If you believe that flying just means you are missing out on experiencing what's down on the ground, then this is the trip for you. You get the same great riding as on our later Zavkhan Classic ride (9-10 days riding), but with the added bonus of what we like to call The Great Mongolian Road Trip.

UPDATE Jan 2012: We have decided not to offer this trip in 2012, but will be doing it all again in 2013. So if it sounds like this is the trip for you next season, let us know now so we can start filling in the potholes, smoothing the bumps and fixing the bridges...

The Great Mongolian Road Trip

The drive from Ulaanbaatar to Zavkhan follows 850km of less than perfect roads, eventually becoming little more than a dirt track. We use reliable Russian four-wheel drive vehicles (the mighty 'furgon'), ideal for the conditions and driven by our highly experienced drivers Ganbaa and Toroo. We believe that no trip to Mongolia is really complete without a road trip, but once is enough for most people, so we fly back at the end of the ride! The drive is broken up over two and a half days, staying in comfortable ger camps each night.

"The furgons were brill, in awe of the drivers. Couldn’t be bettered! Wouldn’t be the same if it was a luxurious Land Cruiser either!!!" Kat, UK

On the first day of driving we set out across rolling steppe and reach Kharkhorin (Karakorum), famous as the site of the13th century capital of the Mongolian Empire, built by Genghis Khan's son Ogedei. Erdene Zuu Khiid (monastery), founded in 1586, and slowly being rebuilt after partial destruction in the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, is definitely worth a look around. And the infamous penis rock can be visited (although it's really quite small).

The second day will see us reach Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (The Great White Lake), a lovely spot surrounded by forested volcanic mountains. On the way we stop at Tsetserleg to stock up on any last supplies at the local market. It's much like Ulaanbaatar's Black Market, but a more manageable size and without the pick-pockets. The following day we cross the high Solingontyn Pass and reach the wilds of Zavkhan. Keep an eye out for bronze-age burial tombs dotting the hillsides.

By early afternoon we arrive in Tosontsengel where we meet our local wranglers, and familiarise ourselves with the horses. We will take plenty of time to match you to a horse you feel comfortable with, since you'll be seeing a lot of each other in the coming days!

From this point on the trip is the same as for our Zavkhan Classic ride.

Trip Outline

Highlights

• All the great riding and local culture of our Zavkhan Classic trip, plus...
• Kharkhorin/Karakorum, site of the ancient capital of the Mongolian empire, and Erdene Zuu, a fascinating Bhuddist monastery.
• Tsetserleg market.
• Beautiful Terkhiin Tsaagan Nuur, the Great White Lake.
• The road trip itself - watch nomadic life go by as you bond with your fellow passengers and marvel at the state of the roads.