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 equipment. A highlight of this trip is the chance to experience the legendary hospitality of local nomadic families. The final part of the holiday takes in the dramatic desert to the west, where clear freshwater lakes, ideal for swimming and fishing, are surrounded by towering sand dunes. This riding holiday is organised by a New Zealand/Mongolian partnership.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - MONGOLIAN EXPLORER
Day 1
Arrival and overnight in Ulaan Baatar
Day 2
Zavkhan is not an easy region of Mongolia to get to, which is why you won't see many visitors (if any). The drive from Ulaanbaatar follows 800km of some of the worst roads you will ever see. However we believe everyone should experience the 'great Mongolian road trip' once (one-way is enough, we fly back at the end of the trip!). We break the drive up over 3 days, stopping frequently along the way.
Today we reach Karakorum, famous as the old capital of the Mongolian Empire and a must-see on most tour itineraries, but you'll need a good imagination to see anything more than the collection of run-down communist era concrete buildings that is the present-day town. Erdene Zuu monastery on the other hand, founded in 1586, and mostly destroyed in the Stalinist purges of the 1930s is definitely worth a look around.
Day 3
The third day will see us reach Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (The Great White Lake), a lovely spot surrounded by forested mountains and ideal for swimming. Finally we arrive in Tosontsengel where we meet our local guide and wranglers, and familiarise ourselves with the horses. We will take plenty of time to match you to a horse you feel comfortable with, since you'll be seeing a lot of each other in the coming days!
Day 4 - 10
We start off riding south from Tosontsengel, across open steppe and into the forested foot-hills of Tarvagatai Uul National Park. At this point we have many options before us. Various routes head further up in to the mountains, some we know well but others we are keen to try out. We are really only limited by the need to meet the support vehicle at the end of each day. Whichever way we go, we aim to eventually reach an old abandoned spa in the mountains, perfect for a day or two resting and soaking in the hot baths, before picking a route back to Tosontsengel.
Day 11 - 13
After riding, we head out to Khar Nuur, a beautiful and remote desert lake fringed by sand dunes. Perfect for swimming, hiking or just relaxing. In a country full of beautiful places, this is John's all time number one!
Day 14
The group flies back to Ulaan Baatar for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar.
Day 15
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 (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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