Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on the best places in which to ride and where to purchase saddles and other equipment.
Try Stepperiders (
Click here
) in Töv aimag.
Trekking Areas
Of the dozens of possible horse treks, several are popular and not difficult to arrange.
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The most popular horse-trekking area is Khövsgöl Nuur, largely because there is such a
good network of guides and available horses. Some travellers have horse-trekked from
Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur to Khövsgöl Nuur. By land (following the twisting river valleys) it's
around 295km and takes at least two weeks by horse.
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Tsetserleg to Bayankhongor is a rugged wilderness trip that crosses a series of alpine
passes.
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In the east, try the Binder area of Khentii aimag, which can include a ride to Dadal near
the Siberian border.
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Closer to Ulaanbaatar, the areas of Terelj and Bogdkhan are both excellent if you don't
have a lot of time.
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In western Mongolia there is great horse trekking around Otgon Tenger Uul; it can take
six days to circle the mountain.
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In Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, try a horse trek around Khoton Nuur. There is also
horse trekking around Tsast Uul and Tsambagarav Uul. Tour operators in Ölgii can help
set something up, or just turn up in any nearby village and ask around for horses.
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Some of the ger camps at Ongiin Khiid can arrange one-hour camel rides. Multiday
camel treks can be arranged at Bayanzag and Khongoryn Els for T25,000 to T30,000 per
camel per day. A trip between the two places takes about five days.
ZEN & THE ART OF HORSE MAINTENANCE
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Mongolians swap horses readily, so there's no need to be stuck with a horse you
don't like, or which doesn't like you, except perhaps in April and May, when all an-
imals are weak after the long winter and before fresh spring plants have made their
way through the melting snows. The best time for riding is in the summer (June to
September).
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Mount a horse (or camel) only from the left. They have been trained to accept hu-
man approach from that side, and may rear if approached the wrong way.
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The Mongolians use the phrase ' chu!'to make their horses go. Worryingly, there
is no word for 'stop'.
