Horse Trek Across Wild Zavkhan

Everything (almost) is included from the time we meet in Ulaanbaatar on Day 1, until we say farewell on Day 17. There are no extra 'local payments', obligatory 'tips', or other hidden costs.

The main thing to note is that there are more similarities than differences. You can't make a wrong choice. Both trips will give you a truly immersive experience of Mongolia on horseback.

If you particularly like to go fast, our Zavkhan Tour is the one for you. The mixed steppe and forest terrain allows a faster pace than in the Altai Mountains.

Less experienced riders are still welcome to come on the Classic, since we structure the ride in a way that ensures you don't hold up those who like to gallop. However the Altai trek is the best option for those who prefer a slower pace, whether you are an experienced rider or not.

Local people in Zavkhan are mainly from the majority Khalkh ethnic group, whereas most of the people we meet in the west of Mongolia on our Altai trek (and most our local team there) are from the Kazakh ethnic minority. They live their traditional lives in much the same way as in the rest of the country, herding livestock and living in felt gers. If you've been on our Altai trek previously, the culture in Zavkhan will be pleasantly familiar.

Extreme would be a good starting point. The town of Tosontsengel, near where this trek begins, is known as the coldest place in Mongolia in winter, where it's not uncommon for temperatures to reach -50C. But don't worry, during the summer riding season (June to September) it's pleasantly warm.

If it gets too hot, there's usually a river nearby for a plunge to cool off (we try to camp by a river at the end each day). If you like cooler temperatures, a later season trip in September is ideal. Summer in Zavkhan is considered to be the rainy season, but Mongolia in general is arid, so what little rain there is, quickly passes.

The weather is highly variable from day to day, and even from morning to afternoon, so you need to be prepared for anything. We will discuss with you exactly what to bring. As they say in Mongolia, there's no bad weather, just bad clothing choices.

Altitude

The highest peak in Zavkhan near where we ride is just over 3000m. It's a hard old day walk to the top, but mostly we are camping and riding around 1500-2000m. In the Altai the mountains around us are up to almost 4000m on the Chinese border but we ride down around 2500m mostly. If you find yourself short of breath, you can blame the altitude rather than your fitness!

This is our fastest paced Mongolia ride. We are not slowed down by pack-horses, and the terrain is often perfect for a gallop. The horses are incredibly fit (they need to be able to out-run the wolves), so you tend to get tired before they do.

On our Zavkhan trek we don't use pack-horses. Our luggage and camping equipment is transported by support vehicle and meets us at the end of each day. Sometimes we meet the vehicles at lunch time, but usually we do not see them until the end of the day.

By not using pack-horses, we can ride at a faster pace (you don't want to see a pack-horse at a canter!). We can also take more food and equipment, to make a more comfortable camping experience. It doesn't mean we need to follow a road of course - generally we do not use the same route as the vehicles during the day, following horse-only trails instead.

If you would prefer to trek with pack-horses, our Altai Mountain Trek has some pack-horse days. But for a full pack-horse adventure, you should check out our Sakha Trek.

You make that sound like a bad thing! But yes, where we ride in Zavkhan there are no hotels or guest houses (at the start of the trip in Ulaanbaatar you will be in a hotel, and while driving to Zavkhan we use ger camps).

Camping

This is a wilderness camping experience. But we are not here to rough it, so we make the camping as comfortable as possible. You will have a private hiking tent, either a two-person model if you are on your own, or a three-person for couples or friends. Inflatable camping mats are provided.

Our tents are very easy to put up, but there will always be someone to assist if necessary. Some people choose to share a tent to halve the work of putting it up and taking it down each day.

There will be a large communal tent, complete with stove, as a retreat from rain or when the evenings grow cold later in the season.

Hotels

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.

Ger Camps

While driving to Zavkhan (two nights) we use ger camps, which are purpose-built places to stay for travellers. You will sleep in a traditional felt ger (yurt), with beds and a wood stove for heating. Typically you will share a ger with two or three others from your group. It is not possible to request a private ger.

The ger camps we use have a restaurant, flushing toilets and hot showers (but don't hold us to that - the showers may be cold). Make the most of it before the wilderness camping begins!

Other Accommodation

Because this is Mongolia, you never know where you may end up. For example we have spent nights sleeping on the floor of the airport in Zavkhan when there have been flight issues. You do need to be prepared for anything.

There are several reasons why we drive there, but fly back. Perhaps the most important is to minimise our carbon emissions. Once you are riding, your mode of transport is about as low-carbon as it gets, but you can't ride from Ulaanbaatar! Driving is the next best option.

Every hour in the sky is a day where you are not experiencing life in Mongolia. The drive across the steppe and forest of Central Mongolia allows you to ease in to the country, and appreciate just how remote Zavkhan really is.

Flights to and from Zavkhan are erratic, so flying introduces another level of logistical challenge to our plans. Planning around one flight at the end of the trip is hard enough, but two flights is asking for trouble.

Zavkhan aimag is one of Mongolia’s most remote regions. Unpredictable flights and demanding roads make it difficult to reach, which is why tourism has had very little impact here. This is where we began organising our first treks, and even after 20 years, the area remains almost unchanged. Nomadic herders continue their traditional way of life, surrounded by remarkably beautiful landscapes.

The ride begins across wide open steppe, then follows wooded valleys before climbing into the mountains of Tarvagatai Uul National Park. Several possible routes are available: some are familiar to us, while others are still waiting to be explored. The main consideration is meeting the support vehicle at the end of each day, but beyond that, there is still a great deal of untouched country to discover.

The Zavkhan trek is designed for travellers who want to experience Mongolia’s landscapes and culture away from the main tourist routes, travelling in a way that is close to local life. This is not a luxury trip: accommodation is in wilderness camps, washing is usually done in a river, and evenings are spent sharing simple meals around the campfire.

The route includes narrow forest trails, sand dunes, and wide open steppe where riders can enjoy a faster pace. There are no fences or gates, giving experienced riders plenty of opportunities to gallop. At the same time, the trek is organised so that less experienced riders can travel at a speed that feels comfortable for them.

We have been working with local horsemen Dondov, Tsoj and Adiya, and their wonderfully tough Mongolian horses, since 2004. During that time we have grown to love and respect these sturdy steeds.

For most of the year the horses roam free where wolves still prowl, so they retain more of their natural behavior in order to survive, compared to horses back home. During the trek you will develop a relationship with your horse, and gain their trust. Even experienced riders will be learning new ways of riding. Our local team will teach you tips and techniques, and you and your horse will learn together.