Gobi Steppe Trails

Pick up the guests from hotel and visit the Gandan lamasery, possibly in time for the prayers, center for the Buddhist revival in Mongolia. The Mongols follow the Tibetan version of Lamaism, Dalai Lama being the supreme theocratical leader. We will drive south and enjoy a picnic en route. Our crew here are your hosts, the steppe nomads of the area. They have brought their horses for our use and will accompany us throughout this ride. 

In the late afternoon we will make a short trial ride.

We will stay one more night here. We will undertake a full day ride on the Gobi grasslands with a 360° degrees undisturbed landscape view until the horizon.

We will fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings experiencing the vastness and tranquility of this unique environment.

Today we break the camp and the yurt/ger we brought along as our restaurant and social area. Provisions and luggage will be loaded on to the support vehicle. While the support will move straight on to our next destination at the sacred mountains of Zorgol Hairkhan, we will ride a detour easterly across the fantastic grasslands to Bayan Mountain, home to Gobi high altitude fauna like Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica) and Ar­gali Sheep (Ovis ammon). They take shelter in the hills and rocks, and quite possibly, may be seen during this day. 

Moreover, small herds of gazelle might be seen on the steppe, perhaps some foxes. There are also wolves, but they are almost never spotted. 

We will pitch camp at Zorgol Hairkhan and remain here for two nights.

The landscape is quite diverse here since we are in the transition zone of the Gobi, there is true steppe, semi-arid steppe, and giant rock formations. For the full day we will explore the Zorgol Hairkhan massif with its vertical rock walls, on horseback and ride around and through rock formations, several hundred meters high, a striking feature the middle of the flat steppe.

Zorgol Hairkhan is men­tioned in the Secret History of the Mongols, the oldest surviving Mongolian-language literary work, which chronicles the life and genealogy of Genghis Khan. The Khan himself is said to have wintered here while in conflict with a competing leader. 

There is a breeding population of Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), the largest of the Eurasian vultures, it’s size on par with the Condor of the Americas. Their nests are quite low, on rocks and in small trees, and very visible. 

We can also visit Hökh Sudliin Am, the valley of Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis). Mongolians use this circumpolar medicinal plant in tra­ditional medicine for stomach problems, by making a tea from its red pod-like flower.

Again, we break camp and the support car starts moving in a straight line to our next destina­tion at Saikhan, skirting Baga Zorgol Hairkhan Uul. Baga means “small”, it is the smaller ver­sion of Ikh “big” Zorgol. 

Here we will probably encounter quite a few nomadic families, as we head for Hariin Nuur (Remote Lake), a steppe lake useful for the steppe nomads. Usually, the lake attracts different species of birds. 

Our private camp has been set up already at Saikhan.

A full-day ride takes us across the steppe to Bumbat, which again is an uninhabited area, featur­ing some spectacular rock formations. 

Here it is even more likely to spot Argali Sheep, Cinereous Vultures, Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) and other wildlife. We will also be able to see some of the petroglyphs, for which Mongolia is so famous.

We will stay one more night here. Full day riding.

Bumbat is known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It serves as a gateway to the surrounding natural beauty, including mountains and rivers, and is often associated with traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle and hospitality. The area is also steeped in history, being close to sites related to Genghis Khan and Mongolian heritage.

Today our camp is broken for the last time and we ride for half a day, across the Gobi grasslands to Arburd Sands. These are the unknown Gobi sand dunes within proximity of Ulaanbaatar.

Here we will find a seasonal and fully collapsible low-impact ger camp. Instead of picnic lunch we will enjoy a hot lunch at camp. In the afternoon we will ride a short way to some seasonal steppe lakes, which are kept in place by the underlying permafrost. We can visit nomads with large herds of cattle, especially cashmere goats. 

We return to Arburd Sands Ger Camp for the night.

On our last day on the grasslands, we will make a loop with the horses, riding across the 20km long Arburd Sands, which are a hideout for wolves. You may also relax back at camp. 

Today we bid farewell to our steppe nomad’s horsemen.

We return to Ulaanbaatar and check into the hotel. See the capital city on your own. 

Distances are short and nearly all points of interest can be reached on foot. Your guide is standing by to assist you in your shopping or sightseeing activities.

Driver will pick up the guests from Bayangol hotel and transfer to Chinghis Khaan International Airport for fly out.