Have you ever imagined riding freely across the vast open steppes, feeling the wind in your hair? Zavkhan province offers the perfect opportunity to live out that dream. While it may not be easily accessible, those who make the journey will be rewarded with stunning untouched landscapes, rich local culture, and ideal terrain for horseback riding. Explore the open steppes, wander through lush valleys, and immerse yourself in Mongolia's traditional nomadic lifestyle in this secluded corner of the world renowned for its horse riding experiences.
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![Photo John W.](https://im.horseridingtours.com/128x128/HC_f61cd42e9dfc0db7e38548615dafa49dc33ad69814e44726837c80d135905dad.jpeg)
The tour guides you'll probably meet as well
![Photo Haldi](https://im.horseridingtours.com/140x140/HC_ecc5dc255c548c09d93f74edc0831f87d20366dccf3e9035231805f3110c5021.jpeg)
Tour highlights
![](https://im.horseridingtours.com/200x200/HC_694bebfc311ec12d31648dfc8a870c7a7478442393e229239126362ec5fc728f.jpeg)
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Route details
Like all of our treks, the specific path we follow will depend on the weather conditions. We enjoy discovering new trails with the appropriate group of riders. The Trip Plan provided is a sample route that we might take. Consider our treks as flexible and not strictly planned.
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, we will pick you up from the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel. You have the opportunity to explore this captivating city on your own before we come together for a group dinner and meet your fellow riders.
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Time in the saddle: 9 days.
Pace: this is our fastest paced ride.
The horses are incredibly fit (they need to be able to out-run the wolves), so you tend to get tired before they do.
This journey offers a variety of terrains including challenging forest paths and sandy dunes, as well as vast open grasslands perfect for faster riding. There are no obstacles like fences or gates in sight, allowing experienced riders the opportunity to gallop freely. The trek is organized in a way that allows less experienced riders to ride at a pace that suits them.
![horse](https://static.horseridingtours.com/_nuxt/horse-1.rxOGLBoj.png)
Accommodation
If you require extra accommodation, we can advise.
Comfortable centrally located hotel, within walking distance of the city center. Private room, where possible.
Tickets to group meeting place
Weather during the tour
- the forecasts for this season
- the statistics from previous years’ trips
Tour conditions
Included
- local team: English-speaking trip leader, horse wranglers, drivers, and cook;
- return transfers from the airport/train station (including arrivals before D1);
- flight from Zavkhan to Ulaanbaatar;
- transport while in Mongolia, including support vehicle;
- accommodation;
- all meals from dinner on D1 to breakfast on D17, including snacks, tea and coffee;
- National Park permits.
Extras
- flights;
- visas;
- travel insurance;
- tips and personal expenses;
- excess baggage charges.
Group size
up to 10 touristsDuration
It's important to know
- sleeping bag (essential), and liner;
- pillow;
- riding / camping clothes;
- boots / walking shoes;
- comfortable trousers
- shirts / T-shirts;
- spare shoes / sandals;
- thermal tops and leggings;
- jersey / polar fleece / down jacket;
- raincoat (DO NOT bring a horse-scaring poncho-style plastic coat);
- light waterproof over-trousers;
- socks;
- comfy underwear;
- swim wear;
- sun hat (with a string if you expect to be galloping!);
- beanie / warm hat;
- gloves (warm ones mainly, but also for riding);
- towel;
- toiletries;
- personal first aid kit;
- sun block, lip balm;
- antiseptic ointment;
- bandages;
- insect repellent and after-bite cream;
- head torch;
- camera;
- sunglasses;
- water bottle;
- dry bags (or plastic bags);
- pocket knife;
- spare boot laces;
- sewing kit;
- book.
Tour reviews
- L louise11 Oct, 2023about providerThoughtfully 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.11 Oct, 2023
- W wjen923729 Sep, 2023about providerDescribing 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.29 Sep, 2023
- N NZ86kilo22 Sep, 2023about providerI 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.22 Sep, 2023