Karakorum Ride

Ulaanbaatar arrival and sightseeing

Arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport. After clearing immigration formalities, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. On your way you will pass a large suburban area, where traditional nomadic felt tents can be found next to Western styled family houses. Ulaanbaatar, the energetic capital of Mongolia, is home to more than one million people, nearly half of the Mongolian population. Migration is a tremendous challenge to this fast-growing city. … you will visit the Bogd Khan Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings where the last religious king of Mongolia resided. The Palace is now a museum displaying fascinating artifacts and costumes associated with the king, as well as his collection of European furniture and stuffed animals. The visit the Narantuul Market well known as “Black Market” great traditional market specially those wanting to pick up traditional Mongolian clothing, horse-riding gear, traditional boots, shamanic and Buddhist ritual items, and cashmere products. Overnight in a hotel, lunch and dinner included.

Karakorum

Today, you will travel overland to the ancient capital of Mongolia, Karakorum (about 5 hr). For 30 years the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan, the largest empire the world had ever seen. At its height in 1279 it covered nearly all of Asia and Europe (his grandson Kublai Khan moved the capital to Beijing). This area is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is little left of the former capital these days, but the walls of the massive Erdenezuu Monastery, built in 1586, still stand. Other temples suffered damage under communist purges of the 20th century, as they attempted to eradicate the 60 temples that housed nearly 10,000 Buddhist monks. In the afternoon, visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery which is the most ancient surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It is in Ovorkhangai Province, near the town of Kharkorin and adjacent to the ancient city of Karakorin. It is part of the World Heritage Site entitled Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. After visiting the Karakorum Museum, continue driving to Orkhon Valley reach to Nariin Am (about 6 hr) and meet the local horseman tonight.

Overnight in tented camp

Tuvkhun Monastery

After breakfast the riders are matched to their horses, saddles selected, and the horse tour begins. Today you will visit the monastery, which is situated at the top of Tuvshin Mountain, and where the first religious King of Mongolia – the Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar – worked and lived. Continue riding along the river until you reach the overnight camping spot on the river’s shores.

Overnight in tented camp

Orkhan Valley, Orkhon Waterfall to Tumertein Am

Continue to ride to Orkhon Waterfall, situated in Orkhon Valley. This valley is known as the cradle of Mongolian civilization, as many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its borders. Camp by the waterfall for two nights and participate with caution in the local challenge of “singing games,” where the loser has to consume a whole bowl of airag (fermented mare’s milk).

Overnight tented camp

Buureg-Khuis Lake

Refreshed and relaxing at base camp, it’s back on the horses today to set off into a new area. When you watch the packhorses being loaded, you will be amazed about how much these small, sturdy horses can carry. Nevertheless, we recommend that you take as little as possible with you on this part of the trip. The riding becomes more challenging as you will ride through more obstacle areas and narrow trails of forested mountains into more remoteness altitude of 2200m above sea level where nature is pristine and untouched. You will reach the main destination 0f Eight Lakes and overnight in a tent on the shore of lake.

Shireet Lake-Shurangiin Tsohio

Ride between the beautiful lakes, hike, watch birds and flowers. The Naiman Lake area was formed by volcanic eruption in the late Neogene period. You still can see lava rocks in the flat area and barren mountain tops. Then ride back to where the Nomad family lives for a farewell dinner with horseman and meet the support vehicles.

Overnight in tented camp with kitchen and pack animal support.

Drive to Khugnu Khan

After a leisurely breakfast drive to Khugnu Khan, past Erdene Khamba Monastery, which is located only 18 km north of Elsen Tasarhai, at the Khogno Khan Uul Mountains (1967 m ASL.) Today there are only the ruins. Erdene Khamba Monastery had two sections: the lower one called the Zaluu Khiid, or the “Novice Temple” and the upper one is called the Uvgun Khiid, or the “Elder’s Temple”, which was built on top of the mountain. The monastery was built in a sacred valley, according to Mongolian Buddhist traditions.

Overnight in tented camps

Hustai National Park

After leisurely drive to Hustai National Park, embark on a search for the world’s last surviving subspecies of the wild horse (Eques Ferus), known as Przewalski’s horse, or takhi here. Poaching and livestock overgrazing decimated once large herds and after sightings ceased in the 1960s, conservationists pronounced the takhi extinct in the wild. Fortunately, however, small numbers of these distinctive Mongolian horses were living in captivity, so scientists collaborated internationally to breed and reintroduce the species in its native habitat. The reintroduction of the rare and endangered Przewalski’s horse has proven a success story estimate now place the total free-ranging takhi population in Khustai Nuruu and other reintroduction areas at nearly 400. Hike to Moilt valley, abundant with patches of forest and all kinds of flowers. It is one of the best locations to observe wildlife. This is a perfect place for hiking. After Lunch drive to Tuul Riverside Lodge in Maikhan Tolgoi. An intimate and fully sustainable traditional Mongolian ger camp on the foot of the Bayanzurkh Mountain, the beautiful camp’s surrounding invites to be explored and discovered! Your gers are prepared by a dedicated team of people, giving you a warm welcome! Please feel free to channel your inner discoverer and explore the beautiful surroundings of our camp! We hope to give you an insight of Mongolia’s captivating culture
through various activities.

Overnight Tuul Riverside Lodge: ger with ensuite bathrooms

Tuul Riverside Lodge

After breakfast our nomadic neighbor will come with his ox and cart and will take you on a ride, while you bring Mongolian bows and arrows along. Legendary for their prowess with the bow, Mongols perfected this ancient practice with bows constructed from wood, animal sinew, bone, and glue made from fish bladders in a process that could take up to a year. A stone inscription dating from the 13th century claims that one of Genghis Khan’s generals hit a target from a distance of 1/3 of a mile! Late in the afternoon will learn a Mongolian traditional game using ankle bones, like a shooting and horse racing etc. In the evening dine on a traditional Mongolian barbecue food, known as Khorhog, demonstrating what an important ingredient stones can be: mutton will be cooked slowly in a huge, metal urn with vegetables, water, and most importantly hot stones from the flame. The meat becomes soft and tasty, and the water turns into a thick meaty broth… Quite a few Mongolian chefs affirm that they can taste the difference between river and lake stones. The day will finish with a camp’s bon-fire and star gazing, which is unforgettable on a clear night.

Overnight Tuul Riverside lodge

International departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred the hour and a half to the airport and back home.