Menu
Menu
Explore the vast Mongolian steppe by horseback. To go horseback riding in Mongolia is to immerse yourself in the thousand-year-old lifestyle of nomads. This authentic experience allows you to take advantage of the wide open spaces and breathtaking landscapes that the country abounds with!
If you imagine an army, your imagination will certainly add armored personnel carriers and tanks. But in the XII century, their role was played by horses. What were the war horses of Genghis Khan, we can find out now, since the breed has not practically changed since then. Known to man, she was back in 2000 BC. This is truly one of the oldest breeds of horses.
These animals inhabit, as the name implies, in Mongolia. And the conditions are harsh. The annual temperature difference is 70-80 ° C. Strong winds almost constantly blow from the Gobi Desert, and the vegetation is very sparse. It rains almost no, and winter snow quickly melts or is carried away by the wind. But amazing Mongolian horses are able to withstand the elements. Their growth is small: 121-142 cm at the withers.
Mountain representatives of the best breeds are more stocky, Horses live, as before, in herds, in the open air. During the winter and early spring, the horse loses up to a third of its mass, in the summer the animal, which has still not gained strength, is opposed by the hot wind and debilitating insects.
We offer horseback riding as a feature of many of our tours and most people are able to participate according to their skill level and fitness.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_culture_in_Mongolia
https://mongolia-altai-adventure.com/tours-destinations/atlai-tavan-bogd-national-park/
In 2011, scientists conducted a fairly large genetic study, which showed that many Asian breeds came precisely from the Mongolian horse. Except perhapsPrzewalski’s horse , which separated before domestication. A genetic link was discovered between Mongolian horses and the breeds of Central Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland and England.
According to scientists, steppe horses came here not without the help of man. It is scary to imagine how many breeds the Mongolians are “parents”. In addition, our heroes are distinguished by great genetic diversity (this is also evident in the diversity of growth and suit).
Hardy horses are used by nomadic people almost everywhere. I especially want to highlight the jumps. Here they compete rather than for a while, but for endurance. At the same time, almost everyone takes part in the competition: each family can put its best horse to the start. Jockeys are children – they are easier. Children are taught to saddle from early childhood, so that by the age of 6 they can already participate in horse racing.
The Mongols understood the versatility of their wards in the time of Genghis Khan. Warriors preferred to ride on nursing mares so that there were no issues with provisions. In an extreme case, a wreath was cut on the horse’s neck and the owner could get enough of a small amount of blood (I hope).
Several horses were taken for campaigns for one warrior, to always be on a rested horse. Well, riders themselves, by adulthood, showed such a class of vaulting that we never dreamed of.
Ulaanbaatar means ‘Red Hero’, and this bustling city is the capital city of Mongolia, divided by the Tuul River. It is fast growing and developing in many versatile ways, but in contrast to its modern flair, it has kept historical and cultural values as well as monastery temples and other buildings of historical value.
Today, you’ll arrive in UB where you will be met by one of our guides. We’ll help you transfer to the hotel and settle into your room.
After you’ve had a little rest you will have time to see UB and to visit some attractions like The Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, the National History Museum, the Choijin Lam Temple, and the Zaisan Monument, which has a great view overlooking the city. You’ll end the day with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants!
Include
The Altai range is Mongolia’s highest mountain range, known in Bayan-Olgiy as the Tavan-Bogd Mountains. Here, snow-capped peaks and grand mountains like Malchin Peak rise to divide Russia and Mongolia. Technically, the ridge of Malchin peak is the border. Huiten Mountain is the highest of the five peaks, about 4374km above sea level.
The Potanina Glacier, which partially covers the peaks, is 16km long and is the longest glacier in Mongolia.
Today we will fly to Olgiy- the provincial capital of Bayan-Olgiy province. We’ll head into town to have a look around the fascinating museum and perhaps visit a local mosque. Or maybe, have a walk around the town, visit the local market and climb a short way up to ‘Nairamdal Tolgoi’, where you can see the whole town.
After we visit these places, we’ll head to our hotel or ger camp and have a rest until dinnertime. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Include
The base camp, at 3000 meters above the sea level, is the exact spot where you will see the shocking beauty of Tavan-Bogd—the eternal snow, high peaks, and enormous glacier spreading down the mountain.
In the morning we will leave the vehicle behind and load up the camels to start trekking towards to the northwest, the edge of the Potanina Glacier, at the foot of Malchin Peak (4050m). The crew’s supplies will be carried by two-humped camels. We’ll head about five hours, or 17 km, to see breathtaking, fantastic views of the mountains and glacier.
Our base camp on the edge of the Potanina Glacier will offer panoramic views of the mountains and is a convenient base for climbs and exploring the surrounding region on day hikes. This is great trekking—exploring a unique and far-removed corner of the world.
Include
The Malchin peak is the non-technique climbing mountain; no need for special climbing equipment. This peak is about 4050 meters above sea level and divided by two countries— one side belongs to Mongolia and the other to Russia.
Today our mission will be to conquer one of the peaks of the Altai Mountains. The tremendous views of the mountains and glaciated peaks spread over three countries: Mongolia, Russia, and China.
If today we are lucky with weather conditions, from the summit, we will be able to see Russia’s highest mountain, Belauho (5000 meters). We will spend about three hours to get to the summit and less than three hours to go back to our camp.
Include
The best petroglyphs in the area can be found near Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain (a sacred mountain for local people). On the route between Ulaanhus and this mountain, there are more than 10,000 drawings scattered over a 15km area.
This province has over 150 man stones (balbal), over 1500 statues (stone burial marks), 56 deer stones, about 6,200 ancient graves and tombs, and thousands of petroglyphs. On this holy mountain, about 400 ibex live without any threat from locals— because of the belief and respect toward this mountain, there is no hunting here.
The animals can be seen in the early mornings or before sunset. At the foot of a mountain there are big Ovoos, where local Tuvans make offerings and do other shamanistic rituals.
Today we’ll trek down about five hours to the Tsagan-Gol Valley where our friend, a Tuvan camel herder, lives. On the way we’ll visit a Tuvan nomadic family and be introduced to their unique culture. Here, you’ll probably be offered hot milk tea, dairy products, and a special traditional alcohol drink called ‘Chimi Arhi’, or milk vodka.
When the host offers you milk vodka take it with your right hand, hold it with left hand, and put your ring finger into the cup and raise you hand to the sky. This customary tradition should be repeated three times; after that, you can have a sip. This milk vodka is distilled from yogurt made from yak milk.
Tuvan people also make wonderful felt crafts, feel free to ask them to show some if you are interested.
Include
Shiveet Hairhan mountain is a sacred and respected place for local people. At the foot of this mountain, the biggest printed rock was found. Most rock printers depicted animals like deer, cow, horses, and the predators that chased them. It is said that at this time, the deer was a worshipped animal.
In many ancient burial sites there are representations of deer, for example, the standing deer curved stones. Historians relate these to the Scythian people, who lived on the Eurasian steep three thousand years ago.
Today we’ll trek toward ‘Worship Pass’ via Shiveet Hairhan Uul, where we will see petroglyphs from the Iron and Bronze ages. While we have lunch here, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a Siberian ibex! The area is beautiful and good pasture land for the locals— some Tuvan families have their spring shelters and wooden houses here.
Just before the animals start giving birth, the nomads have to here. Today’s trekking will be enjoyable and we’ll visit Ganaa’s family. Ganaa is a Tuvan man and a skilled archer. His wife makes traditional felt and wool embroidery and other souvenirs.
Include
The local nomads call this pass ‘Tahilbai Pass’, or in English, ‘Worship Pass’. This pass was used by locals for ‘Otor’, pasturing animals in groups seeking good pasture away from regular pasture lands.
The elevation of this mountain chain is about 3600 metres and this pass is covered with snow for almost the whole year—it only stays open for about two months.
The pass itself is spectacular and is good for hiking as well as hiking. Here, you’ll be immersed in tremendous valleys and snowcapped mountains, almost as if you’ve stepped into another world. A locally named ‘Bear Valley’ will be our next destination. This is a beautiful valley where small streams, fed by the melting glaciers, develop into rivers and flow down the broad steppe valley.
The White River flows through this valley, with lurch tree forests escorting it all the way along on both sides.
Today will be a long day. This morning we’ll leave the campsite a little earlier than usual, and we’ll make sure that everyone has enough water and snacks, and water proved boots and warm clothes. Our journey will take about six hours, and our crew will catch up with us by lunchtime.
We’ll lunch together and then they’ll move on ahead and have the camp pitched at our next overnight spot. Overnight in a tent.
Include
This crystal-clean heart shaped lake is located exactly along the way to our next destination. We’ll see a stunning view of the lake, surrounded by lurch tree forests. This is a good place for taking photos, bird watching, having a picnic, and just relaxing for a while.
Today we’ll have an easier trek. We’ll go about five hours along the shore of the White River and stop for lunch by Green Lake.
Tonight, our campsite will be at the end of this gorgeous valley and at the start of the lake, with stunning reflections of neighboring snowcapped peaks drifting on its surface. Overnight in a tent.
Include
The dramatic steep valley, surrounded by snowcapped mountains from the south, is where many Kazakh nomadic families spend their summer time. Even people from Olgiy city who have relatives here like to pass their vacations in this serene place. The area very famous for its hot spring; a lot of locals come here to receive treatment.
Fishing is not a main pursuit for nomads, but if they have got free time, they sometimes fish here. The melt water from Altai Tavan Bogd is a source for the lakes. The mix of lakes, rivers, mountains and forests makes this not only a haven for fauna, but also a great place for riding, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.
On horseback in Mongolia, the world is at your doorstep. What greater freedom is there than to ride through this snowcapped, mountainous, lake-filled landscape without the restrictions of roads and paths? From the saddle, look out for ibex, Altai marmot, and golden eagles. Elk, wolves, brown bears, hares, lynx and the very rare snow leopard also inhabit this area.
Today we’ll trek about five hours towards to the southeast, where we’ll go past some ancient burial sites and man stones (Balbal from the 6th and 7th Centuries) and Aral-tolgoi military base, which means that we are now less than 10km away from the Chinese border.
On the way to our campsite we will cross a few old, wooden bridges and visit some Kazakh herders and their families, who will supply us with copious quantities of tea (locally known as ‘chai’). We’ll pitch our camp on the bank of the lake. Overnight in a tent.
Include
The Kazakh ger (yurt) is bigger than the Mongolian ger, and it’s measured by the number of poles. The minimum size would be 60 to 70 poles, the largest, 80 to 100 poles. In ancient times, some wealthy families lived in gers that had 150 poles and big walls.
It was difficult to get the poles into the right position, so people often rode horses while setting it up. Kazakh gers are extravagantly decorated with hand stitched embroidery done by women.
Today we’ll travel to the edge of Lake Khoton, near where it joins with Lake Khurgan, in an area known as Sirgali. Snow caps with lurch tree forests below, crystal clean lakes surrounded with the whistles of herders herding their livestock, and the delighted screams of children playing with their horses makes this area one of the most beautiful parts of this trip. It is also good place for bird watching and fishing.
We’ll stay two nights here and on the second day hike to beautiful Baga Turgen Valley where there are three waterfalls- the area is right on the Chinese border. On the way we’ll visit a Kazakh nomad eagle hunters family.
Overnight in a tent.
Include
This area is beautiful, with snowcapped mountain chains, forested hills, and sound of waterfalls that seem to display the power of nature. At the top of the valley there is another beautiful small lake and the shore of the lake is full with birds. From the top of the hill, we will see the whole area and its vast beauty.
The river is sacred for some locals, according to their stories, a lady with her seven-month child with health problems was crossing river on horseback. Her child fell into the river and after that her child recovered from its illness.
Today we will hike toward the south through the valley all the way up where our waterfall is and we will be close to the Chinese border— just behind the southern mountain is China’s Altai mountain range. We will hiking on the ridge of the mountains on the way back and visit a Kazakh eagle hunter’s family. Overnight in a tent.
Include
Today we’ll wake up full of experiences and adventures from our trip. After a good breakfast, it will be time to make ourselves ready for driving. We will drive for six hours via Sengel and Ulaanhus villages. Back in Olgiy, we’ll check you in at a local hotel and reward ourselves with a dinner at Olgiy’s finest— Pammukale Restaurant.
Include
After early breakfast we driving to local airport to register for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar.
Meet our guide in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel.
Include
After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to Chingis Khan International Airport and fly out from Mongolia.
Include
We believe in old-fashioned values and being yourself, so we will only tell the truth about who we are. Our travel agency " Sayat Travel" is an eco-friendly and professional small team built on the service foundations of reliability and honesty, and delivering authentic unforgettable experiences for our guests.
We believe that our guests should receive the most convenient and tailored tour plan suited for them, and we strive to ensure all concerns and discomforts are minimized. We guarantee our tourists an individual approach and quality service at every step.
We believe in old-fashioned values and being yourself, so we will only tell the truth about who we are. Our travel agency " Sayat Travel" is an eco-friendly and professional small team built on the service foundations of reliability and honesty, and delivering authentic unforgettable experiences for our guests.
We believe that our guests should receive the most convenient and tailored tour plan suited for them, and we strive to ensure all concerns and discomforts are minimized. We guarantee our tourists an individual approach and quality service at every step.
Destinations
Contact Us