Short Treks | Thirsty Horse Mongolia

Bike & Equipment Hire

Yes, it can be arranged, especially for short treks when we can come and get you if you do get stuck. But we are cautious. Everyone who does a trek with us gets a log book. Once we know you and we are confident that you have the experience not to get lost or into trouble, then we will trust you and you can hire everything you need: bike, camping equipment, navigation; and you can plan your own trip. The routes below are suggested and may be undertaken in part or in whole, or adapted to your time requirements. All treks start from Nisekh, which is the old Buyant Ukhnaa Airport. Note: we have generally included "camping" in the treks below but these may be replaced with ger camps in most cases if preferred.

East: 1 to 3 days (50/50 tarmac/track

Zuunmod and Mansushir Monastery, cross country to Tonykuk Stel, Ghengis Khan Statue Complex, into the Terelj N.P. and cut across country to our ger camp in Gachurt for an evening meal. Leave the bikes and we will return you by car to UB. Alternatively stay overnight, feast with musical entertainment. Return next morning or spend a day exploring the forests with picnic lunch, and we will return you to UB. To make this a 3 day trek, we head out to Altanbuleg Els for camp, exploring and a barbeque meal. Then head south for a long trek across open country and pick up our route at Zuunmod.

West: 2 - 3 days (40/60 tarmac/track

Tool Gol river road to Altanbulag Els for camp, exploring and barbeque meal. Next day continue on to Buren and then follow the river around to the right, skirting the Khustain N.P. Camp the night by the river. For the last section we head north through Undershireet and pick up the tarmac road, making for an easy return to UB but with a visit into the park along the way. The park is famous for its Takhi horses and other wildlife, usually best seen in the evening. An extra day in the park can easily be accommodated if desired.

West: 3 - 5 days (50/50 tarmac / track)

This one combines the main historical attractions of Central Mongolia with a very nice off road return trek. We head west on the tarmac road to Ogii Nuur on the tarmac road and camp the night there. Second day, we cut south through the Orkhon valley, stopping at the ancient Uighur capital of Khar Balgas and continuing on to arrive in Kharkhoran. Spend the next day visiting ancient Kharkhoran and Zamin Uud. On the forth day we begin a two day off-road return trek, visiting the nearby Shankh Monastery and Khujirt along the way, then follow the tracks across the open steppe towards Delgerhaan. Camp the night next to the ancient rock carvings (Duut or In Hoshoot). Fifth day head for Buren, then follow the Tool Gol River track to return to UB .

South: 3 - 6 days (20/80 tarmac / track)

A short journey by road to Zuunmod and visit Mansushir Monastery. Then we leave all that behind and head across the steppe towards Bayan Unjuul before arriving at the Baga Gazaarin Chuluu rock formation, where we camp for the night. The next day we continue on to Mandalgobi and take a night's rest in the hotel. Third day we visit the Ikh Gazarin Chuluu Rock Formation and then head north to the ancient Chinese fortress, where we camp for the night. For the last leg of the journey we cut across the Mongolian high plateau back to Zuunmod. From there we can return to Nisekh, or continue the tour with our usual route to the Chingis Khan Statue Complex, Terelj N. P. and finish at our ger camp in Gachurt with an evening meal and traditional music concert. Gachurt forest exploration is available. Bikes may be left in Gachurt and we will provide a return to UB by car. Note: this trek will be 5 or 6 days if undertaken as described. But may be considerably shortened if tarmac roads are used. I.e. take the tarmac road to Mandalgobi with a short detour to the Baga Gazarin Chuluu, stay the night in Mandalgobi, then 2 days across the High Mongolian Plateau with a night's camping makes for a pleasant 3 day trek.