The encounter with the nomads on the one hand and the beauty of nature on the other hand make this trip an unforgettable adventure. The Hovsgol Lake, the dark blue pearl of Mongolia will enchant you! Its water accounts for about 2% of the world´s drinking water reserves and the lake is considered sacred to the Mongolians. It stretches for 135 km and lies at an altitude of 1,645 m. The region holds many treasures: bears, deer, moose, wolves, rare birds and a diverse plant life. Even the endangered capercaillie and black grouse have a safe habitat here. Nature is under special protection. The Tsaatan and Darkhaden who live here are among the last nomadic peoples. They live in a kind of teepee, similar to the Indians in America. While in most areas of Mongolia shamanism has been displaced by Buddhism and communism, in the remote taiga it has been preserved for centuries.
They move away from tourist streams. You will be accompanied by a local riding guide, a cook and a team responsible for logistics and luggage. The communication with the local guides is done by an English speaking translator. Luggage transport with pack horses.
Your companions will organize the rides according to your riding skills so that you can enjoy the riding days safely. If you don´t have too much experience in the terrain, you can join the packhorse group. Those who like to ride a little faster, however, have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful gallops over the wide plateaus. The group spreads out in open terrain, only rarely in the forest on impassable paths it is necessary to ride in a row. This riding tour offers you a lot of riding freedom and real adventure! Of course there may be some spontaneous changes depending on the weather and other local conditions. Relax, trust your guides and let the adventure come to you, free of wristwatches and mobile phones, far away from western civilization.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulan Bator. Sightseeing of the capital, the monument built for Genghis Khan and Zaisan Tolgi, a hill from which you have a wonderful view over the city. Dinner in a yurt restaurant, overnight stay in yurts.

Day 2: Flight to Mörön, capital of the province Hovsgol with about 40,000 inhabitants. At the airport you will be welcomed by your guide and a minibus will take you to the camp (approx. 2 hours). Here you will meet the herd of horses and the other guides. Overnight stay in tents.

Day 3: You saddle the horses and ride from Orkhot to Hovsgol Lake and along the green shore. Here you will meet horse breeders and their herds. You will taste some typical Mongolian food and maybe even help the nomads milking the mares. Most likely, in the evening there is fish on the menu, which comes directly from the lake. Overnight stay in yurts or in tents with the nomad families at the lake.

Day 4: You follow a narrow trail along a small stream through a forest of cedars, firs and pines. In the picturesque valley of Jankhain Tsaram there are also numerous wild flowers in bloom. On the way extensive picnic at the campfire and siesta. In the afternoon you follow the beautiful valley to a clearing in the forest, where you set up your camp for the night.

Day 5 - 6: You ride over the mountain ridge of Khadan Kyasaa through the taiga to Hovsgol Lake. The beautiful larch forest at the edge of the lake will inspire you. A really rustic forest, where the dead trees are covered with lush moss and lichen. They provide a protected habitat for birds, insects and other small animals. On the second day, the path leads down through the light forest, now dominated by birches. At lunchtime you can enjoy some traditional dishes and also a fantastic view over the forest. Long riding day with 6-7 hours in the saddle, overnight stay in tents.

Day 7 - 8: During the ride over the Jigleg Pass you have a great view over the huge lake. Numerous yaks and horses will meet you down by the shore. Wide bays with light larch forests and sandy beaches await you, where numerous bird species such as herons, swallows and gulls cavort. Here you will stop for a midday rest against the back of the mighty Jigleg with its steep rock faces. The following day you will ride further up a rocky difficult path towards the top of the jigleg. The effort is rewarded with a magnificent view of the lake.

Day 9: You will ride deeper into the Siberian Taiga, past the small village of Renchinhumbe, where the allegedly largest tree in the country stands. Again you will meet nomads and their herds of cattle. Overnight stay today in a yurt camp for tourists (running water and toilets available!). Not far from the village the forest ends and the steppe begins. It is the home of the Tsaatan nomads who live here with their reindeer herds.

Day 10: Today the journey continues to the mysterious Black Lake, which is full of fish. The way there leads over a rocky mountain from where you have a great view of the lake. Afterwards you will go down to the shore, camp at the lake.

Day 11: Ride in the picturesque surroundings of the lake, across wide yellow steppes that remind you of Central Mongolia. The ride continues through a valley, framed by bizarre rock formations. Beautiful view over the gorge in the southern part of the huge valley. According to the last count there are still 300 reindeer herds in the taiga, with a little luck you will see a herd on your ride. Overnight stay again in the tent.

Day 12: Varied riding day over the wide, high steppe, gentle hills, past small lakes and interesting rocks to a forest of pines and larches. Soon you will see the deep blue Hovsgol Lake again, which you reach in the afternoon. Tent camp at a bay.

Day 13: We continue downhill through the now lighter forest. You will reach the shore of the lake again and the entrance to the National Park at Hovsgol Lake. At noon you will have the opportunity to taste local, partly endemic fish from the lake. This is processed here into various dishes, either fish soup, grilled or raw and salted. In the afternoon return to the starting point with the nomadic family of the first riding day. Overnight stay in tents, which you pitch up next to the yurts. If the weather and the boat allow it, there might be a little ride. (Depending on the flight time on the following day, you can also return to Mörön in the evening).

Day 14: In the morning you relax at the lake or spend some time with the nomadic family. Afterwards you return to Mörön and from there by plane to Ulan Bator.

Day 15: Another day in Ulan Bator, where you will visit e.g. the Gandan Monastery with the huge golden Buddha statue and the National Museum. You will also visit a market and/or a traditional singing and dancing performance, depending on the daily offer.

Day 16: Early morning transfer to the airport and return flight, subject to change! Please note: As there are often changes for the domestic flights, the flight to Mörön takes place either on the 2nd or 3rd day, the return flight to Ulan Bator accordingly on the 14th or 15th day.

Naadam Festival
Before the riding tour on 12.07. you have the possibility to book additional days with a visit to the Nadaam festival in Ulan Bator. You will visit horse races, wrestling and archery competitions, depending on what is taking place.

Accomodation
Overnight stay in tents and 3x in yurts, the traditional dwellings of the Mongolians. In a yurt you can stand comfortably and you are heated by an oven in the middle. The toilets are behind the bush, washing can be done on the way in the clear creeks. The tents are normal 2-person tents. Each guest receives a cloth mat, a sleeping bag is to be brought along.

Meals: Full board; packed lunch and warm dinner. Dairy products, meat and pastries are especially used. Vegetarian food is possible.

Saddle & Tack: Comfortable Russian military saddles.

Experience: You ride up to approx. 7 hours/day, off-road experience and safety in all gaits required. Good physical fitness is equally important. The terrain is sometimes very demanding!

Horses: Mongolian ponies with a size between 1.35 and 1.45 m. Enduring, tough and comfortable. Only geldings are ridden.