8-Day Horse Trekking in Mongolia’s 8-Lake Region: Orkhon Valley & Tövkhön Monastery
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—comfortable sitting and moving for several hours daily, able to mount/dismount independently
Overview
Ride through Orkhon Valley and the 8‑Lake area on an eight‑day horse trek that mixes volcanic highlands, forested monastery slopes, sand dunes, and nights with ger families. Expect long saddle days, home‑cooked meals, and an intimate look at Central Mongolia’s history and conservation efforts.
8-Day Horse Trekking in Mongolia’s 8-Lake Region: Orkhon Valley & Tövkhön Monastery
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The horses know the trails here better than most people; they pick their way across rippled meadows and the low, scabbed ridges left by long-ago lava. On the third morning of an eight‑day ride through Central Mongolia, the group spills out of a fold of grass onto a bowl of lakes—eight of them, quiet as old coins—each rimed by sedge and fed by streams that dare you to taste how cold they are.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring a small daypack
Keep essentials—water, sunscreen, camera, light layers—in a daypack you can wear during rides; luggage travels separately on pack horses.
Hydrate early and often
The dry steppe and long riding days dehydrate quickly—carry 2–3 liters and sip regularly, not just when thirsty.
Ride to your skill level
Be honest about your riding experience—inform guides so they can match you with a horse and pace the ride appropriately.
Protect your electronics
Dust and sudden showers are common; use waterproof cases or dry bags for cameras and phones.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Przewalski’s (takhi) horse—seen in Hustai National Park
- Steppe marmot and various migratory waterfowl
History
The Orkhon Valley served as the political and cultural axis of the Mongol Empire; nearby Karakorum and Erdene Zuu recall the region’s 13th‑century prominence.
Conservation
Hustai National Park’s rewilding of the takhi is a conservation success; visitors are asked to keep distances from wildlife and limit campfire impact on fragile steppe soils.
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Recommended Gear
Riding or ankle‑support boots
Slim‑soled boots fit stirrups better and protect ankles during long days in the saddle.
Hydration bladder or 1–2L bottles
Keeps water accessible during multi‑hour rides across remote terrain.
summer specific
Light rain shell and insulating midlayer
Weather swings quickly in the Khangai—waterproof outerwear and a warm midlayer are musts.
spring specific
Dry bags for gear and electronics
Protects clothing and cameras from dust and sudden rain during camp and transit.