Ulaanbaatar / Gobi / Ulaanbaatar
12 days, 11 nights (8 days on horseback)

The objective of the itinerary \"Walk-about in Mongolia : 8 days on horseback with nomads\" is to allow the customers to experience the ultimate nomadic culture. You will spend 8 days traveling on horseback through central Mongolia .

The place you will travel is called Bayan-Enjuul county in Central Province . It is an about 250-300 kms from the capital city. Since it is relatively far from the city, it has been spared totally from the influences of city and industrialization. Foreigners rarely visit the place, except probably a lonely Peace corps volunteer. Locals have preserved their authentic cultural and behavioral patterns and it takes a while even for urban Mongols to get adjusted to their way of life.

Besides experiencing a real Mongolian nomadic culture, during these 10 days, with the help of local nomads, you will ride through the river valleys, sand deserts and grassy steppes. You will be able to see the mountains and sunrise in the steppes. Local nomads will be your guides and a driver, interpreter with a car will accompany you.

While this is a relatively physical trip that would require some degree of endurance, physical toughness and high spirit, I can promise you that this is the one that you will talk about for a long time to your friends.

Package is inclusive of three meals every day throughout a trip, accommodation in Ulaanbaatar and ger/tent while in the countryside, local transportation in Mongolia and transfer to and from the airport/railway station, guide and interpretation services.

Please, note that packages are totally flexible and can be amended to your liking.

Day 1 Arrival to UB, touring evening UB and Zaisan outlook

Day 2 Drive from UB for 150kms to a place called \"Ulahiin bulan\". It is located on the bank of the river Tuul and is combination of semi-desert and grassy valleys. Visit local family and spend a night in tent.

Day 3 Take horseback riding lessons. Local herdsmen will help you to adjust to Mongolian horse. After lunch ride to a hill called \"Badrah\" in 10-15kms. Visit locals on the way. Overnight in tent.

Day 4 Ride to a place called \"Elsen am\" in 10kms. It is a small piece of desert in the middle of grassy valley and nearby mountains and river. There are quite a few camels in the this area. Spend a day in this area.

Day 5 Ride to a place called \"Sar\". Visit locals. In the afternoon ride to a mountain called \"Zotol hairhan\". \"Zotol hairhan\" has a strange rocky shape and usually attracts a quite a few mountaneers. Ride and hike around \"Zotol hairhan\". Spend a night in tent.

Day 6 We will stay overnight with brothers and sisters of a person who runs the Ecotravel Mongolia who still live there as nomads in the countryside. You can try yourself in the nomadic life by helping them in dayly duties such as herding, milking sheeps and goats, milking the mare etc.

Day 7 Ride to Bayan-Enjuul county for 20kms in grassy valleys and semi-desert areas. In the afternoon visit the county administrative center and then go to a place called \"Eliin davaa\" in 25kms. Spend a night in tent.

Day 8 Ride to Tuul river in 20-25 kms.In the afternoon we can spend time on the river. You can even fish there if you have a gear. Spend a night in tent.

Day 9 Drive back to UB. I bet that it would feel very nice to be in the comfort of flushing toilet, TV and soft beds after few days in the coutnryside. In one word - civilization.

Day 10 Dive into the best cashmere sale in the world. Mongolia produces a significant share of the world's raw cashmere and produces a variety of cashmere goods at a sale prices. Traditional craft, paintings and other arts became one of the major export items of Mongolia . Check out paintings by contemporary Mongol artists and you will find some amazingly elegant and high-quality pieces. After the dinner explore the nightlife in Ulaanbaatar . For the city of 700 thousand, Ulaanbaatar has an extraordinary lively and cozy nightlife with a number of upscale dance clubs and bars.

Day 11 Visit the active Buddhist monastery - Gandan. This was the only active monastery during the communist rule and, therefore, maintained the allure and magnetism of old monasteries. Afterwards, visit to the Natural History Museum. Observe the famous Fighting Dinosaurs exhibited in the New York Natural History Museum in 2000 and other wonders of Mongolian nature. Enjoy your lunch and head off for any unfinished business you might have, that is buying some more cashmere, taking some pictures or visiting the local flee market.

Day 12 Transfer to airport/railway station