FAQ
Who will be leading our Mongolia adventure, and what criteria do you use to select the guide?
Our Mongolia expeditions are led by experienced bilingual guides who combine deep cultural knowledge, wilderness expertise, and a genuine passion for sharing the culture and hospitality.
We select each guide through a rigorous process that includes:
Local Roots & Cultural Fluency: Raised in or around the regions we explore, steppe, desert, or mountain, so they speak the language of the land and its people.
Communication Skills: Fluent in English (and often additional languages) with the ability to vividly share history and local knowledge, ensuring you connect with every landscape, legend, and tradition.
Personality & Leadership: Outgoing, adaptable, and resourceful: able to read the group’s energy, solve unexpected challenges, and turn every moment into an authentic, engaging experience.
Field Experience: Years of guiding in Mongolia’s diverse environments, plus hands-on expertise in horsemanship, navigation, and wildlife tracking.
This blend of local insight, technical know-how, and genuine warmth guarantees a safe, enriching, and unforgettable journey across Mongolia.
What can I expect on a Mongolia riding adventure?
First and foremost, it is a lot of fun, and you will enjoy the trip. These are true wilderness trips requiring self-sufficiency. We camp out at night in tents, and our local team prepares meals over propane or wood fires. Stream water serves as the bathhouse, and sanitation is managed using discreet, designated natural latrines. We have over two decades of experience equipping remote expeditions, and we prioritize your safety, warmth, and nourishment; however, the reality of wilderness travel is that you could encounter periods of cold or physical discomfort. It is important that you speak with a trip leader or our office staff.
Some itineraries feature daily vehicle support; others rely strictly on pack horses for complete self-sufficiency. The experience can be likened to a trek through the Rocky Mountains two centuries ago: few modern roads, no fences, and a life lived in harmony with the land. For 7-9 days, expect to spend 4-6 hours daily in the saddle, moving between walking and trotting, with opportunities to canter when the terrain is suitable. During the rides and between the rides, you will enjoy plenty of opportunities to interact with locals, enjoy the landscape, people, explore, fish, or just relax. Please consult our gear list to ensure you are equipped with all necessary personal items.
Why choose horseback travel for your Mongolia adventure?
Experiencing Mongolia on horseback builds a bridge of understanding and respect between travelers and nomads by sharing their lifelong passion for horses. Riding alongside with herders and local wranglers creates an immediate bond, inviting you into their daily traditions, rhythms, and knowledge of the steppe.
Traveling by horse through the vast open landscapes grants an unrivaled sense of freedom and direct participation in the environment. It showcases the authentic daily routine of nomadic life, from sunrise herd movements to evening activities, all set against Mongolia’s raw beauty. For our travelers, the evening is spent relaxing and sharing stories around the campfire. This shared love of horses and wilderness is the foundation of our authentic riding journeys.
What riding background should I have to join your Mongolia adventures?
Our Mongolia trips welcome both seasoned equestrians and fit, eager beginners. We carefully match each rider with a horse that suits their skill level and encourage you to ride at your own comfort and pace.
These journeys aren’t nose-to-tail trail rides. You’ll choose when to walk, trot, or canter so you arrive at camp on your terms.
While basic riding experience is helpful, many first-timers succeed after completing a short riding course or showing proficiency in active, rustic wilderness travel. Above all, we look for riders who:
- Feel at ease around horses
- Are excited to spend days in the saddle
- Have some prior riding or wilderness travel experience
- Bring a positive, adventurous attitude
If you meet these criteria and love the idea of camping under Mongolia’s open skies, you’ll thrive on our horseback adventures.
Do I need a visa for Mongolia?
Many countries are visa-exempt, including the US. Visa rules vary by country.
Is Mongolia good for adventure travelers?
Absolutely! Mongolia is one of the last great frontiers for adventure travelers. It is perfect for classic activities like horse trekking, off-road 4x4 expeditions, and camping across untouched landscapes.
We specialize in focused adventure styles that maximize cultural immersion and active exploration at a comfortable pace: multi-day horse expeditions across the steppe, overland in the Gobi Desert, hunting with an eagle, cultural stays in the Altai Mountains, and deep wilderness exploration of the Khovsgol Taiga. Mongolia offers unparalleled freedom for true wilderness exploration.
Which tours do you offer?
We specialize in expeditions across Mongolia's most iconic regions, including the vast steppe of Arkhangai, the forested homeland of Khentii, the great Gobi Desert, the pristine Lake Khovsgol, and the high-alpine Bayan-Olgii (Altai Mountains).
Our standard itineraries feature diverse activities such as horse trekking, camel riding, high-altitude hiking, and cultural immersion with local nomadic families and eagle hunters.
We also specialize in crafting custom and private tours tailored entirely to your interests, schedule, and preferred pace, whether you wish to focus on photography, history, or a specific level of adventure.
Is Mongolia friendly to Americans?
Yes, Mongolia is widely considered very friendly and welcoming to all international guests, including Americans. Mongolian people are renowned for their deep, traditional sense of hospitality, rooted in their nomadic culture where welcoming travelers is a long-held custom.
Is it safe to visit Mongolia right now?
Yes, Mongolia is consistently ranked as one of the safest destinations in Asia for tourists.
Your primary safety concerns, similar to travel elsewhere, involve typical urban precautions: securing your valuables. When traveling in the countryside, the challenges are generally environmental (weather changes, long distances between services). We ensure all expeditions are equipped for these environments.
Do you offer customized tours?
Yes, custom and private tours are one of our specialties. We design tailor-made itineraries that perfectly match your schedule and interests.
As we are a direct operator, running all our trips ourselves (unlike agencies that sell you a trip and then pass you to a completely different company in Mongolia), we ensure full control over quality, logistics, and value. Our staff in the U.S. and in Mongolia work together to ensure a practical, well-designed itinerary.
You will be introduced to your dedicated Mongolian guide before your arrival. This provides a crucial opportunity to directly discuss itinerary details and your specific interests with the person leading your journey. You can begin planning your bespoke tour on our Custom Trips Page.
How can I book a tour?
To book, please submit our online inquiry form to begin. This is not a commitment - it's the first step in a personal consultation. Our team will promptly review your enquiry and all your initial ideas, reaching out to you to:
- Answer any and all questions you may have about the regions, activities, and logistics.
- Help you define and refine your interests to ensure you find the perfect trip that meets your style, budget, and schedule. Confirm details and prepare your reservation when you are ready to book.
What is the Naadam Festival experience like?
The Naadam Festival is Mongolia’s largest cultural event, celebrating the 'Three Manly Games': horse racing, wrestling, and archery.
Naadam is celebrated across the entire country. While the main festival occurs in Ulaanbaatar every July 11th to 13th, we focus on the local, small town Naadam festivals in the countryside. These smaller events offer a highly authentic and intimate cultural experience, allowing you to celebrate directly alongside local herders and townspeople.
Will I get to meet local nomadic families?
Yes! This is one of the most memorable parts of trekking in Mongolia.
Throughout your journey, we will have opportunities to visit families in their gers (traditional felt dwellings), be welcomed with legendary Mongolian hospitality, share food, and experience the nomadic traditions firsthand. It’s amazing how you can stop any random family along the way and immediately experience that hospitality.
How much riding is involved?
On our horse trekking trips, you will ride an average of 4-6 hours daily (covering approximately 20 miles) during the main trek days. Horses are matched to your riding skill, ensuring both your safety and enjoyment. A support vehicle is always available nearby, should you require a break from riding or a lift for any part of the journey.
What is the price and what does it cover?
Your trip cost is all-inclusive, covering virtually everything you'll need once you arrive. This ensures a seamless and worry-free experience!
Coverage includes: all meals, in-country transport, professional guides, activities, accommodations (hotels/ger camps/tents), and the full support team.
The price for our trips varies based on the duration of the journey and the included activities. Please check the specific trip page for the price.
What is Arkhangai famous for?
Arkhangai is widely considered the heartland of Mongolia's natural beauty and nomadic culture. It is famous for:
Horseback Culture: It is the ideal place to experience the traditional Mongolian horseback culture across the vast, rolling steppes of the Khangai Mountains.
Diverse Nature: The region boasts various scenery, beautifully combining rolling steppes, river valleys, and forest mountains.
Welcoming Nomadic Families: It offers abundant opportunities to visit nomadic families in their gers, sharing food and experiencing their traditions of day-to-day life and activities.
Is Kharkhorin worth visiting?
Absolutely! Kharkhorin is an essential stop and is highly worth visiting for its rich historical and cultural significance.
It is famous for:
Ancient History: It served as Karakorum (Kharkhorum), the magnificent 13th-century capital of the great Mongol Empire under Chinggis' grandson, Ogedei Khan.
Cultural Sites: It is home to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, featuring spectacular architecture and religious art.
Scenic Location: It offers a beautiful, easily accessible location near the Orkhon River Valley, providing a great starting point for exploring the region.
How long is this trip?
The duration of our trips varies based on the specific adventure and region you choose ranging from 8 to 19 days.
Shorter Journeys: Many of our dedicated regional treks and cultural festival tours are around 8 to 11 days long.
Longer Expeditions: Our comprehensive trips and multiple-region tours run for 11 to 19 days.
Is horseback riding safe for beginners?
Yes! We prioritize safety and enjoyment for riders of all experience levels.
We also believe attitude is as important as skill. If you are comfortable around horses and prepared for riding for several hours a day and wilderness camping, you will do great! Our horses are carefully chosen for their calm temperament and experience on the trekking. Your daily riding pace is adjusted to your comfort and ability, ensuring you enjoy the scenery and the ride. You will be accompanied by experienced wranglers and guides who are trained to assist beginners and manage the herd. Helmets are always recommended adding a layer of safety and sun protection.
What’s special about the Khentii Mountains?
(People also commonly ask: what is the significance of Khentii?)
Khentii is a province in Mongolia's eastern frontier, primarily known as the birthplace and ancestral home of Chinggis Khan. Khentii provides opportunities for raw and remote outdoor exploration. Activities include hiking, horse trekking through the forests and mountains, and fishing in its clear rivers.
Traveling to Khentii is easy due to its proximity to the capital, but it provides a significantly quieter, more isolated experience once you arrive. The region sees fewer tourists, allowing for greater immersion into undisturbed wilderness adventure.
What is a Ger Camp?
What are ger camps like?
A ger camp is the Mongolian equivalent of a motel in function, offering paid lodging along a route, but it is generally structured like a resort or serviced lodging. Because they are typically situated in scenic rural areas, ger camps often provide cultural experiences and attentive service.
Who are the Tsaatan (Reindeer) People?
The Tsaatan are one world’s last remaining reindeer-herding tribes,living in the remote taiga forests near the Siberian border in Khuvsgul Province. They maintain an ancient way of life revolving entirely around their reindeer and living in teepees.
Their highly mobile lifestyle is dictated by the need to find lichen for their reindeer in the deep forest. Visiting them offers a unique cultural insight into a lifestyle preserved from modernization.
What kind of landscapes will I see?
Mongolia presents a diverse topography, changing radically across its regions. You will experience much of this diversity on your trip due to simple logistics. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is located in central Mongolia, with mountainous landscapes and valleys, and in any direction you head, you will see the steppe. The central region is dominated by the Steppe, characterized by vast, gently rolling grasslands that define the iconic Mongolian image. This landscape is one of uninterrupted horizon and sky. It is the primary grazing land, where you will observe the traditional nomadic life of scattered gers and large, free-roaming herds of horses and livestock.
The Gobi is not uniformly sandy but is a region of stark geological diversity and rare species of wildlife. Examples include deep and narrow canyons of Yolyn Am with lush greenery, sand formations of the Khongoryn Els (Singing Dunes), rock formations of the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag), extensive areas of hard-packed gravel and arid shrubland, and granite rock formations like Baga Gazriin Chuluu that rise abruptly from the flat steppe.
Are there rest days on the itinerary?
Yes. Our goal is not only to reach the destination but also to ensure you enjoy the journey along the way.
We design the schedule with a sustainable pace, ensuring you have time to recharge and fully experience your surroundings without rushing. This includes built-in half-day activities to allow you to comfortably adjust to the daily pace, as well as longer stays at comfortable camps and lodges. Throughout the itinerary, you will have ample time for personal leisure such as reading, light hiking, or simply relaxing.
What is the cleanest lake in Mongolia?
Lake Khovsgol (or Hovsgol), is considered the cleanest and most pristine lake in the country, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and natural surroundings. This exceptional purity is due to its ancient geology as a deep rift lake and formations where the surrounding mountains and forests naturally filter the water. Furthermore, its remote location and centuries of minimal and sustainable human impact from nomadic herders preserve the lake's clean water quality.
What are the interesting facts about Khuvsgul Lake?
Lake Khovsgol (or Khuvsgul) is one of the world's clearest and deepest alpine lakes. Its water is so pure it is considered potable without treatment and serves as the main water source for local herders.
The lake sits at an altitude of approximately 1,645 meters (5,397 feet), surrounded by the peaks of the Khoridol Saridag Mountains and the Siberian Taiga. It is rich in biodiversity, supporting various species of fish, including several endemic to the lake, and is a stopover for numerous migratory birds.
During summer, the area supports activities such as kayaking, hiking, and camping. In winter, the frozen lake hosts the annual Ice Festival, featuring traditional sled races and ice art.
What makes the Gobi Desert unique compared to other deserts?
(People also often ask: Why is the Gobi Desert so special? / What is the Gobi famous for?)
The Gobi stands apart from typical sandy deserts like the Sahara in several key ways. It is not entirely sand, featuring a diverse landscape of rocky canyons and red cliffs (like the Flaming Cliffs), alongside its iconic dunes. It is world-renowned as a paleontological goldmine for its rich dinosaur fossil sites, including the discovery of dinosaur eggs. Furthermore, the Gobi supports a resilient nomadic culture with families herding livestock, including the famous two-humped Bactrian camels, and provides a habitable environment for rare wildlife like the Gobi bear (Mazaalai), wild ass, and Argali, big horn sheep.
Are there cultural encounters on this journey?
Yes! Your journey is designed for a deep cultural experience, which even includes opportunities to visit nomadic families and see their livelihood, day-to-day activities, and share food.
It’s amazing how you can stop any random family along the way and immediately experience the legendary nomadic hospitality. When trips coincide with festive events such as the Naadam Festival or even local weddings, it is incredible to see the traditions, activities, and celebrations firsthand. Truly, every day of the trip is an experience of the traditions and culture through meeting and communicating with the local people.
Can you visit the Gobi Desert?
(And is the Gobi Desert hot or cold?)
The Gobi Desert is open and even welcoming tourists to explore its unique landscapes and wildlife. The desert has a continental climate: it can be hot during the summer months, ranging 80F to 100F during summer days; but cold in the winter, ranging between 0F and 20F. Because the air is dry (not humid), the weather is bearable and comfortable whether in summer or winter with appropriate attire.
What is Bayan-Olgii known for?
Bayan-Olgii is Mongolia's westernmost province, bordering Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. It is primarily known for its high-altitude landscapes, including the Altai Mountains, its predominantly Kazakh population, and its ancient tradition of hunting with Golden Eagles. It is the most culturally distinct region in all of Mongolia.
What is the Eagle Festival in Mongolia?
When is the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia 2026?
The Eagle Festival, also called the Golden Eagle Festival, is an annual, two-day cultural event held in Bayan-Olgii province.
It is a celebration of the Kazakh tradition of hunting with Eagles, where skilled hunters compete by demonstrating their eagles' training and responsiveness to commands, their hunting skills, and traditional games/sports. It is The Rodeo of Raptors.
The Golden Eagle Festival dates are October 3-4, 2026.
Can I go eagle hunting in Mongolia?
Yes. You can join the hunter with the eagle to wild game spotting. This offers a highly authentic and respectful cultural encounter where you can watch the hunter interact with their bird, their bond and training and practices, and hold the eagle on your arm. Usually, such trips include staying with the master of the eagle and his family and joining them on their hunts.
What is the largest bird of prey in Mongolia?
The Golden Eagle is the largest eagle in Mongolia, with a wingspan of up to 8 ft. Because of their sheer size and weight, they are selected and trained as hunters, setting them apart from other common hunters such as falcons and hawks. Female eagles are specifically chosen because they are inherently larger and stronger than the males.
Their size and weight not only allow them to hunt bigger prey, but their endurance is also critical. They are able to operate effectively in the harsh, sub-zero winter environment of the Altai Mountains, flying for extended periods and carrying the weight of their kill back to the hunter. The eagles are trained to kill the prey cleanly, often by breaking the neck or spine, to preserve the valuable fur and avoid tearing the animal up.
Where can I see the golden eagle?
Where is the best place to see a golden eagle?
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a majestic raptor found across the Northern Hemisphere, which includes vast mountainous and open habitats in North America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. For a true up close and personal encounter, the best place is Western Mongolia, specifically the Bayan-Olgii Province in the Altai Mountains. This region is where the ancient tradition of hunting with eagles thrives. Visitors here can meet a Berkutchi (Eagle Hunter) and his family, witness the special bond between eagle and its master, and even attend the annual Golden Eagle Festival in late September or early October for a spectacular display of skill and tradition.
Are entrance fees and permits included?
Yes. All entrance fees, permits, and required government fees for national parks, monasteries, and cultural sites are covered in your total trip cost. This ensures a seamless and worry-free experience once your journey begins!