Horse Route

The Horse Route will bring you to Gobi Desert, Altai Mountains and the Northern Lakes. Drive around the whole country and experience not only the fastest growing Desert in the World, but also meet the famous Eagle Hunters, visit Mongolia’s glaciers and discover the unexplored lakes in the picturesque north of the country.

   
 

 

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Day 1 Arrival

After landing you'll be picked up by one of our Followthetracks/SIXT staff members - simply look out of the sign in the arrival hall. You'll be brought to a 3* hotel in Ulaanbaatar and handed out a local SIM card with call and internet package. Your driver will be available for the following 8 hours to help you to get your groceries and to show you around the city. In the evening you will pick up your vehicle from SIXT. Please make sure to bring your ID/passport as well as a credit card for the deposit and choose additional insurances at the place; basic insurance is already included. The car will be equipped with a rooftop tent/tent, a cooking set from Petromax, a package of firewood, information about hotels/ger camps along the way. Most importantly, you'll also find a tablet with access to the Followthetracks Masterclass, a GPS guided map to always know where to go, safety videos and how-to videos about the car, short intros about every place you'll visit as well as podcasts and music suggestions for the way.

       


 

Day 2-6 GOBI DESERT

We recommend starting before 7am from your hotel to kick off your Gobi adventure without getting stuck in traffic. You will drive a paved road to southern Mongolia before leaving the beaten paths and going off-road for the following days. Your tablet will guide you to some incredible places like White Stupa, Yolyn Am Canyon and Flaming Cliffs. At Khongoryn Els you have the chance to ride camels and photograph them during sunset in the desert. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in your tent (3 nights - ger camp available on 2 out of 3 spots at your own expense) and in local ger camps with hot showers* (2 nights). *subject to change

       


 

Day 7-8 Steppes

It might sound strange to you but the most amazing part of traveling across Mongolia is to drive through the endless steppes, seeing the landscapes change quickly and forgetting about the rush and stress at home and clearing your mind completely. After not seeing water in a while, you’ll camp right next to a beautiful lake, well known for its bird colonies depending on the season. Afterwards you’ll hit the paved road to western Mongolia. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in your tent (1 night - ger camp available on your own expense) and in a 3* hotel*. (1 night). *subject to change

       


 

Day 9-12 ALTAI MOUNTAINS

After being in the desert and the steppes for a while, it’s time to see some real mountains. Snowy peaks await you in the Altai Mountains where you’ll stay with a real nomad family to get as close to the Mongolian culture as possible. Help them with herding the goats and horses, milk the cows and enjoy Mongolian hospitality. Head further west to meet the legendary eagle hunters and stay with a Kazakh family for two nights, ride horses, watch the eagle hunter training his majestic bird and get amazing portraits during sunset and sunrise. The last night you’ll spend in the capital of the region, Ulgii, and find some of Max’s favourite spots to shoot sunset over the city and close by. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in your tent (3 nights - ger camp available in 2 out of the three nights at your own expense) and in a 3* hotel*. (1 night). *subject to change

       

 

Day 13-18 NORTHERN LAKES & DAY 19 DEPARTURE

The north of Mongolia is well known for its massive lakes and the most northern sand dune in the world. Camp along the lakes and see camels and yaks grazing together in between the dunes. After a long scenic drive to the famous Khuvsgul Lake, you get to rest there for two nights in a beautiful ger camp right next to the lake. Explore the area by foot or kayak before heading back to Ulaanbaatar. Spend your last night in a 3* hotel in the vibrant capital and follow Max’s suggestions for a tasty goodbye dinner. A driver will pick you up at the hotel and bring you to the airport on the 19th day of your adventure. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in your tent (4 nights - ger camp available in 2 out of 4 nights at your own expense), in a local ger camp (2 nights) and a 3* hotel (1 night).

       

 

Optional Extend your Trip

 

Day 12-15 TAVAN BOGD NATIONAL PARK

A local guide will bring you to Mongolia’s highest peak in the border zone with Russia and China. Explore the majestic glaciers and the enormous mountain views as a contrast to what most people think Mongolia has to offer! If you’re lucky, you can spot the extremely rare snow leopards, wild cats called Pallas Cats and the world’s largest of all sheep - the Altai Argali. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in your tent (4 nights).

         

Pictures Taken by Jeff Spackman

 

Day 16 ULGII

Recover from your glacier adventure, explore the “Black Market” in Ulgii and shop for more groceries for the coming days. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in a 3* hotel (1 night).

       


 

Day 17-24 NORTHERN LAKES & Day 25 DEPARTURE

The north of Mongolia is well known for its massive lakes and the most northern sand dune in the world. Camp along the lakes and see camels and yaks grazing together in between the dunes. Stop by the culturally very important Khyargas Salt Lake - the origin of the Kyrgyz people. After a long scenic drive to the famous Khuvsgul Lake, you get to rest there for two nights in a beautiful ger camp right next to the lake. Explore the area by foot or kayak before heading back to Ulaanbaatar. Spend your last night in a 3* hotel in the vibrant capital and follow Max’s suggestions for a tasty goodbye dinner. A driver will pick you up at the hotel and bring you to the airport on the 25th day of your adventure. During this part of your Self-Drive Experience you will sleep in your tent (5 nights - ger camp available in 2 out of 5 nights at your own expense), in a local ger camp (2 nights) and a 3* hotel (1 night).