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A landscape from Central Mongolia, the setting for the Central Mongolia · 9 days with Eight Lakes horse trek.

Central Mongolia · 9 days

Central Mongolia · 9 days with Eight Lakes horse trek

A four-day horse trek to the remote Eight Lakes (Naiman Nuur), wedged into the full Central Mongolia loop. Camping by alpine lakes; longer riding days.

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Overview.

This 9-day Central Mongolia tour with the Eight Lakes horse trek is the most ambitious of our Central variants – four full days of horseback riding into the remote Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes) region of the Khangai Mountains, wedged into the standard cultural loop. The Eight Lakes are a cluster of alpine lakes formed by volcanic activity 25 kilometers south of the Orkhon Valley, accessible only by horse or on foot. The trek covers around 60 kilometers of riding across forested mountain terrain with two nights camping by the lakes. The 9-day is the right choice for travelers comfortable on horseback for several hours per day and wanting the deepest wilderness experience the Central region offers, alongside the cultural sites of Karakorum, the Orkhon Valley, Tovkhon Monastery, and Tsenkher Hot Springs.

Region
Central Mongolia
Duration
9 days
Best season
June – September
Group size
2–6 guests

Pricing is tailored to your dates and group size. Final quote in USD, sent within 24 hours.

Departures

Departures run on request through the season, tell us your dates and we hold a date for you.

Quick facts

Total distance
~60 km
Driving days
8 of 9
Maximum altitude
~2,600 m (Eight Lakes / Naiman Nuur)
Start / end
Ulaanbaatar
Group size
2–6 guests
Languages
English (Buya); driver speaks working English

Day by day.

Day 1: Khugnu Khan Nature Reserve & Bayan Gobi sand dunes

Drive to the Bayan Gobi Sand Dunes, a small desert surrounded by hills, willow trees, streams, and bushes in central Mongolia. After resting at a ger camp, visit a nomadic family to learn about the nomadic lifestyle. The sand dunes are ideal for camel riding, and you will ride the gentle two-humped Bactrian camel.

Day 2: Orkhon Waterfall

Orkhon Waterfall, also known as Ulaan Tsutgalan, is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Mongolia. It is in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterfall was formed by volcanic activity around 20,000 years ago and drops about 24 meters into a scenic gorge. Surrounded by forested mountains and open pastureland, the valley is home to yaks and other livestock. Stay overnight in a ger camp.

Day 3: Horse trekking to the Eight Lakes (Naiman Nuur)

After breakfast, begin your horse trekking adventure. Pack your gear and ride toward the remote Eight Lakes area. Enjoy magnificent landscapes, open valleys, forests, and grazing livestock along the way. Overnight camping in the wilderness.

Day 4: Horse trekking through the Eight Lakes

Continue riding through the Eight Lakes region, passing narrow forest trails, mountain terrain, and more challenging routes. Experience the serenity of this untouched wilderness. Overnight camping on the shore of Khuis Lake.

Day 5: Free day at the Eight Lakes

A day to relax and enjoy nature. Optional activities include horse riding or walking between the lakes, leisure walks and exploration, and birdwatching and observing alpine flowers. Overnight in a tent by the lakes.

Day 6: Ride back to Orkhon Valley

Ride back from the Eight Lakes area down into the Orkhon Valley. Check in at a ger camp and enjoy a well-earned rest.

Day 7: Tovkhon Monastery & Tsenkher Hot Springs

In the morning, Tovkhon Monastery is located on a rocky mountain peak surrounded by dense forest, at an altitude of 2,312 meters above sea level. The monastery stands on a small flat area among steep cliffs. It was founded in 1651 by Zanabazar (the first Bogd Gegeen of Mongolian Buddhism). Explore the monastery and meditation caves and enjoy panoramic views from the mountaintop. Afterward, travel to Tsenkher Hot Springs to relax in natural outdoor hot pools surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Overnight at a tourist camp.

Day 8: Erdene Zuu Monastery & Karakorum Museum

Just outside Kharkhorin in central Mongolia, Erdene Zuu Monastery is a must-visit for history and culture lovers. Built in 1586 on the ruins of the ancient capital Kharkhorum, it’s Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery. Wander among 108 gleaming white stupas and soak in the peaceful atmosphere while discovering centuries of spiritual and cultural heritage. A short walk away, the Karakorum Museum (opened in 2011) brings the Mongol Empire to life. Explore fascinating archaeological finds from the Orkhon Valley and learn about the rise and fall of Kharkhorum, Mongolia’s legendary ancient capital.

Day 9: Return to Ulaanbaatar

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping along the way for a relaxing lunch break. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and conclude your tour.

Why this trip.

This 9-day Central Mongolia tour with the Eight Lakes horse trek is the right itinerary for travelers who are comfortable on horseback for multiple consecutive days and want a deeper wilderness experience than the shorter variants offer. The Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes) region sits in the Khangai Mountains south of the Orkhon Valley, accessible only by horse or on foot – there are no roads in. The four-day trek covers around 60 kilometers, with overnight camps on the lakeshores. The lakes themselves were formed by volcanic activity and sit between 2,400 and 2,600 meters above sea level. Bird life is rich (alpine waterfowl, raptors); the meadows in summer carry edelweiss and other high-elevation flowers.

For travelers comparing options: the 5-day Central tour is the cultural loop without the trek. The 6-day adds Hustai National Park (a brief wildlife stop). The 7-day with Terelj substitutes a national-park visit; the 7-day with Terkh substitutes a remote alpine lake. None of the shorter variants involve multi-day camping or significant horseback distances. The 9-day with Eight Lakes is the most physically demanding of our Central tours, and the only one that takes you into the wilderness for camping nights. It is not a beginner riding trip – four to five hours per day in the saddle, with mountain terrain.

What's included.

Included

  • Private Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent vehicle for all road transfers
  • Experienced local driver, English-speaking guide (Buya), and a horse-trek guide for the Eight Lakes leg
  • All accommodation on tour: ger camps, one nomadic family overnight, two nights camping at the Eight Lakes
  • All meals during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Horses, saddles, and tack for the four-day Eight Lakes trek; tents and camping gear for the trek nights
  • All entrance fees: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum, Tovkhon Monastery, Tsenkher Hot Springs, Khangai Nuruu National Park
  • Bottled drinking water on driving days; treated water at the trek camps

Not included

  • International flights to and from Ulaanbaatar
  • Pre and post-tour Ulaanbaatar hotel nights (we can recommend or arrange)
  • Mandatory travel insurance with medical evacuation cover (required for the horse trek)
  • Personal sleeping bag (recommended; rentals available in Ulaanbaatar)
  • Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, laundry
  • Gratuities for guide, driver, and horse trek guide (appreciated but not required)
  • Museum camera fees where applicable

Travel insurance is required. We recommend SafetyWing or World Nomads, see the Before-you-go guide.

Where you stay.

Five nights are at established ger camps; one night is with a nomadic family in their working ger camp at Bayan Gobi; two nights are camping in tents on the lakeshore at the Eight Lakes. The trek tents are 3-season expedition tents (2 person), provided. Bedding for the ger camps is provided; for the trek nights we recommend bringing your own sleeping bag or renting one in Ulaanbaatar (we can arrange). Toilet and washing facilities at the trek sites are basic and outdoor – this is true wilderness camping. The first and last nights of the trip are at your Ulaanbaatar hotel.

A traditional Mongolian ger camp, accommodation on the Central Mongolia · 9 days with Eight Lakes horse trek.

What to bring.

The 9-day Eight Lakes trek requires more careful packing than the standard Central tours. Essentials: layered clothing for cool nights (the lakes are at 2,400 to 2,600 meters, so nights are cold even in summer), a full rain shell (the Khangai Mountains attract afternoon thunderstorms in July and August), sturdy waterproof boots (riding boots or hiking boots), riding pants or thick trousers (jeans become uncomfortable after a full day in the saddle), thick socks, gloves for early-morning rides, a warm hat and a sun hat, sunglasses, broad-spectrum SPF, a small daypack, a headlamp with spare batteries, a reusable water bottle, hand sanitiser, and any personal medications. We recommend a sleeping bag rated to 0°C or below; rentals are available in Ulaanbaatar at our recommendation. Riding helmets are provided. A small dry bag for valuables and a power bank are useful – there is no electricity at the trek camps.

See packing notes in our Before-you-go guide →

Common questions.

Who is this 9-day Eight Lakes tour suitable for?

Travelers comfortable on horseback for four to five hours per day, on terrain that includes mountain trails, river crossings, and forest tracks. You do not need to be a competitive rider, but you should have prior horseback experience – this is not a tour for first-time riders. Moderate fitness and willingness to camp in basic conditions are also required. Most guests are intermediate riders aged 25 to 65 with a specific interest in remote wilderness. We do not recommend it for travelers with back, knee, or hip issues that affect long days in the saddle.

How much riding per day?

Four to five hours of riding per day on the trek (Days 3, 4, and 6), with one rest day at the lakes (Day 5). Days are paced with breaks every 60 to 90 minutes and a long lunch stop. Total trek distance is approximately 60 kilometers across the four days. Riding pace is mostly walk and slow trot; some sections allow longer trots on flat ground.

What are the Eight Lakes?

Naiman Nuur, the Eight Lakes, is a cluster of alpine lakes in the southern Khangai Mountains, formed by volcanic activity around 8,000 years ago. The lakes sit between 2,400 and 2,600 meters above sea level, in a horseshoe valley with forested slopes and high meadows. Names of the individual lakes include Khuis, Doroo, Khaliut, and others; the area is officially part of Khangai Nuruu National Park. There are no roads in – horseback or hiking only.

What is the best time of year for the 9-day Eight Lakes tour?

June through September only. The lakes are at high elevation (2,400 to 2,600 meters) and the trail in is impassable until late May; mountain passes can become unreliable in October. July and August are the warmest months – the only time the lakes are reliably ice-free for swimming. June and September are quieter with cooler nights; bring more layers.

What kind of horses?

Mongolian horses – small, hardy, surefooted, and well-suited to the mountain terrain. They are not the tall warmbloods used in Western riding; expect a horse around 13 to 14 hands. The horses are owned by local herding families and are accustomed to multi-day trekking. Each rider gets one assigned horse for the trek; the horse trek guide selects horses to match rider experience.

Camping at the lakes – how basic is it?

Genuinely basic. Tents are 3-season expedition tents, two person; the cook tent is shared. Toilet is a dug pit at a discreet distance from camp. Washing is in the lake (cold) or with a basin from boiled water. There is no electricity, no signal, no mobile phone reception. The trade-off is silence, the night sky, and the sound of horses grazing.

What is included in the 9-day Eight Lakes tour?

Specific inclusions confirmed at booking; typically: private vehicle and English-speaking driver for road days, horse trek guide and horses for the trek, all accommodation (ger camps, one family stay, two nights camping), all meals on tour, all entrance fees, and all camping gear (tents). Excluded: international flights, Ulaanbaatar hotel nights, sleeping bag (rentable), travel insurance, optional activities, gratuities. Final inclusions are confirmed in writing before any payment.

Can I do this trip without horseback riding?

Not really – the Eight Lakes are accessible only by horse or on foot, and a multi-day hike instead of riding would change the entire route timing. If you want a Central Mongolia tour without significant riding, the 5-day, 6-day, or 7-day Terelj variants are better choices. If you want some Eight Lakes experience without committing to four full days of riding, talk to us about a custom 7 to 8 day variant with two days of riding to a single lake and back.

What is the rest day at the lakes (Day 5)?

A buffer day for recovery, weather, and exploration. Optional activities include short rides between the lakes, hiking the surrounding ridges, birdwatching (the lakes are good for alpine waterfowl), photography, swimming if the weather is warm, or simply resting at the camp. The day is unscheduled and at your pace.

Can I extend the 9-day Eight Lakes tour?

Yes. The Eight Lakes are wedged into the cultural core, so the trip already includes Karakorum, Erdene Zuu, Tovkhon, and Tsenkher. Additions usually go in two directions: north into Khuvsgul Lake (add 4 to 6 days), or south into the Gobi (add 4 to 6 days). For both, talk to us about a custom 14 to 16 day route. The 22-day Western Mongolia grand expedition is another path that combines several regions.

Book this trip.

Baska replies personally, in your language, within 24 hours. We can adjust dates, routing, and pacing.

Chat on WhatsApp Baska replies within 24 hours, Mon–Sat (UB time). Or email us

Not sure which tour fits your dates? See the planning guide.

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