Riding the Wild Altai: Mongolia’s Borderland Expedition

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic

Midscale

Weight limit

Group size

5-10 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

Beyond the last roads of Western Mongolia, the Altai rises in snowy passes, dark forests and wide valleys where riders may travel for days without meeting another visitor. This expedition follows old horse trails deep into Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and the remote borderlands beside China.

Ride across dry plains to Chigertei Lake, climb the snow-covered Jalanash Pass and follow narrow game trails through alpine meadows. Packhorses carry supplies when the route leaves every road behind. Camps are set beside mountain streams, beneath the rocky Eagle’s Nest and on the shore of Swan Lake. Along the way, look for elk, ibex, Bronze Age man-stones and ancient petroglyphs.

Local Kazakh and Mongolian herders lead the journey on horses bred for this difficult land. Accommodation is simple, meals are cooked over an open fire, and mountain weather can change quickly. The reward is rare access to a landscape few outsiders ever cross, followed by fast riding, horse games and a private mini-eagle festival. Join the expedition and ride into one of Mongolia’s wildest corners!

John W. is the provider of this trip

5.0 7 reviews

The provider speaks: English

I am based in New Zealand, and have been travelling to Mongolia, and the wider Central Asian region, since 2000. Over the past 24 years I have built up a wonderful local team who are the heart of our trips. Two of my great passions are horse riding, and travelling off the beaten track. I have the perfect job, combining these two activities and exploring parts of the world that most people don't get to experience. Over the years I have lead horse treks in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Siberia and Ethiopia. Changing geopolitics means some countries open up to tourism, as others close down. We aim to create sustainable livelihoods for local people, to help them weather the changes affecting their traditional ways of living.

View John`s tours

Tour highlights

A Taste of the Wild Altai

Ride through snowy passes, alpine meadows and empty borderlands where very few outsiders have travelled

Meet the People of the Altai

Share time with local Kazakh and Mongolian herders, hear dombra music and discover their warm hospitality

Mini-Eagle Festival and Horse Games

Meet local eagle hunters, learn about their traditions and take part in lively horse games yourself

Route details

As with all our treks, the exact route depends on the weather and the group. We may also explore new trails when conditions allow. This plan is an example of the journey rather than a fixed itinerary.

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, where we will meet you at the airport or train station and take you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city. In the evening, the group will meet for dinner and you will get to know the other riders.

1 more photo

Difficulty

Challenging

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape

Tour provider's comments

Time in the saddle: 12-13 days.
This area is remote and mountainous, with demanding terrain. Therefore it is essential that you are fit and active and willing to take on a challenge

The pace is generally slower than our other treks, due to the terrain, so is suitable for less experienced riders. But for experienced riders there are some spots that are great for a gallop.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Midscale

Hotel

2 nights

Tent

14 nights

In Ulaanbaatar we use a comfortable centrally located hotel, within walking distance of the city center. You will have a twin-share room. If you require extra nights in Ulaanbaatar, we can arrange this at our hotel.

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included

local team including English-speaking trip leader, horse wranglers, drivers, and cook;
return transfers from the airport/train station (including arrivals before Day 1);
return flights from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii;
transport while in Mongolia, including support vehicle for the duration of the trip;
accommodation in Ulaanbaatar for two nights (twin-share). If you require extra accommodation, we can advise;
accommodation outside of Ulaanbaatar, mainly in private hiking tents (no single supplement required), or other accommodation as required;
all meals for the duration of the trip, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 17, including snacks, tea and coffee;
local horse wranglers;
National Park and border permits.

Extras

We know you've got common sense, so we don't need to list the obvious exclusions such as visas, travel insurance and your international flights! If in doubt, please ask.

tips - this is optional and minor, and we can advise;
excess baggage charges on domestic flights.

It's important to know

This area is remote and mountainous, with demanding terrain. Therefore it is essential that you are fit and active and willing to take on a challenge. The camping is basic, and we cook simple meals over an open fire. If you are not familiar with the outdoors, or are unsure whether this is the right trip for you, we are happy to discuss.

The pace is generally slower than our other treks, due to the terrain, so is suitable for less experienced riders. But for experienced riders there are some spots that are great for a gallop.

The biggest challenge on this trek is the mountain environment. The weather can change quickly, bringing snow at any time of year (don't worry, it's more often warm and sunny). Those who do not have a lot of experience of wilderness camping may struggle initially, but the rewards are great - to ride where few outsiders have ever travelled.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 7 reviews

L
louise

about provider

11 Oct, 2023

Thoughtfully planned, secure, and enjoyable. Beyond just a journey, it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The team, including the guide, wranglers, drivers, and cook, were fantastic. Interacting with the locals during the three visits was a highlight, especially playing with the children. My horse was well-behaved, leading to a safe and enjoyable experience with no falls, plenty of rides, and great weather. I was grateful for the lessons that helped me feel at ease on the horse. Camping in stunning locations was a favorite part of the trip. Having traveled to over 50 countries, this experience ranks among the top three, if not the very best.
W
wjen9237

about provider

29 Sep, 2023

Describing this trip as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be entirely accurate! My sister and I embarked on this adventure with high hopes after reading glowing reviews on TA, and we were delighted to discover that those testimonials were spot on. The professionalism and attentiveness impressed us from start to finish. From the informative program to the patient and thorough responses from John, Jen, and the rest of the team, we felt fully supported every step of the way. While my sister and I both had some horseback riding experience, we were novices when it came to camping. Nevertheless, with a spirit of adventure, we embraced the learning curve and had a blast discovering the ins and outs of camping. The trip delivered on all its promises - magnificent Mongolian horses that became our companions, a warm and friendly local team of wranglers, opportunities to connect with local families, breathtaking landscapes, a sky full of stars, and an epic journey from beginning to end. We were fortunate to share this experience with a fantastic group of fellow travelers and forged friendships that we hope will endure. For future travelers, I recommend packing plenty of layers for the chilly weather on the late September Altai trip, including long johns and thermals. Don't hesitate to request extra blankets and hot water bottles if needed for warmth at night. Make an effort to socialize and bond with your group and the wranglers - we regret not staying up later to enjoy their company more. A special mention goes out to our translator Hamza, our exceptional trip leader Janni (Lansi! Lansi! Lansi!), our patient head wrangler Muikthan, and the entire team. They consistently prioritized our safety and comfort, ensuring that we had a fantastic time throughout the journey.
N
NZ86kilo

about provider

22 Sep, 2023

I used to work as a guide in Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand. I have experience recognizing a good crew and a great trip leader. Haldee and his crew really made the trip memorable. It was quite challenging, with a wasp attack, flat tires on the vans (common on Mongolian roads), flight delays, lack of showers for 10 days, and managing riders of different skill levels on semi-wild horses. Despite all the challenges, Haldee and his team remained calm and handled everything well. The wrangler crew led by Dondov ensured our safety on the horses, which was no easy task given that they were semi-wild. Dagee and her team cooked amazing food for us, and Bimba was able to fix anything that broke, whether it was a chainsaw or the van's gearbox. They even showed us how to slaughter and cook a sheep purchased from a local family. We had the opportunity to interact with real locals in their ger houses and learn about the local culture from Haldee, who really made the tour special. The only downsides were the rough hotel in UB where we stayed, and the lack of communication due to remote locations with no phone signal. It would have been helpful to have radios for the vans to communicate. Some suggestions for enhancing the experience would be learning how to set up a Ger and witnessing traditional Mongolian wrestling. Overall, despite these minor issues, it was an incredible adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. From horseback riding through high cliffs and swimming in cold rivers, it was the true adventure I had been seeking.