MONGOLIA EXPERIENCE

MONGOLIA

NOMADIC HORSE TREK AND NAADAM FESTIVAL

ULAANBAATAR
Ölgii
ALTAI TAVAN BOGD

9 nights

July 9 TO
July 18, 2026

Ride into Mongolia’s far west, where the roads disappear and the Altai takes over. You will cross remote river valleys near Tsagaan Gol, push deep into Altai Tavan Bogd, and camp under open skies with nothing but mountains around you. Then we switch gears for a full day at Ölgii Naadam, Mongolia’s legendary summer festival of the three games: archery, wrestling, and horse racing, loud, proud, and completely alive.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Horses & riding gear

Horse, saddle, and all riding equipment for the horse trek.

logistics

All ground transportation in Mongolia, plus full trip logistics and coordination.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ulg.

NAADAM FESTIVAL ACCESS

Full day at Ölgii Naadam, archery, wrestling, horse racing, and the real local atmosphere.

Accommodation

Hotel stays in Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii, plus wilderness camping during the horse trek.

Meals

All meals during the horse trek, plus selected meals in Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii.

thursday, JULY 9 → saturday, JULY 18, 2026

890 KWD

Excluding international flight

BOOK YOUR SPOT

The Ride

Where the map turns blank and the Altai mountains takes over. Four full riding days through wide valleys, cold rivers, and high mountain passes inside Altai Tavan Bogd. No shortcuts. Just you, the horse, and an endless horizon.

The people

You will feel Mongolia through its people, not just its landscapes. On the horse trek, we will camp near nomadic families, share tea by the fire, and witness daily life that still follows the rhythm of horses, weather, and land. In Ulgii, that same spirit rises into Naadam Festival, a full day of archery, wrestling, horse racing, music, and ceremony.

the landscape

Every day the landscape escalates. Tsagaan Gol and the White River valley, Black Valley, Bear Valley, Akh Su, then the final reveal at Khoton and Khurgan Lakes, blue water, sharp peaks, and an ever pure silence.

The skies

Night time is its own world out here. No city lights, no noise, simply a clean darkness that reveals the sky. You will sleep the way nomads do, some nights in a yurt, some in wilderness tents, and some in hotels to reset, all of it designed to keep you close to the land.

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

In Mongolia, the horse is part of the memory and tapestry of the land. It is in the stories. The horse carried families, herds, messages, and empires. Even today, in the Altai, you still feel that truth. The distances are wide, the land is open, and life is designed around movement.

A horse trek lets you enter West Mongolia the right way. You move through spaces that feel untouched, reach camps that cannot be experienced from the road, and watch the landscape shift hour by hour as the Altai rises around you. Your world becomes simple: ride, camp, eat, sleep, repeat. This simplicity is exactly what makes it powerful.

And the connection goes deeper than scenery. Horses are woven into Mongolian identity, into games, song, craft, and pride. It is one of the few countries on earth where horseback still feels like the most natural way to travel.

‘Naadam’ is Mongolia’s biggest summer celebration. Every July, the country gathers for the three games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery, a tradition tied to nomadic life on the steppe and recognized by UNESCO as a major living tradition of Mongolia.

Its roots go back centuries, shaped by the skills that mattered most in the grasslands: riding, strength, and precision. Over time it became the moment when communities come together in pride, ceremony, music, and color, with a national Naadam in Ulaanbaatar and local Naadams across provinces throughout July.

We experience Naadam in Bayan Ölgii, in the heart of Mongolia’s Altai. This is where the stands fill with local families, competitors arrive with real stakes, and the day feels less like an event and more like a community celebration. You will feel the culture from the inside, from nomadic camp life on the trek to the festival grounds in Ulgii, all in one continuous story.

Logistics

We are travelling to the Mongolian Altai, an extremely remote destination with limited flight connectivity. To make the journey smoother, we recommend breaking the trip with one overnight in a transit hub that offers direct flights to Mongolia.

The most practical hubs for this are Almaty, Istanbul, and Seoul, because they offer direct flights to Ulaanbaatar. An overnight in one of these cities before or after the Mongolia flight keeps schedules flexible and avoids tight same day connections.

The itinerary below is an example option we recommend, but it is not required. Guests may choose any flights that suit their preferences.

International flight

OURBOUND:

Air Arabia, Wednesday July 8
Depart 04:20 Kuwait (KWI)
Transit Sharjah (SHJ), connection 2h 50m
Arrive 15:00 Almaty (ALA)

Overnight in Almaty

Hunnu Air, Thursday July 9
Depart 14:15 Almaty (ALA) Terminal 2
Arrive 20:55 Ulaanbaatar (UBN)

RETURN:

Hunnu Air, Saturday July 18
Depart 11:40 Ulaanbaatar (UBN)
Arrive 12:40 Almaty (ALA)

Air Arabia, Saturday July 18
Depart 16:00 Almaty (ALA)
Transit Sharjah (SHJ), long connection 7h 30m
Arrive 03:40 Kuwait (KWI) on Sunday morning

Check Air Arabia Flight

Check Hunnu Air Flight

Transfers & Domastic flight

We will pick you up from Chinggis Khaan International Airport at any time on Day 1, and we will drop you back at the airport on Day 10 (July 18) based on your flight time. All transfers during the trip are included.

If you are extending your stay before or after the experience, airport transfers outside Day 1 and Day 10 are not included. We are happy to arrange this for you at an additional cost, or you can coordinate it directly with your hotel.

Day 1 – July 9, 2026

Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
Meet our team and drive into the city.
Free time to rest and reset after travel.
Welcome dinner and a short briefing, so we all know the rhythm of the journey.
Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2 – July 10, 2026

Ulaanbaatar – Ölgi

Flight: approximately 2 hours Accommodation: Guesthouse

Early Breakfast.
Morning flight to Mongolia’s far west, where the Altai horizon start to dominate the landscape.
Visit the local museum for a strong grounding in Kazakh culture, Altai history, and nomadic life.
Meet a local eagle hunter family and learn how the bond with the birds is built and maintained.
Free time in town for essentials, coffee, and local handicrafts.
Overnight in Ölgii.

Day 3 – July 11, 2026

Ölgii – Altai Tavan Bogd National Park – White River Valley

Drive time: 6 hours. Accommodation: Camping.

If the local Naadam schedule aligns, we will catch a glimpse of the festival energy before we leave town.
Overland drive into the Altai, moving from open steppe into a layered mountain country.
Arrive to the national park zone and set camp in the White River Valley, surrounded by wide skies and rising peaks.
Evening camp atmosphere in true wilderness, with a chance to connect with nearby nomadic families.
Overnight in tents.

Day 4 – July 12, 2026

White River Valley – Potanin Glacier – White River Valley

Horse Riding: 6 hours. Accommodation: Camping.

After breakfast, our horses arrive and we ride deeper into the valley, following the river as the mountains tighten around us.
The scenery turns fully alpine: braided glacial waters, wide meadows, and snowy ridgelines ahead.
Reach the Potanin Glacier viewpoint zone with the Tavan Bogd massif filling the horizon.
Return to camp for a slow evening under the Altai sky.
Overnight in tents.

Day 5 – July 13, 2026

White River Valley – Black Valley

Horse Riding: 5 – 6 hours. Accommodation: Camping.

We leave the White River corridor and climb towards higher ground.
Cross a mountain pass where the air changes, the views widen, and the terrain becomes more dramatic.
⁠We ride into the Black Valley zone, known for darker rock, sharper lines, and a more rugged feel.
Seeing wildlife is possible, especially marmots and birds of prey, if we are lucky! Let’s hold the vision.
Overnight in tents.

Day 6 – July 14, 2026

Black Valley – Bear Valley

Horse Riding: 6 hours. Accommodation: Camping.

Ride onward through remote valleys shaped by old glacial movement and fast mountain water.
The landscape opens and closes in waves: narrow sections, then sudden wide panoramas.
Arrive to Bear Valley, a big quiet basin that feels far from everything.
Wildlife is possible!
Overnight in tents.

Day 7 – July 15, 2026

Bear Valley – Tsagaan Gol Valley

Horse Riding: 4 – 5 hours. Drive: 2 – 3 hours. Accommodation: Camping.

Ride south along river lines and lake country, with long horizons and a softer light across the grasslands.
Reach Tsagaan Gol Valley where Kazakh nomads often spend their summer season.
Visit families and witness real daily life: milking, dairy making, embroidery, and the calm rhythm of the steppe.
Camp near the families with humility and respect, taking in how different communities live in the same mountains.
Overnight in tents.

Day 8 – July 16, 2026

Tsagaan Gol Valley – Ölgii

Drive: 6 hours. Accommodation: Hotel.

Drive back toward Ölgii with scenic stops as the Altai slowly takes us back to town life.
Pause at cultural heritage sites when accessible, such as deer stones or balbal stones along the route.
We will try to catch a sight at a throat singer, visiting for an intimate performance and conversation about Tuvan culture and sound.
Hot shower, local dinner, and a comfortable bed.
Overnight in Ölgii.

Day 9 – July 17, 2026

Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar

Flight: 2 hours. Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Morning flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
Rest and reset after the Altai wilderness.
City highlights based on timing, including Zaisan Hill viewpoint and Gandan Monastery.
Final group dinner to close the journey together.
Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 10 – July 18, 2026

Departure day

Breakfast at the hotel.
Airport transfer and departure.

DAY 1
Hotel

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 2
Guest House

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 3
Camping

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 4
Camping

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 5
Camping

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 6
Camping

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 7
Camping

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 8
Guest House

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

DAY 9
Hotel

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Food on this experience is simple, hearty, and designed for long days outdoors. In the cities you will eat at local restaurants, but once we enter the Altai it becomes camp style meals cooked fresh by our support team, usually a mix of Mongolian and Central Asian comfort food. Expect warming soups and stews, rice and noodle dishes, grilled meats, potatoes and vegetables; and lots of bread, tea, and snacks between rides. We keep it practical rather than fancy, focused on clean energy, warmth, and satisfaction after hours in the saddle, with safe drinking water provided throughout. If you have dietary restrictions, we can usually accommodate them with notice, but options in remote areas are naturally more limited than in Ulaanbaatar.

What is the accommodation like?

Accommodation on this experience shifts with the terrain and the story of the journey. In Ulaanbaatar, we stay in a comfortable hotel so everyone can arrive, rest, and reset before heading west. In Ölgii, we stay in a simple local guesthouse, giving us a clean base for supplies and cultural visits. Once we enter the Altai, the experience becomes truly wild, most nights are spent camping in our own tents in remote valleys and beside rivers; our support team sets up a practical camp rhythm around meals and rest. In some locations we may also stay in traditional Mongolian yurts, offering a warm and atmospheric way to experience the region; the core of the trek is camping under the open Altai sky.

This is a moderate to challenging adventure. You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need a steady mindset and basic fitness level for long outdoor days. The riding is not technical like advanced equestrian sports, yet it is sustained: multiple days in the saddle, changing weather, remote terrain, and simple camp living.

What makes this achievable for beginners?

With the right attitude, beginners can absolutely do this. The key is that this is a supported expedition, not a race.

Supported logistics: A local team handles camp setup, meals, and route decisions, so your job is to ride, recover, and enjoy the landscape.
Steady pace, not performance riding: We ride for distance and immersion, not speed. There is time to adapt to the horses and find your rhythm.
Flexible trail days: The route can be adjusted based on weather, river conditions, and group energy to keep things safe and realistic.

This is not about performing. It is about showing up, staying present, and letting the landscape do the work.

What can feel challenging?

This is still the Altai. The difficulty comes less from “skills” and more from endurance, conditions, and remoteness.

Long hours in the saddle: Riding 5 – 6 hours can bring soreness in hips, knees, lower back, and inner thighs, especially if you are new to multi-day riding.
Weather swings: Cold mornings, wind, sudden rain, and strong sun can all happen in the same week.
Remote comfort level: Most nights are in tents with basic washing routines and limited privacy. Simple living.
Altitude and big terrain: You may feel the effect of high valleys and passes, especially during hikes to viewpoints.

If that sounds intense, good. That is the point of an OX experience. Challenging, but absolutely doable with the right mindset.

Who this is for?

This trip is for people who want something raw rather than touristic, and who value nature and culture over comfort.

I can handle long active days outdoors.
I stay calm when things feel unfamiliar.
I can follow the guide’s advice and ride with the group.
I want an adventure, not a touristic trip.

Still unsure?

Tell us your concerns before you book. We will be direct about whether it fits you, and what to do now so you arrive confident.

SEND EMAIL

BOOK A CALL

All inclusive experience
No hidden costs on the ground

WHAT’S INCLUDED

2-night hotel accommodation.
5-night yurt and camping tent accommodation.
2-night guesthouse accommodation.
Domestic flights.
All activities on the itinerary.
All transportation in Mongolia.
Most meals across the trip.
Planning and Guides.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

International flights to Mongolia.
Travel insurance.
Tips for guides and drivers.
Personal expenses and snacks.
Any optional upgrades not listed in the itinerary.

wHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

Bags and luggage

Main bag, large backpack or duffle bag 50L – 70L, durable and weather resistant.
Small daypack, 20L – 30L, for water, snacks, camera, and layers.
No suitcases, your luggage travels across uneven terrain with pack horses

Sleep and cold protection

Sleeping bag rated to around 0°C.
Thermal base layers, top and bottom.
Warm mid layer, fleece or similar.
Insulated jacket for evenings and early mornings.
Warm hat and gloves.
Warm socks, ideally wool.

Riding and trail wear

Long pants or leggings that dry quickly, avoid jeans or shorts.
Padded riding layer, cycling padded shorts work well for long saddle da…
Rain jacket, for wind and sudden showers.
Ankle high hiking boots, for stirrups and rugged terrain.
Sandals or camp shoes for evenings.
Buff or neck gaiter, huge for wind and dust.
Riding gloves (optional), prevents blisters and protects from wind.
Helmet (optional), not common locally but you can bring one.

Essentials

Head torch, important around yurt camps after dark.
Water bottle.
Personal toiletries and wet wipes.
Personal medication and blister care.

Optional, and smart

Inflatable pillow.
Camera, or just rely on your phone. Our guide will also be documenting the experience.
Sunglasses and sunscreen, the sun at altitude can be much.
Lip balm, wind and sun crack lips fast.
Quick dry towel.

If you want to tailor the trip. After you apply, message your guide with what you want. We will confirm availability first, then send you a clear quote. Prices vary by season and hotel availability.

Extra nights in Ulaanbaatar before or after the main itinerary.

Ideal if you want more time to explore the capital, recover, or stay longer.

Private rooms in Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii subject to availability.

Final price is confirmed after we check the exact dates and room type with the hotel.

Private camping tent set up for you at each yurt camp during the horse trek.

This gives you personal space while still sharing meals and the group experience.

If you want something not listed, ask us. If it is available and fits the flow of the experience, we will confirm it in writing before you pay the additional costs.

If your nationality is not on Mongolia’s visa free tourism list, you can apply online for a Mongolia eVisa through the official portal Apply Here

If you need help, our guide will follow up to make sure everything is on track.

Passport validity

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months before entry.

It’s not required, yet strongly recommended. At minimum, your policy should cover medical expenses and accidents related to horseback riding. Vehicle transfer to Ölgii is possible, but it does not replace medical coverage.

Nights in the Altai can get cold even in summer. Expect warm days and chilly evenings, with temperatures potentially dropping close to freezing at night depending on altitude and weather. Bring proper layers.

In Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii you will have reliable electricity and usually good mobile coverage. During the trek, expect limited or no signal most days and little to no electricity. Bring a power bank and treat connectivity as a bonus, not a guarantee.

You ride with a small day bag only (water, jacket, snacks, camera). Your main duffel is transported by the support team using pack animals and or vehicles depending on the section, and it meets you at camp each night.

Most nights are in our own tents in wild valleys near rivers and mountain views. The camp is simple, organized, and supported with cooked meals and a clear daily rhythm. You should be comfortable with basic outdoor living and minimal facilities.

Tipping is optional, but appreciated, and it’s one of the most direct ways to thank the people who make the wilderness section run smoothly. If you choose to tip, we recommend doing it at the end of the trek as a group contribution and handing it to the lead guide to distribute fairly across the crew (guides, drivers, cooks, and horse handlers). We will advise you on an appropriate range on the trip based on group size and team roles.

Yes. Many people join solo. We run this as a small group experience, and solo travelers usually integrate quickly through shared camp life, meals, and the trail rhythm.

If you are unsure, email us or book a call with the guide. We are here for you.

Full Support, Real Adventure

PAY YOUR WAY

Lock in your spot with a deposit, then pay the rest in flexible installments before the trip. Simple, clear, and scheduled with you.

THE OX PROMISE

If you arrive with an open heart, we will deliver the kind of experience you will remember for life. And we are here for any questions or concerns with immediate care.