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Ruddy Family Mongolia Nomad Horse Riding Adventure
Mongolia
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
8 Nights
5 - 5
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Tour of capital city Ulaanbaatar
- Ride through the beautiful Naiman Nuur region
- Stay with local nomadic families in gers
- Ride / hike up to picturesque mountain monastery
Experience Mongolia in this breathtaking horse riding holiday.
In this family Mongolian horse riding holiday, you get the chance to ride horses through the sublime Naiman Nuur mountainous region of Central Mongolia, and stay with local nomadic families along the way in their felt gers to experience their pastoral way of life, delicious natural foods and culture.
Whilst a mix of hiking and riding is an option, this is predominantly a riding trip and you need to have some basic riding experience. We will also visit beautifully preserved 16th Century Buddhist Monasteries and ride Bactrian camels across the sands of the Gobi Desert.
Mongolian horses tend to be small, but have tremendous stamina and speed, and are well adapted to the harsh environment of the steppe where they have thrived for centuries. They are well used to being ridden as the nomads use them throughout the year as a means of transport and for herding their livestock. Riding freely through the endless horizons of this historical land is an awe-inspiring feeling of freedom, and a complete return to the natural way of life so sorely missing from many modern societies.
We will learn about the history of the areas we travel through; visiting the site where Genghis Khan founded the famed cosmopolitan capital city of the Mongolian Empire in the 12th Century, and riding through the Orkhon Valley where he finally defeated the army of Tayang Khan, leader of the western Naiman tribe, to unite the nine Mongol tribes before conquering Central Asia as far as the Danube in Hungary. We will also pass many ancient nomadic burial sites and one of the mysterious ‘Deer Stones’ scattered across Siberia and Mongolia, dating from the peoples of the Bronze Age.
Day 1, Saturday 22 July: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, City Tour
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
After transferring to our hotel (around 60 mins), a modern and comfortable 3* hotel excellently located in the heart of the city, we have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast at the hotel, check in early and rest after your many hours of travel.
At 12pm we will take a tour of the capital, & largest city in Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar (Red Warrior) situated on the Tuul River, on a windswept plateau at an altitude of 1350m. It is a city of contrasts, where modern meets tradition and bustle meets Buddhism.
We will visit the incredible Gandantegchinlen Buddhist Monastery (a Tibetan name that translates to 'Great Place of Complete Joy', that houses a 26.5-meter-high golden statue of Avalokiteśvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. It was restored in 1990 and still functions as a monastery. The excellent museum also gives us a great overview of mongol history and the life and conquests of Chingiis Khan. We will stop for lunch as part of the city tour.
We end the tour by attending a cultural performance with traditional Mongolian dancing and music. Supper comes next and then an early night! It'll be high time to rest those weary legs!
Day 2, Sunday 23 July: Drive to Kharkhorin & visit Erden Zuu Monastery
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Today we set off early: we have a long drive ahead of us in order to reach Kharkhorin in good time (approx 5.5 hours drive away). We will aim to leave Ulaanbaatar by 8am, after enjoying another breakfast at the hotel.
We have the option of stopping at a supermarket before leaving the city for snacks for the trip. We will stop en route for lunch and to breathe in the landscapes which will markedly define this journey from a 'usual' car trip!
Our destination is Kharkhorin (also known as Karakorum) founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th Century. This is when he set out to create the largest empire the world has ever seen; stretching from the Sea of Japan to the Danube in Hungary. Kharkhorin was his capital, although it was later moved to Peking by his grandson, Kubilai Khan.
Once in the town, we will visit the museum to get an idea of the scale of Kharkorin, then explore the stunning temples of the 16th Century Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, surrounded by monumental walls and 108 white stupas. It is probably the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in the country, having withstood (though been significantly damaged by) the purge of monasteries in 1939 by Communist leaders. Since the 1990s the monastery has become, once again, a place of Buddhist worship.
We spend the night at our ‘ger’.
Day 3, Monday 24 July: Ride to Tovkhon Monastery
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
After a drive (2 hrs) out into the wild, forested steppe, we pick up our horses from Bayasgalan camp, for the ride up to Tovkhon Monastery (2400m), a UNESCO World Heritage site situated atop a small mountain with breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding area. This is where Zanabazar, the head and founder of Mongolian Buddhism, created his famous art works and also the national script ’soyombo’ in the 16th Century. The scenery, particularly as you enter the Orkhon Valley is breathtaking.
The terrain is varied but frequently steep up through forest and so the horses will not be travelling fast today. It is a great opportunity to get to know your horse, and the riding style & terrain of the country.
Mongolian women are allowed to visit the Monastery, but are not traditionally encourage to summit the mountain top behind it (ask your guide why!), which is an optional short, out & back extension. Tourists are permitted to summit the mountain.
On return to the camp we continue our trip from here by car, to our Ger camp for the night and an excellent meal.
Day 4, Tuesday 25 July: Start of ride into Naiman Nuur
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Whilst the guides and nomad hosts prepare our lunch and horses for our ride, we walk to where the Ulaan Tsutgalan (Red Convergence) River meets the Orkhon River in one of the biggest waterfalls in Mongolia.
Once ready, we begin our journey into the beautiful Naiman Nuur mountains today, known for their series of stunning lakes. We trek along the Orkhon valley before heading up into the mountain scenery, past numerous ger camps and pasturing livestock.
The route (total of about 4.5hrs riding) takes us over small rivers and through valleys before ascending a forested mountain where the river has cut a deep gash through the rock. There are opportunities for faster riding after arriving at our camp for the evening, on a separate optional route.
We stay again in a ger camp where you can try traditional Mongolian food. You can watch and even help the locals to bring in the herds of yaks and goats before nightfall. Without any light pollution, you will see the stars come out in all their brilliance in this remote region.
Day 5, Wednesday 26 July: Horse Riding in Naiman Nuur
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Khuisiin Naiman Nuur means ‘eight lakes of the navel’ and we will get the chance to see several of these on our route today. The Naiman Nuur area was created by volcanic eruptions almost 8000 years ago, creating a striking and starkly beautiful landscape dotted with now extinct volcanoes.
Our morning begins with a steep ascent up and over a pass before we make our way through a valley on a gentle incline up to Huis Nuur where we will stay with families who transport their gers here on yaks. The extremes of gradient mean dismounting at times to lead the horses.
The camp enjoys a wide vista of this absolutely stunning area. Today there is 4 hours riding with optional extension ride from the evening's camp to lake Khuis Nuur.
Day 6, Thursday 27 July: Horse riding in Naiman Nuur
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Today is our longest ride, with around 6 hours in the saddle, and is truly spectacular; a day that just keeps giving. After making our way across the valley, surrounded by many smaller lakes, we again ascend, up through a forest until we come to the biggest of the lakes; Naiman Nuur itself.
With a long, forested peninsular cutting through its waters, and steep mountains rising from its banks, it feels a little like a Norwegian fjord, and it is a great treat to ride alongside its waters. We head up into the high National Park where we will meet back up with our vehicles and stay for the night. There is an opportunity for some fast riding from the col above Shirt Nuur, the largest of the 8 lakes, back to camp.
Camp tonight is particularly special as it is our last night in the ‘proper wilderness’. It might be time to try to milk vodka to celebrate...
Day 7, Friday 28 July: Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes & Camel ride
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ger
Today we drive to the desert ger camp of Khoyor zagal, situated on the edge of the Gobi Desert. We will enjoy a short ride on enormous woolly Bactrian camels (two humps) across the sand dunes in this beautiful, windswept spot, surrounded by mountains receding into the distance and the fearsome desert stretching for waterless mile upon mile to the south.
For those preferring not to ride, there is the option of a self guided walk into the local area of desert. The camp tonight enjoys more facilities, and is busier than we have had in the nomadic camps in the wilderness.
Day 8, Saturday 29 July: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
On our last full day, we return to the capital of Ulaanbaatar, passing through nomadic ‘towns’ off road, and stopping off to see some sacred rocks and statues of yaks.
Depending on the time of our arrival back into Ulaanbaatar, we can fit in some souvenir shopping (there is a fabulous Cashmere shop with incredible quality prices and quality!).Wwe end our adventure with a celebratory group dinner and the options to explore some of Ulaanbaatar’s nightlife before returning to our hotel.
Day 9, Sunday 30 July: Fly out of Ulaanbaatar
Transfer
Breakfast
All good things must come to an end and today you enjoy your last breakfast in Mongolia before catching flights home from Ulaanbaatar. Time to plan your next escape!
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis, however, due to the nature of the accommodation we are using on this adventure (ger camping), there are several nights where single rooms are not possible, so the supplement price reflects this. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is not available to book for part of the trip where it would have been possible.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- Flights & airport taxes
- Insurance
- Visas (around £40)
- Drinks & snacks
- Tips (allow around $100)
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using accommodation run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual options, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.
The accommodation on this adventure involves both hotel stays and camping in gers/yurts. The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Ulaanbaatar (2 nights): Khuvsgul Lake Hotel: Baga Toirog, Ulaanbaatar. Tel: +976 37607 8888. City centre location, with Wifi
Ger Camping (6 nights): A ‘ger’ or ‘yurt’ is a large felt tent made from sheeps wool, which results in a warm, cosy and waterproof shelter. The centre of the yurt houses a metal wood burner with a chimney for all smoke to escape through the roof.
Yurts house either 2 or 4 simple, but comfortable beds with plenty of extra blankets to pile onto your sleeping bag (please bring a winter season bag), should you feel chilly. If you are travelling with a group of friends then we are happy for friends to share a yurt (4 people), or YellowWood can arrange the rooming for solo travellers to share with others of the same gender.
Facilities
Facilities vary depending on where we are staying. The ger camps tend to have running water and warm showers available, but when we are staying with families, there are only likely to be outdoor toilet facilities, and not showers or hot water. Please note that there is generally no electricity in the camps, and limited mobile signals, if any.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be a minimum of 2 experienced, approachable and knowledgeable guides; one from the UK YellowWood team, and an in-country local guide who will be with us for the duration of the holiday.
This ensures you the perfect balance of information and support on your trip, with your Mongolian guides offering insight into local life and customs, as well as routes during walking/horse riding excursions, whilst your YellowWood guide ensures the smooth running of your adventure.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures an optimal level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a larger group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it out for you. Our links with in-country travel experts often mean that we can assist you in developing a personalised itinerary.
Am I fit enough?
Your itinerary involves horse riding over rough terrain, with steep gradients at various times (when you may be leading your horse). To get the most of out of this adventure, you therefore need to be in good physical condition. You do not need to be an experienced rider but need to either have ridden regularly recently, or if more of a beginner, you need to have had several lessons of riding outdoors. This is for your own safety and confidence.
Group riding will aim to facilitate the aspirations of the group, but the terrain is a natural limitation on frequent fast riding.
Once at our Ger camps in the evening however, (situated in flatter valley areas), there is the opportunity for you to head back out on optional faster canter/gallops. We can send you further information on what to expect from the riding prior to your trip.
You will be carrying just a soft day pack with camera, spare layers and a soft bottle of water. All other equipment is carried on horses.
Training
As with all active holidays, the fitter you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route, and the better you can cope with challenges such as the outside elements. Clients are advised to get into a regular riding pattern before the trip as convenient.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Ulaanbaatar. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible, to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Airport & Arrival Info
Chinggis Khaan International Airport is the main international airport in Mongolia, located 18km SW of the capital, Ulaanbaatar. It is a small, though fully functioning, airport with 2 ‘terminals’ that you may arrive into, at different ends of the same building.
You will be met at the airport by your YellowWood guide and a local driver for transport to central Ulaanbaatar (approx 30 mins)
On arrival you:
- Pass through Immigration
- Collect your baggage
- Meet your YellowWood Guide & driver (they will have your name on a board, along with the YellowWood logo)
- Exchange Currency: The easiest is probably to use the ATM in the airport, however, there is however, there is also the option of exchanging currency in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon, during the city tour.
Toilets can be found in the arrivals lounge.
Hotel Arrival
On arrival at your city centre hotel, you will be welcomed and have time to settle into your room.
Once the group have all arrived (they may be on a variety of different flights), you will be heading to a local restaurant for lunch and a trip briefing. This will be followed by a very interesting City Tour of Ulaanbaatar to kickstart your holiday!
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered, particularly in the light of effects that the pandemic has had on travel.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hr emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
Your insurance needs to cover you for hiking /trekking and horse riding with the following fairly standard inclusions:
- Medical Expenses
- Coronavirus linked expenses (these may be country specific, so please ensure you know what the requirements are relating to the country you are visiting)
- Repatriation
- Helicopter rescue & Air ambulance
We would also recommend that you have cover for the following optional items:
- Cancellation
- Loss or damage to property
General information on Mongolia
For information on Mongolia, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specificinformation.
Reviews
Sophie Cantwell Kelly
YellowWood gives an experience that envelops you in the heart of the Mongolian culture, traditions, and most importantly: people. A company that supports local people living at the heart of a country’s essence, as well as providing an inspiring experience of land and animal, laughter despite language barriers and a profound insight into another world.
Our horse guides were extremely skilled and I always felt safe on the horse with them. It was really great how well the whole team worked together and enjoyed each others company. Every lunch time there were laughs and smiles and jokes shared, and even with the language barrier and not a word understood between either party, it felt really comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable to be surrounded by happiness.
Our horse guides were extremely skilled and I always felt safe on the horse with them. It was really great how well the whole team worked together and enjoyed each others company. Every lunch time there were laughs and smiles and jokes shared, and even with the language barrier and not a word understood between either party, it felt really comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable to be surrounded by happiness.
Mongolia: Nomad Horse Riding Adventure, 2019
Compulsory
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Passport & insurance documents
- Debit / Credit card for use in ATMs (where available)
- Prescription medications
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Ciprofloxacin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- Feminine hygiene products as required
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents
- Toilet kit: toilet roll and biodegradable wet wipe
Items for Ger Stays
- Winter sleeping bag: comfort rating -10ºC
- Sleeping mat: ideally lightweight inflatable insulated mat offers most comfort & warmth over multiple nights
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap
- Rucksack or duffel bag for main luggage (no hard suitcases) so it can be strapped to horses for transportation during camp/hike.
- Reusable water bottle (approx 2 litres), ideally with a water purification system
- Waterproof walking shoes or boots that have already been broken in...
- Torch with spare batteries
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes.
Clothing
- General socks / underwear for city sections & for trekking / riding.
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in. Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when riding/hiking.
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
Clothes for Riding
- Half chaps
- Riding helmet -they will be provided. but you may wish to bring your own. Your insurance policy will likely be void if you do not wear a helmet.
- Boots/ shoes suitable for riding - short boots are fine. Ideally you need to be able to slip out of them if you fall off (so walking boots are not suitable).
- Riding gloves for comfort
Optional
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold.
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort to camping
- Purification tablets as alternative to Water Purification Bottle
- Flask if you like hot drinks
- 2 prong adaptor
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
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Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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