Horseback riding in Khenti, special Naadam festival

In the morning, you'll travel to Khui Doloon Khudag , a valley 25km from Ulaanbaatar , to witness the Naadam horse races . Dressed in their traditional attire, young riders will race on the tracks amidst this grand gathering. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner at a Korean restaurant in town, followed by the opening ceremony with its performances of Mongolian songs , music , and dances . Your day concludes with a return to the yurt camp for the night. All meals are included.

After the festivities of the previous days, you'll set off to explore Ulaanbaatar . In the late morning, you'll visit Gandan Monastery , the capital's main spiritual center, where monks and pilgrims mingle. You'll then have lunch in the city center, a short walk from Sukhbaatar Square , famous for its statue of Genghis Khan . In the afternoon, you'll return to your accommodation for some free time. Take this opportunity to relax and pack your belongings before heading to the Khentii region. You'll spend the night at a yurt camp .

You leave the city and head towards Khentii National Park , a journey of approximately 3 hours . This is your first encounter with nomadic communities. You cross a vast valley with distinctive landscapes and rock formations, where herds of horses, yaks, sheep, and goats graze freely around yurts . You drive a little further before meeting your equestrian guides . After distributing your equipment, you begin your first horseback ride . This 3- to 4-hour leg allows you to get your bearings and gently familiarize yourself with your mount. At the end of the day, you set up camp in tents at the entrance to the valley for the night.

You begin your day on horseback, crossing gentle hills to reach the banks of the Tuul River . Along the way, you stop for lunch in the forest. In the afternoon, your horseback ride continues through the wide-open spaces of the valley. At the end of the day, you arrive at your campsite to spend the night in a tent .

You gradually leave behind all traces of civilization, immersing yourself in increasingly wild environments. Along your route, you cross the Tuul River via a path that is sometimes slightly marshy. You then continue upstream until you reach the Khar-Us area. It is in the heart of this protected natural space that you set up camp for the night.

After breakfast, you leave the valley and enter a tundra zone. You'll be riding through moose territory, learning to identify their tracks throughout the day. Your horseback ride continues through this Siberian-like landscape before reaching slopes covered in dense forest , home to wolves, bears, and deer. After crossing the pass, your route heads north, and the scenery transforms. You'll then ride through vast pine forests where numerous bird species nest, including eagles and woodpeckers. Your journey takes you to the confluence of the Tuul and Hagiin rivers, and then you follow the Tuul again, crossing immense valleys dominated by forested mountains. At the end of the day, you'll reach the sandy shores of Black Lake ( Khagyn Khar Nuur ) to set up camp for the night.

After breakfast, you'll travel up the Tuul River , cross Khulur Hill , and then cross the river. After lunch along the way, you'll reach Black Lake ( Khagiin Khar Nuur ) in the afternoon. You'll settle in for two nights in this pristine natural environment, ideal for wildlife viewing. Enjoy swimming, fishing, or hiking in the surrounding dense forests .

The following morning, you have some free time to rest and recharge. After lunch, you'll embark on a 3-hour round-trip horseback ride to explore Lake Khuurkhun . Returning to your camp at the end of the day, you'll share dinner. You'll spend the nights in tents .

After breakfast, you leave Black Lake to continue your journey. Along the way, the route offers numerous opportunities to observe local wildlife and birds . Participants wishing to add a physical challenge can undertake the ascent of the surrounding mountains to enjoy panoramic views of the region. Your day ends in the heart of a remote and pristine environment. You set up camp on the banks of the Jikuste River , renowned for its clear waters and abundance of fish , where you spend the night.

After breakfast, you'll set off into the Khongoryn Gol Valley, nestled amidst a mountainous landscape. You'll follow the river to its confluence, traversing vast valleys. Your route then leads through a forest of cedars, pines, and birches, where you'll stop for lunch . In the afternoon, your horseback trek continues across the rocky slopes of Mount Bukht . At the end of the day, you'll reach the Khukh Khad rock area to set up camp. You'll spend the night in tents .

Your day begins on horseback , following a steep trail to a pass near Altan Ogii Peak ( 2646m ). Nicknamed the "Golden Cradle," this peak is among the highest in the Khentii Mountains. After crossing the pass, you descend the other side to enjoy lunch by a river. Your horseback ride continues in the afternoon, traversing the Dund Bayan Gol Valley .

At daybreak, after breakfast, you'll set off on horseback to cross the Mongolian valleys . Your equestrian trek will lead you to a nomadic family , giving you the opportunity to discover their way of life and traditions. At the end of the day, you'll settle in for the night in a tent in the heart of the steppe .

After breakfast, you'll spend the morning observing the daily life of the nomads and the preparation of their traditional dishes. You'll then share a meal of Khorkhog , a Mongolian culinary specialty. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a 2-3 hour horseback trek towards the statue of Genghis Khan (please note: visiting the monument is not included in the program) . Your day concludes with setting up camp for the night in the steppe .

Early in the morning, you'll set off again for Ulaanbaatar for a final one -hour horseback ride. After traversing the vast steppe, the return to an urban environment offers a striking contrast. Once refreshed by a shower, you'll have a free day to explore the Mongolian capital at your own pace. At the end of the day, you'll share a convivial dinner in a yurt before spending the night in the yurt village .

Depending on your return flight schedule, you will benefit from a transfer to Ulaanbaatar airport provided by our local team. You will then take your flight home, thus concluding your sporting adventure in the heart of the Mongolian steppes .