Mongolia - Mongol Horse Trail
On the Mongol Horse Trail you experience two different areas. Heading north-east from Ulaanbaatar towards the northern wilderness, the first part of the journey heads out over the treeless steppes. Continuing north you ride into the taiga of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and Khan Khenti Special Protected Area.
You pass over mountains, across steppes and forests and camp alongside rivers. The support crew use yak carts and follow river valleys while you ride up onto the ridges, with views of the surrounding country.
On the trail you camp, and most rides use a traditional ger for evening meals. The trail also includes two nights at the semi-permanent ger camp at Jalman Meadows.
You should be a fit and competent rider capable of riding spirited, forward going horses over varying terrain for up to seven hours a day. The riding includes long trots and fast canters on the open steppes.
The Mongolian horses are small in stature from 12hh - 14hh, but strong in character, sure-footed and willing. There is a rider weight limit of 90kg.
Mongolians generally stand in the stirrups at all paces and you too may find this a more comfortable way to ride these short striding horses. You should be fit enough to stand in the stirrups at trot and canter for periods of up to twenty minutes.
The saddles used are a Russian type, similar to a stock or military saddle. Most of the horses are ridden in a snaffle bridle, but you will not find them schooled to Western standards. However, they are responsive and fun to ride.
Hard hats are mandatory.
When in Ulaanbaatar (on the first and last nights of the ride) you stay centrally in a modern hotel of reasonable standard with ensuite bathrooms.
On six nights you stay in six-person teepees (two people sharing). You are provided with a sleeping cot and blankets, but you will need to take your own sleeping bag.
At the end of your trail you have two nights in a semi-permanent ger camp at Jalman Meadows.
Washing facilities are limited and you are asked to bring only biodegradable toiletries. There is also a toilet tent erected in camp.
A central ger functions as the kitchen and dining room as well as a place to relax after the day's ride. As is traditional, there is a stove is in the middle of the ger which is particularly welcome on cold mornings and chilly evenings.
Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mongol Horse Trail | 10 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025 | 10 nights 10 ngts | £2,041.50 | Book | ||
Mongol Horse Trail | 30 Jun 2025 - 10 Jul 2025 | 10 nights 10 ngts | £2,041.50 | Book | ||
Mongol Horse Trail with Naadam Games | 30 Jun 2025 - 12 Jul 2025 | 12 nights 12 ngts | £2,762.03 | Book | ||
Mongol Horse Trail | 10 Aug 2025 - 20 Aug 2025 | 10 nights 10 ngts | £2,041.50 | Book | ||
Mongol Horse Trail | 1 Sep 2025 - 11 Sep 2025 | 10 nights 10 ngts | £2,041.50 | Book |
INCLUDES Interpreter; horses and all riding; full board (except lunches in Ulaanbaatar); accommodation in twin rooms in hotels, gers and tents; camping equipment (except sleeping bags); local transport; transfers to and from airport.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT No single supplement if you are prepared to share on the 10 night itinerary. If you are on the 12 night itinerary including Nadaam Games then a single supplement of £128.09 is charged for the two nights over Nadaam until a sharer is found. If you wish to guarantee a single room or tent throughout there is a supplement of £320.24 for the 10 night itinerary and £448.33 for the 12 night itinerary.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Wine, beer and canned drinks; lunches in Ulaanbaatar; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Ulaanbaatar.
TRANSFERS Return airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the ride.
Return airport transfers are included.
Fights should arrive into Ulaanbaatar before 16:00 to allow time to transfer to the hotel and settle into your room before meeting your guide and the rest of the group for the ride briefing over dinner.
Flights can depart at any time on your day of departure.
In the Khan Khentii Special Protected Area north-east of Ulaanbaatar.
Clear, bright days in the summer. Late June, July and August can see short, but heavy, rain showers. The weather is variable with hot days and nights that can be very cold.
Way exceeded any expectations I had. Everything was spot on. No complaints at all. I just loved every moment of it.
Clare ,Malvern
Overall rating: 5/5