Horseback riding in Terelj National Park near Ulaanbaatar

Ride across Mongolia's open steppe and into nomadic life

Horseback riding tour through Terelj National Park near Ulaanbaatar, where you spend a full day in the saddle across mountain valleys and grasslands, visit a traditional Mongolian nomadic family, and see Aryabal Temple's 108 steps. A live guide in your choice of language leads the route. Hotel pickup and lunch are included. Children from age 6 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Terelj National Park and Aryabal Temple

• Visit Terelj National Park
• Horseback riding and trekking
• Photograph mountain vistas
• Visit Mongolian nomadic family
• Savor authentic cuisine
• Climb 108 steps to Aryabal Temple

The experience

You start from your Ulaanbaatar hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and ride out to Terelj National Park, roughly an hour away. Once there, you mount up and spend the day traversing open landscapes and mountain vistas on horseback: the core of the experience. The guide sets the pace and leads you through the terrain. You're not navigating alone. Along the way, you stop at a traditional Mongolian nomadic family's camp, where you eat an authentic meal (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options available) and see how herding families actually live. Bring at least a moderate level of fitness: horseback riding uses muscles differently than walking, and the terrain is uneven.

Aryabal Temple sits on a mountainside within the park, reached by climbing 108 steps. The temple is dedicated to Aryabal, a Buddhist deity believed to listen to prayers and release suffering. It's one of the park's most visited spots, and the guide will explain its significance as you approach. Photography is woven into the day: the open valleys and mountain ridges give plenty of moments to capture, and trekking on foot between rides breaks up the saddle time.

The full day runs nine to eleven hours depending on the route and your group's pace. You'll carry one liter of bottled water per person. The vehicle returns you to your hotel by evening. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, French, German or several other languages. Confirm yours when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• horseback riding through the park's valleys and grasslands.
• visit to a traditional Mongolian nomadic family with authentic lunch (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options available).
• Aryabal Temple access.
• one liter of bottled water per person.
• live guide in English, Spanish, French, German or other languages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 70 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Eventour

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Ulaanbaatar without a car or renting one for the day doesn't appeal to you. The hotel pickup means you ride straight from your accommodation into the park, and the guide handles the route so you focus on the saddle and the landscape.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Korean, Japanese and Hungarian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Can I ride horseback if I've never done it before?

Yes. The guide leads the route and sets a pace suitable for mixed experience levels. You need at least moderate fitness because riding uses your core and legs differently than walking, but first-time riders join these tours regularly. Children from age 6 can participate.

What is Aryabal Temple and why does it have 108 steps?

Aryabal Temple sits on a mountainside in Terelj and is dedicated to Aryabal, a Buddhist deity believed to listen to prayers and release human suffering. The 108 steps leading to it hold spiritual significance in Buddhist tradition and make it one of the park's most recognizable landmarks.

What happens at the nomadic family visit?

You stop at a traditional Mongolian herding family's camp, where you eat an authentic meal prepared by the family and see how they live with their livestock. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal versions of the meal are available. Let the operator know your preference when booking.

How long is the horseback riding portion of the day?

The full tour runs nine to eleven hours from hotel pickup to return, with horseback riding as the main activity throughout. The exact duration depends on your group's pace and the specific route the guide takes through the park.

Is hotel pickup included, and do I need to arrange my own transport to the park?

Hotel pickup from Ulaanbaatar is included in the price. The air-conditioned vehicle collects you in the morning and returns you in the evening, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to reach Terelj National Park.