Following an incredible journey across the Mongolian steppe with our riders last year, we are thrilled to reopen bookings for the Eight Lakes Expedition in 2027.
Written by Tereza
Dates: 27th June to 6th July 2027
Price: €2,725 per person
To book your spot, a 20% deposit is required. The remaining balance needs to be paid no later than 8 weeks before the trip starts.
Required riding experience: Strong intermediate to advanced riders only (confident at all gaits in wide open spaces, capable on varied terrain, and fit for 5–7 hours per day in the saddle). Maximum of 8 riders per group.
Check our booking page for all dates! For questions feel free to email tereza@hoovesaroundtheworld.com or fill out the booking form and she'll contact you.
What’s Included:
Native horses and all riding gear, Bactrian camel ride in the Mini Gobi, Professional local riding guides, Mobile expedition chef, Pack yaks and handlers for wilderness trail sections, All accommodation (traditional gers, guesthouses, and wild camping tents), All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 10 dinner, National Park entrance fees, monastery tours, and hot springs access, Airport transfers 24 hours prior to and following the trip
Excluded: Flights, Travel insurance (mandatory, covering riding in remote locations), Hotel stays in Ulaanbaatar before or after the tour dates, Tips, Alcoholic beverages and personal snacks, Personal riding apparel, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad
Our trips are built around the legendary native Mongolian horses. While compact in size, these animals possess incredible stamina and navigate challenging terrain with ease. They are forward-going, sure-footed, and at their happiest galloping across open valleys.
Expect long days in the saddle—typically between five and seven hours—covering 20 to 30 km daily. There are plenty of opportunities to move through all gaits when the terrain allows. Because much of the route traverses vast, unfenced landscapes, you must feel completely comfortable managing your horse independently in open environments.
Accommodation is a mix of authentic ger stays and wild wilderness camping:
Gers (Yurts): Shared between four or five riders, these traditional felt dwellings are colourful, comfortable, and kept warm by central wood-burning stoves.
Wild Camping: Spent under some of the clearest, star-filled skies on Earth. Tents are provided (shared between two riders), but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
Our mobile expedition chef, alongside local nomadic families, prepares hearty meals every day. Traditional Mongolian cuisine features local meats and dairy, but we fully accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and specific dietary needs—ensuring everyone stays well-fed throughout the trail. Please let me know beforehand!
Life on the trail operates outside strict schedules. We ride, rest, and gather for meals according to the flow of the day and the terrain ahead. Settle into the rhythm of the steppe, leave your watch behind, and embrace the slow, natural pace of life.
The terrain on this journey is exceptionally varied, taking you from exhilarating gallops across open grasslands to technical forest trails, volcanic stone fields, and steep mountain passes reaching up to 2,400 metres in elevation. While this expedition is designed for experienced riders, individual comfort levels on the trail can still vary. Where terrain permits, our team can divide the group into smaller pods, giving those craving an energetic canter the freedom to let their horses run, while allowing others to take in the dramatic scenery at a more relaxed, unhurried pace.
As you ride deeper into the wilderness, you will experience complete isolation, travelling through regions so remote that it is entirely possible to go a full day without encountering another person. Once we leave our support vehicles behind at the trail's edge, the trek transitions into a fully self-sufficient expedition, where a local family accompanies us with pack yaks to transport our camping gear, equipment, and provisions along narrow, winding paths. After long days in the saddle, you can look forward to unwinding in natural geothermal hot springs and embarking on a wildlife safari in Hustai National Park to track wild Przewalski horses (Takhi).
Ulaanbaatar ➔ Mini Gobi (Camel Ride) ➔ Kharakhorin ➔ Orkhon Valley ➔ Eight Lakes (Pack Yaks) ➔ Hot Springs ➔ Hustai National Park
When packing for the trail, simplicity and functionality are key. Temperatures in Mongolia can shift rapidly, with warm daytime highs reaching up to 30°C quickly giving way to cool night temperatures near 5°C. To stay comfortable throughout the day, bring high-quality moisture-wicking layers, warm fleece jackets, and durable waterproof outer gear. For sleeping arrangements, a proper four-season sleeping bag and a comfortable camping air mattress are essential for wild camping nights and to ensure extra warmth inside traditional gers.
To keep your belongings protected while on the move, pack your clothes and essentials into waterproof dry bags before placing them in your main kit bag, as this keeps everything completely dry during yak transport through the nature reserve.
Ready to ride across the wild landscapes of Mongolia in 2027? Contact me via tereza@hoovesaroundtheworld.com. I'll be happy to answer all your questions!
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