There are many treks available from our site near the village of Zuunmod, outside Bogdkhan Uul Strictly Protected Area. The park is 410 square kilometers (160 square miles) of mountain range, forest, and grasslands.

Riders on the trail in Bogd Khan Strictly Protected Area (aka "the park").

Manzushir Monastery

Do all of the riding in the Bogd Khan Uul 1-day trip (above), plus visit Manzushir Monastery. Set in the beautiful tree-lined valleys of the Bogdkhan Uul National Park, this monastery, first established in 1733, once boasted 20 temples and over 300 monks.  The monastery was a center of learning in Mongolia, including schools of medicine, astrology and philosophy. Like most monasteries in Mongolia it was destroyed in the Stalinist purges of the 1930s.  The only remaining temple has been restored and made into a museum. The museum includes religious paintings (“tanka”), Buddhist relics, and musical instruments. Also on the grounds are a bronze cauldron dating back to 1726, ruins of the original monastery, and some Buddhist paintings above the temple. It’s worth the climb up just for the view down the gorgeous valley. 

Day 1: Ride through the beautiful forested areas of Bogd Khan Uul Strictly Protected Area. Camp in the National Park.

Day 2: Explore the monastery at leisure. Have lunch. Return to camp in the late afternoon, relax and enjoy a hot meal. Return to Ulaanbaatar.

Manzushir Khiid Monastery

Bogd Khan Uul, Manzushir Khiid and Zaisan Memorial

This three day trek includes everything in the 2-day trek (above), plus you'll see Zaisan Memorial. This is a Russian-built memorial built to commemorate unknown soldiers and heroes from various wars.  This is a unique way to visit the memorial, which overlooks the city of Ulaanbaatar. Most tourists have to trudge up hundreds of steps – you’ll arrive on horseback! Next to the memorial stands a beautiful and enormous golden Buddha statue, erected in 2005.  After you've had a good look around we'll head back up to Bogdkhan Uul and find a spot to camp for the night.  From there we'll make our way back to the Stepperiders site in Tuv Aimag. 

Day 1: Ride through the beautiful forested areas of Bogd Khan Uul Strictly Protected Area. Camp in the National Park.

Day 2: Explore the monastery and museum. Ride up the Bogdkhan Uul Mountain (2212m) and camp for the night. Camp in the National Park.

Day 3: Ride to Zaisan Memorial and enjoy fantastic views of the city. Return to Ulaanbaatar in the evening

Campsite on 3-day trek.

If you have the time and an adventurous spirit, we can design a custom trek for you up to 7 days on horseback. About 50% of our customers design their own custom trek with us. They tell us what their interests are, and we map out a route that matches their desires. Depending on the route, the weather, your experience level, time of year, and happenstance, you might get any of the following:

• Hours of riding across the great wide open steppe that makes Mongolia famous, with no fences to hinder your progress
• Beautiful views from mountain tops with no sign of the modern world in sight, in any direction
• Ride to the peak of Bogd Khan mountain, a sacred mountain and impressive at over 2200 meters.
• Invitations by passing herders to stop in for tea and a chat. This is almost inevitable and can be one of your most memorable experiences.
• Catch a glimpse of wildlife such as the wild sheep and wild goat, marmot. Above your heads watch for many different kinds of birds. Keep an eye out for the kite, eagle, and vulture.
• Pass large herds of animals tended by one or two people, often children on horseback.
• Stop by our friend's ranch about 2 day's ride south of Stepperiders. They own 400 animals. You can pitch your tent on their property and stay as long as you like. Help with making cheeses, yoghurt, and cream. Help round up the animals and milk them. Card cashmere from a cashmere goat.

Riders on the Mongolian steppe.

Kharkhorum* is located on the open steppe on the right bank of the Orkhon River in central Mongolia. Kharkhorum was founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan as a military center. The name means black stones or black walls. Here you can explore the ruins of an ancient kingdom's capital which included an artist quarter, market and palace.
Arhangai Province is one of the most beautiful provinces in Mongolia with large mountains, valleys, small lakes, rivers, and forests..
You will set out from Mendee's (owner) in-laws and extended family's ger camp. This is an opportunity to see Mongolian countryside life up close. You will be able to see how Mongolians manage large herds of animals and how they depend on their animals and animal products for every facet of their lives.
Your trek through stunning Arhangai province will be designed for your schedule and desires.  Just let us know what you want and need and we will do our best to make it happen! 

Day 1: (optional) Drive to and tour Hustai Nuruu National Park. Camp near the horse park.

Day 2: (optional) Drive to and explore Kharkhorum ruins. Camp near the ancient city.

Day 3:  Arrive in Arhangai province. Spend the day with Stepperiders' Mongolian family and their animals, and stay the night.

Day 4 plus:  Head out on a trek customized to your schedule and interests. Camp under the stars.

Last day:  We will bring you back to either Stepperiders base camp or Ulaanbataar.

*Will be visited by car on route to Arhangai.

 Rider and her horse, taking a well-deserve break.