Riding in Mongolia

This ride takes us through the Khentii Mountain range, along the Tuul river, which remains the largest roadless area full of wilderness home to bear, wolf, deer, moose and a rich bird life.  Leaving behind the picturesque cultural landscapes of pastures and hay fields dotted with gers and herds of grazing livestock, we cross over high passes and enter the wild Khentii, a landscape of boulder-strewn rivers, swamps and dark lakes; of dense forests and valleys; and of alpine mountain tops, ridges, towering cliffs and snow fields. The Khentii also holds the most significant cultural and historical sites of the country. It is the homeland of Temujiin, the boy who grew up to become Chinggis Khan (Genghis Khan). As we travel through the magnificent and diverse landscape littered with ancient sites, with the help of the local horsemen accompanying us and visits to traditional settlements, our ride offers an insight into the lives of these proud people where the horse is an intrinsic part of the culture. It is perfect for the experienced rider who not only enjoys a fast paced and fun ride on varied terrain, but also seeks the opportunity to explore one of Mongolia’s most fascinating regions in a very unique way.

Day 1: Saturday, 9th June

London / Beijing

Depart London Heathrow on a British Airways overnight flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Sunday, 10th June

Beijing

On arrival transfer to the Jinglun Hotel, in the heart of Beijing Central Business District, where one night is spent.  The hotel is centrally located, only moments away from the mystical Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Silk Market.

Lunch at a local restaurant.  Afternoon city tour and rickshaw ride through the capital’s Hutong districts.   Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Monday, 11th June

Beijing / Ulaanbaatar

Depart Beijing on a Mongolian Airlines flight to Ulaanbaatar.   On arrival transfer to the Terelj National Park, about 54 km to the east of the city, which covers an area of 2,864 square kilometres.  The Gorkhi Mountains are covered with thick forests rich in wildlife and fascinating rock formations from the Mesozoic era.  Khan Khentii borders Terelj and is a strictly protected area of remote unspoilt beauty.  Largely wooded, it is a haven for wildlife and is criss-crossed by mountain streams and valleys.  The locals call the area ‘the museum of natural wealth’.  Stop at the Tsjonjin Boldog Genghis Khan (or Chinggis Khaan) monument, a vast statue which shows Genghis Khan with a golden whip.  The statue is surrounded by 36 columns representing 36 Mongolian Khans.  The entire statue is covered in 250 tonnes of steel. 

Packed lunch / lunch at a local restaurant (TBC).  Continue to the tented camp.   On arrival there will be a short introduction to the horses, tack and routine.  Your guides will give mounting, riding and horse handling instructions before your trek.  Dinner at the camp.   Overnight tented camp.

Day 4: Tuesday, 12th June

Khentii Hills

Set off into the wilderness of the Khentii mountain range, along the Tuul River until the confluence of Hongor River and Tuul River, and enjoy some breathtaking scenery similar to that of the Siberian Taiga. 

Packed lunch.  There will be an opportunity to do a spot of fishing or hiking before continuing on the ride.  Dinner at the camp. Overnight tented camp.

Day 5: Wednesday, 13th June

Khentii Hills / Zahir Zagaan Chuluut

Set off for Zahir Zagaan Chuluut visiting some of the local nomad families along the way. 

Packed lunch.  Dinner at the camp.   Overnight at the tented camp near the river. 

Day 6: Thursday, 14th June

Zahir Zagaan Chuluut / Khagiin Khar Nuur

Set off for the Khagiin Khar Nuur (Black Lake) where the terrain opens out onto a sort of high plateau through the middle of which runs the Khagiin River.  Following the water you will arrive at the Black Lake hidden among the peaks of Khentii – it is the largest of 20 small lakes in the area.  People rarely travel here, although occasionally the odd fisherman appears to catch lenok and perch.  If you are a keen fisher you may want to try your hand a catching lenok from the lake – these fish belong to the trout family and are delicious to eat.

Packed lunch.  Dinner at the camp.  Overnight at the tented camp by the lake.

Day 7: Friday, 15th June

Khagiin Khar Nuur

Ride out to Lake Holboo Nuur, a smaller lake nearby in the Khentii range area.  Full day’s ride along the lake. 

Packed lunch.  Dinner at the camp.  Overnight at the tented camp near the lake.

Day 8: Saturday, 16th June         

Begin this morning with a steep ascent, and then a steep descent across the Khaviragiin Pass which lies at the eastern shoulder of Altan Olgii Peak that translates as ‘Golden Cradle’; this 2,646 meter mountain is one of the highest peaks of the Khentii Range.

Packed lunch.  Dinner at the camp.  Overnight at the tented camp near the lake.

Day 9: Sunday, 17th June           

Set off for the Baruun Bayan Valley where you will enjoy the wilderness and beautiful nature in this valley. 

Packed lunch.  Meet the support vehicles.  Dinner at the camp.  Overnight in a tented camp.

Day 10: Monday, 18th June         

Ride to the Princess Temple ruins passing spectacular valleys and small rivers surrounded by amazing eroded rock formations in the Khan Khentii Mountains. 

Packed lunch.  Visit the ruins of the Princess Temple which are located among the forest and near the Baruunbayan river.  The Buddhist temple was built by Dondovdorj in 1740 and dedicated in memory of his wife, a Manchurian princess, who loved and supported the Mongolian people. Continue to a ger camp.  Dinner and overnight at the ger camp.

Day 11: Tuesday, 19th June        

Set off towards the confluence of Terelj and Tuul Rivers. 

Farewell lunch at the Silk Road restaurant.  Transfer to Ulaanbaatar and check into the Ulaanbaatar Hotel, a 4 star hotel in the centre of town, where one night is spent.  Ulaanbataar, meaning ‘red hero’, is the capital of Mongolia.  Situated on the Tuul River, it is a mixture of traditional and modern.  The ornate flowing eaves of the monastery temples stand beside communist planned courtyards and modern sky scrapers.  Dinner at the Taj Mahal restaurant.

Day 12: Wednesday, 20th June            

Transfer to Ulaanbaatar airport for an early morning Mongolian Airlines flight to Beijing on onwards with a British Airways flight to London Heathrow arriving in the early afternoon.

N.B.  The Mongolian style of riding is quite different from our own however the horses are small, easy and well behaved.   The Khentii ride is the most challenging and can be boggy or rough so this itinerary is for more experienced riders only.  You will definitely enjoy your trip much more if you are saddle fit and we highly recommend that you put in several hours of regular riding before you go to get used to the time spent in the saddle.  There is also a weight restriction for riders.  The maximum weight limit is about 90kg (14st 2lbs).

 

Optional Pre tour extension to Beijing: 6th – 9th June 2012

Day 1: Wednesday, 6th June

London / Beijing

Depart London Heathrow on a British Airways overnight flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Thursday, 7th June

Beijing

On arrival transfer to the Jinglun Hotel, a four star hotel in the heart of Beijing Central Business District, where three nights are spent.  The hotel is centrally located, only moments away from the mystical Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Silk Market.

Lunch under own arrangements.  Afternoon visit to the Imperial Summer Palace, former country residence of the Emperors, with its halls, towers, pavilions, bridges and fine landscaped gardens around Kunming Lake.  Boat trip on Kunming Lake.  Dinner under own arrangements.

Day 3: Friday, 8th June

Beijing

Morning visit to the magnificent Temple of Heaven, where the emperors once came to pray for good harvests and today where the local residents come to do their morning exercises such as Tai Chi and Ballroom Dancing. 

Lunch at a local restaurant.  Continue to the vast Tiananmen Square, which is home to China’s Parliament – The Great Hall of the People.  Walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace to visit to the Forbidden City, former home of China’s Imperial Dynasties and the best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China with its pavilions, courtyards, gates, treasure halls and gardens.  Dinner under own arrangements.

Day 4: Saturday, 9th June

Beijing

Full day visit to the Great Wall of China at Jinshanling, a more remote section of the Wall which is much less visited.  Built in stages between the 5th century BC and the 16th century AD, the wall is 3,333 miles long and is one of the world’s few landmarks visible from space.

Picnic lunch at the wall / lunch at a local restaurant near the wall (TBC).  On return to Beijing there is the option to stop off at the Silk Market for some shopping, making your own way back to the hotel.  Dinner under own arrangements.

Day 5: Sunday, 10th June

Beijing

Morning at leisure.  Rest of the group arrives in Beijing at 9.30 am. 

Main tour begins.