2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions with Stone Horse
2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions will continue our tradition of great horse trekking adventures in the fantastic landscapes of Gorkhi Terelj National Park and the Khan Khentii Wilderness. See what guests from previous seasons have to say about their experience of riding with Stone Horse: “This is “THE” horse trek that every other trip will be measured against…”
Springtime Treks
Our 2026 scheduled riding adventures will commence in May. In Mongolia, that’s still early spring. But the ground is mostly snow free, the first green is coming up and rivers are flowing. The spring time 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions are five-day treks with day rides out of tented camps. The first goes out in late May (May 18 – 22) , the second one in early June (June 1 – 5).
Summer Rides
We run four 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions throughout the summer. With the start of wildflower season and typically warm weather, our first 10 Day Trek is from June 15 to 24. In July two 10 Day Treks go out (July 1 – 10, July 16 – 25).
The first July trek is the best choice if you want to take in the Naadam Festival. We offer a Naadam Special to experience the Naadam celebrations and events of archery, horse racing and wrestling. If you like warm weather and wildflowers, July is peak season for both. Another 10 day summer trek in Gorkhi Terelj National Park is in late August (August 19 – 28).
August Deep Wilderness Expedition
In early August we venture deep into the wilderness of the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. This trek takes us through the grasslands of Gorkhi Terelj National Park and into the higher forest and mountain landscape of the Khentii wilderness. We travel at a faster pace and move camp more often.
The rewards – camping at scenic alpine lakes, visiting ancient temple ruins in old growth pine forest, crossing fast flowing rivers, following winding trails through boreal forest, traversing high mountain plateaus and passes.
This is true expedition riding, for wilderness enthusiasts and experienced riders. It is the longest of our 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions, from July 31 to August 13.
Autumn Treks
Next are our Autumn Treks ! September may be the best time to ride – if you like sunny weather, cooler nights – and stunning autumn colors. We make use of this great season with two 12 day horse treks from September 3 – 14, and September 19 – 30. Days are getting shorter now. We move camp less often, and do more day riding out of our tented camps at scenic sites.
October will close the season of our 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions. October in Mongolia can bring the first spells of winter weather, and we may have to adjust October riding adventures accordingly.
The “Autumn Riding Camp” takes place from October 6 – 15. We ride to our tented camp near the autumn camp sites of nomadic herder families. From there, we undertake day rides in the park. A great opportunity also to see more of the daily life of traditional herders in Mongolia.
Our last October ride is shorter, 6 days from October 22 – 27. For our October riding adventures we provide insulated tents (with stove option) and as always, heated dining tents. If late October temperatures drop down to real winter temperatures we have the option to ride out of our base camp, returning to cozy heated gers in the evenings.
One Day Riding Adventures
We do offer day rides, preferably for groups and at a minimum for 2 people. Day rides are most feasible in May before the start of trekking season. We need advance notice o several days. Earlier than May is unlikely because of the weather and ground conditions.
Sometimes we can do day rides in between treks during the season. However, we like to give our horses a good break between expeditions. Therefore, day rides are not always possible. Inquire early if your group is interested in one or more days of riding out of our base camp.
Secure your Spot on a 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expedition
Book early to secure your place on one of our 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions. While flights to Mongolia are increasing with more airlines flying directly into Chinggis Khan International Airport, there are still shortages and bottle necks. And surely, you get better deals on tickets the earlier you make a reservations. Contact us for advice on air travel to Mongolia.
Discounts and Booking for a 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expedition
For all 2026 Mongolia horse riding expeditions we offer discounts for 2 or more people booking a full-length horse trek together, for combined horse treks and Gobi desert tours and for Early Bird bookings before December 31, 2025. Contact us for more details on discounts.
2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions at a Glance
Download our schedule of 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expeditions – and share it with your adventure seeking friends! Trip dates include arrival and departure days.
2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expedition Routes and Seasons – What to Expect
The information below on routes and typical weather and other conditions throughout the seasons will help you decide which trek is best for you – and how to prepare! Weather and river conditions sometimes require slight changes to schedule and routes.
Ultimately, Mother Nature determines our travels and when we cross rivers and passes safely…And while Stone Horse Expeditions are Riding ADVENTURES it is always “SAFETY FIRST”.
Spring Treks
The first flowers are out, and young grass is coming up. Rivers are mostly ice free except some stretches that the spring sun has not reached enough.
For the 5 Day spring time treks, we travel from our base camp over one pass into the Terelj river valley to our first camp site. We take day rides from here, and then move camp once to access the valley of the Elephant River. On the last day, we return via another pass to our base camp.
In May and June the days are already long with 15 to 16 hours of daylight. Great for camping. While day time temperatures are warming, with temperature typically between 10 and 20 Celsius (50 to 70 Fahrenheit), nights may still drop to around the freezing point. We provide 4 season tents and warm sleeping bags.
Summer Rides
Our summer treks venture deeper into the Gorkhi Terelj National Park and its more remote areas. Wildflowers are becoming more abundant, peaking in late July when the mountain meadows are in lush high grass and with colorful wildflower displays. July and August see typically more rain, often in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. But its also the warmest time of the season. Daytime temperatures typically are in the mid to high twenties (Celsius) or high seventies (Fahrenheit).
With the warm temperatures, there are also more insects, including mosquitos and horse flies. Bring insect repellent. However, mosquitos are not nearly as abundant as for example in Alaska or Canada. And, unlike in tropical areas, they do NOT transmit any diseases in Mongolia. During the summer treks, we camp along cool rivers, and many guests enjoy a refreshing dip after the day’s ride before settling in for pre-dinner drinks at the river front.
Wilderness Expedition into the Khan Khentii
This is our longest horseback tour and most challenging in terms of the terrain we cover. Riding is from August 1 to 12. We travel through the grasslands and forest steppe of Gorkhi Terelj National Park and into the Khentii wilderness. Only twice do we stay for two nights at a campsite, otherwise we have to keep moving to complete this adventure itinerary.
The highlights include scenic alpine lakes at high elevation surrounded by high rock walls, overgrown ruins of a temple complex that was once the center of Buddhism in Mongolia, a deep wilderness lake with a sandy beach hidden in boreal forest, and a high plateau traverse with spectacular views onto the Khentii mountains as well as the forest steppes of Gorkhi Terelej National Park.
On this expedition our Mongolian trail horses can show their amazing skills, strength and endurance. They cross fast flowing rivers, bogs, and high mountains. Riders also need to be fit and have an adventurous spirit for this wilderness adventure.
Autumn Treks
“Autumn Colors of the Khentii” expeditions are two 10-day rides in September. Colors start turning in early September from green to the first hues of yellow and red. In the second half of the month the ubiquitous larch forests of Gorkhi Terelj National Park glow in golden colors, aspen groves form bands of orange and red below the scenic rock formations on the ridge tops that are the hallmark of the park.
The days are mostly still warm in September. In early September temperatures reach 20 C (about 70 F), in late September day times are more frequently between 10 to 15 C (50 – 60 F). Days are getting shorter now, and we stay several nights at campsites so as to spend more time riding rather than moving camp.
On day rides from the campsites we explore various landscapes of the park, the large open valleys of the Tuul and Terelj rivers, the ridges above the Baruun Bayan River and the high plateau with views onto the Khan Khentii wilderness. Nights are cooler, and in late September a wood stove usually heats the group tent for breakfast and dinner times. In September we may see the first snow, but it typically does not stay yet.
September is also the height of hay making season. Nomadic herders are returning to the park to prepare hay and begin preparations for the cold season at their winter camp sites. Therefore, we see also more livestock in the park during autumn treks. Large herds of yak and horses are roaming in the autumn pastures.
By October the temperatures have dropped further and late October may rather feel like “winter camping” for those from warmer climates. In October we switch to insulated dome tents, both for sleeping and mealtimes, and all tents have the option of a wood stove to take the chill off.
Guests’ sleeping kits now include two warm sleeping bags and a cozy inner bag. Our “Autumn Riding Camp” is usually set up close to the autumn camp sites of the families of some of our local team members. It’s a nice opportunity to learn more about the daily life of nomadic herder families in Mongolia.
In late October, even day time temperatures may be below freezing, and night time temperatures can drop significantly. Depending on the season’s late autumn weather patterns, we may run the last ride as day rides out of our base camp. When temperatures reach – 15 C (5 F) or below, its very nice to return to a heated ger and fall asleep in a bed with a fire crackling in the stove..
For all autumn treks, WARM clothing and foot wear are mandatory.
Bring the right Gear for your 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expedition
For ALL treks, refer to our free E-Book and Equipment List. For ALL rides in Mongolia, regardless of season and month, you must bring sturdy footwear, quality top and bottom rain gear, and some warm layers. On riding adventures in Mongolia you can experience four seasons in one day, even in middle of summer. And nights tend to be cool throughout the summer too.
Booking and detailed itineraries
For BOOKING and detailed itineraries, follow the links below to the respective 2026 horse treks by Stone Horse Expeditions
5-Day Early Season Horse Treks
14-Day Khentii Mountains Wilderness Expedition
12-Day “Autumn Colors of the Khentii” Expeditions
Combine a 2026 Mongolia Horse Riding Expedition with a Gobi Desert Tour
Check out the options for our Gobi Desert tours. Their dates are scheduled so as to fit between horse treks. Make the best of your time in-country! Explore the diverse desert landscapes and meet the camel herders of the Mongolian Gobi guided by our knowledgeable local guides and drivers.