Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
ITALY / ULAANBAATAR (-/-/D)
A horseback journey through Mongolia’s steppe is a fascinating adventure. This is one of the last truly unspoiled territories on Earth. Known as the “Land of the Blue Sky”, with 278 sunny days per year, it offers a unique life experience—a sense of freedom that fills your view, surrounded by a vast, humanless expanse stretching as far as the eye can see.
The desert steppe of eastern Gobi stretches between the Inner Mongolia Plateau (China), lying at an altitude between 1000 and 1500 meters, and Mongolia to the north. Its surface is quite vast. It borders the relatively humid grasslands of Mongolia and Manchuria to the east and north, and the vast semi-deserts of the Alashan Plateau to the west and south. This ecoregion includes the Yin Shan mountains, whose peaks rise between 1500 and 2200 meters, and many flat areas with salt flats and small ponds.
Though the region may appear desolate, it provides an ideal habitat for many wild mammals and a human population of semi-nomadic herders.
We will cross these areas accompanied by members of the local nomadic tribes, whose equestrian tradition is a living cultural heritage.
A horseback trip in Mongolia means riding for hours through semi-arid steppe with sand dunes and giant rock formations, alongside small but resilient Mongolian horses who live almost all year round in the wild, in herds led by a stallion guiding them in search of food.
A journey everyone should take once in their lifetime…
Meet our representatives at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar (UBN) and transfer to your hotel in the capital. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2:
ULAANBAATAR / SUMAN (B/L/D)
Breakfast and morning visit to the famous Gandan Monastery, a renowned Buddhist center.
We continue south, and once out of the city we stop for a picnic lunch before continuing to a camp located in the middle of absolute wilderness, where horses and camels await us.
Short walk in the surroundings to get familiar with your saddle before dinner and overnight stay at the nomad camp.
Day 3:
SUMAN (B/L/D)
We get in the saddle to start discovering the steppe that surrounds us in every direction. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4:
SUMAN / ZORGOL HAIRKHAN (B/L/D)
Today we break down the camp. Supplies and luggage will be transported so they will be waiting for us at the evening stop.
We head to the sacred mountains of Zorgol Hairkhan, first taking a detour east through extraordinary grasslands to Mount Bayan, home to high-altitude Gobi wildlife such as the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica) and the Argali sheep (Ovis ammon).
These animals find shelter among hills and rocks, and with some luck, we may spot them during the day. We might also encounter small herds of gazelles in the steppe, and perhaps a fox or two.
Wolves are also present, though they are almost impossible to see.
We will set up camp at Zorgol Hairkhan, where we will remain for two nights.
Day 5:
ZORGOL HAIRKHAN (B/L/D)
The landscape here is quite varied, as we are in the Gobi’s transition zone. There are true steppes, semi-arid steppes, and towering rock formations.
We will dedicate the entire day to exploring the Zorgol Hairkhan massif, with its vertical rock walls and giant rock formations rising hundreds of meters—a striking feature in the middle of the steppe plain.
Day 6: Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park
ZORGOL HAIRKHAN / SAIKHAN (B/L/D)
Once again, we break down the camp and the support vehicle departs directly to our next destination in Saikhan, skirting Baga Zorgol Hairkhan Uul.
“Baga” means “small”, and this is the smaller version of “Ikh” (“great”) Zorgol.
Here, we will likely meet several nomadic families as we head toward Hariin Nuur (Remote Lake), a steppe lake vital to local nomads. The lake usually attracts various bird species.
Our private camp will already be set up in Saikhan.
Day 7:
SAIKHAN / BUMBAT (B/L/D)
A full day on horseback will take us across the steppe to Bumbat, another uninhabited area known for its spectacular rock formations.
Here, the chances of spotting Argali sheep, Cinereous vultures, Saker falcons (Falco cherrug), and other wildlife are even greater.
We may also have the opportunity to see petroglyphs, for which Mongolia is famous.
Day 8:
BUMBAT (B/L/D)
A full day on horseback dedicated to exploring the surroundings. Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9:
BUMBAT / ARBURD SAND (B/L/D)
A full day in the saddle, riding about 30 km to the Arburd sand dunes, which extend for more than 20 km—an especially interesting area inhabited exclusively by nomadic families.
It will feel like being in the middle of the Sahara, surrounded by the Gobi’s pastures. Overnight stay at the camp near the dunes.
Day 10:
ARBURD SAND (B/L/D)
We will stay another night at the Arburd Sand camp. A day dedicated to relaxation or to learning more about these communities, who often live by raising livestock, especially cashmere goats.
Day 11: Ulaanbaatar
ARBURD SAND / ULAANBAATAR (B/L/D)
Breakfast and transfer by vehicle to the capital (approx. 3 hours).
In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the city center, all major sights are within walking distance.
Dinner at a folk restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12:
ULAANBAATAR / ITALY (B/-/-)
Transfer to the international airport in time for your return flight to Italy.
Note:
The above itinerary should be considered indicative. It may be subject to change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
The July 9th departure includes a 13-night itinerary.
Key:
(B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: Tented camp
EQUIPMENT: Mongolian saddle
HORSES: Mongolian
PACE: 5 TO 8 HOURS RIDING PER DAY. Often fast-paced. Riders should be in good physical shape and have good horse control.
WHAT TO BRING: Layered, warm and comfortable riding clothes, water bottle, waist pack, sunscreen, basic medications, insect repellent. For the nights in the tented camp, you must bring your own sleeping bag, power bank, headlamp, towel, toilet paper, Swiss knife, and water purification tablets. Travel light with soft bags – NO suitcases with wheels.
MINIMUM AGE: 12 years
MAXIMUM AGE: 75 years
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 90 kg
TYPE: Itinerant with semi-fixed tent camps. A pack yak caravan follows.
ACCOMMODATION:
Night 1: Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar (or similar)
Nights 2 to 8: Tipi tents
Nights 9 & 10: Low-impact tented camp at Arburd Sands
Night 11: Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar (or similar)
In Ulaanbaatar, you’ll stay in a mid-range hotel with private en-suite bathrooms.
Once in the steppe, some adaptability is required: we may wash in lakes or use a simple shower tent—water is a luxury in the desert!
Camps are set up with tents resistant to rain and wind. You must bring a sleeping bag suitable for all temperatures. In the desert, night temperatures often drop to zero.
There are no chemical toilets, but a private toilet tent will be set up daily.
Meals will be prepared by our cook: traditional dishes and fresh products.
Guaranteed departure dates (from Italy), shared group, min. 1 participant:
From 19/06 to 30/06
From 20/07 to 31/07
From 19/08 to 30/08
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 2 – MAX 10
