Yurt Comfort

Overview

• Yurts every night, mostly in ger camps with beds and showers
• Riding in the Bayan Gobi and the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• A day with a nomad family, to see their daily life
• Saddles made for your comfort and to suit the Mongolian horse

Route

Numbers mark where you spend each day. The route starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar.

1. Day 1Ulaanbaatar+

   • Arrive in Mongolia. Your English-speaking guide meets you at Chinggis Khaan Airport and takes you to your hotel.
   • Visit Gandantegchinlin Monastery and the National Museum of Mongolian History.

   Meals

   Not included

   Overnight

   4* hotel (twin or triple room)

2. Day 2Ulaanbaatar to the Bayan GobiOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Drive about 5 hours to the desert-like Bayan Gobi, with lunch on the road.
   • Meet your Mongolian horse and ride around for 1 to 2 hours in the afternoon.
   • Visit Ovgon Monastery.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

3. Day 3Riding the Bayan GobiOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Ride across the Bayan Gobi's semi-desert steppe and through the dunes, a completely different experience.
   • Picnic lunch, and a ger camp in the desert for the night.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

4. Day 4Khogno Khan to the Orkhon ValleyOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Drive about 5 hours to the Orkhon Valley and meet the horse guides and horses at a nomad family, with lunch together.
   • Ride for about 2 hours.
   • Comfort is simpler than at the ger camps, but you see real nomad life.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Yurt beside the nomad family (4–5 per yurt)

5. Day 5Into the Orkhon ValleyOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Ride past ancient lava flows meeting the Orkhon River, traces of the eruptions that shaped the valley.
   • Ride on to the forest near the Naiman Nuur mountains and to Buurug Camp, for two nights.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

6. Day 6A day at BuurugOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Ride near Buurug Camp, then lunch at the camp, activities and free time.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

7. Day 7The Orkhon WaterfallOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Ride to the Orkhon Waterfall, with a picnic lunch nearby and a dip in the river if you like.
   • Arrive at a ger camp near the falls in the afternoon.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

8. Day 8Uurt CanyonOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • The longest day on horseback, to Uurt Canyon, one of the most beautiful places in the Orkhon Valley.
   • Ride through open country with horses and herds roaming free, to a ger camp by the Orkhon River canyon.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

9. Day 9KhujirtOn horseback+

   On horseback

   • Ride to Khujirt, known across Mongolia for its pure spring water.
   • Stay at an eco ger camp: no showers, but wet towels instead.

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Overnight

   Eco ger camp (2–3 per yurt, no showers)

10. Day 10Orkhon Valley to KharkhorinOn horseback+

    On horseback

    • Ride toward Kharkhorin, Mongolia's old capital, past wide rivers, nomad families and their herds.
    • Say goodbye to the horse guides and drive on to Kharkhorin.

    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

    Overnight

    Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

11. Day 11Kharkhorin to Khustai National Park+

    • Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery.
    • Drive to Khustai National Park, with a picnic lunch on the road, to find and watch takhi, the wild Przewalski's horses.

    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

    Overnight

    Ger camp (4–5 per yurt, showers in a separate building)

12. Day 12Khustai to Ulaanbaatar+

    • Leave early for Ulaanbaatar, with lunch on arrival.
    • Go shopping with your guide.
    • Evening show of traditional Mongolian music, song and dance.

    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch; dinner is yours to choose in Ulaanbaatar

    Overnight

    4* hotel (twin or triple room)

13. Day 13Ulaanbaatar+

    • Transfer to the airport after breakfast.

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Overnight

    Departure

Where you sleep

• 8 nightsGer camps with showers
• 1 nightEco ger camp in Khujirt, no showers
• 1 nightGuest yurt with a nomad family
• 2 nights4* hotel in Ulaanbaatar

What's included

Good to know

Meeting point

Chinggis Khaan Airport, Ulaanbaatar

Guides speak

English, French

Group size

3–10 people

• Small group: +€350 Per person for groups of 2 or 3, refunded once a 4th traveller books.
• Single room: +€200 Per person, for your 2 nights in Ulaanbaatar.

What travellers say

• “Indescribably wonderful”

  This trip was one of the very best experiences of my life. The guides Ali, Dembee and Bazraa were skilled, professional, warm, and went above and beyond to make this a fantastic trip. We loved the riding (we were all beginners) and the indescribably beautiful landscape of the Orkhon Valley. We enjoyed warm ger hospitality on many occasions and loved staying in a wide variety of gers ourselves. The balance of challenge, adventure, relaxation and ease was just right for our small group of friends. The Nomad Rider team was especially helpful in planning for vegetarian meals throughout the trip and were super helpful as we prepared for the trip. Hope to be able to return one day!

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• “Fantastic experience with Nomad Riders”

  This retreat was life changing. The guides were professional and caring. I felt completely at home with Dembe, Ali and Bazraa. They looked after every aspect of our needs, anticipated everything and gave us the trip of a lifetime. I hated to leave Mongolia - the team made us feel like family and honorary citizens in the most beautiful and magical place in the world. The riding was fantastic. We adored our horses and the team eased us into the riding. We were definitely beginners and they were very patient while letting us learn real time on the horses. I will return to Mongolia and I hope to maintain these friendships for the rest of my life.

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