MONGOLIAN EXPLORER - MONGOLIA
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This horse riding holiday takes you to a remote Mongolian province, riding through open steppe, forested valleys and mountains, and visiting the lakes and desert to the west. This is an adventurous wilderness ride, staying in temporary campsites each night and cooking over an open fire. The ride has a flexible itinerary, allowing new routes to be followed on each trip. Mongolian horses are very hardy and full of character. The hosts work closely with local nomadic families who can provide a range of horses suitable for any level of riding ability. The ride will take you into Tarvagatai Uul National Park, in the Arkhangai Mountains, where you can visit sacred mountain lakes and bathe in natural hot springs. At the end of each day you are met by a support vehicle, carrying food and camping equipment. A highlight of this trip is the chance to experience the legendary hospitality of local nomadic families. The final part of the trip takes in the dramatic desert to the west, where clear freshwater lakes, ideal for swimming and fishing, are surrounded by towering sand dunes. This trip is organised by a New Zealand/Mongolian partnership.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - MONGOLIAN EXPLORER
Day 1
Arrival and overnight in Ulaan Baatar
Day 2
After breakfast you will be met at your hotel; today you'll have the opportunity to see the sites of the city, including Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the Natural History Museum, and the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. There is a kit check to ensure everyone is fully prepared for the horse riding holiday ahead. You'll have dinner at a local restaurant.
Tonight will be spent on the road, the 3 day drive begins, departing Ulaan Baatar in four-wheel drive vehicles.
Day 3
You'll be driven to the site of the ancient capital of the Mongolian empire. Visit 16th century Erdene Zuu Monastery and the interesting rock formations. The road traverses the wide open steppe, passing nomadic families with their huge herds of horses.
Day 4
The drive continues to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (The White Lake) where the over night accommodation is. The Lake is a lovely spot for a swim. Then you'll visit Khorgo Uul volcano. The road passes through forested mountains and steppe. There will be plenty of stops along the way to sample airag (mildly alcoholic fermented mare’s milk).
Day 5
The rough dirt road passes by interesting archaeological sites dating from before the Mongolian Empire. We will arrive in Tosontsengel in the late afternoon and you'll finally get to meet the horses. Tonight you'll stay at the guide’s family 'ger'.
Days 6-10 (two week trip) or days 6-15 (three week trip)
Today we begin riding through the foothills of the Arkhangai Mountains. You do not follow a set route while riding. Instead the guides find new trails each time they go into this area. You will be setting up temporary campsites at the end of each day and cooking over an open fire. The guides always aim to get to a well-watered campsite at the end of the day, where you can wash and perhaps swim. Along the way there will be opportunities to fish, look for wildlife, meet local nomadic families, or just relax and enjoy the view. Eventually you'll enter Tarvagatai Uul National Park, where there is a small abandoned hot spa which provides a novel place for a soak at the end of the day.
Days 11-14 or 16-21
We now drive out into the desert landscape which contrasts greatly with the forested mountains and grassy steppe where the horses are ridden. Challenging four-wheel driving is needed in order to reach this very remote area, but the rewards are great. There are beautiful freshwater lakes amongst the giant sand dunes. Other lakes have forested shores, such as sacred Bust Nuur which provides a refuge for wildlife including plenty of inquisitive marmots. A scattering of nomadic families and their camels live in the area, who you will meet along the way. As with the horse riding, the itinerary for this part of the trip is flexible.
Day 15 or 22
The group flies back to Ulaan Baatar for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar.
Day 16 or 23
Depart for London.
All itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
NOTES - MONGOLIAN EXPLORER
Getting There
The most common route to Ulaan Baatar (ULN) from Europe is via Moscow (SVO) flying with Aeroflot (£500-£800). An alternative option is to fly to Beijing (PEK), serviced by many international airlines, and to then fly or take the Trans-Mongolian train to Ulaan Baatar.
Other Info
Even by Mongolian standards this area is off the beaten track, and riders are unlikely to encounter any other western tourists. Local nomadic families are not used to seeing foreigners, but are very welcoming, which makes for a rewarding cultural experience. The itinerary of the trips is flexible, allowing for more riding time and less time in the desert if the group decides as a whole. If riders would like to see Przewalski’s horse (the world’s only true wild horse), a day or overnight trip from Ulaan Baatar can be arranged (before or after the trip, at extra cost).
The four-wheel drive support vehicle allows participants to have a level of comfort which is not possible with pack horses (food, camping equipment etc). However to avoid this detracting from the ‘adventurousness’ of the trip, you meet the vehicle at the end of the day, while during the day you follow routes accessible only on horseback.
For riders arriving in Ulaan Baatar before day one of the trip, or staying longer after the trip, we can assist with arranging accommodation. Due to international arrival/departure schedules, it is often necessary to include an extra day or two in Ulaan Baatar before or after the trip. Total driving time from Ulaan Baatar to Tosontsengel where we begin riding is approximately 20 hours, much of it on very rough roads. The drive will be broken up over three days, with plenty of stops. This part of the trip is through beautiful countryside, and should not be seen as merely something to be endured (but we do fly back). On the three week trip, there will be rest days during the ride as and when needed. Small saddle bags are provided for each rider, which will hold a raincoat, water bottle and snacks for the day.
Mongolia is a developing country and this trip is to a remote region.
The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers from the airport/train station, all meals with tea and coffee and some wine (except on pack horse trip), accommodation including first and last night in Ulaan Baatar, riding, horses, tack, English speaking tour leader, English speaking translator, support vehicle and excursions described in itinerary. 2-person tents and eating equipment (plate, bowl, mug, utensils) are supplied.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks other than tea and coffee (boiling water is suppled). Other drinks are not included but can be arranged by request before departure.
International air/train travel
Single supplement £150 (only if unwilling to share)
Mongolian visa
Personal medical and travel insurance
Entry fees into monasteries etc in Ulaan Baatar
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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