Khustai & Terelj Parks Tour: Wild Horses & Nomadic Life

Track wild horses across the steppe, then ride and hike through mountain valleys with a nomadic family.

This 3-day tour from Ulaanbaatar combines Khustai and Terelj National Parks with stays in traditional gers and time with a local herding family. You search for Przewalski's horses (takhi) in Khustai, ride horseback through Terelj's mountain scenery, visit Turtle Rock and Aryabal Meditation Temple, and hike to views over the national park. A live guide in English, Korean or Japanese leads the group. Pickup from Ulaanbaatar is included, and children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar to Khustai National Park

• Depart Ulaanbaatar in morning
• Visit Khustai National Park museum
• Drive into park to spot wild horses
• Optional short winter hike
• Enjoy picnic or hot lunch at camp

Day 2: Khustai to Terelj National Park

• Breakfast at guesthouse
• Drive to Tsonjin Boldog
• Visit Chingis Khan complex
• Photograph eagles outside complex
• Visit local herder family
• Horse ride for about 1 hour
• Dinner at Terelj Camp

Day 3: Terelj National Park to Ulaanbaatar

• Hike up Aryabal Meditation Temple
• Stop at Turtle Rock for exploration
• Return to Ulaanbaatar

The experience

The tour starts with a morning departure from Ulaanbaatar toward Khustai National Park. You'll visit the park information center to learn about the Przewalski's horse reintroduction project, then drive into the steppe to search for takhi roaming freely across the grassland, along with red deer and foxes. The timing of wildlife sightings depends on animal movement and weather. After lunch at a family ger or the camp area, you'll stay overnight in a traditional shared ger with 2 to 3 beds.

Day two takes you across the steppe toward Tsonjin Boldog, a 4-hour drive, to visit Chingis Khan's complex and photograph the golden eagle statue outside. From there you continue to Terelj National Park, where you'll meet a local herder family, go horseback riding for about an hour, and sleep another night in a ger. The landscape shifts from open steppe to dramatic mountain scenery framed by rock formations and forested valleys.

On the final day, you hike up to Aryabal Meditation Temple: a steep but short climb rewarded by views across the entire national park. You'll also stop at Turtle Rock, an impressive formation shaped like its namesake, where you can explore and climb for a wider perspective over the valley. The tour ends with a return to Ulaanbaatar.

What’s included

• Pickup from Ulaanbaatar.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Korean or Japanese.
• two nights in traditional shared gers with 2 to 3 beds each.
• meals throughout the three days.
• entry to Khustai National Park and Terelj National Park.
• a visit to Chingis Khan's complex.
• about one hour of horseback riding with a local herder family.
• and hikes to Aryabal Meditation Temple and Turtle Rock.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (19 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Japanese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 32 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arvai tour

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Korean or Japanese, so book the language that matches your group. The relaxed 3-day pace lets you spend real time in each park (searching for wild horses, riding with a nomadic family, and hiking to high viewpoints) rather than rushing through highlights in a single afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Korean and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What are Przewalski's horses and where do I see them on this tour?

Przewalski's horses, known locally as takhi, are wild horses native to Mongolia that were hunted to extinction in the wild and then reintroduced to Khustai National Park. On day one, you drive into the park to search for them roaming freely across the steppe grassland, along with red deer and foxes. The exact timing depends on where the animals are that day and the weather.

Do I need riding experience for the horseback riding in Terelj?

The tour includes about an hour of horseback riding on day two with a local herder family in Terelj National Park. The operator notes the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and children from age 5 are welcome, so prior riding experience is not required.

What is a ger and what are the sleeping arrangements like?

A ger is a traditional Mongolian circular tent dwelling. On this tour you'll stay in shared gers with 2 to 3 beds each on nights one and two, giving you an authentic experience of nomadic accommodation while you're in the national parks.

How long is the hike to Aryabal Meditation Temple?

Aryabal Meditation Temple sits on a steep but short hike on the final morning. The climb rewards you with views across Terelj National Park, and you'll also have time to explore Turtle Rock, an impressive rock formation shaped like a turtle, before returning to Ulaanbaatar.