Eight Lakes Horse Trek Group Ride
This 12-day horse trek adventure through the Khangai Mountains takes you across high alpine passes, into a remote volcanic lake region few travelers ever see. This isn’t just a group ride, it’s a journey into the Mongolian wilderness you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Riding experience required.
July 29 – August 9, 2026
July 29 – August 9, 2027
- Tour Type: Horse Riding
- Book Now (10 Spots Available)
- 3 Reviews
Trip Dates:
July 29 – August 9, 2026
July 29 – August 9, 2026
Book By:
April 29, 2026 (for 2026)
April 29, 2027 (for 2027)
Maximum Number of Participants: 10 Travelers
Minimum Number of Participants to Run*: 6 Travelers
Stay: Tent Camping, Camel Herder Family Homestay, Nomadic Family Homestay, Ger Camps, Hotels
Tour Type: Hiking, Adventure, Challenge
Included: English-speaking Mongolian Guide, Horse Guides, Horse Rental & Tack, Riding Helmets, Private Drivers, Meals, Accommodation, Tents, Airport Transfers
Price to Book: $2,000 USD/person
*This trip requires 6 or more participants to run. The deadline to book is April 29. If less than 6 travelers book by April 29, this group itinerary will not run and a full refund will be provided.
Some places can only be reached on horseback. The Eight Lakes region of central Mongolia is one of them. And that’s exactly the point.
A remote and rugged adventure for horse riders of all levels, this 12-day horse trek takes you deep into the Khangai Mountains. Past volcanic craters, across high alpine passes, and into the remote Huisiin Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes), spend your days traveling through this chain of crater lakes linked by underground rivers and surrounded by silence.
No roads reach here. No crowds follow. Just you, your horse, experienced local horsemen, and some of the most untouched landscape left in Central Asia.
This isn’t just a riding trip. Along the way, you’ll share meals with nomadic herder families, sleep under open skies in gers and tent camps, and experience a pace of life that has changed very little in centuries. You’ll wind down at natural hot springs after days in the saddle, and close the journey with a visit to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, before returning to Ulaanbaatar.
This horse trek is designed for people who want to do more than visit a country. It’s for those who want to move through it slowly, feel it fully, and leave with something that stays with them.
Highlights of this 12-day Eight Lakes Horse Trek group ride include:
- Horse trek through the Khangai Mountains, one of Mongolia’s most diverse and beautiful regions.
- Reach the remote Eight Lakes (Huisiin Naiman Nuur), accessible only by horse, foot, or pack animal.
- Ride across high passes, through volcanic landscapes, forested valleys, and open alpine meadows.
- Sleep in gers and tent camps, including nights with nomadic herder families.
- Experience the daily rhythms of steppe life – weather, animals, fire, food, and quiet.
- Visit Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon Waterfall), one of Mongolia’s most iconic natural landmarks.
- Recover and unwind in natural hot springs after days of trekking.
- Explore Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery, the historic heart of the Mongol Empire.
Table of Contents
12-day Itinerary: Eight Lakes Horse Trek Group Ride
Each day below outlines the plan, what’s happening, and where you’ll sleep.
Meals listed are covered in your tour price, which is breakfast, lunch, and dinner on most days, with a lighter schedule on arrival and departure.
Overnight listings reflect the type of accommodation for that night. This trip includes a mix of hotels, homestays, ger camps, and tent camping.
Some flexibility is built into the route. Weather, riding pace, and the needs of the group can occasionally shift the day’s plan slightly. Your guide will always brief you the evening before so you know what to expect.
Some other important things you can expect on this horseback riding tour include:
- There are 6 riding days included in this adventure. Riding time varies by day, typically 3 to 6 hours in the saddle with breaks should be expected. Some days are shorter to allow for exploration on foot.
- Terrain ranges from open meadow to forested trails, river crossings, rocky mountain passes, and volcanic lava fields. It is physically engaging and occasionally challenging, and completely rewarding.
- Before the trek begins, our local horsemen will spend time with you to help you get comfortable in the saddle before the trek begins.
- Accommodation is simple and shared: ger camps, tent camps, and nights with nomadic families. Expect basic comforts, not luxury.
- Weather in the Khangai Mountains can change quickly. Rain, wind, and cool temperatures are possible even in summer. You’ll need proper layering.
- This is a genuine wilderness experience. Mobile signal is limited or absent for much of the trek.
- A note on the saddles and shoes you need to wear: The saddles used on this group ride are what we call “Russian saddles.” They have a pillow on the seat and a bar on the front, like a horn. They are comfortable for long hours of riding, but appropriate riding footwear (flat sole, shin and ankle protection) is not recommended, it’s a must.
- Riding helmets will be provided and you are required to wear them.
Day 1 / July 29: Welcome to Mongolia
Your journey begins in Ulaanbaatar. Airport transfers are arranged for when you land in Mongolia at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Your airport transfer driver will transport you to your centrally located hotel near Sukhbaatar Square, where you’ll stay for the night.
Once you arrive in the city center, stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and absorb a bit of city life before the wilderness ahead.
In the evening, sit down with your guide for a welcome dinner and an honest briefing on what to expect from the horse trek experience ahead, including the terrain, the riding, the pace, and the people you’ll meet along the way.
You are welcome to travel to Mongolia before these travel dates to adjust to the jetlag, get acclimated to Ulaanbaatar, and just relax before the adventure ahead begins. Many people do!
- Stay: Central City Hotel near Sukhbaatar Square (Double Occupancy)
- Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 / July 30: From City to Steppe, Meet the Locals of the Mini Gobi
Leave Ulaanbaatar behind and head west toward the Mini Gobi, where sand dunes rise improbably out of open grassland. This unexpected landscape is your first real taste of Mongolia’s dramatic variety. Spend the afternoon on a camel ride across the dunes with a local herder family, then climb to the top of the dunes for sunset. The light at this hour is something else. Settle in for the night with your host family and enjoy a slow, unhurried evening in the desert.
- Stay: Camel Herder Family Homestay (Shared Ger Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 / July 31: Into the Mountains & Trek Preparation
After breakfast, drive from the Mini Gobi toward the eastern slopes of the Khangai Mountains. The landscape shifts gradually and open steppe gives way to forested valleys, volcanic rock formations, and cooler mountain air.
Arrive at a remote mountain eco camp near the Huisiin Naiman Nuur region in the afternoon.
This is where the horse trek adventure really begins. Meet your local horsemen, yak handlers, chef, and the support crew who will travel with you. Get introduced to your horse, go through a safety briefing, and walk through the basics of handling a Mongolian horse. These horses will definitely be different from the ones you’re used to riding back at home!
Spend the evening settling into the mountains.
- Stay: Mountain Eco Camp (Shared Ger Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 / August 1: First Ride to a Waterfall & Volcanic Crater
Saddle up. Today’s introductory ride takes you through lava rock terrain, forest edges, and alpine meadow toward a small waterfall tucked inside an ancient volcanic crater. It’s a beautiful, manageable first day designed to help you find your rhythm in the saddle and get a feel for the landscape.
Return to camp by early afternoon. The rest of the day is yours: rest, explore, or visit a nearby herder family to learn about traditional dairy production and life in the mountains.
- Stay: Mountain Eco Camp (Shared Ger Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 / August 2: Into the Eight Lakes & Shireet Lake
Today the horse trek journey moves into its heart.
After breakfast, supplies are loaded onto pack yaks and the trail climbs toward the Eight Lakes region. The ascent takes you across high mountain passes with sweeping views over volcanic valleys and forested ridges.
Pause for a picnic lunch at a scenic pass before descending to Shireet Lake. Set up camp on the northern shore as the afternoon light falls across the water. This is the kind of place that reminds you why you came.
- Stay: Tent Camp near Shireet Lake (Shared Tents)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 / August 3: The Heart of the Eight Lakes
Set off on a full riding day through the interconnected lakes of the Huisiin Naiman Nuur system.
Each lake (Khaliut, Bugat, Khayaa, Shanaa, Huisiin, Duroo, and Bayan) has its own character, its own color, its own atmosphere. They are linked underground, each one distinct above ground.
Lunch near Huisiin Lake, then continue riding through meadow and forest to the final lakes of the day. This is likely the most visually striking stretch of the entire trek.
- Stay: Ger Camp or Tent Camp (Shared; Weather Dependent)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 / August 4: High Passes, Valleys & Forest Landscapes
Cross the Khökh Pass and descend into the wide Tsagaan Azarga Valley.
Lunch is eaten picnic-style in nature. The afternoon route follows rivers, cuts through forest, and crosses volcanic terrain before arriving near the Boorog headwaters. Tonight you stay with a nomadic herder family and share food, warmth, and a ger far from the rest of the world.
- Stay: Nomadic Herder Family Homestay (Shared Ger Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 / August 5: Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall
The riding portion of your Mongolia horse trek comes to a close today at Ulaan Tsutgalan, also known as Orkhon Waterfall. This waterfall is one of the most striking natural landmarks in central Mongolia.
Walk the surrounding trails, watch the river carve through the valley, and take time to absorb where you’ve just been.
The afternoon is unhurried. Let your legs and your mind rest.
- Stay:Ger Camp or Lodge near Ulaan Tsutgalan (Shared Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 / August 6: Hot Springs & Rest
After several days in the saddle, today is yours to rest and relax into.
Drive to the natural mineral hot springs of the region and spend the day soaking, resting, and doing absolutely nothing that requires effort. Your body will thank you. This is a well-earned pause built deliberately into the journey.
- Stay: Ger Camp or Lodge near the Hot Springs (Shared Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 / August 7: Ancient Capital of Kharkhorin
Drive to Kharkhorin, an area that was once the beating heart of the largest contiguous land empire in history.
Visit the local museum for context on what this place once was, then walk through Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The monastery is built from the ruins of the old city itself, making it a place that isn’t to be missed.
Settle into a ger camp on the steppe for a quiet final night in the countryside.
- Stay: Ger Camp near Kharkhorin (Shared Ger Accommodation)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 / August 8: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Begin the overland journey back to the capital. Arrive by late afternoon and check back into your centrally located hotel.
Reenter civilization with a completely different relationship to city life than when you left it.
The evening is yours to spend at leisure.
- Stay: Central City Hotel near Chinggis Khaan Square (Double Occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 / August 9: Goodbye Mongolia
Book your flight to depart Mongolia today. We will arrange your private transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport to catch your international flight.
- Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All ground transportation during the trip, including support vehicles during the horse trek
- Certified English-speaking guide
- Full horse trekking support, including horses, horsemen, pack animals, private chef, and logistics during trekking days
- All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary, including:
- Central city hotels
- Nomadic homestays
- Ger camps and tent camping
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- All horseback riding activities and equipment required for the trek, including riding helmets
- Entrance fees to national parks, natural sites, and cultural landmarks listed in the itinerary
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Visa costs and fees
- Travel Insurance that covers medical evacuation and cost of participation (required)
- Personal expenses such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, optional activities, and meals which are not included in the trip itinerary
- Sleeping bags and pads are not included and should be brought from home
- Tips and additional gratuities
Visit our tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
Book Now
Join us for this special 12-day horseback riding adventure tour. This trip of a lifetime takes place April 29, 2026 and April 29, 2027.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, we will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
About Horse Riding in Mongolia (General Information)
Riding a Mongolian horse is not like riding anywhere else in the world. These animals are something altogether different, and if you come expecting the experience to feel like a guided trail ride, you’ll want to recalibrate before you arrive.
Mongolian Horses Are Semi-Wild
There are no fences in Mongolia. Mongolian horses spend most of their lives roaming free across open steppe and mountain terrain, returning to their herders each day but never truly tamed. This is intentional. Herders keep their horses in a semi-wild state so they retain the independence, toughness, and instincts needed to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth.
Mongolian horses are typically smaller than Western breeds, standing between 12 and 14 hands. But, what they lack in size, they more than make up for in endurance, sure-footedness, and sheer spirit. They know the land better than any map. They can navigate rocky mountain passes, river crossings, and volcanic terrain that would challenge a far larger animal. Nomadic herders have been trusting these horses with their lives for centuries, and that relationship is built on a kind of mutual respect rather than on control.
That spirit is part of what makes horse riding in Mongolia so extraordinary, but also part of what makes it genuinely challenging.
These horses can be spunky, unpredictable, and strong-willed. They respond to confidence and calm, not force. Trying to over-control a Mongolian horse often makes things worse. The local horsemen who travel with you on this trek have grown up with these animals, many of them riding since the age of three or four. Their guidance is part of your safety net, and listening to them matters.
Prior Riding Experience Is Required
We want to be direct about this: a single trail ride is not sufficient preparation for this trip. The Eight Lakes Horse Trek involves multiple days in the saddle, covering varied and sometimes demanding terrain, on horses that do not behave like riding school horses. You will be expected to manage your horse with some degree of independence, especially as the trail narrows, the terrain steepens, or your horse decides it has its own ideas about the route.
To get the most out of this experience (and to keep yourself and the group safe) we recommend arriving with at least a solid intermediate level of riding experience. That means you’re comfortable at a walk and trot without needing constant assistance, you can maintain a secure seat on uneven ground, and you have some sense of how to read and respond to a horse’s body language. Previous experience with horses that have a bit more character to them is a genuine advantage here.
If you’re unsure whether your experience level is a good match, reach out before booking. We’d rather help you find the right trip than have you arrive underprepared. And if you’re an experienced rider? You’re going to love every single day of this. Horse riding in Mongolia, at its best, is a partnership, and when that partnership clicks, there’s nothing quite like it anywhere in the world.
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