Horse Trekking To Mongolian Heartland From Kharkhorin
About this tour
Discover heart of Mongolian within a week to define its charm and magic. Heartland of Mongolia bestows wide variety of landscapes with vast valleys, green meadows, thick pine forests, lava fields and rich flora and fauna. About trips around Mongolia we specialize in arranging customized tours to everywhere in Mongolia with our co-local guesthouse in the Kharkhorin ancient capital, if the tour will be departed from Kharkhorin ancient capital.
Then we are kindly recommend our horse trekking tour partner that we have been cooperating and joining our trip for all kind of destination tours together, specifically tailored to your individual interests and requirements. Soon we will send you our suggested itinerary according to your tour request exploring horse trekking to Eight Lake Area and Orkhon Valley Area which all horse trekking tours destinations are carefully designed to give you the best possible experience of Mongolia.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin ancient capital city
Ulaanbaatar –Kharhorin 365km ● Kharhorin, the former capital of Great Mongolian Empire in the 13th century. Although considered as an ancient capital, there are very few remains left from this historic place. We will visit the one of the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery named “Erdene Zuu” which was built upon the ruins and foundations of capital Kharhorin in 1586. Luckily it has survived communist purges in 1937 and was re-opened as a museum. ● Excursion to the local museum of Kharhorin city where you will explore traces of Mongolian history dating from early Stone Age to Great Mongolian Empire. The museum offers great collections of items that were found from various excavation and expeditions around Kharhorin and Orkhon Valley. Following the museum we will stopover by other sites such as phallic rock and Turtle rocks. ● Overnight at the ger guesthouse.
Day 2: Kharkhorin ancient capital city to Orkhon valley
Kharhorin- Orkhon valley 200km ● Today we will see Orkhon waterfall which is on the confluence of Ulaan and Orkhon rivers. Therefore occasionally locals would refer the Waterfall as Ulaan Tsutgalan, meaning Red Fall. The Orkhon waterfall is counted as the biggest waterfall in Mongolia due to its height and width. In the years of bountiful rainfalls, waterfall becomes majestic creating rainbows over its currents. ● You will have the opportunity to ride a horse in the valley ● Overnight at the nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
Day 3: Orkhon valley to Horse trekking to Eight Lakes
Orkhon waterfall- Eight Lakes approx. 4-5 hours horse ride • Today we will start of journey on the horse to the remote Eight Lakes. The horse trail is pretty rough and notably harsh due to the lava stones which make it more challenging yet beautiful too. As we reach the area, we will be visiting several lakes as the name suggests surrounded with larch forest and rich green meadow. Due to the higher altitude, the area is quite cool and it isn’t a surprise to have snow in August or September. • Overnight optional: Nomadic family ger / tents (B+L+D)
Day 4: Horse Trekking To Eight Lakes to Hiking to Shireet Lake
• Easy day with a mild hike to the biggest of all Eight Lakes, Shireet. We will dismount our horses and continue with hiking in the area to discover its splendors and arrive at Lake Shireet, probably the most beautiful of all. Explore the area. • Head back to the host family to benefit simple pleasures of nomadic life in nature such as drinking yak milk tea, playing anklebones, enjoying sunset or just stargazing. • Overnight in the tents (B+L+D)
Day 5: Hiking to Shireet Lake to Horse trekking back to Bodon Pass
• Riding our horses and slowly returning to Bodon Pass, where our vans will be waiting for us. Drive to waterfall area. • Overnight with a nomadic family. Tonight you will have opportunity to try Mongolian traditional barbeque. (B+L+D)
Day 6: Horse trekking back to Bodon Pass to Tuvkhun monastery
Orkhon Valley – Tuvkhun Monastery 70km • Driving to Tuvkhun monastery and we trekking through mountains and forests until Tuvkhun Monastery, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view on the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley. Tuvkhun monastery – Khugnu Khaan Natural Reserve 130km • We will carry onto Khugnu Khaan Nature Reserve today which is a combination of all kinds of natural settings such as mountains, forest, steppe, desert, small lake and mineral water spring all in same location forming unique scenery and representation different natural zones. The area is perfect for hiking, climbing. • Experience Mongolian hospitality with locals. • Camel riding on the dunes • Overnight optional: Nomadic family ger / tents (B+L+D)
Day 7: Khugnu Khaan Nature Reserve to Ulaanbaatar
Khugnu Khaan Natural Reserve – Ulaanbaatar 280km ● On the way to Ulaanbaatar, we will stopover at Khustai National Park which is known as being a home of Przewalski wild horses. Named as “Takhi” in Mongolian, these are the last and only breed of wild horses in the world. Since its re-introduction, today in the Park, there are some 300 wild horses. ● The equality of the various ecosystems within the park assures abundant wildlife. 46 mammals, 172 birds, 2 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 16 fish, and over 289 insect species have been recorded. ● Back to Ulaanbaatar (B+L)
What's included
• Transfers upon arrival and departure
• Accommodation in a hotel or hostel in Ulaanbaatar • Hotel extras, such as telephone calls, bar bills and laundry services • Travel insurance, medical insurance • Visa application fees • Alcoholic beverages • International airfare or train ticket • Changes of arrival/departure flights • Gratuity to guides and drivers • Additional services • Any charges of major force beyond our control (e.g. imposition, quarantine restrictions, etc…)
What to know
EXTENSIONS: • SOUTHERN MONGOLIA- GOBI DESERT • NORTHERN MONGOLIA-KHUVSGUL LAKE • EASTERN MONGOLIA –CHINGGIS KHAN STATUE, TERELJ NP
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin ancient capital city