Horseback Riding in Mongolia
GOBI GRASSLANDS TREK |
It is an overwhelming visual experience of emptiness and vastness to ride across the silent treeless steppe, completely devoid of fences, paved roads, power lines or permanent structures, stretching away into the distance with no trace of human activity except the pastoralists themselves, and their herds.
This well-designed trek introduces a concept of practical and desirable travel in Mongolia. You will live with the horses and the camel carts in the great outdoors, choosing the life of the nomad. It is an active holiday calling for some effort, but with plenty of relaxation and pleasure.
You will drive south from Ulaanbaatar some 120-150 km over the treeless steppe. The head horseman will select some good riding horses among the hundreds available. Your gear will be moved from camp to camp on traditional wooden carts pulled by bactrian camels. Along the way you will pass nomadic herdsmen families. The human features of this open and vast landscape are perhaps the most interesting, since all families in the area 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.
|
|
|
| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | ULAANBAATAR
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Tour briefing after dinner.
|
| Day 2: | ARBURD SANDS GER CAMP
From Ulaanbaatar, drive south some 140 kms over the treeless steppes to Arburd Sands, a giant 20km long sand dune. Lunch at the camp, followed by a meeting the horses and a test ride. The 2-hour loop will cut through a section of the dunes, then back onto the grassland, past the gers belonging to nomadic families, and back to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. |
| Day 3: | ARBURD SANDS GER CAMP
Today you will ride a larger loop, through the hills and steppes, returning to the gers for a second night. |
| Day 4: | TO IKH ZORGOL HAIRHAN UUL
The Gobi steppes are in this area quite variable since we ride through the transition zone of the Gobi, meaning there are true steppe, semi arid steppe, sand dunes and also giant rock formations. Today we will ride for 30-35 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 steppe. Overnight at the camp. The camp gear and our luggage was moved to this site loaded on traditional wooden carts drawn by bactrian camels. |
| Day 5: | : IKH ZORGOL HAIRHAN UUL
You will ride a big loop today, exploring the area and possibly seeing the elusive Argali sheep – the largest wild sheep in the world. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight. |
| Day 6: | BAGA ZORGOL HAIRHAN UUL
Continue riding east, passing a small Gobi lake, with perhaps 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”. Dinner and overnight in camp. |
| Day 7: | BOGD UUL NATIONAL PARK / ULAANBAATAR
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 only one hour. Overnight at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar. |
| Day 8: | DEPART
Transfer to the airport, railway station, or your next Mongolian destination. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
|
| Pricing and Dates |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 5 1/2 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate Novice |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-10 |
| Riding Per Day | 6 hours |
| Pace | walk and trot, some canter |
| Tack | locally made English-style |
| Horses | Mongolian |
| Weight Limit | 210 lbs |
| 2008 Dates | June 17-24, Aug 4-11, Aug 24-31
With Naadam: July 10-20 |
| 2008 Price | $1375
With Naadam: $2070 |
| Single Supplement | $190 ($370 with Naadam) |
|
|
|
|
