8-Day Horseback Riding in Central Mongolia and the Gobi

Ride across the Gobi and through Mongolia's river valleys on horseback

An 8-day horseback riding tour from Ulaanbaatar that crosses the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia, with camel rides, hiking and overnight stays in local gers and family homes. The itinerary includes Yoliin Am gorge, Khongoriin Els sand dunes, Ongi Monastery ruins, Orkhon Valley waterfall and Erdene Zuu monastery, with an English-speaking guide, all meals and hotel pickup included. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to White Stupa Gobi

• Drive to Tsagaan Suvraga
• See colorful limestone formation
• Lunch in a local place
• Overnight at Ger hostel with shower

Day 2: Drive to Yol Valley and hike

• Breakfast at Ger hostel
• Drive to Yoliin Am (Lammergeier Valley)
• Visit small museum about Gobi Gurvan Saikhan
• Hike to see ice gorge and nature
• Optional horse ride by request
• Overnight at local family

Day 3: Drive to Hongor Sand Dune and camel ride

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Khongoriin Els sand dunes
• Camel ride for one hour
• Overnight at ger hostel with shower

Day 4: Drive to Ongi Monastery via Flaming Cliffs

• Lunch at Bayanzag
• Drive to Saikhan Ovoo village
• Visit Ongiin Khiid monastery ruins
• Overnight at Mongolian ger hostel with shower

Day 5: Drive to Orkhon Valley waterfall

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Orkhon Valley waterfall
• Horse riding near waterfall
• Overnight at local family horseman accommodation

Day 6: Rest day at Orkhon Valley waterfall

• Rest and walk along river
• Horse riding
• Overnight at ger hostel without shower

Day 7: Drive to Khar Khorin historical sights

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Visit Erdene Zuu monastery
• Visit old capital ruins
• Overnight at ger hostel with shower

Day 8: Drive back to Ulaanbaatar and visit park

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Hugnu Khan National Park
• Visit Ovgon Monastery

The experience

The route starts with a long drive south to Tsagaan Suvraga, a 30 to 60 meter limestone formation in the Gobi that was once an ocean bed where visitors find marine fossils. From there you ride through the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains to Yoliin Am, a narrow gorge named after the Lammergeier vulture, where you hike to see an ice formation in the middle of the desert. A small museum at the valley entrance explains the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park before you enter.

The heart of the trip centers on two days of riding: a one-hour camel ride across Khongoriin Els, the largest sand dunes in Mongolia at 200 meters high and 12 kilometers wide, and multiple horseback rides through Orkhon Valley near a 20-meter waterfall. Day 6 is a rest day spent walking along the river and riding near the waterfall. Between the desert and the valley, you stop at Bayanzag (the Flaming Cliffs) and visit Ongi Monastery, built in 1760 on the ruins of one of Mongolia's largest monastery complexes.

The final days take you to Khar Khorin, where Erdene Zuu monastery stands on stones from the ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum, then back to Ulaanbaatar via Hugnu Khan National Park. Overnight stays rotate between local ger hostels with showers and family homes without them. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout, with meals served at local places and in the gers themselves.

What’s included

• Eight days of accommodation in local gers and family homes.
• all breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• horseback and camel riding.
• hiking in Yoliin Am gorge.
• entry to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park and visits to Ongi Monastery ruins, Erdene Zuu monastery and Hugnu Khan National Park.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup in Ulaanbaatar.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Danista Nomads Tour

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to cover Mongolia's major landscapes (desert, gorge, waterfall and monastery) in one trip with a guide steering the group through a set route, since the eight days of shared travel and long vehicle stretches between riding days let you see it all without splitting your time across multiple tours.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Yoliin Am and why do people visit it on this ride?

Yoliin Am is a deep, narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains named after the Lammergeier vulture. Visitors hike through it to see an ice formation that persists in the middle of the Gobi Desert, a rare sight in this landscape.

How many times do I ride horses or camels during the eight days?

You ride camels for one hour across Khongoriin Els sand dunes on day three. Horseback riding happens on day two in Yoliin Am by request, on day five near Orkhon Valley waterfall, and on day six as part of the rest day itinerary.

What are the overnight accommodations like on this tour?

Accommodations alternate between local ger hostels with showers and family homes without shower facilities. Each ger is a traditional Mongolian dwelling, and you stay with local families to experience everyday Mongolian life.

Does the tour include transportation from Ulaanbaatar?

Yes, hotel pickup in Ulaanbaatar is included. The tour involves long driving days between sites, particularly on day one to Tsagaan Suvraga, and the final return drive to Ulaanbaatar on day eight.

What is Erdene Zuu monastery and where does it fit in the itinerary?

Erdene Zuu monastery was built in 1585 in Khar Khorin using stones from the ruins of Karakorum, the ancient Mongol capital. You visit it on day seven, the second-to-last day of the tour.