Trek and Horse

Route for Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongols. Founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan, this emblematic city was one of the major stages of 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, recalling the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

Today is when 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 are carried out with the assistance of a support vehicle, while days 8 to 11 will be in complete autonomy, with your personal belongings and logistics transported by pack yaks.

For this first day on horseback, you progress along the Orkhon river in the valley of the same name, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A land of nomadism par excellence, the valley hosts numerous herders each summer who set up their traditional camps there.

From your mount, you observe scenes of nomadic daily life, between free-roaming herds, children playing in front of yurts and riders crossing the steppe. At the end of the day, you reach the village of Khujirt, renowned for its hot springs with healing properties, highly appreciated by Mongolians.

Camp is set up on the banks of the Khujirt river, in a peaceful natural setting ideal for concluding this first day of trekking.

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 in store 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. This is where we set up our camp for the night, in a peaceful natural setting overlooking vast open spaces.

From our camp at the Uurt bend, we embark on a day of horseback riding through mountains and forest, 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 altitude, the monastery offers an exceptional panorama of the Khangaï range and the vast Orkhon valley stretching as far as the eye can see. We take advantage of this remarkable setting to enjoy our picnic, facing one of central Mongolia's most beautiful landscapes.

We continue our horseback journey to set up our camp on the banks of the Orkhon River.

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

These moments of sharing are an opportunity to soak up 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.

This morning, we set off on horseback towards the Ulan Tsutgalaan waterfalls, a spectacular white torrent cascading down black volcanic stone. When the sun reflects off it, the water transforms into an ephemeral rainbow, giving all its magic to this site formed over 20,000 years ago, as a result of a combination of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

We then continue our horseback ride to the gates of the Naiman Nuur national park. The path unfolds across steppes scattered with edelweiss, before skirting beautiful forests of pines and larches.

At the end of the day, we arrive at Boorgiin Oroi, where a family of yak herders welcomes us for the night. Their camp, situated at the edge of a small wood, faces the mountains of Naiman Nuur park, offering a peaceful and unspoiled setting for this new immersion in nomadic life.

You start your hiking trek independently, accompanied by yaks carrying your belongings and logistical equipment. The vehicles will rejoin you four days later, at the end of the trek.

The hike begins in a valley surrounded by the Khangai mountain ranges. You progress through these mountain landscapes until you reach the small lake of Tsagaan Azarga, which will serve as your campsite for the night.

Hiking time: 5h30

Elevation gain: +700 meters / -200 meters

You continue your progression along the Khangai valley. The trail crosses a wooded area then climbs towards the Khangai Nuruu pass. Picnic along the way.

You then climb up the gorges of the Khökh Davaa river before reaching Naiman Nuur National Park. You discover successively the lakes of Döröö, Khaya and Khuïs, then set up your camp on the shores of Bugat lake.

Hiking time: 5h45

Elevation gain: +500 meters / -150 meters

You continue your hike through the sublime Naiman Nuur national park and reach Shireet Lake. You then walk along its shores from the surrounding peaks before setting up your camp on its banks.

Hiking time: 5h15

Elevation gain: +300 meters / -400 meters

You continue your journey through the hills of Shireet to visit the stone of Shurangiin Tsokhoi.

You then join a nomadic family settled in this mountainous area, where you can rest and share precious moments of their daily life with them.

Hiking time: 5h30

Elevation gain: +600 meters / -100 meters

Departure for the splendid rock formations of Khögnö Khan. You discover a park with varied landscapes, between semi-desert steppes, taiga zones, granite massifs and a long band of sand of approximately 80 km, which earned it the nickname of "mini Gobi".

You take the road back to Ulan Bator. Along the way, the last herds of horses crossing the road and the last gers glimpsed in the distance accompany you to the outskirts of the capital.

You then arrive in the city center and settle into your hotel, where you can rest for a few moments.

The rest of the day is free. Accompanied by your guide, you browse the city's shops to make your last purchases and enjoy one last time the atmosphere of Ulan Bator.