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Mongolia is a paradise for trail riders. However, you can enjoy the great outdoors as much as sleeping in a cozy bed, so Mongolia Travel & Tours decided to offer this "comfort" horseback tour with 100% accommodation in yurts ! This magnificent 13-day horse ride will allow you to enjoy the best of Mongolia in the best conditions with accommodation in yurts with traditional beds and showers every evening (except at the nomadic family's yurt).
HORSE RIDING TRIP IN MONGOLIA
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 1 - Saturday: Ulan Bator. Welcome to Mongolia ! Your English speaking translator is waiting for you at Ulan Bator airport at midday (arrival of Turkish Airlines flight - private transfer at extra cost if you are flying with another airline). Visit of Gandantegchinlin Monastery and the National Museum of Mongolian History. Dinner downtown and overnight at Nine hotel or similar (3*).
Day 2: Ulan Bator - Khogno Khan Park (Bayan Gobi). Breakfast and transfer to Hogno Han Park (5 hours drive - strongly depending on the condition of the roads). Lunch on the way. In the afternoon, short first horse ride in the Bayan Gobi, the "rich desert". We will ride to the Ovgon Khiid Monastery, set in a dramatic scenery. Bayan Gobi region is the only opportunity to ride horses in typical Gobi desert landscape in Mongolia, as there are no horses further south in the Gobi Desert. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 3: Khogno Khan (Bayan Gobi) - Full day on horseback. After breakfast, departure for a spectacular day on horseback. We will ride from the cliffs of Khogno Khan, through Bayan Gobi semi-desert steppes. At midday, we reach an area of golden sand dunes called Elsentasarhaï, where our horses will show their remarkable endurance. Picnic lunch brought by our vehicules, nothing to carry on the horses, so we can enjoy many canters. In the afternoon, we keep on riding in these amazing 
landscapes. The contrast between the desert dunes and the marshland that borders them is spectacular! We pass suddenly from the desert to the Garden of Eden. Nomads often gather their herds in this vast wet plain, a wonderful vision... We arrive on horseback at the yurt camp, located in a semi-desert environment. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 4: Khogno Khan - Orkhon Valley. After breakfast, we drive through the Orkhon Valley to visit the family of the nomads who will guide us during this ride and who breed the horses we will ride (4 hours drive - 
strongly depending on the condition of the roads). Late lunch, and it is time to choose our horse for the first ride in the Valley. This short ride will be the opportunity to get acquainted to our horse. As we come back at the nomadic family yurts in the evening, it will be possible to try another horse if necessary. The rest of the day is devoted to the discovery of the traditional lifestyle of the nomads of Mongolia. We can participate in their daily activities, and become acquainted with the various family members. You'll find simple tips to facilitate contact with your host family on the site by clicking here. In the evening, our hosts will prepare a traditional specialty, the Khorkhog, the "Mongolian barbecue". This night, we will sleep in a "guest-yurt" close to our nomad family's yurts. The comfort is more simple than in the yurt camps as there are no showers, but you will experience the real nomadic way of life...
Day 5: Horse riding tour in the Orkhon Valley (upstream). After breakfast with our nomadic family, we start our horse riding adventure in Mongolia. We ride in the upstream part of the Valley where the landscape becomes wilder and wilder. This volcanic region has black ancient lava flows which contrast with the white running water of the Orkhon River. Picnic lunch brought by our vehicules. On horseback, we reach the forest with the impressive Naiman Nuur mountains in front of us. Dinner and night at a very remote yurt camp in the forest (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 6: Horse riding tour in the Orkhon Valley (Orkhon Falls). After breakfast, we still ride in the upstream part of the Valley, returning towards the Orkhon Falls through another way. Picnic lunch brought by our vehicules. We arrive in the afternoon at our yurt camp, not far from the famous Orkhon Falls where we go on horseback. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 7: Horse riding tour in the Orkhon Valley (Uurt). Another beautiful day on horseback as we will ride to one of the most famous sites of the Orkhon Valley: Uurt Canyon. Picnic lunch brought by our vehicules. We are now in the downstream section of the Valley, the landscapes are more open, towered by two mountain ranges, and we meet lots of nomadic families with their herds, who take advantage of the rich grass of the valley. The arrival at the yurt camp (gercamp) is a nice surprise as it is located in a superb site, bordering the canyon of the Orkhon River. We will spend 2 nights in this beautiful gercamp. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 8: Horse riding tour in the Orkhon Valley (Around Uurt). Today we ride in the surrounding mountains, to get a higher view on the Orkhon Valley. We return to the same gercamp in the evening. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds).
Day 9: Horse riding tour in the Orkhon Valley (Khujirt). Today we continue our horse riding tour to the southern mountains bordering the Orkhon Valley, in Khujirt region. Khujirt is famous for its water, which is bottled and sent all over Mongolia. The view is spectacular on the river which is now mich wider and lazy among wavy grassy hills. That's the Mongolia of your dreams ... Picnic lunch. We arrive in the afternoon at a unique environment friendly yurt camp. The view from the camp on the huge valley is incredible. This camp is "eco-friendly", there is no "real" showers, but wet warm towels are brought to your yurt twice a day: quite surprising but efficient ! Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds).
Day 10: Horse riding tour in the Orkhon Valley (Karakorum). Today is our last day on horseback in the Orkhon Valley. In the last miles before Karakorum - the former capital of Mongolian Empire - the Valley is narrower, offering wonderful views from the mountain slopes on the Orkhon river. This part of the Orkhon Valley is one of the nicest, as the river is very calm, the water reflecting the sky as a mirror. The dark blue water contrasts with the lush green of the grass, and the white yurts around. Many herds roam in the steppe around, and you 
will take many pictures of the typical Mongolia today. It is time to say good bye to our horses and to our wonderful nomadic friends. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 11: Karakorum - Hustai National Park. After breakfast, we visit Erdene Zuu Monastery. After the visit, we drive to Hustai National Park, home of the wild Przewalski's horses also called Takhi (4 hours drive - strongly depending on the condition of the roads). In the afternoon, we go on a drive in the Park to try and find the Takhi. Dinner and night at the yurt camp (2 to 4 riders per yurt, with single beds, showers in a separate building).
Day 12: Hustai - Ulan Bator. Breakfast and early departure to Ulan Bator (2,5 hours drive - strongly depending on the condition of the roads). Lunch and free time for shopping in stores downtown. In the late afternoon, you will attend a show with traditional dances, music and songs from Mongolia, especially the amazing Khoomei. No dinner included, to let you choose among the varied dining opportunities offered by Ulan Bator. Night at Nine Hotel or similar (3*).
Day 13 - Ulan Bator. Breakfast and transfer to airport on time for Turkish Airlines flight (private transfer at extra cost if you are flying with another airline).
* Indicative itinerary: may be changed if necessary.
At Oulam Bator airport at Turkish Airlines flight at 7:50 am or 9:20 am (depending on season). If you arrive with an other flight, please book an earlier arrival flight.
After breakfast, transfer to oulam Bator airport for Turkish Airlines fligh after 7 am.
Our trips do not include flights because it is generally more advantageous to book your transport yourself, avoiding agency commissions. We are at your disposal to help you find the best flight deals and possibly offer you a stay including flights: free service.
Turkish Airlines offers direct flights between Istanbul and Oulan Bator.
RIDING LEVEL & CONDITIONS: 
To participate, you are required to be comfortable at the three paces outdoors and to have experience of trail riding. You must be able to ride and control your horse in large spaces at a walk, trot and canter, to trot or canter suspended for long distances. And to be in good physical condition. Maximum weight: 95 kg.
GUIDE:
Professional guide. The guide speaks English. 
HORSES:
Mongolian horses.
TACK: The saddles are especially made for the rides n Mongolia, which fit both Mongolian horses and riders. They are based on a short wooden tree to respect the back of the horse. On the rider side, a large cushion ensures comfort, and two arches allow better stability in front and behind. The quarters are very long to protect the rider's leg.
ACCOMMODATION:
2 nights in yurt camps, 5 nights in a guest yurt with a nomadic family, 2 nights in a 2* hotel.
You will sleep in traditional yurts, furnished with beds for 1 person (from 2 to 5 beds / yurt), a small table and a stove. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to have individual yurts in most camps, so you should be prepared to share your yurt with other travelers in the group. Some camps offer yurts with a double bed, but their availability cannot be guaranteed. You will find showers, sinks and toilets in a common building.
Yurt camps:
You will sleep in traditional yurts (called gers in Mongolia), furnished with beds for 1 person (from 2 to 5 beds / yurt), a small table and a stove. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to have individual yurts in most camps, so you should be prepared to share your yurt with other travelers in the group. Some camps offer yurts with a double bed, but their availability cannot be guaranteed. You will find showers, sinks and toilets in a common building. A restaurant provides breakfasts and meals. Yurt camps are the most comfortable accommodation available in Mongolia, but don't expect anything luxurious: hot water in showers is often unpredictable, electrical standards are quite "original", and food in restaurants depends on difficult supply conditions in these remote areas.
Guest yurts with nomadic families:Most of our trips include one or more nights in a guest yurt near a nomadic family. This type of accommodation is a unique opportunity to share and discover the traditional way of life of nomadic herders in Mongolia. 2 or 3 guest yurts are installed near the yurt of the nomadic family, surrounded by herds of horses, yaks, goats and sheep roaming freely.
You sleep in a yurt with 4 or 5 individual beds, heated with a traditional stove.
Meals are served either in the nomadic family's yurt or outside if the weather permits. Your hosts prepare traditional Mongolian dishes cooked with the central stove of the yurt.
For your comfort, a shower tent is provided near the yurts. Water can be heated on the stove. Dry toilets are also available.
Hotel in Ulan Bator:
You are staying in a 4* hotel. Several hotels are used depending on availability. Always in the city center: to be able to enjoy the many possibilities offered by the capital, do your shopping at the Department Store which is open late at night, and allows you to have a wide choice of restaurants.
MEALS:
Meals are prepares at the camps by the assistance team.
Filtration pumps to purify water used for cooking. In addition: tablets of Micropur Forte which eliminates viruses and bacteria in 30 minutes. In addition, part of the food is vacuum-packed before departure in order to optimize its preservation during the trip.
Among nomadic families, meals are served either in the family yurt, or outside if the weather permits. Your hosts prepare traditional Mongolian dishes.
In Ulan Bator, meals are taken in the restaurant (free, not included in the price).
LUGGAGE TRANSPORT:
By support vehicle. The logistics vehicle also brings tables and chairs for the picnic lunch (except in certain isolated areas such as Naiman Nuur Park where we use pack horses or yaks).
2025 PRICE PER PERSON:
2780 € / person in shared bedrooms, tents and yurts.
The price is for departures with minimum 5 riders.
Less than riders supplement (2 to 4 riders): 300 € per person.
Depending on the number of riders booked on your ride, this supplement may be charged to you before departure. You agree to accept it by booking this trip.
Booking fees: 15 €
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
The equipped horse rental, a local French-English speaking guide, accommodation, meals (except in Ulan Bator, breakfast only), coffee and water during meals, rides and visits as described, transfers in "Russian" 4x4 with driver, Iridium satellite phone in case of emergency, the financial bond for your payments by our travel agent guarantee.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, visa (around € 60), meals (except in Ulan Bator), drinks other than water and coffee for meals, any visits and personal expenses, the trip to and from Ulaanbaatar, all that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) are compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
FLIGHTS :
Flights to Mongolia are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request.
Très bon accueil par notre guide Boogii, toujours disponible, très bonne interprète qui a constamment fait le lien avec les éleveurs et les familles nomades. Un grand merci également a Ochilo, notre conducteur, pour nous avoir suivi tout du long, préparer les repas. Le tout toujours dans la bonne humeur et avec beaucoup d'humour.
J'ai monté 2 chevaux : un 1er sur deux jour, RAS. Le second pour 7 jours, un peu plus difficile a tenir pour moi car assez énergique mais tout s'est bien passé ! Selle adaptée aux touristes, très confortable et stable ! Les éleveurs et guides font toujours très attention, check les chevaux et les équipement régulièrement et s'assure que tout va bien pour nous.
Un immense merci pour nous avoir toujours préparé des versions végétarienne des repas. Ce fut extrêmement enrichissant de passer des nuitées dans les familles nomades. Nous avons toujours été très bien accueilli.
Un voyage inoubliable avec des rencontres très enrichissantes que ce soit avec les guides, les nomades et les éleveurs.
Les services Cap Rando Cheval: tout va très bien comme d'habitude avec CAP RANDO :-)