Many say that Mongolian summer is the time when heaven settles on earth. True enough, from June till the end of August this ancient land of nomads is all about the sun, warmth and it really inspires one travel and experience the best of what Mongolia has to offer. GoGo Mongolia Travel will suggest various travel ideas & inspirations for avid travellers eager to discover Mongolia more in depth.
Here’s one for the adventurous to begin with, a 19-day horse trek in the fabled Darkhad Valley in the northern Mongolia. This epic ride is offered by Boojum Expeditions – the first US outfitter to offer tours in Mongolia; and this Darkhad Valley horse trek has been their most popular ride since 1994.
On horseback the riders cross through the vast Darkhad Valley in Huvsgul, visit the summer camp of the Tsaatan (Reindeer herders in the Taiga) and meet them, and take part in a local Naadam Festival – Mongolia’s ancient festival comprising wrestling, archery, horse racing, as well as lots of music and dances. Moreover, the riders will visit the Lake Huvsgul, so called the Mother Ocean by the locals and spend a leisure day by the Lake shore visiting a shaman/shamaness. Boojum’s rustic lodges in Huvsgul serve as basecamps for much of the riding. The nature scenery in the amazing Darkhad Valley is simply magical with snow-capped mountains, crystal clear waters and green valleys.
The tour brief itinerary is below:
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Day 2: Airport transfer for your flight to Muren. Drive to Ulaan Uul village. Overnight in tents
Day 3: This will be the first day of the horseback riding adventure through Darhad valley.
Day 4: Continue riding to the town of Renchinlhumbe in the Darhat Valley. Vehicle supported. Overnight Saridag Ger Camp. (Hot shower is available)
Day 5: All day watching Naadam. Stay overnight in Saridag Ger Camp.
Day 6: Ride (approximately 15 miles) through the Darhat Valley towards Hogrog. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Arrive at Hogrog, jumping off point to visit the Reindeer People. Overnight in tents.
Day 8-Day 10: Pack trip into the northern mountains to the summer camp of the Tsaatan (Reindeer people). Camp out with packhorse support.
Day 11: Free day at the Boojum Lodge at Shishgid/Tengis confluence.
Day 12: Ride half way to Renchinlhumbe. Overnight in tents.
Day 13: Short ride to Renchinlhumbe. Rest day. Ger camp. (Hot shower is available)
Day 14: Ride towards Jigleg pass. Uliin gol.Overnight in tents
Day 15: Arrive at Jigleg Pass located halfway up the western shore of the lake. Overnight in tents.
Day 16: Today you will have five hour boat ride on Lake Huvsgul to the ger camp.
Day 17: Return flight to UB. Farewell dinner. Hotel.
Day 18: Full day guided sightseeing in UB. Overnight in hotel.
Day 19: Airport transfer for your return flight home.
The 2015 tour dates with Naadam Festival are: June 28-July 16, and July 7-25, and the tour prices start from US$3180 (+internal air).
For more info & details about the horse trek above, please contact Boojum Expeditions Mongolia office at: +976-9911-5929 (English, Russian & Mongolian speaker), or you can email them at klmub@qwestoffice.net (contact persons are Anya & Emma).
Prepared by Zola, General Manager of Mongolian Tourism Association for GoGo Mongolia Travel. © All rights reserved 2015.
Photos: Boojum Expeditions Mongolia.
Many say that Mongolian summer is the time when heaven settles on earth. True enough, from June till the end of August this ancient land of nomads is all about the sun, warmth and it really inspires one travel and experience the best of what Mongolia has to offer. GoGo Mongolia Travel will suggest various travel ideas & inspirations for avid travellers eager to discover Mongolia more in depth.
Here’s one for the adventurous to begin with, a 19-day horse trek in the fabled Darkhad Valley in the northern Mongolia. This epic ride is offered by Boojum Expeditions – the first US outfitter to offer tours in Mongolia; and this Darkhad Valley horse trek has been their most popular ride since 1994.
On horseback the riders cross through the vast Darkhad Valley in Huvsgul, visit the summer camp of the Tsaatan (Reindeer herders in the Taiga) and meet them, and take part in a local Naadam Festival – Mongolia’s ancient festival comprising wrestling, archery, horse racing, as well as lots of music and dances. Moreover, the riders will visit the Lake Huvsgul, so called the Mother Ocean by the locals and spend a leisure day by the Lake shore visiting a shaman/shamaness. Boojum’s rustic lodges in Huvsgul serve as basecamps for much of the riding. The nature scenery in the amazing Darkhad Valley is simply magical with snow-capped mountains, crystal clear waters and green valleys.
The tour brief itinerary is below:
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Day 2: Airport transfer for your flight to Muren. Drive to Ulaan Uul village. Overnight in tents
Day 3: This will be the first day of the horseback riding adventure through Darhad valley.
Day 4: Continue riding to the town of Renchinlhumbe in the Darhat Valley. Vehicle supported. Overnight Saridag Ger Camp. (Hot shower is available)
Day 5: All day watching Naadam. Stay overnight in Saridag Ger Camp.
Day 6: Ride (approximately 15 miles) through the Darhat Valley towards Hogrog. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Arrive at Hogrog, jumping off point to visit the Reindeer People. Overnight in tents.
Day 8-Day 10: Pack trip into the northern mountains to the summer camp of the Tsaatan (Reindeer people). Camp out with packhorse support.
Day 11: Free day at the Boojum Lodge at Shishgid/Tengis confluence.
Day 12: Ride half way to Renchinlhumbe. Overnight in tents.
Day 13: Short ride to Renchinlhumbe. Rest day. Ger camp. (Hot shower is available)
Day 14: Ride towards Jigleg pass. Uliin gol.Overnight in tents
Day 15: Arrive at Jigleg Pass located halfway up the western shore of the lake. Overnight in tents.
Day 16: Today you will have five hour boat ride on Lake Huvsgul to the ger camp.
Day 17: Return flight to UB. Farewell dinner. Hotel.
Day 18: Full day guided sightseeing in UB. Overnight in hotel.
Day 19: Airport transfer for your return flight home.
The 2015 tour dates with Naadam Festival are: June 28-July 16, and July 7-25, and the tour prices start from US$3180 (+internal air).
For more info & details about the horse trek above, please contact Boojum Expeditions Mongolia office at: +976-9911-5929 (English, Russian & Mongolian speaker), or you can email them at klmub@qwestoffice.net (contact persons are Anya & Emma).
Prepared by Zola, General Manager of Mongolian Tourism Association for GoGo Mongolia Travel. © All rights reserved 2015.
Photos: Boojum Expeditions Mongolia.