Riding To The Land Of Horseman

Early this morning we drive (7 hours) west of Ulaanbaatar to the Orkhon river valley. The tarmac road runs across vast hilly steppe with many herds of horses, sheep and goats grazing alongside as well as an occasional ger of a nomadic herder and local people on their daily chores. You will catch a glimpse of a way of life which seemingly has not changed for centuries. The road links the capital Ulaanbaatar with central and western part of the vast country. Therefore it is always busy with a colorful scenes of local life: vehicle laden with all imaginable goods, from wool and cashmere to heavy mining machinery. In the late afternoon we erect our tented camp upon arrival to the eastern base of the Khangai mountain range. Here tonight we meet our local riding guides.

After breakfast the riding journey begins. A horse will be selected for you to suit your riding experience, height and weight. Riding Mongolian horses requires skills slightly different as opposed to those practiced in the West. Broken in at the age 2 or 3, they are used to a different set of commands and behavior on riders end. The local riding guides will accompany you to instruct and help. Today is a fairly easy day that allows good acclimatization. We ride up the valley and cross two easy passes and descent into the Hujirt river valley. The terrain is friendly: mostly lush meadows and open riversides. Each day the support team will move ahead to an agreed spot to serve lunch. Then the drivers and cook(s) will continue further to prepare your camp and dinner.

We ride across wooded hills to reach the wide open valley of White Temple river. The hills are covered with coniferous forest and patches of silver birch. Terrain of White Church valley allows you gallop or even a faster pace to those more experienced.

Referred to as the cradle of nomadic culture it contains many ancient graves and historic sites within its boundaries. Your guide will give you an interesting account of the history of nomadic people who roamed these lands in different periods. The area is relatively densely populated by nomadic herders and allows plenty of encounters with them, each one an authentic cultural exchange. Dinner and overnight at the Orkhon river bank.

Built in 1653 and named as the "Land of Happy Solitude" the monastery served as a refuge of meditation to the first Mongolian Buddhist King - Zanabazar. He introduced Buddhism with a hope of uniting Mongols under banners of the Yellow Faith. The monastery is nestled near the summit of Shiveet Ulaan Mt. that allows vast views of a sea of forests beneath. There are several temples restored in recent years with the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia. A cave or rather a niche called "mother belly" is believed to purify your sins in the next rebirth if you crawl in and out of it.

The 24 meter high Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall is formed by a small tributary dropping in to a fault in which the main body of Orkhon river flows. Upon visiting the waterfall we continue further and erect our tented camp beside the encampment where our local riding guides come from.

Enjoy this well deserved rest day. Today we visit one of our riding guides in his ger. It is a simple but reliable dwelling, perfect in extreme weather conditions and suitable for frequent moves from one place to another. Taste 'airag', the fermented horse milk the area is famous for and learn about local life and traditions. During the remaining time you are free to hike, fish or just observe the local life. This evening a delicacy of Mongolian cuisine - "khorkhog" or chunks of meat and vegetables pressure cooked with heated rocks will be served for dinner.

Our riding adventure is over. After breakfast we take a 4 hour car transfer to Karakorum - the medieval capital of Mongolian Empire. Today it is a small town but the former capital still lies in ruins since it was leveled by Chinese Min dynasty troops in 1380-ies. Present day Karakorum is recognized by the massive walled compound of the Erdene Zuu monastery. It was built in the 16th century by a Mongol King as part of his efforts to re-unite the nation under banners of "yellow" faith. The monastery suffered a tremendous destruction during anti-religion campaigns of 1930-ies with only a dozen of temples surviving to these days. We spend some time visiting the peaceful premises of the monastery as well as a few surviving artifacts of the old capital. Just outside of the walls you may as well walk the earthen hills that still contain remains of the imperial capital and try to restore it glorious times in your imagination. Tonight you will have an overnight in a traditional Mongolian felt tent known as "ger" at one of Karakorum's visitor camps.

6 hour car transfer to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival before going to your hotel you may stop by local souvenir shops. Farewell dinner.

Transfer to airport for your return journey home. (B)