Horse Trek in Darkhad Valley
Date availability | from 1 May 2022 to 31 October 2023
The far north of Mongolia is an area is wellknown for its high mountains covered in thick taiga forest, crystal clear lakes and rivers teaming with taimen and lennock and lush green, open valleys.
The top attraction of our journey will be Khuvsgul lake - one of the freshest, largest and deepest /262 meters/ lake in Central Asia, composing 1 percent of earth fresh water resource. The lake altitude is 1,624 meters above sea level and covers 2,612 sq. km, where 96 rivers feed into the lake and only one river Egiin flows from the lake.
The aim of our journey is to trek in the splendid surroundings scenery of Khuvsgul Nuur lake, passing through the extensive Darkhad valley with extensive marshes and lakes, passing through the high peaks of mountains and ride into the taiga-forest area to visit the Tsaatan herders, living in remote areas, which difficult to reach. There are only 30-40 families still liv ing this traditional lifestyle, which they have done so for centuries and to experience the extraordinary and ancient religion - Shamanism, being practiced from time immemorial.
Our journey will be as diverse as you imagine being in most spectacular areas of Mongolia by plane with Russian vehicle 4x4 continuation and followed by tough horse trek, where we will ride in accordance to the weather and horse condition. Visit the unique Tsaatan (reindeer herders) minority group and nomad family feeling the difference of lifestyle between them.
Drive to Terelj National Park will impress you with its nature creations, rocky mountain and lush green forest by hiking or horse trek. The journey followed with accommodation in two-person tent mainly and tradi-tional Mongolian dwellings - yurt and hotel.
Activities:
Photo Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 | Ulaanbaatar city
Upon your arrival the Destination Mongolia crew will meet you for transfer hotel and after a short rest we will continue exploring Ulaanbaatar city, visiting Sukhbaatar Square, Zaisan Hill, Gandan Monastery and the Natural History Museum. Overnight in hotel. (L, D)
Day 2 | Murun city
Flight to Murun, arrive in Khuvsgul province, where our local drivers and cook will meet you and drive by off-road Russian jeep and/or van to the river Beltgekh. We have some time for hiking beautiful surroundings of river. Overnight in tents. (B, L, D)
Day 3 | Tugul village
Today is our first day for horse trek with driving to Tugul village, where our rangers with horses are waiting for us. On the way we have a picnic-lunch. Here we will leave our vehicle and start the horse expedition by allocating the horses for everyone and to load pack horses for luggage of our tents, food and personal luggage. We will ride about 20 km through fascinating wilderness area of great Mongolian taiga, where our first overnight and dinner will be in Bagtakh river with isolation from modern civilization. Overnight in tents. (B, L, D)
Day 4/5/6 | Darkhad valley
Our horse trek journey will continue in the country of Tsaatan herders and reach the Renchinlkhumbe village in Darkhad valley. The Darkhad valley is picturesque area with extensive marshes and lakes, which inhabited by Tsaatan herders - unique minority group that live in remote areas of Mongolia, who still kept the herder of reindeer for use of transport, meal and dressing. All meals in nature and overnights in tents. (B, L, D)
Day 7/8 | Tsaatan herders
Continue our horse expedition to search the Tsaatan herders, where they don't have an exact location. We will meet them and their reindeers at one of their camps in the mountains. They're in constant search for food for their reindeers and live in small tents. The Tsaatan are part of the Turkic-speaking Tuvinian ethnic group known as Dukha. We will spend some time with them and will have opportunity to see the ceremony or religious ritual of Shaman. The Shamanism is ancient Mongolian religion practiced since the times of Hunnu state. All meals in nature and overnights in tents. (B, L, D)
Day 9/10 | Khuvsgul Lake
Today, our horse trek will lead us to the direction of Khu vsgul lake through the astonishing nature composition; thick taiga forest with lush green meadows and crystal clear rivers and green open valley. We will visit the different unique family - nomads to experience the difference between them and Reindeers. All meals in nature and overnight in tents. (B, L, D)
Day 11 | Khuvsgul Lake
Today we will arrive to the lake through Jigligen am, after crossing the pass with same name. On the way having a picnic-lunch. Our journey continues by riding along the shoreline of lake, where we will establish our camp for dinner and overnight in tents. (B, L, D)
Day 12 | Khoridol Saridag Mountain
Today we continue ride in direction of our base yurt camp via Khoridol Saridag mountain, which is one of the high mountains of northern Mongolia. On the way we will have a picnic-lunch. Arrive at the camp for dinner and overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 13 | Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park
Today we will drive to Murun city for taking a flight to Ulaanbaatar. On the way having a lunch. Arrival in capital city and directly drive to Terelj National Park that situated in 1 hours driving distance from city. Dinner and overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 14 | Ulaanbaatar city
Today we will have a leisure day for exploration of forest steppe by hiking or horseback riding /optional/ to visit the nature creations; huge Turtle rock and passing the lush green meadows with massive and huge rocky mountain. After lunch we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar city and will transfer to hotel. Dinner in restaurant. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 15 | Departure
Today we will drive to airport for your departure. (B)
Other Information
Price Exclude
- International flights
- Single supplement
- Insurance
- Drinks in restaurant
- Supplementary services
- Personal items
- Tips
Price
| Hotel | Price /per person/ | |||
| 2 pax | 3-5 pax | 6-9 pax | 10 more pax | |
| 3 star | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 4 star | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |