Zavhan Horse Riding

Zavhan is an untouched wilderness in western part of Mongolia. Without traveling long distances in this region you will see wide range of landscape and scenery. From snow capped mountain tops of Hangai Mountain range to one of the largest sand dunes of Mongolia can be seen from one spot. Having very little traveled you are truly in the wilderness with few herder families that are hardly ever exposed to foreign travelers.

• Trekking and camping in a remote picturesque part of Mongolia
• Visiting and getting first hand experience with nomads
• Campsites that are guaranteed to be one of the most scenic
• Adventure with good food and comfortable stay

• expand_more Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar, city sight seeing. Kempinski Hotel
  Arrival in Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia. You will be welcomed at the airport by your local guide and driver who will transfer you to the comfortable hotel in down town.  Depending on your flight we will have some optional sights to visit this day before resting for the night. Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 2: Sightseeing day in Ulaanbaatar
  Sightseeing day in Ulaanbaatar. This morning after breakfast we will have a full day of city sightseeing through the major sites of Ulaanbaatar, including Sukhbaatar Square, National Museum, Gandan Monastery, Zaisan Memorial Hill and Bogd King’s Winter Palace Museum. In the evening before dinner we will be entertained with the folk music concert that presents very unique art of age-old Mongolian traditional singing, dancing and music. Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 3: Fly to Uliastai drive to Khukh Us - Blue Water. Tented night
  Domestic flight to Uliastai Province. This morning we will catch an early flight to Uliastai for 2 hours. Upon arrival we will meet our vehicles that will take us to our starting point next to a small water river called Blue Water. This afternoon our horse people will come with their horses. Tented night looking down river valley. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 4:  First day ride to Temeen Huzuu. Tented night.
  Riding to Temeen Huzuu. Today we will have our first full day riding. We will start riding into the narrow valley that takes you up on the top of the mountain giving you extended view of the area we are going to be riding in coming couple of days. From the top we will ride along the mountain ridge before coming down to secluded little corner called Temeen Huzuu meaning Camel’s Neck after a rock formation resembles camel neck.  Tented night next to one of the greatest horseman in the region that we are renting horses from. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 5: Riding to Luut Valley. Tented night.
  Ride up to Luut Valley. Today’s  ride will take us up along the valley called Luut. It is a popular summer pasture by local herders so we will be passing many of the families and stopping at some of them for a short break or cup of tea. In the afternoon we will reach our campsite set up by the riverside. Tented night watching animals coming home for milk hour. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 6: Ride over Doloo pass. Tented night
  Ride over Doloo Pass. Today we will mostly ascend into a long valley called Buurug and we will gradually ride away from families into less populated area. By the time we get to the top of the hill we will be able to see the highest peak of the Hangai mountain range towering over other mountains at altitude of 4021m above see level. This is the only permanently snow covered peak and worshiped highly by whole of Mongolia. This afternoon we will come down to bottom of the mountain to make the camp. Tented night in an isolated corner/B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 7: Ride to Tsagaan Lake.  Tented night.
  Ride to Blue Lake. Today we will ride over into a high summer camp and will settle down by the small fresh water lake Tsagaan or White Lake. Because of the altitude this are is inhabited by local herders for only short 2 summer months and then they are forced to move down for a warmer place towards the end of summer. Tented night at the shore of a lake. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 8: Ride to Khukh Lake over Dayan. Tented night.
  Ride to Blue Lake via Dayan Mountain. This morning after breakfast we will ride up to a big mountain next to our campsite. The highest peak of the Hangai Mountain range is called Otgontenger and it had been worshipped by states for several centuries. Local people come up to the top of Dayan mountain to pay their respect. We will horse ride up to the mountain top not only to see the worshipping site but also for the incredible view on both sides. Riding down from the top we will look for a very special and grand flower called Snow Lotus. Highly respected and worshipped by locals people don’t even put their shadows over it. Descend down to the east of the Dayan will guide us to another fresh water lake only bigger than White lake called Blue Lake, where we will have our next campsite set up. Tented night enjoying the serenity of the wilderness. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 9: Ride Tsagduultai valley. Tented night.
  Riding into Tsagduultai valley. After breakfast we will ride into a long narrow valley that leads up to holy peak of Mt Otgontenger. This valley is only accessible by horse or on foot that makes it very secluded area. Tented night with post card like view. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 10: Ride down to Bogd river. Tented night.
  Riding down to Bogd River. Starting today we will gradually head back towards Uliastai following the river Bogd. The terrain is rocky close to the river but there are some open pastures as we head further down. We will clear out the wooded and high mountainous region to little bit more open areas we will be camping by the fast running mountain river of Bogd. Tented night with sound of river. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 11: Ride to Mod Tolgoi bridge. Tented night.
  Riding to Mod Tolgoi bridge. It is our last day of riding along the river Bogd until we get to the old wooden bridge. We will set our camp site here and our vehicles will pick us up here. Tented night by the river Bogd. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 12: Drive to Uliastai. Local hotel
  Drive to Uliastai. We will pack our tents and drive to Uliastai provincial center after breakfast. We will reach Uliastai in the afternoon and check in the local hotel. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 13: Domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Kempinski Hotel
  Fly to Ulaanbaatar. This morning after breakfast we will catch a 2 hours domestic flight back to UB. Upon arrival we have optional sightseeing or shopping before having farewell dinner. Kempinski Hotel. /B, L, D/

• expand_more Day 14: International Departure
  International departure. Today you will be transferred to the airport for your international departures to your next destination. /B/

I’ve had the great fortune to travel with Mongol Khan Expeditions several times and am about to go off on another journey.  What started as a one-time trip to ride Mongolian horses became a quest to see all of Mongolia on horseback.  This, in turn, evolved into a major research project, and my trips back now are for research and visiting old friends scattered around the country.  Whether heading out on one of their own adventures, or having them orchestrate trips for research, I can count on absolute perfection in preparation, personnel, equipment, and imagination.  They have top-notch staff and are very supportive of the individuals and communities in the regions where they travel.   Proud of their Mongolian heritage, they provide wonderful opportunities to fully experience Mongolian life and to meet the most hospitable people on earth.  With a wonderful sense of their client’s interests and needs, they provide an incredible experience and have a great time doing it.  For the record, there is no finer voice than Bodio’s – chanteur of the Gobi!  Be careful.  Lock up your heart or you may be leaving it there.

Mary Underwood   Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA