Horseback Holidays in Mongolia

Mongolia, the land of the nomadic people, with vast, clean, and serene landscapes that convey peace, where the horse is revered, is an ideal country for a horseback holiday.

The Adventure of Exploring Mongolia on Horseback

Genghis Khan referred to Mongolia as a sacred place, “the eternal blue sky”.
Khan was the great Mongol conqueror who unified the nomadic tribes of the region and founded the first Mongol Empire.
That’s why Mongolia is called the land of the blue sky, of limitless space for riding, and the cradle of true nomadic horse peoples.

Some Interesting Facts about Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordering China and Russia.
Made up of 80% pastureland, Mongolia is a country of herders. Animals live in nomadic camps: dogs, cows, goats, horses, yaks...

Climate

When visiting this country, keep in mind it has four well-defined seasons, with an average of 200 sunny days per year.
Its climate is continental with low rainfall. The coldest month is January, with extreme lows, and the hottest is July.
Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world. Although summers are relatively warm, nights can be freezing.

Green steppe

Geography

Although the steppe covers more than half the territory, Mongolia’s landscapes are quite diverse, with mountains, lakes, deserts, and grass-covered plateaus.
The steppe, which covers about 75% of the territory, is divided into three areas: forest steppe in the north with some mountains, grass steppe in the center and east, and semi-desert steppe in the south.

Gobi Desert

To the south lies the Gobi Desert.
It’s not a desert of dunes and sand, but of stones. However, as you reach its heights, the landscape gradually changes until the rocky terrain gives way to vast sandy plains.
The Khongoryn Dunes are considered the highest in Mongolia, reaching up to 300 meters. They are known as “singing sands” because of the sound the wind makes as it caresses and moves them.

Rural Life in Altai

To the west, the landscape becomes more rugged, with the Altai Mountains, known as the “Golden Mountains,” bordering China, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
Although Mongolia has no access to the sea, it has many salt and freshwater lakes, especially between the Altai and Khangai. Many rivers cross Mongolia, the main ones being the Tuul, Orkhon, Kherlen, and Selenge.

The Mongolian Horse

Equestrian culture in Mongolia plays an important role in the daily and national life of Mongolians. It is traditionally said that “A Mongol without a horse is like a bird without wings”.
The Mongolian breed, Takhi or Przewalski, is characterized by short legs and a strong neck, withstands very low temperatures, and lives most of the time wild, in herds, searching for pasture.
It is a dual-purpose horse, mainly used for riding and carting, but also for milk production.
The average height of males is 128 cm and females 120 cm, but body size varies with environmental conditions. It is a small horse, so the rider’s weight must be considered for rides longer than 6 days.

You can also take part in a major sporting event: the Mongol Derby, the toughest horse race in the world. Genghis Khan organized it for his troops, a 1,000 km race across the Mongolian steppes.

The Best Horseback Routes in Mongolia

Riding is the best way to discover the real Mongolia, its nomadic lifestyle, and its incredible nature, to live and feel the historical heritage of this country.
Western Mongolia offers generous settings for enjoying Equestrian Tourism: valleys at the foot of mountains, snow-capped peaks, endless steppe, mountain rivers, and the immense Altai Range.
In Northern Mongolia, green valleys, the 8 lakes, and the Orkhon Waterfalls are increasingly popular destinations among lovers of horseback routes in nature.

Orkhon Lakes

Gorkhi Terelj National Park is a vast place where you can ride and explore hills, open valleys, river trails, and wooded passes.
Western Mongolia includes the provinces of Bayan-Ölgii, Khovd, Uvs, and Zavkhan. It is the region with the greatest ethnic diversity, mountainous and picturesque, with thousands of years of history.
Do you want to join a group with an Equestrian Soul?

Horseback Tourism Providers in Mongolia

Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays has selected the Equestrian Tourism Service providers to consider for discovering the best of Mongolia on horseback.

Nomadic Journeys

With over 25 years of experience, Nomadic Journeys is a leading tour operator in Mongolia, specializing in low-impact sustainable tourism.
They work with numerous community groups and companies with conservation initiatives in Mongolia.
Their philosophy is to offer a low-impact travel experience, visiting different places on horseback, yak carts, and camel carts. For longer trips and harder-to-reach areas, they also offer 4x4 vehicle tours.

Although they have more than 6 equestrian routes available, their most popular program is perhaps that of Western Mongolia.

Altai Mountain Ride

This horseback route offers close encounters with Mongolian riders, nomadic people who have so far managed to resist and survive far from the style of modern Western life.
You will do this trip on horseback like a Mongolian, in their “nomadic journey” style.

On this trip, you will explore the western Mongolian environment on horseback. First, you will ride through valleys and mountains and gradually enter the vast steppe.
You will ride through snow-capped mountains, endless steppes, and along mountain rivers. You will camp in the area of the great Altai mountain ranges.

Route Features:

• It is a 12-day route with 9 days on horseback.
• A mobile camp and all Nomadic Journeys logistics accompany you on each stage.
• An English-speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group.
• A guide in another language can be requested at an additional cost.
• If the group consists of 5 or more riders, a Mongolian doctor will be part of the group.
• You must be a fit rider and able to ride at any pace with confidence.
• The camp location will be at the foot of the snow-capped Tsast and Tsambagarav mountains.
• The camp consists of tents for riders, kitchen, restaurant, and staff.
• They have excellent cooks, experts in Western and Mongolian cuisine.
• They accept vegetarian riders or those with special diets.

Gers Camp, typical Mongolian tents

For more information, visit their website: www.nomadicjourneys.com.

Horse Trek Mongolia

Located in Northern Mongolia, Baggii and Saraa have been offering horseback trips for over 20 years through some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in Mongolia.
Together with a team of local guides and under the supervision of an experienced international veterinarian, they have hosted the International Equestrian Club of Mongolia.
Mongolian horses are very hardy and energetic, so novice riders will initially be accompanied by a guide until they develop the necessary skills to ride safely and independently.
They have 8 Equestrian Route programs in different areas of Mongolia. The most popular is the route of the eight lakes and the Orkhon waterfalls.

Orkhon Lakes Route

Route of the 8 Lakes and Orkhon Waterfalls

This itinerary includes river crossings, forest rides, sometimes steep terrain both uphill and downhill, and of course, the Mongolian steppe.

• It is a 10-day, 9-night program, with 5 to 6 hours daily on horseback.
• They provide a native guide with English or German as interpreter and cultural liaison.
• Suitable for all levels of equestrian skill.
• All riders are provided with a helmet, stirrups, and a saddle suited to their temperament and skills.
• The weight limit is 100 kg.
• They carry a satellite phone for emergencies and, whenever possible, a support vehicle.
• Accommodation is in camps.
• Includes horse, guide, translator, safety equipment, 3 meals and 2 snacks daily, and return transfer to the airport.

Horse Trek Mongolia will donate 20% of the fee for this ride to support the children of the Children of the Peak Sanctuary nursery (www.veloofoundation.com).

More information on their website: www.horsetrekmongolia.com.

Stone Horse Expedition Travel

The Stone Horse team is made up of Mongolian and international staff. They are adventure tourism operators, and the quality of their horseback tours through some of the most pristine and naturally beautiful areas of Mongolia’s parks will make your equestrian holiday an unforgettable adventure.

Their horses

Their Mongolian horses graze on natural pastures and live in herds. They are a breed that can survive very cold winters and defend themselves from Mongolia’s native predators.
They are semi-“wild” horses, but it is precisely this “wild nature” of living in a herd in their natural environment that makes most Mongolian horses calm.
Safety and comfort for both horses and riders are paramount.

This is summarized in their 10-point equestrian equipment policy:

1. High-quality, comfortable saddles with a good seat.
2. Safety devices on saddles for horses with safety stirrups.
3. Comfort for trekking horses – saddle fit and pads.
4. Crupper and breastplates.
5. Helmets.
6. Half Chaps.
7. Saddlebags for the day on the trail.
8. Camping equipment, well-equipped camp kitchen, good food, and all necessary items for comfort on horseback routes through the steppes.
9. Well-trained expedition horses.
10. Communication between horse and rider.

The saddles use “Western” saddles, with longer bars that distribute the weight evenly over the horse’s back, and with seats that promote balance for horse and rider as a unit.

Their Main Programs:

• Horseback expedition in Gorkhi Terelj National Park – 10 days
• Autumn horseback tour in Gorkhi Terelj National Park – 8 days
• Ride in the Khentii mountain desert – 14 days
• Desert conservation adventure – 14 days

Gorkhi National Park

Riding in Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is located northeast of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, a short distance from the city.
This route covers spectacular terrain, interesting historical sites, and will allow you to be directly exposed to the nomadic herding culture.

• The route lasts 10 days, with 8 days on horseback.
• Only 5 trips are made per season.
• Small groups of up to 6 riders per expedition.
• You will experience the hospitality and atmosphere of a Mongolian Ger or Yurt.
• The price includes transport, accommodation and food, park access permits, camping equipment, and horse equipment.

Here you will find fresh air, pure water springs, sand dunes in the Gobi desert, high mountains, endless steppe, and deep forests. You will discover stone monuments.

Find more information on their website: www.stonehorsemongolia.com.

Horse Trails Mongolia

Specialists in horseback routes in Western Mongolia, they offer personalized equestrian adventures and trails, in groups or individually.
Their ger camp (traditional Mongolian yurt accommodation) is located a few kilometers from Ulaanbaatar. There you will meet extraordinary locals who will teach you to ride their horses, and the whole team will help make your stay an incredible adventure.

Eagle hunting festival

This company gives you the opportunity to feel the rural nomadic kindness of Mongolia with the professionalism of an international standard Equestrian Holidays provider.

Crossing the river in the Arkhangai region

They offer short and long tours, near and far from Ulaanbaatar.
They have 4 standard trails in all cardinal points of Mongolia and, if coordinated well in advance, can develop private, tailor-made programs.
The most popular is the one in the west of the country.

Camping on a western expedition

Western Mongolia

This challenging 18-day horseback route is an expedition to the true desert of Mongolia.
The program takes place in a region covering the provinces of Bayan-Ölgii, Khovd, Uvs, and Zavkhan.
It is home to Kazakhs and Oirats or Western Mongols, divided into 10 different tribes, as well as Khalkhs or Eastern Mongols.
The region is home to the Altai Mountains, with the highest peaks in Mongolia, Lake Uvs, a large saltwater lake, and many other lakes, mountains, rivers, forests, and steppes.

Altai Mountains

Scattered throughout the region are countless archaeological sites with petroglyphs, cave paintings, stone monuments, monasteries, and ancient fortresses dating back 10,000 years.
During the horseback tour, you will be in the high mountains and open steppe, so the weather can be changeable and temperatures very different. Therefore, you must choose the right equipment for each day on horseback in Mongolia.
They will provide you with camping and trekking equipment. The gear is comfortable and high quality.

Much more information is available on their website: horsetrailsmongolia.com.

Rugged Mongolia is a bold destination where you experience nomadic culture in vast and pristine landscapes. Enjoy its snow-capped mountains, its desert in unique silence, and a blue sky with clouds that look painted. Riding a Mongolian horse offers a much more intense experience.