Multi-activity adventure in Mongolia: hiking, biking and horse riding - 7 days

Itinerary

• Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, welcome dinner and tour briefing

  Upon arriving at Ulaanbaatar airport, you will be transferred to a 3-star hotel in the city center. Some rest will be followed by a welcome dinner during which you will be given an informal introduction to the exciting multi-adventure tour ahead of you.

  • Dinner
  • Hotel

• Depart Ulaanbaatar, trekking to Bogd Khan mountain summit

  This morning, transfer to the ruins of Manzushir monastery on the edge of Bogd Khan mountain national park. From there we take a full day hiking to the highest point of the mountain massif. A well-marked trail takes us through mixed forests and lush highland vegetation to Tsetsee Gun peak at 2256m, strewn with granite formations and Buddhist shrines. While having lunch you can enjoy distant views of Siberian mountains towards the north and rugged outlines of the Gobi desert towards the south. Back to the mountain base, we visit the remains of the monastery complex which was originally built in 1733. It was leveled to the ground during anti-religion campaigns of the 1930ies with just one temple remaining to these days. Apart from it we will see a few sections of shattered walls, foundations, stone terraces, and some stone niches in the cliffs and hear its story told by your guide. We continue to a cozy camp on the edge of an open plain where you will be accommodated in traditional nomadic tents known as yurts. The yurts are well-furnished and are comparable to glamping tents. At night when the pitch-dark celestial canvas illuminates with myriads of stars, you can stargaze.

  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Yurt

• Horseback riding excursion in the Mongolian grassland

  A grand vista of a boundless grassland opens from the yurt camp nestled in the shelter of a small hill. After a wholesome breakfast, we explore the grassland by horseback. Although only 14 hands in height, Mongolian horses are famous for their sturdiness and sure-footedness. Comfortable Australian stock saddles and riding helmets will ensure an enjoyable and safe riding experience not to mention the caring company of local riding guides who will share secrets of their unparalleled equestrian culture. Nearly 60mln animals make up the bulk of Mongolia’s rural economy. While riding you will see large herds of horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. Mushroom-like dwellings of nomadic Mongols can be seen here and there offering a glimpse of a way of life that hasn’t seemingly changed in centuries. If a chance allows, we will stop at one of them to learn about the traditional way of life. A snack break and a picnic lunch will be served before we return to our yurt camp. This evening an introduction to traditional archery and secrets of the composite bow will be presented by the tour guide before having the group members try their hands on one of the oldest sports of humankind.

  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Yurt

• Cycling to Mongolian medieval king’s station

  The cycling portion of the adventure starts with a crossing of open grassland with rolling hills and rugged mountains as the backdrop, the scenery most commonly associated with Mongolia. Short climbs alternate with fast descents to open plains where you can encounter curious nomads grazing their livestock. Stopping for a chat and a photograph is always an entertaining experience for both the locals and guests. The destination is a Mongolian king’s station where you will be immersed in the atmosphere of XIII century Mongolia. Massive yurts decorated with ornate furniture, furs, and traditional costumes will help you visualize scenes of long-gone days. Enjoy the fun of having your photographs taken in historic courtier costumes before dinner under the grand dome of the king’s yurt.

  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Yurt

• Cycling to statue of Genghis Khaan, Gorkhi-Terelj national park

  Back on the bikes, we leisurely pedal across an open grassland dotted with nomadic yurts and thousands of livestock. Nomadic animal husbandry is the mainstay of Mongolia’s rural economy with cashmere, wool, and meat as the main produce. Although basic and unpretentious in how much comfort it requires, it’s a way of life that is completely friendly to the natural environment not to mention the laid back and peaceful mindset of the local people. After lunch, we ascend along a grassy valley typical of the Siberian mountain forest ecosystem. A fast descent amid birch trees brings us to open ground, where we finish the cycling adventure. We load bikes and drive to Ulaanbaatar. Along the way, we may take a photo stop by a giant mounted statue of Genghis Khan. The creator of the Great Mongol Empire is depicted looking in the direction of his birthplace and resting his right hand on a golden whip he found here as the legend suggests. On arriving in Ulaanbaatar, you will be transferred to your hotel.

  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Hotel

• Sightseeing tour of Ulaanbaatar

  A guided tour to some of the highlights of Mongolia’s capital includes a visit to the main Buddhist center of the city, the Gandan where the main object of worship is a 26-meter tall gold-plated statue of Lord Buddha, the central square with grand memorial of Genghis Khan and a museum or two. The Paleontology museum displaying unique findings such as herbivores fighting carnivores, embryos in eggshells, and a complete Tarbosaurus skeleton as well as the museum of traditional puzzles will certainly be of interest to both adults and children. A folklore performance introducing to rare feats of artistry such as throat singing and contortion followed by a farewell dinner will complete the tour.

  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Hotel

• Departure from Mongolia

  You will be transferred to airport for your departure flight.

  • Breakfast