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Why travelling with Randocheval ?

MONGOLIA : HORSE RIDING TRAIL IN ARKHANGAI + NAADAM FESTIVAL...

The Arkhangaï is a land of vast areas and history: areas covered by the last nomadic peoples, and a history resonating with the Gengis Khan's hordes… Fortunately, peace has returned for those peoples impregnated with the Buddhist values, who will know how to share their daily life. The Khangaï Mounts are crossed by some of the mightiest rivers of Mongolia, the most famous of them is, the Orkhon River, supplying with water- and life- the nomadic populations and their herds. We will go up the valley of this river to the sources of the history of the Mongolian people. In the middle of July, a special departure is planned for the Naadam feast, great national festival during which Mongolia celebrates its millenial culture with archery tournaments and horse-races… Discover our incredible Comfort version of this trail (slightly different itinerary - to be translated soon !) 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 2 : Karakorum
In the morning, drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia. There is a small town here now. On arrival the first and most obvious landmark is the vast wall of Erdenezuu Monastery. The monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m x 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for their daily worship. We will visit the monastery. Our guide and horses will join you for a first short ride. Night in camp.

Day 3 : Orkhon valley
First ride on the Orkhon valley. We follow the river until the village of Hoton.
The city hall of this village has recently fit out a yurt with a museum dedicated to the namodic way if life. After this day ride, we can easily have a drink to talk our horse experience.
Dinner and night around the camp fire.

Day 4 : Sant valley

After breakfast, we ride in the Sant Valley. Following a little river we reach the hot spring from where the water trickles out in the valley. This spring has been given some magic recovery power, know by anynone in the region. Picknick and nap after lunch. The trail continues in the valley, and at the end of the afternoon we arrived at Tsagaan Sum hot springs. We camp there tonight. Dinner and night aournd the camp fire.

Day 5 : Tsaagan Sum hot springs

Ride in the Khujirt valley we the nomads get settled in winter. The itinerary cross a splendid larch forest. Picknick in the forest. At the beginning of the afternoon the path threaded its way down , the forest is more lightsome and then appears the infinite steppe. We fix the camp in the forest for dinner and night.

Day 6 : Tovkhon monastery

Morning is free to visit the Tovkhon monastery, nestled at the top of a mountain. In the afternoon we go down to the Orkhon Valley : rocky landscapes and beaches along the river. The camp is settled on the edges of the river for dinner and night.

Day 7 : Orkhon Waterfall
Ride along the rocky edges of the river to admire the differents panoramas on the valley offered to us. Slowly the steppes become more large and little by little, we cross the more volcanic part of the Orkhon Valley.
Lunch around the campfire and possibility to swim. We reach the nomadic family that welcome us tonight. Horhog meal is served, sheep meat cooked with heated rocks from the river. Night in a yurt.

Days 8 to 10: Orkhon Valley and 8 Lakes natural park (packed yak for the luggages)
This morning we packed the yaks for our 3 days in the 8 Lakes National Park. The ecosystem of this area is very special and particularly protected. On the first day, we go to the first lake, on the second day we ride amoung the different lakes and the third day is planned to go back to the orkhon waterfalls. Nights in tents on the edges of the lakes.

Day 11 : Batolzit
We ride on the East side of the river Orkhon. Panoramic view on this pristine part of the valley. From there we can see the gorge and the valley of the largest fall : Urrtiin Tokhoi. We go down on the edges of the river to settle the camp for the dinner and night.

Day 12 : Khijurt
Ride in direction of Khijurt where we leave our horses. Transfers to Oulan Bator by car, 280km. Dinner and night in yurt camp.

Day 13 : Khustai Natural Park
Today is our last day outside of Oulan Bator, and we visit Khustai National Park where the last wild horses are living. The landscape is radically different and we can observe a special flora. Visit of the museum with a guide. We go back to Oulan Bator for a farewell dinner and night in a yurt camp.

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!

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 trail ride is a real adventure, in a country without any infrastructure. You'll slep every night under tent or yourt. The river will not be your bathroom, because of environnement problems, we'll plan some basin for you, but it is at that expense that you will get to certain remote regions.

DATES AND RATES

- flights to Oulan Bator
- seightseeing costs,
- lunch in Oulan Bator the last day,
- shows in Oulan Bator,
- Museum and entry fees,
- any other service,
- tips,
- drinks,
- departure tax,
- visa,
- optional insurance : More information.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Mongolia

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.