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 Packhorse Ride

19 days - Ulaanbaatar to Ulaanbaatar

In order to really get into the mountains of Zavkhan you need to abandon the support vehicle and load up the pack-horses. On this ride you will be riding in a similar area to our classic ride but will go even higher up above the tree line, past ancient volcanic crater lakes and south along the Arkhangai mountain range and will be with out a support vehicle for part of the trip.

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 Zavkhan, 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 15
Once you have got to know your horse you'll ride south from Tosontsengel, the next 11 days will initially be spent riding across open steppe and into the forested foot-hills of Tarvagatai Uul National Park until you reach an abandoned hot spa, which is as far as the support vehicle can go. This will become the base camp from where you will venture south into the mountains for four days. This area is not as high as the Altai Mountains but you do still need to be prepared for thunderstorms, which can spring up suddenly from nowhere. While pack horsing you will make do without some of the normal comforts (no wine with dinner I'm afraid!), but it does allow you to ride into areas where even the locals rarely go. A favourite spots is Whispering Lake, a gem of a place from where you can walk to the top of Marz Mountain (3025m), or even ride most of the way if you dislike walking as much as our local friends! You are welcome to help with leading the packhorses, but often they follow along on their own or are herded, rather than being led. This trip is a mix of riding with packhorses and vehicle support, which allows for periods of faster riding.(B,L,D)
Day 16 to 17
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 18
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar for your final nights stay. (B,L,D)
Day 19
Transfer back to Ulaanbaatar airport in time to meet your homeward flight. (B)
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Mongolia
  • Departure Date: 30th July 2009. Departures from the UK are one day earlier.
  • Prices (2009 Land only): £1500 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: EMZP