Mongol ride

Day 2: Ulan Bator - Khustain Nuruu
Arrival in the morning in the Mongolian capital. Reception at the airport, transfer to the city, and visit the Gandan Monastery.
After lunch, stroll through the city center of the old red square of Ulan Bator at the foot of the Parliament, passing by the statue of Genghis Khan and his officers. We then hit the road (100km, 2 hours) to the Khustaïn Nuruu reserve, famous for its Przewalski horses reintroduced since 1992, in a 90,000 hectare natural park. The Takhi, symbol of the Mongolian steppes, represents an important issue in the process of restoring Mongolia's natural ecosystems. Overnight in a yurt camp.

This former capital of the Genghis Khan empire is home to one of the most important Buddhist buildings in Mongolia, the Erdene Zuu Monastery. Visit the site and then meet with our horse owners and the local support team. While choosing our mounts, we learn the traditional uses associated with riding in this country of ancestral riders. Overnight in a yurt camp.

Days 4 and 5: Ride to the Orkhon Valley
On horseback, we set off due south to conquer the steppes of the Orkhon Valley. Following the banks of this refreshing river bordered by mountains and meadows, we reach the heart of eternal Mongolia. Herds of wild horses keep galloping around us. In these places, the horse is a great vehicle for encounters... Using the same means of locomotion, the nomads always welcome us warmly. Sitting under the yurt, we share the airag (fermented milk) together. Everyone gathered for a group photo that would later join the family album displayed on the cabinet where a representation of Buddha and the Dalai Lama was already enthroned. At the pace of suspended time, we are getting closer to the Khangai Mountains chain and then to the Orkhon Falls. Everything around us invites you to go for a walk, rest or fish. 6 hours of horseback riding per day. First night in a tent, and second night in a yurt camp.

Days 6 and 7: Orkhon Falls
Crossing more and more fords on horseback, we reach the famous Orkhon Falls. Volcanic eruptions have given rise to impressive cliffs here. Meadows, forests, mountainous steppes form the privileged setting for these funny stringy stuffed animals: yaks. 6 hours of horse riding per day. Nights in a tent (bivouac).

Days 8 and 9: Khangai Mountains
Along and crossing the Khangai Mountains to the North, our ride leads us to large areas of grassy steppes and splendid mountain pastures. The herds of yaks and sheep are now mingling with the horses. At the bend in our path, a tall fir tree is offered in Ovoo to the rare passers-by. Known for having one hundred branches, the tree is covered with blue scarves used as offerings and prayers. During a break, the woodchucks spy on us and their whistles seem to respond to the hissing of our horses. 6 hours of horseback per day. Nights in a tent (bivouac).

Day 10: Tsetserleg
Departure by horse for Tsetserleg, the capital of Arkhangai. The market remains a must for the curiosity of the eyes, ears or mouth, with its meat donuts, khuushuur and buzz. Discover the Ethnographic Museum located in the monastery of Zayïan Khuree. Then we leave for Tsenkher, a hamlet in the Khangai Mountains that only owes its existence to the hot springs that spring from the mountain. In the middle of a yurt camp, a landscaped outdoor pool offers us a real bath of youth. 6 hours of horseback riding. Overnight in a yurt camp.

Days 11 and 12: Arkhangai Province - Khar Balgas
Return to the East in the direction of Khar Balgas, former capital of the Uigour tribe nicknamed “black ruins”, through large areas of steppes. It is then an opportunity to begin great gallops to measure up to the Mongolian riders encountered along the way. With its landscapes of green hills that undulate endlessly, its coniferous forests, its fauna and flora, the Arkhangai has become the symbol of Mongolian landscapes. 6 hours of horseback riding per day. Nights in a tent (bivouac).

Day 13: Khugnu Khan - Khogno Tarna
Our ride ends at the end of the morning in Khar Balgas, we have to part with our horses to return them to their owner. 3 hours of horseback. Continue by car to our Khugnu Khan base (180km, 3 hours). At the end of the afternoon, visit the small monastery of Erdene Khamba. Overnight in a yurt camp.

Day 14: Khogno Tarna - Ulan Bator
Return to Ulan Bator (4 hours drive). Lunch on the way in a “Guanz”, a typical local restaurant. Discover this capital, astonishing with its Soviet architecture buildings and yurts against the background of grassy steppes... The History Museum invites us to discover the cultural heritage of this country, but it is also possible to go shopping at the state department store, dating from the Soviet era. In the evening, a traditional show precedes our dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

The course of this program is given for information purposes only. It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).