Naiman Lake Horse Riding & Kharkhorin Naadam Tour (10 days)
Overview
Ride a horse in Mongolia. Isn’t it in your bucket list? This trip would fulfill your dream about horseback riding. Not just a day but a 4 days trek through the heart of Mongolia. Imagine as you were going to visit Kharkhorin City following the silk road back in the 13th century. Mounted on the horses, packed on the yaks and camping in the tents. What trip could possibly be better than this?
The Eriin Gurvan Naadam /three manly games/ is our biggest holiday in Mongolia, a symbol of our freedom and unity. It is such a great chance to experience our culture and people’s lifestyle. The festival has its roots in the Mongol army’s unified practice, competition and celebration that date back more than two thousand years.
Get soaked into the holiday atmosphere and enjoy 3 manly games - wrestling, horse racing and archering. Feel how passionate the locals are when the wrestling champions show up in gallant manner or when the racing horses rush into the finish line.
Whether you are an experienced rider or not, our staff will help you to make your adventure an enjoyable one. The best time to ride here is July to September when the horses are at their best. Come visit us and see just how much fun a person can have on horseback!
Schedule 2024 & 2025
Price based on pax
- Horse riding in Mongolia is a wonderful experience.
- More of the culture and history
- New experience and love with Mongolian horse
- See Takhi, Asian wild horses - 5000 years history
- Explore nomadic lifestyle, culture, and tradition
- A chance to see how the real Mongolian authentic Barbecue is made the traditional way!
- Std twin room at 4* hotel
- Shared accommodation at Ger camp
- 2 person per tent, camping equipment
- Private transfers
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Horse ride - 6 days
- Local horse keeper
- Sleeping bag, horse gear
- Mongolian barbecue
- Letter of Invitation
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
- Single supplement
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to 4* hotel.
Take a city tour to Gandan Monastery where you will see a huge gold plated Buddha, the symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival.
And there are other highlights - Sukhbaatar Square and National Museum of Mongolia - where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to present time.
Excursion to Zaisan Hill Memorial to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city.
Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)
Today's destination is the Shuranga river. You will meet your horse breeder and get prepared for the trip. Stay in the ”Naiman Lake” eco-camp. Rest well before the long ride.
Stay overnights in local Ger camp. (B+L+D)
(Distance approx 500 km, 7-8 hours drive on paved/dirt road)
Begin the horse trek into the territory of the Naiman Lake area. The lakes are hidden gems in the heart of Khangai range, covered and protected by subalpine mountain meadows and coniferous forests of Siberian pine, larch.
The Naiman Lake area was formed by volcanic eruption in the late Neogene. You still can see the lava rocks in the flat areas and barren mountain tops. With the minerals scattered around by volcano, the lake area is very fertile, and therefore rich with wildlife.
Stay overnights in a tent. (B+L+D).
(Distance approx 25 km, 4-5 hours ride)
Continue the breathtaking adventure to the north, through the Naiman lakes. Enjoy the panoramic view of the lakes.
At the altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level, the climate here is humid and chilly. In this Taiga like climate, deers and many other wildlife thrive. Be careful in case you encounter wild animals because the horses might be agitated a bit.
Stay overnights in a tent. (B+L+D) (Approx. horse ride 22 km)
(Distance approx 23 km, 4-5 hours ride)
Beautiful lakes are behind, reins forward to the Orkhon Valley. Enjoy every moment while you ride a horse along this amazing place. You will visit the horse breeder family and are free to try the favorite beverage of the nomads - Airag, fermented mare’s milk. Relax in your tents, in the placid land of Yaks.
Stay overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
(Distance approx 22 km, 4-5 hours ride)
Continue on the trip to Orkhon waterfall. Landscape changes into a flat and wide valley. Enjoy the waterfall near the Orkhon river and hike alongside the deep canyon. This will be the final day of horseback riding. But, not all the good things come to an end -- Finally a chance to take a shower!
Feel comfort in tourist camp and summarize the horse trek adventure.
Overnights in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
(Distance approx 25 km, 4-5 hours ride)
Kharkhorin was the capital of the Great Mongolian Empire, dates back to the 13th century. Now, the ruin lies low confronting against time and hiding Chinggis khaan’s secrets beneath its name – “black soil”. Local Naadam is a great opportunity to enjoy the culture. Stay around the Naadam court and enjoy wrestling, horse racing, archery and ankle bone shooting. Get soaked into the holiday atmosphere, grab food and enjoy around our traditional culture. Feel how passionate the locals are when the wrestling champions show up in gallant manner or when the racing horses rush into the finish line.
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
(Distance 130 km, 3-4 hours drive on paved/dirt road)
Early in the morning visit Magnificent Erdene Zuu - the oldest monastery in Mongolia and the artwork of the Mongol architects – is located near the ruins.
After the Erdene Zuu Monastery, drive to Hustai NP. Hustai national park is rich with wildlife and historical monuments.
The most important highlight of the day is Takhi, The Przewalski horses. Takhi is the only true wild horse that once nearly went extinct in the wild. Discuss with your guide when to explore the horses. If you have a chance, you can see other wildlife such as wolves, marmots and deers. Enjoy short hiking over the mountains and photograph the charming landscape and wildlife.
Visit Hustai NP’s information center and souvenir shop.
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
(Distance approx 280 km, 3-4 hours drive on dirt/paved road)
Take a tour of the Chinggis Khaan Statue, the biggest equestrian statue in the world - 40 meters tall stainless steel statue symbolically pointed east towards his birthplace, on the bank of the Tuul River at Tsonjin Boldog.
Today is your chance to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmere in Ulaanbaatar. Later in the evening, you will attend a live Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. A perfect ending for a perfect journey.
Overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D)
(Distance approx 180 km, 3-4 hours drive on dirt/paved road)
After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport.
(Approx. paved road 25 km, 20 min) (B)
B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner
Good to know
- Guide:
An English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.
- The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
- Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
- Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
- Transport:
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
- Personal things to bring with you:
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
Related Tours
Horseback Adventure in Khustai National Park (2 days) (2 days)
- Ride through the landscape on horseback.
- Takhi Horses, Marmots, Deer, Birds.
- Play traditional Mongolian games.
Horse Trekking in Chinggis Khaan’s Land (10 days) (10 days)
- The homeland of Chinggis Khaan
- Experience 13th-century life of Mongolian legend
- New experience and love with Mongolian horse