Horse Trekking to Eight Lakes Valley & Mini Gobi Desert

8-day Trip

Overview:

This tour is a marvelous way to experience Central Mongolia. It offers the traveler 8 days of horse trekking through with excursions on a two-humped camel and four days trekking on horseback through beautiful country to the unique Eight Lakes of Khuis volcanic lake region.

The heart of the tour is an opportunity to live and learn alongside nomadic families. You will finish the trip with a visit to Orkhon valley and an amazing tour to discover history and culture in Karakorum city, Erdenezuu – the oldest monastery in Mongolia, and the beautiful Lake of Ugii.

Duration: 8 days, 7 nights

Trip type: Cultural and Adventure

Difficulty level: Moderate

Best season: May through October, available in winter as well

Activities: Overland tour, Camel riding, Horseback riding, Visiting local nomadic family, Hiking

Transportation: 4WD

Meals: Local and basic

Accommodation: 4 nights tourist ger camp, 2 nights guest ger, 1-night ger stay

Cost: Starting from $2,100 per passenger

 DAY 1: Arrival. Welcome to Mongolia!

Day 1 is in the Mini Gobi (Elsen Tasarkhai). You will find a unique combination of mountain, forests and Gobi-type landscapes. Here, we will ride a two humped camel on the sand dunes and visit a nomadic family. After lunch, our trip will take you to the ruins of Uvgun monastery, famous in Mongolian history during the anti-religious purges of 1930.

The Enlighted Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar was a Mongolian Buddhist religious leader, philosopher and artist. He founded Uvgun and Zaluu temples to honor his religious teacher. It was completely destroyed in 1939. Learn more about the history of communist extremism. Then, we will drive to our tourist camp for some evening relaxation. 

Possible activities: hiking up the Khugnu Khan mountain and one-hour two-hump camel riding on the sand dunes

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp

Meals: L, D

Day 2: Drive to Uyanga village

This day will take you to the Uyanga village. Here, you will visit a local museum to hear an interesting story about the first Mongolian prime minister, Namnansuren. Then, we will head to Naiman Nuur eco tourist ger camp and rest for a while. There we will learn about nomadic lifestyle and traditions from local community members. The exact itinerary will depend on the season and we will have a choice of various activities. 

Possible activities (seasonal/optional): Make traditional dairy products, archery, traditional wrestling, sheep ankle bone game “Shagai”, milk cows and goats, traditional BBQ-Khorkhog, get water from river for the family, herd sheep and cattle, collect firewood and dung for the family fuel needs

Accommodation: Eco ger tourist camp

Meals:  BF, L, D

Day 3: Horse trekking to Shireet Lake

The highlight of the trip begins; prepare for new experiences! We will saddle up our horses and load our belongings on yaks for a 4-day overnight trek on horseback. We’ll ride over Shireet Mountain (elevation ~3,000 meters) and enjoy a picnic lunch in natural wilderness that is only accessible by horse and yak cart.

We will continue on and camp for the night at the first and biggest of the eight lakes: Shireet Lake. Excellent food, lovely horses, pretty camping spots, and friendly nomadic families await you.

Possible activities: mountain and lake photography, evening relaxation by the lake, leisure horseback rides or short nature walks, nomadic family visit.

Accommodation: Guest ger

Meals: BF, L, D

Day 4: Horse trekking to Khuis Lake

We continue our trek along five of the eight lakes. We will pass by Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya and Shana lakes on our way to the overnight stay in a nomadic family’s guest ger near Khuis Lake. After unpacking, we will have the opportunity to ride out along other lakes: Khuis, Duruu and Bayan.

These volcanic lakes are all connected by underground water and one of the top nature reserves and water resources in Mongolia. You will have many breathtaking moments in the stunning natural beauty of these lakes. While we overnight as guests to the Tserendorj family, you will have the chance to immerse in their lifestyle and nomadic culture.

Possible activities: experience nomadic daily chores, leisure and games and mountain and lake photography

Accommodation: Nomadic family homestay

Meals: BF, L, D

Day 5: Horse trekking to Buureg Lake

We continue our trek along five of the eight lakes. We will pass by Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya and Shana lakes on our way to the overnight stay in a nomadic family’s guest ger near Khuis Lake. After unpacking, we will have the opportunity to ride out along other lakes: Khuis, Duruu and Bayan.

These volcanic lakes are all connected by underground water and one of the top nature reserves and water resources in Mongolia. You will have many breathtaking moments in the stunning natural beauty of these lakes. While we overnight as guests to the Tserendorj family, you will have the chance to immerse in their lifestyle and nomadic culture.

Possible activities: experience nomadic daily chores, leisure and games and mountain and lake photography

Accommodation: Nomadic family homestay

Meals: BF, L, D

Day 6: Horse trekking to Orkhon valley

On our last day horse trekking we will again be guests to a nomadic family, the Buyanjargal family, as we share lunch with them in their home. After lunch break, we will visit Orkhon Waterfall, also called Ulaan Tsutgalan, the famous waterfall of Mongolia. You can take a short hike down to the bottom of the gorge which stands 22m deep, engulfed in an evergreen forest. The water flows seasonally, beginning after the first good summer rain.

Possible activities: evening relaxation and nature photography

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp

Meals: BF, L, D

Day 7: Drive to Karakorum, Erdenezuu Monastery and Ugii Lake

This day is packed with cultural and historical enrichment. We take a break from the saddle to visit the famous city of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Great Mongolian Empire. It was one of the stops along the legendary Silk Road for 140 years.

We will visit a few places of significance to experience Mongolian history:  Karakorum museum - The exhibits include dozens of artefacts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries that were recovered from the immediate area, plus others that were found from archaeological sites in other parts of the provinces, including prehistoric stone tools. Erdenezuu Monastery - The oldest monastery with rich history and beautiful 108 stupas. You will learn more about Buddhism as you explore the famous monastery.

We end the day with a short drive to Ugii Lake, which is considered the hottest fishing spot of Mongolia and offers a variety of other activities.

Possible activities: fishing and hiking

Accommodation: Tourist ger camp

Meals: BF, L, D

DAY 8 – Departure from Mongolia

Unfortunately, today you’ll be leaving Mongolia and will be returning home or heading onward to other destinations.

Safe travels!