Horse Riding Holidays and Equestrian Breaks - beginner or experienced rider, we have a Horse Riding Holiday for you. Horse Riding Holidays and Equestrian Breaks - beginner or experienced rider, we have a Horse Riding Holiday for you.

Zavkhan Classic Ride

17 days - Ulaanbaatar to Ulaanbaatar

On this ride you'll explore the forests and valleys of Zavkhan, far to the west of Ulaanbaatar. You will be riding across open steppe, through forested valleys, and up into the mountains of Tarvagatai Uul National Park. After riding you'll drive west to where the forest-steppe meets the desert sweeping up from the south. No trip to Mongolia is complete without seeing the country's huge sand dunes. Highlights include riding high above Zavkhan's forested valleys, soaking in hot baths at an abandoned mountain spa, and camping amongst sand dunes by the shores of Khar Nuur.

Zavkhan is not an easy region of Mongolia to get to, which is why you won't see many visitors (if any). The drive from Ulaanbaatar follows 800km of some of the worst roads you will ever see! However, this 'great Mongolian road trip' is the perfect opportunity to experience the true remoteness and beauty of the area and we believe that this should not be missed. The itinerary allows you to fly back form Zavkahn, and so you can experience this unforgettable three-day drive, stopping frequently along the way, at the start of the ride and then be flown back in comfort at the end of the trip.

In addition to the scenery and horses, it is also the local people and their fascinating culture that makes Mongolia special. We strongly believe that they should benefit from any tourism in the region, and our partner for this ride, are working toward a long-term relationship with local nomadic families.

The itinerary shown below is a guideline. The route is kept totally flexible to retain a sense of adventure and the group size small (max 10 people), to minimise any impact on the environment.

Day 1
You will be met and transferred from Ulaanbaatar airport to your hotel for an overnight stay. You are free to relax or explore the city before meeting your fellow riders and hosts for an evening meal. (D)
Day 2
Today you'll set off on the three-day drive to Zavkahn region. You'll reach Karakorum, famous as the old capital of the Mongolian Empire and a must-see on most tourist itineraries, you'll need a good imagination to see anything more than the collection of run-down communist era concrete buildings that is the present-day town but Erdene Zuu monastery on the other hand, founded in 1586, and mostly destroyed in the Stalinist purges of the 1930s is definitely worth a look around. (B,L,D)
Day 3
Today's drive will see you reach Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (The Great White Lake), a lovely spot ideal for swimming and surrounded by forested volcanic mountains. (B,L,D)
Day 4
Today's final drive will take you to Tosontsengel where you will meet your local guide and wranglers, and familiarise yourselves with the horses. There will be plenty of time to match you to a horse you feel comfortable with before setting off on the ride tomorrow. (B,L,D)
Day 5 to Day 13
Once you have got to know your horse you'll ride south from Tosontsengel, the next 9 days will be spent riding across open steppe and into the forested foot-hills of Tarvagatai Uul National Park. There are several options available. Various routes head further up in to the mountains, some your guides know well but others they are keen to try out. The group is really only limited by the need to meet the support vehicle at the end of each day. Whichever way you go, the aim is to eventually reach an old abandoned spa in the mountains, perfect for a day or two of resting and soaking in the hot baths, before picking a route back to Tosontsengel. (B,L,D)
Day 14 to 15
Today you will say farewell to the horses and head out to Khar Nuur where you will stay for two nights. A beautiful and remote desert lake fringed by sand dunes, this is the perfect place to swim, hike or just relax at the end of a wonderful ride. (B,L,D)
Day 16
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar for your final nights stay. (B,L,D)
Day 17
Transfer back to Ulaanbaatar airport in time to meet your homeward flight. (B)
We can also offer a similar ride departing on 19th August - while studying maps in 2008 our operators noticed a potentially interesting route up in to the mountains from further west, out on the steppe. We are looking for intrepid riders to join them in trying out this new route. They aim to end up in the same area in which you ride during our classic trip, but will initially be riding through new and unfamiliar country. The trip in general will be similar to the Classic trip but will not include the 'Great Mongolian Road Trip' (you will fly instead) and will be at a cost of £1500 per person - please contact us for further details.
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Mongolia
  • Departure Date: 07th September 2009. Departures from the UK are one day earlier.
    We can also offer a similar ride departing on 19th August - please see bold text at bottom of itinerary for details.
  • Prices (2009 Land only): £1350 per person
  • Includes: Transfers, internal flights, accommodation and meals as indicated and all riding.
  • PRICE WITH FLIGHTS FROM LONDON: On request. Prices depend on the airline and routing chosen and whether additional accommodation is required.
  • Single Supplement: None - you must be willing to share.
  • Non Riders: Non-riders are welcome. They can accompany the driver in the support vehicle, which is a great way to experience the local culture, as he visits his friends and family along the way. There is usually somewhere to dangle a line, as well as plenty of hiking and excellent birdlife.
  • Children: Aged 10 and upward are accepted if they have the necessary riding skills, are accompanied by an adult rider and are able to cope with long periods of camping and basic facilities.
  • Riding ability required: Novice upward
  • Type of ride: Trail ride / Expedition
    Mongolia
  • Trip Code: EMZC