Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

MONGOLIA : IN THE ALTAI MOUNTAINS, THE HEART OF BERKUTCHI COUNTRY, EAGLES RIDERS KAZAKHS...

Mongolia, mythical destination for riders travellers! Different tales have given an image in our spirit, Nomads in the heart of vaste steppe... Who have never dreamt of ridding in the immense region with a wild herd on the track of the rider people who knows first of all horse ridding before walking? In this country the horse is a mean of transport very useful, you will meet the last nomadic people, ridding with them between plains and montains, trying some very tastyful traditional dishes, and experiencing the particular warm hospitality, sleeping in Yurt camp to feel far away of nowhere... During our trekking you will discover fantastic lanscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Randocheval creates the Horse Event in Mongolia ! A unique horse endurance race to celebrate friendship between European and Mongolians riders... You team up with a mongolian rider for a 30 km or 60 km race in the Mongolians steppe. Your success is then depending on both equestrian and communication skills in spite of the language and equestrian culture differences.... Special dates has been created to give a chance to anyone to participate to this very special event ! > Detailled programme of the Randocheval Edurance Race

ITINERARY

Day 1 : Oulan Bator
Arrival at Oulan Batorbaatar early in the morning. Greeting with our team at the airport and transfer to the yurt camp, 35 minutes driving from the city center. In the afternoon visit of the Capital and notably Gandan Monastery,temple complex where thousand of pilgrims come to pray. Then, we will carry on visiting the art and craft market among the local people. Traditional dinner in the yurt-restaurant and night.
(The flight for Khovd or Olguy can be done onthe evening according to the air traffic).

Day 2 : Domestic flight to Khovd or Olguy
Flight in the morning, to Khovd ro Olguy. Greeting with the local team, cookers, drivers, and guides which will come with you throughout the ride. Last hot shower before the trail, dinner and night in yurt.

Day 3 : From the steppe to the mountains
This morning the trail starts in the valley where we meet the breeders for the first time. Theirs yurts are settled along the river. Most of the time, herd of goats, yaks and horses are with us in this infinite meadows. Tonight we arrive at a camp, settled in a kazakh wintering made of dry stones.

Day 4 : Khokh Serkh Valley
Today we go in a deeper valley where the landscape is radically different. According to the encounters we make we stop at the nomads yurts allowing us to discover their way of life of this very remote region. It's a good opportunity to test the local specialities : cheeses, yogourts, crème fraiche, tea with milk or butter made of goat's milk, mare's milk or even yak's milk ! Of course airak is still offered by the nomads, this very...special...alcohol made of milk. Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 5 : Kazakhs camp
Our adventure continues and today the landscape are different again and we start to go up in the mountains. We can admire new breathtaking landscapes. We might see some eagles amoung the numerous kitesflying so easily in spiral above our heads...dinner and night at the camp.

Day 6 : Tsambagarav
Today's route leads us through fantastic rocky panoramas that changes our vision at every pass we cross. Here we are: in the heart of the Altai Mountains. Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 7 : Western etnies
Our aim of th eday is to meet western and isolated etnies as the Oold, the Zakhchin....They leave all year long in this remoted areas, breeding live stock and looking after them from the back of their horses. Here again, we'll have the chance to share a part of their life. Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 8 : Kazakh Land

In this region of Mongolia, Kazakhs are the majority. Along our day we will probably see them and their astonishing domesticated eagles even if their are less numerous every year. Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 9 : Doro Valley

Our journey leads us trough the moutains et we walk along until reaching oasis in the bottom of the valley, where to have lunch and a little nap. There we can appreciate the sure feets of our little mongolian horses on these rocky paths. Bred in total freedom, mountains are their playground and they naturally know how to behave on such a rough terrain.
Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 10 : Doroo Lake

Our ride of the day will be in the area of the Doroo Lake, a lake separated by a natural dike. On on hand you have fresh water and on the other hand, salted water. The opportunity of testing every type of water ! The water makes a mirror effect really astonishing.
Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 11 : Tsambagarav
For the last ascent of this trail we go to the steppes at high altitudes used as pastures in summer when the valley is too hot and dry. In this incredible place we can enjoy our last galops. Here we are the foot of the highest mountains of the Altai chain, and their 4 000m summits.
Tonight is the last evening with the local team and the cook has prepared a special farewell dinner.
Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 12 : Back to Khovd
It's now time to go back to the civilization. We leave the mountains for the steppes and the city of Khovd (or Olguy). Picknick on the road and dinner and night in a yurt camp close to the city. or flight for Oulan Bator, depending on the the air traffic.

Day 13 : Flight back to Oulan Bator
Transfer to the airoport and domestic flight to Oulan Bator. Transfer to the yurt camp for the dinner and the night.

Day 14 : Oulan Bator

Day 15 : Oulan Bator - Flight back to Europe
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Europe or continuation of your trip in Mongolia.

Please note that this horse trekking in Mongolia is a real adventure in some region which are just opening up to tourism. Moreover, for the mongols the track of time and space is very different than us. For this reason, we can be sure of the definite program and schedule , our guide will be flexible according to the circumstances. All of that is a part of an expectional trip and give it a certain charm!

The domestic flight might be changed or postponed even cancelled without notice, so that the last day in Ulaanbaatar is organised in case of change of return flight to Ulaanbaatar, whatever happen you will take your flight to Europe. Also the last day can be replaced by a visit day in the city of the domestic flight.

All our programmes are indicative. They can be modified or rearranged for technical, safety or weather reasons. In this case, only the supervisiors are able to take the decisions that are necessary. Please be confident on the guide onsite in any case, who knows everything about the country and will do his best for your comfort.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses The Mongolian horses are small, sturdy; they are working horses suited to all the sort of grounds.   Tack The tack is traditional, or stems from the saddles of the Russian cavalry.   Required riding level A great experience of riding is not necessary, it is much more important to be used to living outside, not being afraid of a lack of comfort, and being fit to explore those very remote regions and being able to stay between 4 and 6h in the saddle, for 6 days running. This ride in the Khentiiï Mountains is intended to experienced riders, as the support vehicule is a packhorse and environnement is quiet hard and wild. Helmet is mendatory on this trail !

YOUR GUIDES

The team that supervises these trail rides is composed of local specialists. Everything is done to reduce the risks, but it is important to be fit and conscious of the risks linked to a trail ride in a wild environment, seeing that certain stages taking us several days on horseback away from the closest road and so from the hospital.
However, our personal safety is assured by the traditional hospitality in Mongolia. An attack or a theft is much more possible in your native town than in those welcoming regions!

ACCOMMODATION

This horse trekking is a real adventure where no one infrastructure is existing. You will spleep each evening either under tents or Yurts. Accommodation in solid tentes for 2 people (with thick mastress of good quality), a big tent for everybody to eat together. Yurts camps with warm water and guest house according to the itineray. Please note: the lackes and rivers are not your bathroom for environmental reasons, plastic blow will be provied to get washed, but it is at this price that you will live an extraodinary horse trekking! Your meals will be cooked by great cookers. You will taste some good Mongolia specialities. Tasting of milk in some region.

DATES AND RATES

* contact us for Naadam detailed program.

Flights to Oulaanbaatar
According to the date and the city of your departure, we will propose you the best available priceat the time of your registration. Consequently, the tariff above is indicative and might be reduced or increased at the time of your registration.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist of this destination !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

15 days including 9 days on horseback

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..