Horse Breeder's Paradise

Mongolia

9 Days

2,215

Overview Itinerary Dates & Pricing Gallery Is this tour Right for you

Overview

Central Mongolia, commonly known as the Horse Breeders’ Paradise for its serene beauty, is a land of flourishing green meadows, rolling hills, and crystal-blue lakes and rivers, lying at the northern foot of the Khangai Mountain Range. This is where many nomadic families are herding their livestock, and a great place to experience the Mongolian Horse Culture firsthand. Come with us on our Central Mongolia Cultural Tour, specially designed to accommodate travelers of every age, at an easy pace that allows one to truly absorb the unique tranquility of Mongolia. Recommended months for the Central Mongolia Cultural Tour are June, July, August, and September. Please contact us for more details.

Highlights

Live the Nomadic Way. Stay in cozy gers, meet herder families, and join daily nomadic life.
Step Back in Time. Explore Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.
Soak Under the Stars. Relax in Tsenkher's open-air hot springs surrounded by pine forests.
Hike Hidden Trails. Discover untouched valleys, wildflowers, and mountaintop views.
Marvel at the Red Waterfall. Trek to Tuvkhon Monastery and the scenic volcanic canyon.
Ride the Edge of the Gobi. Walk sand dunes, spot migratory birds, and enjoy a camel ride.
See the Wild Horses Return. Visit Khustai National Park to witness Mongolia's iconic Takhi horses.

Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Ulaanbaatar (1)

Day 1

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and Drive to the Countryside

Kharkhorin

Day 2

Mongol Nomads - Kharkhorin

Tsenkher Hot Springs

Day 3

Kharkhorin - Tsenkher Hot Springs

Tsenkher

Day 4

Hiking Around Tsenkher

Orkhon River Valley

Day 5

The Red Waterfall

Elsen Tasarkhai

Day 6

The Edge of the Gobi Desert

Khustai National Park

Day 7

Ancient Wild Horses

Ulaanbaatar (2)

Day 8

The National Capital

Chinggis Khaan International Airport

Day 9

Departure From Ulaanbaatar

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Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Ulaanbaatar (1)

Arrive at Ulaanbaatar airport, just out of the Mongolian capital city. After immigration formalities, meet the local guide and driver, then head to a camp just outside the capital. After lunch, and some time to recuperate from the long flight, take a leisurely afternoon hike to enjoy and take in the serene landscape of the semi-arid steppe. If possible, visit a nomadic family to get a first impression of the ancient customs and traditions of Mongol nomads. Late in the evening, set in a ger camp- the cozy yet simple Mongolian version of a lodge, consisting of traditional felt-made dwellings, the nomads of Central Asia often refer to as a yurt.

Ger Camp
Lunch, Dinner

Kharkhorin

Today, take a journey back in time to a place that recreates the lives of Mongolian nomads during the beginning of the 20th century. Here, attend a demonstration of how the nomads lived their lives during this era and learn about some traditions that are carried on to these very days. After lunch in the camp, take the four to five-hour drive to Kharkhroin. Built by Chinggis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin, better known as Karakorum, was famed throughout Asia as the capital of the Mongol Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city, kings were chosen, laws made, and the fate of the next city to be conquered was determined. If time permits, ascend to a hill overlooking the small town to visit the Monument of Empires, erected to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the coronation of Chinggis Khan as the king of all kings of the steppes. Explore the site, which depicts the history of three of the largest steppe empires that were first formed here, and enjoy the marvelous view of the sun setting over the sacred Orkhon valley before settling into the camp for the night.

Ger Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

two young monks stand on top of a ladder in Kharkhorin

Tsenkher Hot Springs

In the morning, visit the Karakorum Museum. This museum houses a permanent display of various archaeological findings and provides a picture of what the city looked like during the reign of the Mongol Empire. Then take a walk through Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the country’s oldest Buddhist monasteries, in time for the morning puje – the chanting of Tibetan prayers while playing traditional musical instruments. After lunch, leave Kharkhorin, and drive on to the region the Mongolians often refer to as the 'horse herders' paradise' for its lush grasslands and open valleys. Drive through thick pine forests to Tsenkher hot springs, where water flows out of the ground at about 80°C (176°F). After setting up in the camp for the night, enjoy a relaxing soak at the open hot-water pools under the Mongolian million-star sky!

Ger Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tsenkher

After breakfast at the camp, take a short drive to the trailhead to embark on the day's hike. The hike is a truly enchanting walk up a stream, hopping from one boulder to another to the top of a hill for a fantastic view of the surrounding valleys. This little-known trail is hidden from most travelers' routes and runs through a pristine pine forest, its floor carpeted with wildflowers of all shapes and colors. At the hike's end, enjoy a picnic lunch before driving back to the camp to enjoy another night of soaking in the hot water pools.

Ger Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Orkhon River Valley

Leave the hot springs, and drive through rolling hills and thick pine forests toward the Orkhon River Valley, the cradle of Mongolian civilization. Before arriving at the waterfall, pause for a three-and-half-hour hike (with the first hour uphill) to Tuvkhon Monastery, established during the 1650s by Zanbazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s wooden buildings are integrated with a natural system of caves perched near a hilltop, offering beautiful views of the Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its unique natural features, the monastery was a perfect location for the great religious leader to meditate. Later in the afternoon, reach a volcanic-dominated region and take the 30 minutes’ walk to the beautiful volcanic canyon through which the Orkhon River flows. Take an easy hike along the canyon floor, and end up at the pool at the bottom of the Red Waterfall. For the brave of heart, a cool swim awaits! From here, it is only a short drive to the camp for the night.

Ger Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elsen Tasarkhai

After breakfast in the camp, drive to the summer camp of a nomadic family in the vicinity of the waterfall. This is a great chance to immerse yourself in the nomadic way of life and gain hands-on experience with the daily chores that make up the routine of nearly one-third of the Mongolian population. Participate in the making of dairy products, milk livestock, bring water from the well, and cook traditional food. This morning provides a great insight into the significant role of women in Mongolian society. After having a traditional meal together, say farewell to the host family and take a few hours’ drive to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune. Marking the northern edge of the great Gobi Desert, Elsen Tasarkhai stretches for over 130 km north into the heart of Central Mongolia. Arrive at the dune and take a hike for a marvelous view over the dune that seems as if it's locked between two mighty mountain ranges. Then pause by a small seasonal lake to watch a variety of migratory waterfowl, stopping here on their long journey from the Siberian Tundra to the warm countries of the south. Towards sunset, take a camel ride through the dune before settling in the camp for the night.

Ger Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mongolian woman making traditional milk tea

Khustai National Park

After breakfast, take the approximately four hours drive to Khustai Nuruu Strictly Protected Area. Khustai was established as part of a unique project to reintroduce the world's last surviving wild horse back to its natural habitat. On the brink of extinction during the previous century, only a very few Takhi or Przewalski's horses were left in zoos around Europe. After lunch, and a short visit to the visitors' center, drive to a vantage point in the midst of the park to see the herds of horses sprinting from the mountain tops to the narrow river valley, where they come to drink as the temperatures in the lowlands cool down. After dinner at Khustai, take the two-hour drive to Ulaanbaatar, arriving at the Mongolian capital city late in the evening.

Ger Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Przewalski horses in Khustai National Park in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar (2)

Leave the hotel on foot and head to the city center, where modern high-rises are quickly built amid Soviet-era blocks. Begin with a visit to the National History Museum, which features a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have inhabited Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present. This exhibition includes a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. Then, take a walk through the central square. Right at the heart of the square, see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of the 1920s, boldly raising his arm towards the statue of Chinggis Khan, the nation's forefather, whose name was not allowed to be mentioned during the 70-year communist reign. In a very apt way, the square is surrounded by buildings of distinct architectural styles. Some are clear evidence of the city’s socialist past, while others serve as a striking testimony to the country’s path to development. After lunch, visit the Choijin Lama Temple. Once the private temple of the Mongolian king, it is today one of the most beautiful Tibetan-Buddhist museums worldwide. The museum houses a well-curated collection of rare Buddhist artifacts, on display nowhere else, all housed in a beautiful early 20th-century temple set amid modern skyscrapers. In the evening, attend a traditional folk concert featuring unique Mongolian art forms before enjoying a farewell dinner in one of the city’s finest restaurants, and then returning to the hotel for the night.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Boy rides a bike on the Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia

Chinggis Khaan International Airport

After breakfast, drive to Chinggis Khan Airport for the international flight out of Mongolia.

Breakfast

Dates & Pricing

Dates	Status	Price	Notes
19 Jun 2025 - 27 Jun 2025	available	$ 3,367	For a group of 6 or more
19 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025	available	$ 2,215	For a group of 6 or more
19 Aug 2026 - 27 Aug 2026	available	$ 2,215	For a group of 6 or more

Additional Information

Inclusions

Accommodation as per program
Meals as indicated in the program (full board basis)
Private 4WD vehicle
Drinking water
Local English speaking guide
All entrance fees as per program
All transfers

Exclusions

Travel expenses to/from Mongolia
Travel Insurance
PCR/COVID tests, or any tests that might be required for international or domestic travel
Expenses that might incur due to the results of COVID tests before, during or after the tour
Mongolian visa
Excess Luggage
Gratuities
Expenses of personal nature (food and drinks beyond those provided, laundry, etc.)
Anything not clearly mentioned in the program

Accommodation

- 1 night in 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- 6 nights in ger camp

Note: Note: The listed hotels for this Central Mongolia Cultural Tour are tentative. The final hotel list shall be confirmed upon booking and deposit payment.

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Is this trip right for you?

You enjoy active exploration. The journey includes hiking, camel rides, and scenic walks through nature.

You prefer authenticity over luxury. Accommodation is in traditional ger camps, comfortable yet simple.

You're drawn to culture and history. From ancient monasteries to nomadic homes, each day deepens cultural connection.

You're comfortable with long drives. Several days include 4-5 hour road trips through Mongolia's vast landscapes.

You seek tranquility and open spaces. Ideal for those who love wilderness, wide horizons, and being unplugged from city life.

You appreciate variety. This trip blends cultural visits, outdoor adventure, and peaceful relaxation in nature.

Overview