Mongolia Horse Riding Preparations

Horse Riding Seasons in Mongolia – what to expect

Our free E-Book and Equipment List give advice on what equipment and clothing to bring. This article gives some more insight into the travel conditions you are likely to encounter in the different riding seasons in Mongolia and on what to expect on the Stone Horse Expedition routes.

The information below on routes and typical weather and other conditions throughout the seasons will also 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 Horse Treks in Mongolia

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 7 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 Horse Rides in Mongolia

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 in Mongolia’s Gorkhi Terelj National Park

“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.

CONTACT us for more advice.