Mongolian Horse Ride: Horse Ride challenge to Mongolia

Mongolian Horse Ride

At a whopping 1,580m above sea level, Mongolia is one of the highest countries in the world and is a beautiful contrast of vast mountain ranges and open grasslands. Home to the Gobi desert which dominates the south, this vast open land is best explored on four legs. The challenge offers you the chance to create your own nomadic adventure, riding over 160kms across open steppes, through lazy rivers and up gentle mountain slopes as you traverse the Mongolian countryside. There are six days on horseback through landscapes largely unvisited by other tourists. You will live with the locals and experience Mongolian hospitality, as you travel on this timeless mode of transport, stay in traditional ger houses and sleep under the stars.

11 days | Mongolia | Moderate

Your challenge day by day

Day 1, Thu 10 Sep 2015

International departure from London

All that training and fundraising is finally over and the big day is now here. As we prepare to board the flight to Mongolia, we will meet the Charity Challenge representative and our fellow riders. And then we’re off!

Day 2, Fri 11 Sep 2015

International arrival

A local Charity Challenge guide will meet the group upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar during the late afternoon. Once we check in at the hotel, we will have dinner and a full briefing about the challenge ahead. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3, Sat 12 Sep 2015

Ulaanbaatar to Mandal Station (approximately 2–3 hours riding)

Breakfast will be followed by a guided tour of the Gandan Monastery, National History Museum and Bogd Khan Palace, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. We will then transfer to the station for a two-hour train ride to Mandal. On arrival we will be met by our horseman and start riding towards the Bayangol River, near the Bayangol Resort. Overnight in tents.

Day 4, Sun 13 Sep 2015

Bayangol to Sanzai (approximately 7–8 hours riding)

Exploring the Mongolian plains by horseback is one of the true remaining ways to unleash your inner Nomad. After breakfast, we will start riding through wide-open lands until Tsokhiot Mountain, passing the small village of Udleg. The following stretch takes us through a deep forest of Siberian larches (pine trees), which are home to deer and moose. We will camp near Sanzai Mountain in the forest.

Day 5, Mon 14 Sep 2015

Sanzai to Burkhantiin Zuu (approximately 6–7 hours riding)

Today’s adventure takes us up the slopes of Ikh Yan mountain, along the Uliastain River, and finally to the plain of Burkhantyn Zuu where we set up camp. Of particular interest in this area are the rock paintings of ancient gods. Overnight in tents.

Day 6, Tue 15 Sep 2015

Burkhantyn Zuu to Shar Khooloi (approximately 7 –8 hours riding)

After breakfast at the camp, we will ride towards the Shar Khooloi valley and down to the Uliastai River and pass through Davaany Am. We will camp overnight on the banks of the Khoondoi Ekh. Overnight in tents.

Day 7, Wed 16 Sep 2015

Terelj River to Shilj Ovoo (approximately 7 –8 hours riding)

Today we continue to ride along the Terelj River and past the park. As we leave civilization behind, we will start seeing squirrels, marmots and various birds. Our campsite will be on the slope of Shilj Ereeny Pass, where we will encounter many different plants, flowers and animals. Overnight in tents.

Day 8, Thu 17 Sep 2015

Shilj Ovoo to Gachuurt (approximately 7 –8 hours riding)

After breakfast, we will ride up to Nuramt Mountain of Gachuurt which is the heartland of the Khentii Mountain range at the banks of the mighty Tuul River. Here we’ll have the opportunity to observe and explore the area with a trained guide. After covering about 30kms on horseback today, we will dine and spend the night at a tented ger camp.

Day 9, Fri 18 Sep 2015

Gachuurt to Ulaanbaatar

Having completed the challenge, we return to Ulaanbaatar by road. After checking into our hotel, we will have the chance to visit the Bogd Khan Winter Palace, the home of the last religious king of Mongolia and the Fine Arts Museum – and also do a bit of shopping. Then it’s out for a night of celebrations, including a delicious dinner and a Mongolian cultural show.

Day 10, Sat 19 Sep 2015

International departure

An afternoon departure means that we have a free morning to recharge or explore the city some more. Then it’s a one-hour transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back home.

Day 11, Sun 20 Sep 2015

Arrive back in the UK

Be sure to swap details with your new-found friends and riding partners, before you arrive back home to share the memories of this incredible challenge.

Important information

The itinerary & distance approximations are there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather, road conditions, the strength of the group, and so on. We will do our best to keep to the itinerary; however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final say.

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