Train Like a Mongol Warrior During this 6-Day Mounted Archery Trip
Learn how to ride and shoot traditional Mongolian mounted archery during this 6-day trip. Dates in July and August 2024.
- February 11, 2024
Highlights of this 6-day mounted archery training includes:
- Professional training and instruction on how to ride Mongolia’s semi-wild horses properly.
- Demonstrations and hands-on learning to master the technical skills required to shoot traditional Mongolian mounted archery.
- Once the above is mastered, you’ll combine the two skills and begin shooting at targets while horseback.
- Eat, sleep, and live like a Mongol warrior. You’ll camp and spend your days at the training site, just like in the days of Genghis Khan.
- All equipment including Mongolian bows, quivers, arrows, and the use of trained horses is included in this authentic and immersive experience.
Table of Contents
Mounted archery has a long tradition in Mongolia. First used as a way to hunt and protect herds, we’ve all heard the legends of how Genghis Khan used this type of weaponry to build the world’s largest contiguous land empire.
Almost lost during the Manchurian and Soviet periods, traditional Mongolian mounted archery is seeing a resurgence today.
During this 6-day experience you’ll have the chance to train with the locals bringing back this historical sport.
Alongside a dedicated team of local mounted archers, you’ll learn how to shoot traditional Mongolian mounted archery. With a Mongolian bow and arrows in hand, you’ll be given the skills you need to mount a Mongolian horse and shoot at targets galloping full speed.
When your training days with the local team come to end, the goal is to have you comfortable riding, shooting, and hitting targets in the bullseye.
The dates for these small group traditional Mongolian mounted archery training camps are:
- Wednesday, July 24 – Monday, July 29, 2024
- Wednesday, August 7 – Monday, August 12
These training camps are limited to 8 people and spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
This trip starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city. This itinerary also includes one day exploring Ulaanbaatar and getting to know the locals who live here during a home and ger workshop visit.
What's Included
- All airport transfers.
- A private driver and all transportation costs during the trip dates.
- Support crew that includes a local guide/translator and a local team of professional and experienced mounted archers.
- All accommodation during the trip dates including a hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Please note this itinerary includes camping.
- All equipment, including bows, quivers, and arrows, needed for your training.
- Local Mongolian horses trained for this type of riding with full tack. (You will need to bring your own riding boots that include shin protection and helmet, these are not provided.)
- Most meals* (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as outlined on the trip itinerary.
*Please let us know of any dietary restrictions before booking.
What's Not Included
- 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.
- • A sleeping bag and sleeping pad are required for this trip. These items will not be provided. If you would like to rent a sleeping bag and sleeping pad for the trip, the cost is $40 USD.
- Horseback riding helmets and appropriate footwear that includes shin protection are required to participate in this trip. Helmets and riding boots will not be provided.
- Tips and additional gratuities.
Visit our tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
The price to book this Traditional Mongolian Mounted Archery Training Camp is $1,600 USD per person*.
Book Now
Join me and learn how to shoot traditional Mongolian bows horseback as you gallop full speed across the steppe.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, I will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
The Itinerary for This Traditional Mongolian Mounted Archery Trip
This 6-day itinerary is fast-paced and full of adventure. Here’s what to expect during this experiential trip worthy of any bucket list.
Meals included are indicated below as breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D).
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
You’ll need to be in Ulaanbaatar no later than today. We’ll have a Welcome Dinner tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll take off bright and early so your training can begin.
Meals: D
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar City Tour + Family Visit
Your first full day in Mongolia will begin with an introduction to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s often misunderstood capital city. After lunch we’ll spend the afternoon with a local family in the ger district where you’ll learn how to make Mongolian cheese from fresh local diary. We’ll also meet up with a local ger-maker who will show us how these nomadic homes are made.
Meals: B/L
Day 3: Meet the Archers
This morning we’ll leave the pavement of Ulaanbaatar behind as we head to the Mongolian countryside. Arriving, you’ll meet the archers and the horses and jump right into your first day of training. You’ll train on the ground to get your skills in order before mounting up.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 4: Master the Basics
Today your training continues. By this time, you should have the movements committed to muscle memory, which means it’s time to mount up.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 5: Activate Warrior Mode!
Now that you have the skills to go full warrior mode, it’s time to put on a show! In the afternoon you’ll say goodbye to the team and head back to Ulaanbaatar where you’ll have one more night to enjoy the city at leisure.
Meals: B/L
Day 6: Depart Ulaanbaatar
It’s time to take your tired, happy, and full-filled soul home. We’ll make sure you get to Chinggis Khaan International Airport in time to make your departing flight.
Meals: B
Add These Experiences onto This Trip:
- 7-Day Women’s Retreat in Northern Mongolia – starts August 11, right after the second training camp ends.
Is this mounted archery experience right for me?
Do you consider yourself one of the following? (Please be brutally honest with yourself.)
- An active and adventurous traveler who loves the outdoors, learning new things, and is always open to new experiences.
- Someone who avoids touristic things in search of authentic experiences.
- A confident horse rider.
- The kind of person who loves a challenge.
- Someone who is interested in learning about traditional Mongolian culture by jumping right into it.
- A traveler who never joins group tours (yuck!) because they don’t feel they are experiential enough.
- The kind of person who fully embraces the unfamiliar and is ready and open to having the adventure of a lifetime.
If you agree with the statements above, this experience is for you.
This trip requires a medium to high level of physicality as well as horse riding experience. No prior archery experience is necessary.
You should be comfortable around, and riding, horses to join this trip. You don’t need to be a super equestrian to be a part of this experience, the team can help train you, but you should be familiar and comfortable in this fast-paced setting. Safety is priority. Horse riding is a dangerous sport and if the team leader deems it unsafe for you to participate in any part of the training, we ask that you respect this decision. See the section on Mongolian horses below for more information on this.
This mounted archery training camp is geared towards active, curious travelers who are open to learning a new skill while experiencing a unique side of Mongolia.
This experience includes outhouse and pit toilets, long days outside, shared camping accomodation, and living without running water or electricity. The menu will also include traditional Mongolian dishes, which means meat and dairy heavy meals. Please let me know if you have any dietary restrictions ahead of time.
About Mongolian Horses and What to Pack
You should be comfortable around horses to join this tour.
You don’t need to be a super equestrian to be a part of this experience, the team can help train you, but you should be familiar with the basics. If you are unfamiliar with the basics, please take at least six private riding lessons at home before joining this trip.
Why do I require you have basic riding knowledge before joining this trip?
Mongolian horses are semi-wild, that means they are always on alert and can take off at any moment. While they look short in statue, don’t let them fool you. It’s their stamina and tenacity that helped Genghis Khan take over one-third of the world.
Mongolian horses can get the best of anyone – even the most experienced rider. That’s why I require you have at least basic experience riding a horse. The team can help train and refine your riding style when you’re here. Just keep in mind that the more time they have to spend getting you comfortable on a horse, the less time they’ll have to teach you in the basics of mounted archery.
For this trip you will need to pack these items:
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Horse riding boots that cover your ankles and shins (this is important!)
- Horse riding helmet (required)
- Warm clothes
The price to book this Traditional Mongolian Mounted Archery Training Camp is $1,600 USD per person*.
Book Now
Join me and learn how to shoot traditional Mongolian bows horseback as you gallop full speed across the steppe.
To book your spot, please complete the Google form linked below. Once received, I will reach out with everything you’ll need to complete your booking.
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