| Duration | Included | When | Group Size | Price |
| 12 days |
5 days horse trekking Camel riding Hot springs Hustai wildlife safari Hosted by Chris & local Mongolian team Wild camping & yurts All meals during activity |
June | Max 8 | £2450 |
Twelve days in Mongolia, riding into the hidden Eight Lakes on horseback with pack yaks carrying our kit, living alongside nomad families and wild camping under some of the darkest skies on earth.
“I had high expectations and this trip still managed to blow them out of the water. What an amazing experience. If you’re thinking about going on this adventure: do it.”
-Dean, on our Kyrgyzstan horse trek ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ride into the heart of Mongolia as we explore the Eight Lakes of Khangai Nuruu National Park & Orkhon Valley on horseback.
A hidden valley of eight interconnected lakes, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions and cut off by fields of lava rock and thick forest.
Vehicle access is limited as there are no proper roads in. The best way to get there is on horseback, with yaks carrying our kit, just as the Mongol nomads have done for centuries.
This trip is run in partnership with local nomad families. We’ll be living alongside them in their guest gers (or camping nearby), seeing their daily life first-hand, from milking yaks to tracking down wandering livestock.
Along the way we’ll ride camels across the dunes of the Mini Gobi, explore Mongolia’s ancient capital, wild camp under some of the darkest skies on earth, soak in natural hot springs, and finish by searching for the world’s last truly wild horses, the very rare Przewalski’s horses in Hustai National Park.
Highlights
- Ride into the hidden Eight Lakes of Khangai Nuruu National Park, with pack yaks carrying our kit
- Live alongside nomad families in their guest gers, from milking yaks to a farewell feast
- Ride two-humped Bactrian camels across the dunes of the Mini Gobi
- Explore Erdene Zuu, Mongolia’s largest working Buddhist monastery, in the ancient capital of Kharkhorin
- See the Red Falls, Mongolia’s largest waterfall, and wild camp under some of the darkest skies on earth
- Soak in natural hot springs, then search for rare Przewalski’s horses in Hustai National Park
Is Horse Trekking in Mongolia for You?
This is adventure travel at its most wild and remote.
There are no showers, no wifi and no proper roads into the Eight Lakes. Toilets are long-drops, and your bath is the river.
However, if…
- You’re looking for real adventure, not luxury travel
- You’re happy to swap showers for wild swims in mountain rivers
- You like the idea of being completely offline under a sky full of stars
- You want something truly off the beaten path
Then this could be for you.
Do I need riding experience?
Riding experience isn’t essential, but it is recommended.
Some of the terrain is uneven and rocky, so a can-do attitude and an adventurous spirit are a must. Much of the riding is at a steady walk, giving you time to take in the lakes and valleys. Out on the open grassland, confident riders may get the chance to gallop, but nobody is ever pushed to go faster than they’re comfortable with.
You’re also in very safe hands. Riding is a way of life for Mongolian nomads, and our local horsemen grew up in the saddle. They’re with the group at all times and keep a close eye on first-timers, usually spotting a problem long before it becomes one.
What does help is fitness. Five days in the saddle works muscles you didn’t know you had, so a good base of general fitness will make the whole trip far more enjoyable.
“We got plenty of guidance and instruction from the horsemen so it never felt unsafe, and we were able to enjoy the Kyrgyz nature to the fullest.” – Layla, on our Kyrgyzstan horse trek
Your expedition leader
I’m Chris, and I am Global Shenanigans. I’ve spent my whole adult life working in the outdoors, and I’ve been leading groups in wild places since 2012.
When you book, you book with me, not a call centre. You’ll get a full kit list well before we go, and I’m always just a phone call away. I’ll answer your questions while you prepare, and I’m with you every step of the way, from our first dinner in Ulaanbaatar until you fly home.
I’m a qualified Wilderness First Responder, and this trip is run in partnership with a local Mongolian team and the nomad families who host us along the way.
Mongolia Eight Lakes Horse Trek Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Land in Ulaanbaatar, explore the city and meet the team for dinner. Airport transfers are included.
Day 2 | Camels & the Ancient Capital
An early start as we leave the city behind and head out across the vast Mongolian countryside. At lunchtime we saddle up on two-humped Bactrian camels to explore the dunes of the Mini Gobi, before arriving in Kharkhorin, Mongolia’s ancient capital.
Day 3 | Kharkhorin & Our Nomad Hosts
We explore Erdene Zuu, Mongolia’s largest working Buddhist monastery, and the Kharkhorin Museum. In the afternoon we head into the Orkhon Valley to meet our nomadic hosts, who will welcome us with homemade treats and a traditional Mongolian BBQ.
Day 4 – 8 | Horse Trek to the Eight Lakes
From here the real adventure begins!
We saddle up and ride through the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley, stopping at the Red Falls, Mongolia’s largest waterfall, before our first night wild camping under the stars.
With the yaks loaded, we climb through forest and across ancient lava fields into the Eight Lakes, staying with a nomad family on the shores of Khuisiin Lake. We’ll spend our days riding through wildflower meadows to the lakes, including Shireet, the largest of them all.
We return over a 2,400m mountain pass with panoramic views of the basin, swim in icy rivers, wild camp one more night, then let the horses run across the open grassland back to our hosts for a farewell feast.
Day 9 | Hot Springs
Join our hosts for their morning routine of yak milking, before saying goodbye and heading to the hot springs to soak away the saddle soreness.
Day 10 – 11 | Hustai National Park
We drive to Hustai National Park and spend the night in a ger camp. At first light we head out on safari to spot the rare Przewalski’s horses, the only truly wild horses left on earth, along with gazelle, red deer and maybe even wolves. Then it’s back to Ulaanbaatar for a final celebration meal!
Day 12 | Farewells
Transfers will be arranged at your convenience – or continue the adventure!
| Included |
|
horse & pack yaks 5 day horse trek camel ride in the Mini Gobi Erdene Zuu Monastery & Kharkhorin Museum visit hot springs Hustai National Park wildlife safari local horsemen, guides & camp chef all transfers all meals during activity days accommodation during the expedition (shared gers, tents for wild camping) |
not included: flights, travel insurance, accommodation and meals outside of activity days
Dates & Prices
2027 June 14 – 25: £2,450
12 days, with a maximum of 8 guests. A £400 deposit secures your place, with the balance due 3 months before departure.
What our horse trekking guests say
This is a brand-new trip, so here’s what guests said about our Kyrgyzstan horse trek, run in the same way.
“A year ago I didn’t know there was a Kyrgyzstan and now it’s one of my favorite countries.” – Mike Olsen
“Chris curated an awesome experience from start to finish, and as he was actually on the trip with us, there was never a time you couldn’t ask him something or didn’t feel looked after.” – Alex
“Travelling to somewhere I would of never even dreamed of with everything thought of and so well organised…” – Nat
Coming solo? You’ll be in good company. More than half our guests travel on their own.
Ready to say YES to the trip of a lifetime?
Reach out using WhatsApp in the bottom right corner, or the contact box below, to find out if this trip is for you:
