing and Welcoming Dinner
After lunch, you will have city sightseeing including visits to Gandan Tegchilen Monastery, the Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum, and the National History Museum. Welcome dinner and overnight.
Flight to Tosontsengel to Start our Great Horseback Riding Adventure!
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Tosontsengel. Your guide will accompany you on board and after an hour and a half, you will land in this jewel of the Khangai Mountains. On arrival, we will meet the rest of our staff and drive to the Ider river via Mergen Pass. The Ider River is fed by the Khangai mountain range. We will set our tented camp on the bank of the Ider River.
Overland by Jeep to Ider River to Overnight and Start our Horseback Adventure
After breakfast, we head to Darkhan Uul village via Ider village. Our campsite will be on the banks of the Ider river next to the Darkhan Uul village. We will reach the bank of the Ider river early in the afternoon. Our horsemen will be awaiting our arrival at the campsite. Dinner and tented camp overnight.
Before we Start our Horseback Riding Adventure – Safety First – Time for Some Basic Familiarization
Today will be dedicated to familiarizing yourself with the horses and tack. We will have meals and overnight in our previous camp. Those not wanting to ride the whole day can just relax.
Today is the Day! We’ll Horseback Ride Across Ider Valley to Our Next Camp Site
Today we will start our linear horse ride. We will start up the Ider valley and reach the foothills of Rashaanii Pass. Our vehicles will go ahead and set up our camp, so by the time we reach there, the showers will be set up and dinner will be ready. Total riding is 25km.
Today We’ll Horseback Ride towards “Hot Spring Pass” via Bogd River Valley
Today we will continue riding, and we will pass by the Otgon Hot Spring Resort and descend into the Bogd River Valley, a wide lush valley with larch forests on the higher slopes until we reach the place called Uujim Corner. If you wish you can take a hot bath in the spring. Later we will continue until we reach a pass called “Hot Spring Pass” and we will camp overlooking Mount Baga Bogd.
After breakfast we’ll Horseback Ride onwards to Lake Nart where we can see the Snowy Dome of Mount Otgontenger
We will ride further south to reach Lake Nart at the lower reaches of Mount Otgontenger. The lake lays at the northern edge of the Dayan Mountain Range, and it is a pretty spot surrounded by larch forest. From here we can see the majestic and snowy dome of Mount Otgontenger. We will stay overnight next to the lake.
Today We’ll Horseback Ride towards Nomadic Families and Camp Out Near Mount Otgontenger
Horseback Riding further we will visit nomadic families scattered around Lake Blue. Nomadic hospitality is a crucial factor in surviving this harsh and remote area, and hosts will offer ‘airag’ or fermented mare’s milk, the beverage adorned by all Mongols for its nutritious and healthy qualities.
After that, we ride upstream along the Bogd River and make our camp at the northern foothills of Mount Otgontenger. It is 4031m high and is considered to be a sacred mountain by the local people. It really is the acme of the Khangai Mountain Range.
After Exploring Mt. Otgontenger Area, We’ll Continue Horseback Riding Towards 8 Fresh Water Lakes!
Today we will explore the surroundings of the sacred mountain. We will ride around it and visit Lake Badar Khundag, one of the 8 beautiful freshwater lakes scattered around it. After visiting the lake and having our packed lunch we will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Via the Bogd River, We’ll Horseback Ride to White Lake and our Next Camp – Northern Edge of Lake Nart
Today we ride to White (Tsagaan) Lake. Descending along the northern bank of the Bogd river we will cross at Lake Nart and set up our camp near the northern edge of the lake.
Today we’ll Horseback Ride Towards Shireegiin River
Horseback ride southwards along the eastern shore of White Lake and on reaching Doloogiin Pass we will have our lunch. In the afternoon we will descend to the Shireegiin river and set up our camp.
Horseback Ride through Shireegeen River’s Hills
Today we will have a relaxed day with some gentle riding through the forested hills surrounding the Shireegiin river. From the top of the hills, there will be a beautiful vista of Myangan and Mount Otgontenger. Lunch will be served in the camp. In the afternoon you are free to ride, rest, or hike. This is our last day with the horses.
Overland by Jeep to Uilastai for Return Flight to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we drive into Uliastai and catch a flight to UB. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Welcome dinner will be at Hazara restaurant, with delicious North Indian cuisine.
Departure
You will be transferred to your international flight.
This tour can be organized as an individual request.
2 domestic flights, transportation within Mongolia. Single accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost. Tented accommodation while on the trek, three meals a day, English-speaking guide, all sightseeing costs, transfers, camel or horse hire where specified, support staff including drivers, horse/camel men and camp assistants.
International transportation, travel insurance, visas, departure tax, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, items of a personal nature.
It is the responsibility of the client to be fully covered with travel and medical insurance while traveling in Mongolia.
Upon request, a single supplement in the countryside can be provided at the additional cost. In case single accommodation in ger camps was not provided the amount would be calculated based on the missing nights and reimbursed.
Nomads cannot be held responsible for over bookings, as long as the company can prove with sufficient documentation that overbooking has been the error of the third party.
Should circumstances beyond our control, such as the imposition of quarantine restrictions, any changes of the domestic flight or train schedules, require a change of itinerary, we will inform your agent and propose an equivalent itinerary. Again, Nomads cannot take over the responsibility for the Airlines or the National Train Company. The traveler is responsible for having proper travel documents, such as a valid passport, proper visa, and the necessary passport pictures.
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