Horseback riding in Mongolia between the steppes and the Orkhon Valley

This morning, you'll travel to Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire. Founded in the 13th century by Genghis Khan, this legendary city was a major crossroads on the Silk Road and the political center of the vast empire, before Kublai Khan moved the capital to Beijing. Today, a few vestiges still recall the past grandeur of this mythical city.

Next, you will discover the Erdene Zuu monastery, founded in 1586 by a Mongol prince. Considered one of the oldest monasteries in the country, it is famous for its temples with Chinese and Tibetan influences, surrounded by an impressive enclosure of 108 sacred stupas.

The visit continues at the Karakorum Museum, which retraces the fascinating history of the region and the Mongol Empire.

Today your horseback riding adventure truly begins. From Kharkhorin, you'll embark on a nine-day trek through the Orkhon Valley, before reaching Naiman Nuur National Park. The first six days will be supported by a logistics vehicle, while the final two will be spent entirely on your own, with your belongings and equipment transported by Bat yaks.

For this first leg of your journey on horseback, you'll travel along the Orkhon River, in the heart of the eponymous valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A major center of Mongolian nomadism, this vast plain welcomes numerous herding families each summer who set up their traditional camps there.

From your mount, you observe the daily life of the nomads: herds roaming freely, children playing near yurts and horsemen crossing the steppe.

At the end of the day, you reach the village of Khujirt, renowned for its hot springs with healing properties, highly valued by Mongolians. Camp is set up on the banks of the Khujirt River, in a peaceful setting ideal for concluding this first day of hiking.

We continue our ride across the vast grasslands of the Orkhon Valley, a true land of nomadism. Throughout the day, herds of yaks, sheep, goats, and horses roam freely around us, offering a vivid and authentic glimpse of rural Mongolia.

This immersion in the heart of the steppe reveals a picturesque Mongolia, where unspoiled nature and nomadic traditions blend harmoniously.

At the end of the day, we reach the "Uurt bend", at the foot of the Khangai mountains. It is in this peaceful natural setting, open to wide open spaces, that we set up camp for the night.

From our camp at the Uurt bend, we begin a day's ride through mountains and forests towards the Tövkhön monastery. It was in this isolated place that Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the famous Soyombo alphabet, which has now become a national symbol.

Perched at an altitude of 2,312 meters, the monastery offers a spectacular panorama of the Khangai mountain range and the vast Orkhon Valley stretching as far as the eye can see. We take advantage of this remarkable setting to enjoy our picnic overlooking one of the most beautiful landscapes in Central Mongolia.

In the afternoon, we resume our ride to the banks of the Orkhon River, where we set up camp for the night.

We leave this enchanting setting to reach the mountain range that rises to the south of the valley. As we progress, the volcanic character of the region gradually reveals itself, with vast expanses of black lava bearing witness to its geological history.

We then ascend a neighboring valley where, with the increase in altitude, larch forests reappear. The climb continues over more rugged terrain until we reach the Mogoit springs.

Setting up camp in tents for the night, in the heart of an isolated and preserved mountain setting.

Today, we ride to our local guides' camp, located in the heart of the valley. Upon arrival, we meet their family and discover their daily life as herders, punctuated by milking animals, making dairy products, and cutting wood.

These shared moments offer an immersion into Mongolian nomadic life, allowing visitors to observe gestures passed down through generations and enjoy simple, authentic scenes. A game of knucklebones with the children or a chat around the fire makes this encounter particularly heartwarming.

This morning, we set off on horseback towards Ulaan Tsutgalaan Falls, an impressive torrent of white foam cascading down black volcanic rock. When the sun's rays reflect off it, the water takes on iridescent hues, occasionally forming delicate rainbows. This spectacular site is believed to have been formed over 20,000 years ago, following a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

We then continue our ride towards the gates of Naiman Nuur National Park. The trail winds through vast steppes dotted with edelweiss, before running alongside beautiful pine and larch forests.

At the end of the day, we reach Boorgiin Oroi, where a family of yak herders welcomes us for the night. Their camp, set up on the edge of a small wood, faces the mountains of Naiman Nuur Park and offers a peaceful and unspoiled setting, ideal for another immersion in nomadic life.

Today, we enter Naiman Nuur National Park by crossing the Khangai Nuruu Pass. Very quickly, the landscape transforms dramatically: the verdant steppes give way to a mosaic of much more varied natural environments. Pine and larch forests, wild roses, wildflowers, juniper, currant bushes, and wild onions make up a rich, alpine-like vegetation that will delight botany enthusiasts.

Our route first takes us to Lake Bugat, before we continue on horseback across plains and through forests towards Lake Shireet. At 10 square kilometers, it is the largest lake in the park, and also the highest, perched at an altitude of 2,366 meters. Surrounded by forests and reflecting the deep blue of Tenger, the eternal sky, this wild lake offers a landscape of great serenity and an atmosphere conducive to contemplation.

We set up camp for the night in tents, in the heart of this preserved natural setting.

Today, we begin our return journey to the Orkhon Valley. We cross the marshy area that marks the entrance to Naiman Nuur National Park, then start climbing the eastern slope of the mountain. From the summit, a splendid panorama unfolds before us: the meanders of the Orkhon River stretch into the distance, creating a soothing and harmonious scene.

We then met up with our hosts in Boorgiin Oroi for lunch before hitting the trail again for a few gallops, still fully enjoying the landscapes blending steppe and forest. Finally, we set up camp on the edge of the woods for the night, in tents, surrounded by nature.

For this last day on horseback, we fully enjoy the final gallops across the vast steppes, savoring one last time the freedom and immensity of these Mongolian landscapes. A break by a waterfall allows us to have lunch surrounded by nature, soothed by the gentle murmur of the water.

At the end of the day, we meet up with the family of herders who welcome us once again. We watch them prepare a Mongolian barbecue, a friendly and warm moment that we share to bring our equestrian adventure to a perfect close.

It is with a special feeling that we bid farewell to our local guides, invaluable companions throughout these nine days of riding. We resume our journey towards the spectacular rock formations of Khogno Khan, where the landscape changes dramatically. Semi-desert steppes, taiga, rocks sculpted by time, and a long strip of sand approximately 80 km long make up a fascinating region, often nicknamed the "mini-Gobi".

We continue our journey with a visit to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, a stunning expanse nestled in a landscape blending steppe and rocky outcrops. A true desert interlude, this area offers a striking contrast to the landscapes we have previously traversed.

We end the day with a walk to the Erdene Khambiin Monastery. Perched in the mountains, this 17th-century monastery was built by Zanabazar in homage to his spiritual master, the monk Erdene. The peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views of the surrounding area make it an unforgettable cultural and spiritual stop.

We take the road towards Ulaanbaatar, while the steppe bids us a final farewell: herds of wild horses crossing the track, silhouettes of smoking yurts on the horizon… so many images that accompany our last moments in the heart of nature, before reaching the gates of the capital.

Upon our arrival in the city centre, check-in at the hotel, where you can rest and enjoy some well-deserved comfort.

The rest of the day is free. With your guide, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the city's shops and markets to make your last purchases and take a little piece of Mongolia home with you.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will accompany you to Ulaanbaatar International Airport. Your return transfer will be arranged according to your flight schedule.

We wish you a wonderful journey home and hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again soon for another adventure in Mongolia.