14 Day Orkhon Valley and Eight Lake Horse Trekking Holiday in Mongolia

During the trek, you will ride in various terrains from hilly steppes to mountains and to lakes with the most spectacular views. You will start your horse trek at Tuvkhun Monastery and make your way to the Orkhon Waterfalls and further into the Naiman Lake, visiting some of the most important sites in Central Mongolia, including the ancient capital Karakorum, Erdene Zuu monastery, and some random nomadic families to witness the renowned Mongolian hospitality and generosity of nomads. 

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Meet your guide at the airport after customary formalities and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Day 2: City Tour Holiday

Meet your English-speaking local guide at 9 a.m. at the hotel lobby and start the city tour. The city tour of Ulaanbaatar takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. You will visit the Gandan Monastery, housing a 26- meter-high gilded statue of the Buddha and you will also have a short visit to Ger district near Gandan, where you will see a part of the rural lifestyle.

Your tour will also take you to the Genghis Khan monument on the square and the National Museum, which has a number of fascinating displays of traditional Mongolian clothing and weaponry, as well as exhibits charting the course of Chinggis Khan's empire-building. Have a welcome lunch in a Mongolian restaurant and in the afternoon, visit Narantuul black market, the biggest open-air market of Mongolia.

Proceed to Zaisan Memorial, located on a pretty hill south of the city for a panoramic view of the nomadic capital, and finally, have the visit to a Cashmere factory where you will see one of the main industrial products from its very beginning of raw wool production to the soft cashmere product. Get transferred to the hotel by 6 p.m. and enjoy your free time for dinner.

Day 3: Ulaanbaatar - Karakorum

• 6 to 7-hour drive

Today, you will have a short drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the mighty Mongol Empire led by Chinggis Khan. Have lunch on the way in Elsen Tasarkhai. In the afternoon, you will head to Karakorum for a two-hour drive. Upon arrival in Karakorum, transfer to the ger camp. Visit the Khaadiin Khoshoo statue where you will have a great view of the Orkhon River Valley. There will be an optional visit to the local bazaar at the town.

Day 4: Karakorum - Tuvkhun Monastery

• 3 to 4-hour drive

After breakfast, visit the Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in central Mongolia which was constructed on the ruins of the ancient capital city, Karakorum Museum, and the newest museum of archeology that is exhibiting the finds explored from Orkhon River Valley. Have lunch at the ger camp and drive to Tuvkhun Monastery in the afternoon. Arrive and set your tents in a scenic spot. There will be optional hiking around.

Day 5: Tuvkhun Monastery

• 6 to 7-hour ride

Today, you will start your horse trekking. You will first visit Tuvkhun Monastery by a horse. Tuvkhun Monastery was built by Zanabazar, the first Bogd Lama of Mongolia in the 17th century. In the afternoon, you will ride towards Orkhon Waterfall. Arrive at the Orkhon River Bridge and stay overnight. There will be car support.

Day 6: Orkhon River Bridge - Orkhon Waterfall

• 6 to 7-hour ride

You will continue your ride to the Orkhon Waterfall, one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Mongolia. Enjoy riding through the historical Orkhon River Valley. Have lunch along the way and arrive at the waterfall in the afternoon. Explore the area and an optional hiking. Have dinner and spend the night at a tent. There will be car support.

Day 7: Orkhon Waterfall - Boorog

• 5 to 6-hour ride

Have breakfast, take your horse, and ride for 18 kilometers to Boorog today; where you will start having yak support for the next four days. Arrive in the afternoon, camp near the horse breeder’s camp. Enjoy visiting his home to experience the life of nomads. There will be car support.

Day 8: Boorog - Khuis Lake

• 6 to 7-hour ride

Pack everything on yaks today and start trekking to 8 Lakes. You will ride through the Bodongiin Khamar pass, one of the tallest mountain passes surrounding 8 Lakes. Arrive in Khuis Lake in the afternoon, have dinner, and rest at a tent.

Day 9: Horse Trekking in the Eight Lakes

• 6 to 7-hour ride

Today you will ride to see all Eight Lakes including Shireet Lake, Khuis Lake, Khaliut Lake, Bugat Lake, Khaya Lake, Onon Lake, Bayan-uul Lake, and Duruu Lake. Arrive at the campsite in the late afternoon, have dinner, and rest.

The area of Naiman Nuur, Eight lakes, formed behind the volcanic eruptions that occurred all along the centuries. The park is 2,400 meters above sea level. An area of 11,500 hectares has been protected as a national park since 1992. The national park is located in a high mountain area comprising alpine meadows and forests of conifers (Siberian pines and Siberian larches).

On the northern part of the protected area, you can see entire valleys strewn with volcanic stones. The peaks of the mountains are arid. There are 50 species of birds, such as the Black-throated Loon, Great Cormorant, Bar-headed Goose, or Whooper Swan.

Day 10: Khuis Lake - Tsagaan Azarga Lake

• 6 to 7-hour ride

Today you will ride back to Orkhon Valley via the Duruu Pass with lunch along the way. Arrive in Tsagaan Azarga lake in the early evening.

Day 11: Tsagaan Azarga Lake - Boorog

• 6 to 7-hour ride

It is the last day of your horse trekking. You can reach Boorog in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free for leisure. Have dinner and spend the night at a tent.

Day 12: Orkhon River Valley - Elsen Tasarkhai (Bayangobi)

• 4 to 5-hour drive

You will say goodbye to your horse wranglers and head to Elsen Tasarkhai located in the Khugnu Khan National Park. You will drive for four to five hours along the steppes with optional stops for photos. Arrive and transfer to the tourist ger camp. Have lunch at the ger camp and visit the Erdene Khamba Monastery ruins where you will do a little climb and hike on the mountain. There will be optional camel rides at the dunes.

Day 13: Elsen Tasarkhai - Ulaanbaatar

• 4 to 5-hour drive

Today you will drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival. Visit the winter palace of Bogd Khaan from the early 20th century and have optional shopping. Enjoy a traditional folklore concert from the magical Tumen Ekh ensemble. There will be a farewell dinner.

Day 14: Departure

You will be transferred to the airport or train station after breakfast.

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Orkhon Valley
• Beautiful Naiman Nuur, 8 Lakes area
• Orkhon Waterfall: 2nd tallest waterfall in Mongolia
• 7 full days of horse trekking in the wilderness with a yak support
• Authentic cultural experience with a Nomadic family
• Stay at traditional Mongolian ger
• Semi-Gobi experience at Khugnu Khan

These are the meals included for each day:

• Day 1: None
• Day 2: Breakfast and lunch
• Day 3 to Day 13: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Day 14: Breakfast

• 7-day horse riding program
• Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
• Fulltime services of an English-speaking local tour guide
• 13 nights accommodation
• 4x4 Japanese minivan private transfers with an experienced driver)
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Yak support fee and wrangler for Days 9 to 12
• Horse wrangler fee
• Services of a cook for tent camping days
• Roundtrip airport transfers
• 3 500mL bottled water per day
• Exclusive Mongolia tour souvenir

• Airfare/train tickets and tax
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees
• Personal expenses (Laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites)
• Optional activities (Camel riding, archery, boating, etc.)
• Camping equipment (Sleeping bags, mats, etc.)
• Tips for your guide and driver

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.