Experience Mongolia Horse Riding Adventures

Mongolia is a paradise for riders, with its endless horizons and vast, wild landscapes that you can explore with your trusty steed. The sparsely populated land with almost no boundaries provides a lot of room for horse riding. You will also have plenty of opportunity to explore hidden trails, remote terrains in the wilderness, and learn about the local culture and the nomadic tradition.

Horse riding in Mongolia is an adventure of a lifetime. Mongolian horses are different from other breeds because of their stocky build, large head, and shorter yet strong legs. Their sizes range from 12 to 14 hands high, but despite being small, they are strong, agile, and have a lot of stamina. With their robust hooves, horseshoes are almost not required.

The horses involved in high-quality Mongolia horse treks were carefully selected by tour providers to make sure that they have the right size, speed, temperament, and stamina for your trip. The wranglers were carefully selected from local nomadic herdsmen, too, so you can be sure of their professionalism and skill and knowledge in animal welfare, horsemanship, riding, and taking care of you, the client.

A horse riding adventure in Mongolia can last for days, and this could be a great time to experience the great outdoors. Choose a horse riding adventure from a reputable Mongolia adventure and tour company that provides high-quality tents and mats. One of the best Mongolia travel agencies can arrange a cook to accompany you during your trip, so you can be sure that you are fed three meals a day.

Mobile communication with a satellite phone must be provided in your horse riding adventure, so you can easily contact the authorities in case of an emergency. The phone will be in the care of your guide. Topographic maps are provided, too, as well as a GPS handset. All of these are provided for a safe and convenient Mongolia horse riding adventure.

Tour Mongolia: A Trip Full of Adventure and Magnificent Culture

If it is culture, history, and nature you are looking for, choose Mongolia as your next destination. While modern travelers often search for sun, vast forests, and extreme adventures during their wanderings, many still long for culture and history—with a side of everything that's beautiful about nature. Mongolia is home to many impressive scenic destinations like the Hulun Buir Grasslands and the Aershan National Forest Park, but it's the ancient temples and the well preserved culture and traditions many people keep raving about and coming back for.

Finding a tour group and service to assist you throughout your tour of the country is the best way to enjoy Mongolia at its fullest. It can be quite hard to navigate through the country without knowledge of the local transport system and more importantly, the Mongolian language. To avoid risks of getting lost in translation, finding a reliable tour group is the most practical way to explore and experience Mongolia.

Culture and history are two of the best draw cards of the country. But Mongolia is more than just its Ming Dynasty temples and prehistoric mountain rock paintings. The Hexigten Global Geopark is a perfect representation of the rich geological landscape of the country, with its awe-inspiring volcanic landforms, glacier landforms, grasslands, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Apart from the Gobi desert, a stretch of stunning sand gorge also stretches in Inner Mongolia, known as the Xiangshawan or the Resonant Sand Gorge. Here, you will hear the sound of your footsteps echo through the vast gorge, thus its name. It is also one of the best places to enjoy activities like camel riding and sand surfing. Even more interestingly, the area is close to Zhaojun's Tomb, and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. 

Experience Great Adventure During Mongolia Tours

You may be an experienced traveler who can navigate through strange lands without hassle, but it is always nice to experience new places with good company. Mongolia is best toured with a travel group, guided by professionals who know everything there is to know about the country. The best tour companies will take you to the most interesting sites and attractive locations in the country and even tailor-make an entire trip to your exact specifications. When traveling to Mongolia, you should always keep in mind the vast language and cultural differences that your home nation and the country has—unless you speak fluent Mongolian, it is often not advisable to travel the country alone, or you would end up lost in a countryside somewhere, with no means of transport whatsoever. This is why it is always better to find a tour group or service to join when visiting Gobi desert and other must-see places in the country.

Typical Mongolian tours consist of 4 to 14 people or more. Whether you want to join a small or a large group is totally up to you, but you will surely have an exciting time discovering Mongolia with a mix of nationalities from around the world, all eager to know more about this stunning desert and temple-filled destination.

You will enjoy a wide range of activities while on tour, depending on the types of adventures that you like best. The most comprehensive Mongolia tour packages would often include exciting activities like horse riding and camel trekking (perfect when exploring the desert and the countryside), bird watching, fishing, hiking, rafting, hunting, and mountaineering. History buffs may also request visits to some of the most popular temples and archaeological sites throughout the country, while more adventurous souls can experience authentic tent-living with nomadic tribes.

Holidays In Mongolia-Make It a Wonderful Trip

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we have received over the years. We hope that by answering them here, we can help make your holiday in Mongolia wonderful and stress-free.

Do I really need a guide to explore Mongolia?
Yes. Though Mongolia is rapidly expanding economically and politically, it is still a challenging destination for foreigners. Mobility and access may become difficult for non-Mongolian speakers. Hiring a travel agency helps ensure that your Mongolian holiday is smooth, free from the frustrations caused by language as well as cultural barriers.

When is the best time to go to Mongolia?
We suggest May to September. The peak season is in July, when the Naadam Festival is held. Even though there are some rains in July and August, there is still more than enough sunshine to let you enjoy the trip. If you plan to see the Gobi, June and September are good months, to avoid the heat

Is Mongolia safe for tourists?
Yes, very safe. In fact, the crime rate in Mongolia is one of the lowest in the world—certainly much, much lower compared to the figures in the US and in Europe.

What is the Mongolian accommodation like?
Ulaanbaatar is home to a range of accommodation options including 4 and 5-star hotels. If you are exploring the countryside, you will sleep in tents and in Mongolian Ger camps. These camps typically have separate washing blocks with western-style toilets and shower cubicles. Laundry, shopping, and eating facilities are provided. Book with a reputable travel company to ensure that your camping and ger accommodation is of the highest standard.

Is there electricity in the camps?
Yes. In most camps, you will be able to charge your camera batteries and mobile phone. 

Do I need vaccinations prior to travelling to Mongolia? 
There are standard vaccinations recommended such as Hepatatis A and Tetanus/Diptheria/Typhoid to go on a holiday in Mongolia. Please consult your doctor for the latest information at least 8 weeks before travelling.

What should I bring?
Pack for all weather conditions - a lightweight waterproof jacket, fleece top, comfortable walking boots, a pair of sandals, and a headscarf to protect your face from the winds and the sun. Also bring some insect repellent, lip-salveand basic medicine for diarrhoea, headaches, etc. Of course, don’t forget your camera and binoculars. 

What To Do During Mongolia Holidays

Mongolia’s main tourist draws are its spectacular landscapes, endless horizons, and nomadic culture. To many westerners, a trip to Mongolia is eye-opening and life-changing; here you will see how locals embrace a pastoral lifestyle, away from the chaos of the modern world. If you plan to visit this fascinating country and have no idea what to do, we suggest these activities:

1. Sleep in a ger
There’s nothing quite like leaving your home comforts and sleeping in a Mongolian ger. While you’re at it, you might as well share fermented airag with some locals and eat some traditional Mongolian dumplings. 

2. Take a Mongolian shower. 
Bathe in fresh waters from cascades and rivers to refresh yourself after days of climbing and walking in the summer heat.

3. Go camping. 
Camping in Mongolia is combines the essence of wilderness adventure: unbeatable stargazing, campfires, and drinking the local tipple - Mongolian vodka! 

4. Ride a camel.
It might sound cliché, but riding a camel really is a wonderful way to see Khongoryn Els (the largest sand dunes in the country). Afterwards climb to the top to enjoy amazing views of the surrounding desert. 

5. Meet a local family.
Be amazed at the legendary hospitality of nomadic families. If you happen to visit during a celebration (such as the Mongolian New Year), you might be able to take part in the festivities. 

6. Enjoy local food. 
A traditional Mongolian feast is never without an abundance of dairy products, horsemeat and mutton, rice with curds, buuz dumplings, airag, and ‘cookie mountains’ stacked high.

To get the best from your holiday, sign up with a tour operator with expertise in Mongolian heritage and real local knowledge. You also want a tour operator that can provide cross-cultural perspectives and insights so you can better appreciate all the new experiences Mongolia has to offer. 

Discover Adventures on Mongolia Tours

Mongolia has many opportunities for the avid adventurer. Its diverse terrain and landscapes make it an exciting destination that can satiate even the most adventurous traveller's need to explore the wild side of nature. Joining a group tour is a great way to experience a side of Mongolia that is tailor-made for the outdoor lover.

When planning an adventure tour, make arrangements with the help of an experienced Mongolia travel company that can combine the traditional components of adventure travel with attention to detail and special touches for that not-so-ordinary trip. You need guides who are also avid outdoor enthusiasts— people who know what you are looking for. They can give you suggestions about where you can go for the best horse riding, camping, trekking, or camping experiences in Mongolia.

You want to work with an adventure travel company that can arrange a comprehensive adventure tour for you and your group. Some travellers sign up for an 18-day trip exploring the provinces of Arkhangai and Zavkhan. You can experience travelling by horse, on foot, by camel, bicycle, or a kayak, or hop aboard a jeep. If it’s a recce trip, you can help find new routes and create a fresh new itinerary. This kind of adventure is recommended for the avid outdoor enthusiast. Other tour packages allow you to explore Mongolia in 15 days and incorporate a wilderness trek. It comes complete with activities like camping, trekking, kayaking on Tuul River, and meeting nomadic families. On the side, you can explore places like the Chinggis Statue, Khan-Khentii, and Terelj National Park. It’s also possible to go on a shorter seven-day tour to the Tavanbogd area (to the west) if you want to see the stunning gorges of Khatu Valley, the foot of the Tsambagarav Mountain, the National Park, and Hovd River. Be sure to choose a package with camping and at least one night in a Kazakh ger.

Top 5 Places for Horse Riding in Mongolia

Mongolia has vast and varied terrains where you can enjoy horse riding. What makes horse riding in Mongolia more special? The riding style is different and the horses are shorter compared to European horses, but they have high stamina and are very strong, making them among the best breeds in the world. If you want to experience horse riding in Mongolia, here are the top five places where you can go and arrange a horse trek.

Altai Mountains
Head to the rugged peaks of the Altai Mountains, which include the sacred Holy 5 peaks of Tavanbogd National Park. Ride through stunning Mongolian mountain landscape - see glaciers, petroglyphs, Kazakh culture, eagle hunters, Lake Khoton, Hovd River and other unique highlights of this predominately Kazakh region of Mongolia.

Khovsgol
Mongolia’s northernmost province of Khovsgol contains some of the country’s most inaccessible but stunning scenery and riding trails, as well as being home to the remote ethnic group of reindeer herders – the Tsaatan. The lesser visited eastern shores of Lake Khovsgol also provide a start point to some wild landscapes and stunning routes through unexplored terrain.

The Sacred Rivers
The area between the Sacred Rivers consists of the Tuul river valley, Terelj National Park, Kherlen Valley, and the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve. It's a fantastic and wonderful place for horse riding because of the wide verdant steppes that feature small hills, lined by river valleys, and fringed by majestic mountains. A deep blue sky adds a breathtaking background that makes the scenery and your entire surroundings more enjoyable and beautiful.

Central Mongolia
Explore the Khangai Mountains, Orkhon Vallley and the 8 Lakes region around Naiman Nuur. Head to the hilltop monastery of Tuvkhun Khiid and explore unique natural and cultural highlights. You'll also get to camp in the wilderness, meet nomads, and experience their hospitality, plus visit Karakorum, the ancient capital city of Genghis Khan..

Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve & Khustai National Park
These 2 locations are ideally suited to short trips. Trail horse riding can be arranged in the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, making it an ideal place for beginners to enjoy horse riding in Mongolia. The nature reserve is a two-hour drive from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, so it's great if you're on a holiday for a few days but would like to experience riding a horse in Mongolia. Local horse wranglers will accompany you and an English-speaking guide.Khustai National Park is also an ideal place for horse riding if you are a beginner. The trail rides are scenic and well organised. Khustai National Park is an hour and 30 minutes by car from Ulaanbatar, making it a suitable horse riding destination if you're staying in the capital for a short period. You can also see the Takhi, the world's last wild horse.