The horse nation
Mongolia has 3.5 million horses for 3.4 million people. The domestic horse was first ridden in northern Mongolia around 3500 BCE. Genghis Khan's empire was a horse empire. Today, every steppe family still keeps horses, and every Mongolian child learns to ride before age five.
The Mongol horse
Our native horses are short, stocky, hardy, and astonishingly tough. They survive minus 40 winters on whatever grass they find under snow. They carry an adult all day without complaint. They are, however, half-wild. They kick, bite, and sometimes buck. Our trek horses are trained for foreign guests, but they are still Mongolian: independent, strong-willed, unforgettable.
Who horse treks are right for
Guests with at least basic riding experience: comfortable at a walk and trot, able to stay mounted at a canter. Multi-day treks reward those who already love being on a horse. For complete beginners, we offer shorter 2-3 day rides with more instruction time at Big Sky Lodge.
Where to trek
Khangai Mountains for summer grass country, lake and forest combinations, and moderate terrain. Khovsgol Lake and the Darkhad Valley for dramatic mountain-steppe-taiga transitions. Orkhon Valley for historical routes following Genghis Khan's army. Terelj for short easy introductions.
Gear and conditions
We provide the horse, saddle (wooden Mongolian or English-style, your choice), bridle, saddlebags, rain poncho, and hat. You bring riding boots, long trousers, layered clothing, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen, and a sense of humour. Days are six to eight hours in the saddle.
Nights in the saddle
Camp tents for backcountry, nomadic ger stays for family experiences, and fixed Rara Avis ger camps at key junction points. Dinner around a dung fire, horses hobbled and grazing nearby, silence that stretches to the horizon. This is why people come back.
Signature itinerary
Our seven-day Khangai Horseback Expedition ($2,850 per person, max 6 guests) crosses the central Khangai from Batsumber to Karakorum via three mountain passes and four nomad host families.
