Adventurous Horse Riding
Four days on horseback from the Ulaantsutgalan waterfall to the Eight Lakes and back, with Khugnu Tarna, the Tsenkher hot spring and Kharakhorum around the ride.
Central Mongolia on horseback
Mongolia is one of the least-visited countries in the world, and one of the last places where nomadic herding is still a common way of life. This tour shows you the beautiful centre of the country. About 11 percent of Mongolia is forest, and much of it is in the central region, along with green grassland, the Khangai mountains, deer stone monuments and beautiful valleys. The most stunning area of all is the Eight Lakes, formed by volcanic eruptions high in the mountains. We explore it all on horseback.
Day by Day
Khugnu Khan nature reserve covers 46,990 hectares in Rashaant soum of Bulgan province, at the point where three provinces meet. Alongside its mountains, the reserve has a remarkable stretch of sand dunes about 80 kilometres long, and the scenery is a striking mix of desert, mountain, river and green grassland. There are two monasteries in the reserve.
The Orkhon valley is one of the most visited places in central Mongolia. It was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, and its volcanic landscape is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its links to the history of the Mongol Empire. The Ulaantsutgalan waterfall, about 20 metres high, falls over the volcanic rock of the valley. There is also a chance to see the nomadic way of life, its culture and its traditions. We start horse riding in the valley.
Before we set off, we pack our things onto the horses, then ride from the Ulaantsutgalan waterfall towards the entrance of the Eight Lakes. Our path crosses steppe scattered with edelweiss, then follows forests of larch and pine, and we stop for the night at Buurug, on the edge of the forest.
From Buurug we ride on to explore the Duruu, Bayan and Khuis lakes. Once we cross Shuvuun Shil mountain, the scenery changes a lot: the endless green steppe gives way to much more varied landscapes, with forests of larch and pine, wild roses and other wild flowers, juniper, gooseberries and wild onions.
Today we ride among the Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Haya and Khuis lakes. Shireet is the largest and deepest of the eight lakes, and the only one with fish. All eight lakes were formed by volcanic eruptions, so you can see huge piles of pumice everywhere.
Today we ride back to the Orkhon valley, seeing deer stone monuments on the way.
Tsenkher hot spring lies in a beautiful forested valley. The water comes out of the ground at 86°C and is said to help arthritic joints and other ailments. It is under high pressure underground, so the flow is strong, about 10 litres per second, and it carries minerals from calcium and sodium to sulphur. The water is good for the skin. During the day you can sunbathe, and after dark you can sit in the hot spring and look at the stars.
Kharakhorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. It was founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220, but it grew into the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 1230s under his son Ogedei. The Mongols had a profound impact on trade across Central Asia, as their vast empire connected east and west. Trade and exchange were helped by the Pax Mongolica, which kept a degree of peace and stability across the vast territories under Mongol rule.
After this memorable trip, we head back to Ulaanbaatar.
