Horse & Gobi

Route to Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongols. Founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan, this iconic city was one of the major stops on the Silk Road. It was from Karakorum that the Mongol empire was administered until the capital was transferred to Beijing by Kublai Khan. Today, only a few remnants of the capital remain, reminding us of the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

This is where your horse trekking truly begins. From Kharkhorin, you set off for 5 days of horse trekking along the Orkhon Valley before reaching Naiman Nuur National Park.

The first five days take place with the support of a logistics vehicle.

For this first day on horseback, you progress along the Orkhon River through its eponymous valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A land of nomadism par excellence, the valley welcomes numerous herders each summer who set up their traditional camps there.

From your horse, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between freely roaming herds, children playing in front of gers and horsemen riding across the steppe.

You spend this first night in the valley, within a nomadic family of the region.

We continue our ride through the lush steppe of the Orkhon Valley, a true nomadic territory. Throughout the day, herds of yaks, sheep, goats and horses roam freely around us, offering a vivid and authentic picture of rural Mongolia.

This immersion in the heart of the steppe holds many surprises for us, revealing a picturesque Mongolia where nature and traditions blend harmoniously.

At the end of the day, we reach the "*Uurt bend*", nestled at the foot of the Khangai Mountains.

From our camp at the Uurt bend, we embark on a day of horseback riding through mountains and forests, heading towards the Tövkhön monastery. This is where Zanabazar, Mongolia's first religious leader, composed the famous Soyombo alphabet, which has since become a national symbol.

Perched at 2,312 meters above sea level, the monastery offers an exceptional panorama of the Khangaï range and the immense Orkhon valley that stretches as far as the eye can see. We take advantage of this remarkable setting to enjoy our picnic, facing one of the most beautiful landscapes in central Mongolia.

We continue our ride toward the camp.

Today, you ride to the camp of our local guides, ideally located in the heart of the valley. Upon arrival, we meet their family and discover their daily life as herders, marked by milking animals, dairy production and wood cutting.

These moments of sharing are an opportunity to immerse yourself in Mongolian nomadic life, to observe gestures passed down from generation to generation and to enjoy simple and authentic scenes. A game of knucklebones with the children or a discussion around the fire makes this immersion particularly warm.

Those who wish can embark on a horse trek along the Orkhon Valley from the camp to the Orkhon Falls.

For others, it is possible to reach the falls on a hike of approximately 6 km, or by vehicle depending on your preferences.

A transition day between two ecosystems: you leave the green mountains of the Khangaï to head towards the Gobi.

Last day of track before reaching the gates of the Great Gobi and its "Three Beauties", the three highest peaks in this part of the Gobi-Altai mountain range: Baruun Saihan, the Western Beauty; Dund Saihan, the Central Beauty; and Züün Saihan, the Eastern Beauty, which peaks at 2,846 meters.

Early in the morning, you will head towards Khavtsgait Mountain. After a short transfer, you begin your hike. Climbing the Khavtsgait Bagh mountain requires sustained effort, but the view of the desert from the summit is remarkable. You will observe many rock paintings depicting wild sheep, horses, camels and human figures in hunting scenes.

We then head west of the park to reach the Khongor sand dunes, or "bright sand". They extend in a wide belt at the foot of the "Three Beauties", forming one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Gobi desert.

Visit of the Khongor dunes. This long expanse of sand, stretching nearly 180 km long and 20 km wide, features dunes approximately 80 meters high, with the tallest reaching 120 meters. From their summit, the view opens onto the immensity of the desert, while the movement of the sand produces a natural humming, at the origin of the name "singing dunes". Beyond the golden ridges, the steppe unfolds as far as the eye can see.

You take the trail heading East from the "Three Beauties" to reach the canyons region.

You travel through one of the emptiest regions of Mongolie. Between rocky desert and semi-arid steppes, you reach the Baga gazariin chuluu rocky formation mountains, where imposing granite formations shaped by the often harsh elements of this area appear.

In the 19th century, two venerated monks lived here, and their inscriptions carved into the rock are still visible. According to legend, Genghis Khan stayed in this region which is pleasant for walking.

Return to Ulan Bator. The last herds of wild horses occasionally cross the road before your eyes, while the last smoking yurts in the distance remind you of the steppe right up to the city gates. You then arrive in the city center and settle into your hotel, where you can rest as long as needed.

Rest of the day free. Accompanied by your guide, you browse the city's shops to make your last purchases.