Day 1
Your English-speaking translator is waiting for you at Ulan Bator airport at the arrival of Turkish Airlines flight for a group transfer. If you are already in Ulan Bator, you can join the group at 2pm in the lobby of the hotel.
Lunch in Ulan Bator and a short walk through the surprising yurt (ger) district takes you to Ganddantegchinlin Monastery. Back to the hotel you can relax in your room or enjoy the swimming pool, spa and gym at the hotel (extra fee to be paid locally). Dinner and overnight at a 4* hotel in a twin room sharing.

Day 2
Breakfast and transfer to Hogno Han Park, usually 5 hours drive but strongly depending on the condition of the roads. Lunch on the way.
In the afternoon, first ride in the Bayan Gobi, the “rich desert”. Ride to the small Ovgon Khiid Monastery, set in a dramatic scenery. Bayan Gobi region is the only opportunity to ride horses in typical Gobi Desert landscape in Mongolia, as there are no horses further south in the Gobi Desert. In the evening, spend your first night in a guest yurt camp, the local typical accommodation used for all the nights during this trip.
Dinner and night in a guest yurt close to a nomadic family. Up to 5 riders per yurt – light shower tent available.

Day 3
After breakfast, depart for a spectacular day on horseback.
Ride through Bayan Gobi semi-desert steppes, capturing the dramatic scenery between Elsentasarhaï high dunes, black cliffs and a river bringing a touch of greenery. Picnic lunch brought by our vehicles, nothing to carry on the horses, so you can enjoy lots of long canters! In the afternoon, keep on riding in these amazing landscapes. The contrast between the desert dunes and the marshland that borders them is stunning! Suddenly pass from the desert to the Garden of Eden where Nomads often gather their herds in these vast wet plains. Arrive on horseback at the yurt camp, located in a semi-desert environment. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds, showers in a separate building.

Day 4
After breakfast, drive through the Orkhon Valley to meet the nomads who will guide us during this ride and who breed the horses we will ride. This is 4-5 hours drive depending on the condition of the roads and tracks. Late lunch, and it is time to choose your horse for the first ride in the Valley. This short ride will be the opportunity to get acquainted to your horse. As we come back at the nomadic family yurts in the evening, it will be possible to try another horse if necessary. The rest of the day is devoted to the discovery of the traditional lifestyle of the Mongolian nomads. You can participate in their daily activities and become acquainted with the various family members. Tonight, sleep in a “guest-yurt close to the nomad family’s yurts. The comfort is simpler than in the yurt camps as there are no showers, but you will experience the real nomadic way of life.

Day 5
After breakfast with our nomadic family, we continue our horse-riding adventure in Mongolia. Ride in the upstream part of the Valley where the landscape becomes wilder and wilder. This volcanic region has ancient black lava flows which contrast with the white running water of the Orkhon River. Picnic lunch. Reach the forest on horseback with the impressive Naiman Nuur mountains in front of us. Dinner and night at a very remote yurt camp in the forest. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds, showers in a separate building.

Day 6
After breakfast, ride in the upstream part of the Valley, returning towards the Orkhon Falls through a different route. Picnic lunch. Arrive in the afternoon at our yurt camp, not far from the famous Orkhon Falls. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds, showers in a separate building.

Day 7
Another beautiful day on horseback as we will ride to one of the most famous sites of the Orkhon Valley, the Uurt Canyon. Picnic lunch. We are now in the downstream section of the Valley, the landscapes are more open, towered by two mountain ranges, and we meet lots of nomadic families with their herds, who take advantage of the rich grass of the valley. The arrival at the yurt camp is a nice surprise as it is located on a superb site, bordering the canyon of the Orkhon River. We will spend 2 nights at this beautiful yurt camp. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds, showers in a separate building.

Day 8
Today we ride in the surrounding mountains, to get a higher view on the Orkhon Valley. We return to the same ger camp in the evening. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds.

Day 9
Today we continue our horse-riding tour to the southern mountains bordering the Orkhon Valley, in Khujirt region. Khujirt is famous for its water, which is bottled and sent all over Mongolia. The view is spectacular on the river which is now much wider and lazy among wavy grassy hills. Picnic lunch. Arrive in the afternoon at a unique environment friendly yurt camp. The view from the camp on the huge valley is incredible. This camp is eco-friendly, there are no “real” showers, however, wet warm towels are brought to your yurt twice a day and surprisingly quite efficient! You can also enjoy a fun “yurt coiffeur” if you need your hair to be washed. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 3 riders per yurt with single beds.

Day 10
Today is our last day on horseback in the Orkhon Valley. In the last miles before Karakorum – the former capital of Mongolian Empire – the Valley is narrower, offering wonderful views from the mountain slopes on the Orkhon river. This part of the Orkhon Valley is one of the nicest, as the river is very calm, the water reflecting the sky as a mirror. The dark blue water contrasts with the lush green of the grass, and the white yurts around. Many herds roam in the steppe around, and you will take many pictures of the typical Mongolia today. It is time to say goodbye to our horses and to our wonderful nomadic friends. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds, showers in a separate building.

Day 11
After breakfast, visit Erdene Zuu Monastery. After the visit, drive to Hustai National Park, home of the wild Przewalski’s horses, also known as Takhi. This is usually 4 hours drive – strongly depending on the condition of the roads. In the afternoon, go on a drive in the park to try and find the Takhi. Dinner and night at the yurt camp. 2 - 4 riders per yurt with single beds, showers in a separate building.

Day 12
Breakfast and early departure to Ulan Bator. 2.5 hours drive strongly depending on the condition of the roads. Lunch and free time for shopping in stores downtown. In the late afternoon, you will attend a show with traditional dances, music and songs from Mongolia, especially the amazing Khoomei. No dinner included, to let you choose among the varied dining opportunities offered by Ulan Bator. Night at Nine Hotel or similar (3*).

Day 13
Breakfast and transfer to airport on time for Turkish Airlines flights.

Please ask about

• Other rides in Mongolia, we have a variety of itineraries on offer.