8-Day Orkhon Valley Nomadic Homestay and Horseback Tour
Immerse in Mongolian nomadic culture by horse trekking through the beautiful Orkhon Valley during this 8-day Mongolia tour. Live with nomadic families, bond with semi-wild Mongolian horses, and experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riding out July 13 – 20, 2025.
Highlights of this 8-day Orkhon Valley nomadic homestay and horseback tour include:
- Experience the beauty of Central Mongolia’s Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Completely immerse with the nomadic herders that make Mongolia one of the last wild places to visit in the world.
- Jump right into nomadic life, helping each family with chores, cooking with mom, herding in the goats, and sleeping in yurts (you’ll learn that we call them gers).
- Get to know more about Mongolia’s semi-wild horses by heading out on a 3-day horse trek, staying with nomadic families or wild tent camping along the way.
- Finish the trip where sand meets the steppe in Elsen Tsarkhai, Mongolia’s Mini Gobi.
- Eat local Mongolian food like buuz and khuushuur and wash it down with our famous milk tea.
Table of Contents
It never gets old living and spending time with Mongolia’s nomadic herders. Especially in a place as beautiful as the Orkhon Valley.
Join me as I ride out with a small group of travelers July 13 – 20, 2025 on my first group tour to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During this adventure tour we’ll get to know a horse herding family before saddling up and setting off on their steeds.
We’ll live totally off-grid on this trip, just like the locals do. Without running water, electricity, and without internet service. This trip is the perfect excuse to disconnect from your devices and reconnect with the world around you.
We’ll share yurts and tents, eat and drink alongside friendly locals, and have the ultimate cultural experience. You never know what can (and will!) happen in Mongolia. That’s one of the amazing things about letting go and being present here.
This is the kind of trip that changes you at your core. See a different side of the world you didn’t know existed and meet the people who have lived this way for centuries.
The Itinerary for this 8-Day Orkhon Valley Nomadic Homestay and Horseback Tour
To join this tour, you’ll need to land in Ulaanbaatar on or before July 13, 2025. You can book your departing flight for July 20 or after. We will return to Ulaanbaatar the evening before (July 19).
When traveling to Mongolia, most visitors choose to land in Ulaanbaatar a few days before their itinerary begins. This helps with jetlag and getting acclimated to being 4,432 ft above sea level. If you choose to do this, there are plenty of things to do in Ulaanbaatar.
The first day of the itinerary is meant to give you time to explore Ulaanbaatar at leisure and do any preparations you need to before our big adventure. You can go shopping at the Black Market, exchange cash off of Travel Street, or walk through the Chinggis Khaan Museum.
On the evening of July 13 we’ll kick off our time together with a welcome dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. After that, it’s officially adventure time!
Below I’ve broken down the day-to-day itinerary for this Central Mongolia 8-day Orkhon Valley experience. Please read through the details carefully and thoroughly.
Meals included in this tour are indicated as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D).
Day 1 / July 13, 2025: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Today you’ll land in Ulaanbaatar and get your first glimpses into life in Mongolia. You’ll have the day to rest, exchange money, visit the museums and markets, and explore at will. In the evening we’ll all meet for a welcome dinner before you melt into your hotel bed for the night.
- Welcome Dinner
Meals: D; Overnight: Best Western Premier Tuushin (or Similar)
Day 2 / July 14: Adventure time! Off to Orkhon Valley
Getting an early start on the day, we’ll leave Ulaanbaatar around 8 am to reach our nomadic family hosts in Central Mongolia by the evening. Along the way:
- Admire the breathtaking scenery of the Mongolian countryside as you drive to the Orkhon Valley.
- Enjoy a local lunch.
- Meet your horse herder family.
Meals: B/L/D; Overnight: Nomadic Homestay
Accommodation Notes: Throughout this trip we will be staying with local nomadic families or wild tent camping. When we stay with families, some will have separate gers for us to sleep in, while others may not. A sleeping bag and sleeping pad are required for this trip. You should also plan that there will be no running water, electricity, and that all toilets will be pit-style.
Day 3 / July 15: Saddle up and hit the Steppe!
Waking up with the warm summer sun, our day will start by helping the family with their morning chores. After breakfast we’ll saddle up and start our horseback journey. Depending on where nomadic families are this time of year, we’ll either stay with another nomadic family this evening or tent camp.
- Start our 3-day horse trek and get used to our semi-wild steeds.
- Soak in the immense beauty and remoteness of the Orkhon Valley as you ride through it.
- See why Mongolia is famous for its Dark Skies – you’ll be able to see the Milky Way with your naked eye out here!
Meals: B/L/D; Overnight: Tent Camping OR Nomadic Homestay
Day 4 / July 16: Horse Trek Day 2
Today is a pure riding day. We’ll cover as much ground as we can while everyone gets used to riding Mongol style.
We’ll stick together as a group and make frequent stops throughout the day to rest and take in the little wonders of the valley.
- Have questions about what to expect on this trip? Read this quick guide on horse riding in Mongolia →
Meals: B/L/D; Overnight: Tent Camping OR Nomadic Homestay
Day 5 / July 17: Horse Trek Day 3
Our last day of horse trekking will be a bittersweet one. To end this part of our adventure, we’ll celebrate with a traditional Mongolian feast and cold beers.
- Finish the horse trek and let your steeds free so they can graze.
- Experience a traditional Mongolian feast!
- Sit under the stars and appreciate your last night living like a nomad.
Meals: B/L/D; Overnight: Nomadic Homestay
Day 6 / July 18: Walk in Genghis Khan's Footsteps in Kharkhorin Ancient City
With nomadic life now a part of us, it’s time to get cultured and understand Mongolian history a little deeper. We’ll say goodbye to our nomadic hosts and head towards Kharkhorin, the ancient capital city of Genghis Khan.
After exploring this deeply sacred city, we’ll continue east to the area we call the Mini Gobi. Here you can enjoy a hot shower, delicious meal, and comfortable bed in the evening. You’ve earned it.
- Walk through history at Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest monastery.
- Visit the small but well curated Kharkhorin Museum.
- Spend the evening near the Elsen Tsarkhai “Mini Gobi” dunes.
Meals: B/L/D; Overnight: Khogo Khan Mountain Camp or Similar
Day 7 / July 19: Ulaanbaatar or Bust!
After a quiet morning enjoying the view of the sprawling dunes ahead, it’s time to head back to Ulaanbaatar. We’ll reach the city in the late afternoon and have the evening at leisure.
- Reach Ulaanbaatar and spend the night in a 4-star hotel in the city center.
Meals: B/L; Overnight: Best Western Premier Tuushin (or Similar)
Day 8 / July 20: Goodbye Mongolia
You can book your flight home for today. We’ll arrange an airport transfer and say, see you again soon, because this won’t be goodbye forever.
Meals: B
Additional days and experiences can be added to this itinerary.
What's Included
- All airport transfers.
- A private driver and all transportation costs during the trip dates.
- Support crew that includes a licensed local guide and translator, along with Breanna as your host.
- All accommodation during the trip dates.
- All activities listed on the itinerary, including everything needed during the 3-day horse trek (saddles, tack, helmets, meals, tents).
- 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 and should be brought from home. If you would like to rent a sleeping bag and sleeping pad for the trip, the cost is $40 USD.
- Tips and additional gratuities.
Visit our tour cancellation policy page if you have any additional questions.
Book Now
The price to book this 8-Day Orkhon Valley Nomadic Homestay and Horseback Tour is $2,800 USD per person.
Highlights of this trip include:
- 3 days of horseback riding in Orkhon Valley with local horse guides.
- Living and authentically engaging with nomadic families.
- Eating like a local – get a taste of buuz, khuushuur, tsuivan, suutei tsai, and more.
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.
Is this trip right for me?
If you are considering booking this 8-day Mongolia tour, please consider the items below.
- Are you adaptable in unexpected situations?
- You won’t be able to shower for 5 days, are you okay with that?
- There may be times when you need to share a tent or sleep on the ground in a yurt (ger).
- We will give you a brief on how to ride a Mongolian horse, but you should have some basic riding experience. If you aren’t comfortable around horses, this trip isn’t for you.
- There will not be cell phone service where we are heading.
Look, I do my best to make sure everyone is prepared for this experience. I speak to everyone who is interested in signing up to make sure this is the trip that’s right for you.
But, Mongolia is a place where things don’t always go smoothly. Please just trust that our company and myself have been doing this for a long time. We are prepared for these situations. We carry GPS SOS systems on us all times in case of emergency and we have backup plans A, B, C… down to X, Y, Z made.
It’s our number one priority that you have a safe and memorable experience.
What do I need to pack for this Mongolia trip?
After you book, I will send you a Welcome Packet with a more robust packing list. However, it’s important to know you will need these items for this trip.
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Water filter/hydration bladder
- Appropriate riding attire (long pants, flat shoes)
If you would like to bring your own horse riding helmet you are welcome to. Otherwise, helmets will be provided and must be worn at all times.
We will pack everything with us on horses. You will be limited to one duffle bag or hiking backpack during the horse trek days.
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