Khentii Ride - Eastern Mongolia Horse Ride
Description
We fell in love with Khentii as riders, and it's as riders that we present to you our 'horsiest' horse trek. This is the one for you if you fancy cantering through endless meadows, strewn with exguisite wild flowers, and truly savouring the fitness, dexterity and brilliance of the native horses you are riding. It's the fastest ride we offer with a purity of intent; to thrill and attract discerning horse men and women. Mongolian horses are now the stars of the show in numerous high profile equine events and adventures in Mongolia, and they would be global superstars of the endurance scene if it were legal to export them, but alas, you must travel here to ride them. If you are considering putting your hat in the ring for one of these challenges, this is the ride for you. Come and have a dress reherseal, and see how they ride, and how you fare over a multi-day in a remote and at times unforgiving landscape.
The team Morindoo have ten plus years experience sourcing the horses for the Mongol derby and we work with many families who supply horses for the race, so the calibre of horses you will be riding will match. These aren't "tourist" horses...
Many a horse trek offered by Morindoo and others will take you deep into remote country where only horses and yaks can access it, and it's rare to get out of a walk, strenuous as that is at times. The beauty of this ride if the balance of open country and varied terrain in Khentii province.
You will have vehicle access and support every day, keeping the herd moving fast and light, but this sacrifices nothing in terms of scenery, and even history. This is truly hallowed turf you are riding on; Chinggis Khaan was born, made Khaan, and is said to be buried here, and you'll get to absorb these stories as we ride; camp and eat together for the week.
The sense of cultural immersion, disconnection from modern distractions and irrelevant concerns, and proximity with natural rhythms and phenomena is no less profound because thi is a 'real riders' tour. We are confident that you will come away with as romantic and heartfelt a love of Mongolia and it's sparkly horses, beautiful land and resourceful, warm people as any other trekking client. You'll just be having more of your spiritual moments at the canter.
THE TOUR IN BRIEF - TRIP SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES
The whole ride fits in a week, and we meet the horses after just a few hours in the support vehicles, riding east towards Khentii over the mighty Kherlen river. It's a relatively long day's drive home, but we consider this vital processing time. The riding days are long, but not strenuous, and the food on this trip is sublime so you will feel weary but never exhausted.
The trip has the true luxuries of Mongolia in abundance; crystal clear lakes to swim in; great canopies of stars to rest under; beautiful camp locations with rivers gurgling and the horses staked out nearby and grazing contentedly; fantastic meals conjured up by our brilliant cook and crew enjoyed hot in the open air and sundowners round a roaring camp fire; your world moving with you each day, so all you need to focus on is the view between your horse's ears.
If you book with us you'll get a comprehensive kit list and pre-travel advice, and all the necessary administrative support to get you to Mongolia hassle-free. If you have more time we can recommend a number of bolt-ons or additional trips or design you something completely bespoke.
YOUR ADVENTURE SUMMARY
From UB it;s just a couple of hour's drive to the mighty Chinggis Khaan equestrian statue. We'll meet our horses and the rest of our team in the shadow of this amazing structure which dominates the Terelj Valley. Since much of the ride follows in his footsteps, it seems appropriate to face east, as he does on his own horse, immortalised in steel, towards the land of his birth, and follow his lead!
Each day we'll ride between 30 and 50kms, with one notable day of 60kms where we must cross the flowing waters of the Kherlen river. We will herd along a few remounts for the party so that the horsepower gets to stay fresh, and you can switch horses and try a different mount should you choose to. Most people fall in love with their steed in the first half an hour and take some prising off again...
The terrain starts off relatively fast and flat, then into wooded hills and pristine river valley. Once across the Kherlen River, we are in Khentii Province, home to the rugged and spectacular Khentii mountain range, and with it countless precious species such as musk deer, brown bea, wolf, elk, lynk and moose.
On the great lakes, Khukh Nuur and Khangal Nuur, great flocks of elegant gather and take to flight. Priceless medicinal herbs grow out of the earth as you canter over them. Wild berries abound at the end of the summer. It makes for truly sublime camping, this land of plenty. Khukh nuur where Chinggis Khaan became Khaan; leader of all of the tribes of the Mongols and the first man to unite them, in 1206.
Our epic journey east will comprise great river valleys, beautiful rolling hills and wooded passes, inviting flats and dizzying climbs. The calibre of your team and easy access to the support crew throughout make the inherent risks of inclement weather and the need to be flexible a great deal easier.
In seven days we aim to reach the beautiful and significant Baldan Bereeven monastery, taking in key historical and cultural sites, and seeing this beautiful land like herders do, from a horse.
We'll collect you and deliver you to the Holiday Inn. Twin rooms unless specified. If you are in before noon we'll offer you a city tour in the afternoon. In the evening we'll enjoy a traditional concert, and a group dinner at our favorite local restaurant.
Day 2 - August 3rd - The ride begins!:Breakfast at the Holiday Inn. We'll hit the road straight after breakfast and head out towards the Equestrian Statue. Meet the horses in the valley below and get acquainted with the rest of the Morindoo team, equine and human! We'll match you up with your horses and spend time checking all your tack and equipment is comfortable. Once everyone is saddled and happy, the ride begins! It's a relatively easy 30kms today, and a good opportunity to enjoy a few pipe-opening canters on your sturdy new partner.
You'll carve through the valleys today, a relativley benigh 30kms through stunning countryside, past wooded hills and following a life - giving and pristine river valley. You'll start to see the tree cover which is the hallmark of the Khan Khentii protected region. A beautiful mountain camp awaits.
Today will be the longest riding day, as we cross the mighty Kherlen River, which divides Khentii province from Tov (central), the province which houses the capital Ulaanbaatar. We'll set off at a good early hour and send one of the vans ahead to check the river crossing is suitable for the horses. All being well we can ford it and continue to head due east to a riverside camp we have scouted especially for you. This is a 60kms day, you will earn your dinner, but feel a great sense of achievement and respect for the strength and stamina of your horse.
A slower and quite hilly stretch today, rewarding you with another beautiful lakeside camp, Khukh Nuur, where Temuujin was crowned Chinggis Khaan in 1206. The pristine water will look inviting and be rather bracing if you decide to take a dip. Perhaps you can persuade your mount in with you! It's around a 40kms ride, and a chance to marvel at the horses climbing ability and dexterity on mixed terrain. A chance for a history lesson too, with some important monuments in the area.
Day 6 - August 7th - Khangal Nuur:Around 35kms to cover today as we ride through some iconic Khentii territory towards Khangal Nuur (Lake). River valleys teeming with herds of horses, goats, sheep and cattle; wooded passes strewn with sacred ovoos, prayer flags fluttering, green lush pastureland and carpets of wild flowers.
Today we say farewell to the horses and their wranglers. Our destination for the night is a very historic Buddhist Monastery, Baldan Bereeven, established in 1654 by a pupil of the great Zanabazar, Tsevendorj. At its peak in the 1800s over 8000 monks trained and studied here. Like many of the great Buddhist sacred sites, it was completely razed by Communists during the Stalinist purges, and many of its monks were executed, or forcibly laicized and sent to labour camps. Precious relics were melted down for the Soviet war effort. Today, three temples, stupas and religious edifices are visible. It's a beautiful, humbling and spiritual site and we'll make a final Morindoo Camp in the shadow of the temples.
This will be a big drive, some 250kms and the first 60 of which off road. We'll start with a princely breakfast as only Morindoo can offer, and thank the gods of earth, sky and tarmac when we hit the black stuff after around 3 hours at Omnodelger. From here it's an easy 3 hour drive in to the city. We'll be home for tea time, a rest and re-set, and one final dinner out together. Twin room in the Holiday Inn, Ulaanbaatar unless specified.
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
Mongol Derby 2016 Delivery Run
