Trip to Khentii Mountains

You’ll be picked up at the airport / train station and we’ll get you checked into the hotel to freshen up and rest after a long flight. You’ll have to time, if you get in early, to see a bit of Ulaanbaatar before beginning the next days ride and start of the expedition.
 

Accommodation: Ulaanbaatar Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

This is the first day of the expedition. After breakfast we will drive to the Darkhid Valley and our staging area where you’ll meet the herders with whom we work. After some preliminary instructions, gear changes and adjustments, we saddle up and begin our journey. We set out from the Darkhid Valley and travel up through the forest, crossing two mountain passes and descending into the upper Terelj River Valley for the 1st night’s tented camp.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

We move down the Terelj River through open meadows, crossing the river and streams, passing several herder winter shelters and over a couple of low passes for our second night’s camp in high hay pastures.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

From here we descend into the Tuul River Valley and make our way upriver passing herder summer camps and large, open, park like meadows.
 

We will camp along the Tuulriver for the night.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

Moving up the Tuul River, we begin to see changes in the terrain. We pass the confluence of the Khongor and Tuul Rivers, leaving herder camps and the cultured landscape behind and entering the wilder upper Tuul River Valley where we’ll camp.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

From our riverside camp we move further along the Upper Tuul River where the scenery begins to change dramatically as we leave civilization behind.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

On this day we may leave the pack horses in camp and explore further into the mountains, ascending to alpine lakes and into moose and bear habitat and return to our previous nights camp.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

Leaving the Tuul River we move further northwest into the mountains, exploring as we go, camping near a small crystal clear river in a beautiful valley for the night.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

This will be a longer but very interesting day as we ascend a pass and move down to Hagiin Khar Nuur (lake). We have lunch here then move down the Khongor River and over another small pass before setting camp.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

On this day we ascend a high and steep pass below Altan Ulgii Uul (mountain) and descend into the Baruunbayangiin Gol Valley passing fantastic rock formations and meadows of wildflowers before camping for the night.
 

Mongolia’s Khentii Mountains are rugged, remote and bear a wealth of both biodiversity and history. Of great spiritual importance, the Khan Khentii is a Strictly Protected Area and an important element in Mongolia’s network of Protected Areas.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

From this camp we leave the pack horses and ride into the secluded and well hidden Gunjin Sum temple (the ruins of Princess Temple), returning to previous night's camp area.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

We begin our return to Darkhid Valley, moving through open valleys and over a small pass. We camp not far from the Terelj River at Big Larch Meadow.
 

Accommodation: Tented camp

All meals included.

From the Big Larch Meadow we cross the Terelj River, ride over a mountain pass and return to the Darkhid Valley and our staging area about mid afternoon. Here we’ll unpack the horses and enjoy some refreshment before heading down the valley to the hotel and a hot shower.
 

Accommodation: Ulaanbaatar hotel

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Transfer to airport, train station or hotel.
 

Meals: Breakfast

Our horse riding trips take place in the mountain steppe and taiga forest edge of Mongolia. The summer temperatures are akin to what one would find in  Scandinavian countries, warm during the day and cooler at night. Open grassland steppe valleys with forested mountains that consist of Siberian Larch, Siberian pine, Siberian spruce, birch and aspen. River bottoms have forests of cottonwood and valleys filled with elder. The area is a biodiversity hotspot of medicinal plants and forest fruits of blueberry, strawberry, currents, elderberry and pine nuts.
 

The area consists of over 1000 grass and herb types, producing a spectacular array of wildflowers during the months of June, July and August. The September and October landscapes are painted with the rust and golden hues of the autumn months
 

Brown bear, wolf, fox, Eurasian lynx, wild cats, wolverine, elk, moose, roe deer, musk deer, martin, marmot, birds of prey, water fowl, and a variety of forest birds along with a variety of field rodents (ground squirrels) just to name a few, may be seen while riding along.

Visit http://www.mongoliavisa.com/ or http://mongolianembassy.us/mongolian-visa-information/#.VQKHTI7chTs, to find out visa requirements for your country.

Visa’s are required for entry into Mongolia. A number of country’s can get a tourist visa on arrival (ie: USA, U.K. European Union). These vary in length of stay, so check your status.

As with anything you do that requires physical endeavor, it’s a good idea to keep fit and exercise. A daily walk of a couple of miles or kilometers is a great way to just stay fit for traveling.  Some light upper body exercise with weights or even pushups can’t hurt either. When horse riding for days at a time, you’ll be lifting saddles and saddle bags on and off the horses several times a day and packing personal gear. Upper body strength will make light of this activity. Stretching and keeping limber is also a good way to keep muscles working and toned. Any other exercise over and above this is just a bonus for your health.

If it’s not already, make exercise like that above a part of daily routine starting several months ahead of your travels.

Horse Riding Practice

If you don’t have access to horses then this is a bit difficult, but don’t worry if you don’t. If you have a good keen sense of adventure for wilderness travel, you’ll take to horse riding easily and we’ll show you how.  But, if you do have access to horses, ride as often as you can, even if it’s just in a small enclosure. Out in the countryside is even better. Getting to know the feel of horses will be invaluable on our horse riding expeditions. Horses aren’t bicycles you just get on and off. They too want to know who you are before they let you on their backs. If they allow it, touch them, rub their backs, necks, rumps, legs and bellies. Let them know you’re there and you’re paying attention to them. Talk to them. Each one of them will have a personal trait and behavior. They’re all individuals with a great sense of curiosity. Understanding this and getting to know the horse and letting them know you will be a unique experience. This is what we want you to do with the horses we have when riding with us.

Check with your local doctor or health provider for their recommendations on immunizations needed for traveling to Mongolia. They should have the latest information for your country of origin.

A small travel first aid kit is always a good idea when traveling. We carry our own professional grade first aid kits.
 

Fill out and return the “Health and Medical” form sent to you after you book to discuss any medical conditions or needs.

The items below are suggested for our backcountry expeditions. Most days in Mongolia during the riding season are sunny with pleasant daytime temperatures and somewhat cooler evenings, especially in the higher elevations where we travel. However, riding in the mountains of Mongolia can turn wet and cold for short periods at any time during the riding season between May and October so it’s best to be prepared. It can also be very hot, especially for the months of June, July and August, but turn chilly in just a few hours if a cold front moves down from Siberia. Mongolia is a place where you can experience all 4 seasons in one day. Generally inclement weather only lasts a short while during this time of year. Because we travel by horseback and carry everything expedition style with pack horses, we try to keep things lightweight. This is to cut down on bulk and to keep the weights lighter for the packhorses. Two waterproof gear bags will be provided to each rider, one for the sleeping bag and one for personal clothing. Each rider will also have saddlebags to carry personal clothing and items with them during the day. On both expeditions (10 and 14 days) there will be opportunity along the way to wash and dry clothing, weather permitting. Guests who have experience with backcountry multi-day horse riding may have their own preferred clothing and personal items and are encouraged to use what they are comfortable with.
 

• Sun hat (either a wide brimmed hat or baseball type cap)
• Lightweight warm hat/beanie (for colder nights and mornings around camp)
• Lightweight gloves (wool or polypro)
• Leather gloves for riding (lightweight work or gardening gloves also work well)
• Lightweight polypro thermal tops/bottoms (autumn trips)
• Polypro sweater or jacket (for cooler nights)
• Light down jacket/sweater with stuff sack (for September/October trips)
• Wind/rain proof tops/bottoms (a MUST have item)
• Comfortable loose or stretch pants for riding
• Comfortable loose shirt (with pockets) for riding
• Lightweight pants for around camp
• Extra shirt for around camp
• Comfortable riding boots or lightweight hiking boots
• 3 pair wool or polypro socks
• Leather or synthetic half chaps (if you have your own)
• Lightweight walking shoes or sandals for around camp
• Riding helmet (if you like your own)
• Bandana or neck gaiter (good for extra sun protection)
• Camera with extra batteries and card
• Personal first aid kit and medications
• Insect repellent (for June/July/August trips)
• Chafing cream or powder (found in bicycle shops)
• Sun block
• Basic Personal toiletries
• Small camp/sports towel
• Sunglasses
• Small binoculars (optional)
• Small torch/flashlight or headlamp

Breakfast consists of eggs, muesli, breads, yogurt, fruit (in season), fresh ground coffee, variety of teas. Fresh bread/biscuits are often made Dutch oven style.
 

Lunches consist of breads, sausage, cheeses, fresh vegetables, fish, sandwich spreads, hot drinks, coffee and variety of teas
 

Dinners are sourced locally and seasoned internationally and consist of, local Mongolian dishes, barbecued meats/sausage, salads, soups, bean dishes, Italian pastas, curries, goulash and more.

Our horse rides take you away from civilization. There will be no wifi or other electronic communication access. It is the silence of nature and pure wilderness.

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Imagine the endless expanses of Mongolia, combine that with 30+ years of horse-riding experience, and you get a saddle-back experience that will be hard to beat. Co-founded by 2 expats (one of who has lived in Mongolia for 16 years), and co-managed by several experienced locals, this team has won presitigious international accolades for their amazing horse safaris and treks through Mongolia. This is the closest you will come to experiencing what it must have been like in the great days of The Khan.