Mother-Daughter
Horse Steppe Adventure
Trip Information
9-20 June, 2026
Mongolian nomads’ timeless way of life awaits you. Witness one of the last nomadic cultures on earth. Before setting out on a four-day trek on horseback, you will receive expert instruction. Ride through nomad settlements, through fields of wildflowers across the expansive steppe to Vulture Mountain. Settle into Lapis Sky gher camp and get to know our nomadic hosts. Spend time exploring the Bhukhan valley, dotted by ancient Scythian tombs and visits to nomad families. Try some fly fishing on the Tamar River, take early morning bird watching walks, practice your archery skill, and get an intimate, authentic immersion at a sponsored Nadam festival across the valley from Lapis Sky camp.
Trip Duration: 12days
Group Size: 12 paxs
Trip Cost: $4200/person (Sharing basis).
A special journey benefiting the non-profit ATW80Fabrics Foundation. Includes a $500 ATW80F tax-deductible donation.
Highlights:
Mongolian countryside from the perspective of a nomad, traveling primarily on horseback.
Visit Hustai Nuur National Park; viewing the remarkable Neolithic graves of Öngut, of the 6th or 7th century, and free-roaming herds of the Takhi wild horses,
Listen to a traditional morinkhuur, or horse-head fiddle, concert and imbibe the magical sound of khoomii, or throat singing.
Experience a mini Nadam festival, horse races, wrestling, and yak rodeo.
Explore Kharkhorin Erdene Zhu monastery, 16th century, and meet its head lama (his schedule permitting).
Meet traditional Shamans.
Itinerary
Day 1: June 9. Wed. ARRIVE IN MONGOLIA
Welcome to the energetic Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar! Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, meet the ATW80Fabrics representative and transfer to the hotel. Take a walk around nearby Shukbaatar square, shop for cashmere products, and in the late afternoon, gather for orientation and trip briefing followed by a welcome Mongolian feast at a traditional restaurant. Meals: D
Day 2: June 10.Thurs. SEE WILD HORSES IN HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK
Visit the beautifully restored 19th-century Gandan (Gandantegchinlen) Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. After a ceremonial butter lamp offering, set off for Hustai National Park and settle into your comfortable ger camp with sweeping views. Visit the Neolithic graves of Ongut, and look out for roaming herds of wild Przewalski's horses, locally called takhi. Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: June 11. Fri. EXPLORE KARAKORUM, ARRIVE LAPIS SKY CAMP
Today, journey west across vast grasslands. With a little luck, ride a camel in the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, also known as "Little Gobi”. Karakorum is a 4-hour drive from Hustai National Park. Karakorum, once the legendary capital of the Mongolian Empire, was established by Genghis Khan and his son in the 13th century. Explore Karakorum, once a vibrant place that served as the political, cultural, and economic capital of Mongolia for 400 years. Little of the original Karakorum remains, except Erdene Zuu Khiid, a Tibetan-style monastery built in 1586. Wander around the monastery grounds and, schedule permitting, meet with Khambo Lama to learn about the concept of Hiimur (windhorse). After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Tsetserleg, "the Garden City," ringed by stone mountains. Stop here for tea and move on to Lapis Sky Camp in the Bhukhan Valley. Today is a long drive. Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: June 12. Fri. NOMAD FAMILY VISIT. HORSEBACK RIDING, STORY TELLING BY LOCAL NOMADS
Today, visit a nearby nomad camp. Witness nomadic neighbors milk yaks and horse mares, brush up on your horseback riding skills, and head out for a warm-up ride in the spectacular Bhukhan Valley. This evening, enjoy dinner and wonderful storytelling by local nomads. Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: June 13. Sat. EXPLORE BHUKHAN VALLEY
For early risers, an optional trek to the local nomad horse ovoo, return to Lapis Sky camp for breakfast, followed by a cooking lesson. In the pm mount a horse and pay a visit to nomads camped nearby, to spend time in their gers and learn about their everyday life. In the evening, gather for a feast of traditional Mongolian barbecue and local musician/s. Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: June 14. Sun. TREK TO VULTURE MOUNTAIN ON HORSEBACK
This morning, you have free time to pack for the camping trip. Optional calligraphy lesson. After lunch at the camp, saddle up and set out on a horseback riding adventure across the sweeping steppes. Ride for 3 hours to Vulture Mountain and camp in a lovely meadow setting. Optional walk to the summit of Vulture Mountain. Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding, 1 hour walk to Vulture Mountain Summit. Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: June 15. Mon. JOURNEY TO MANDAL MOUNTAIN BY HORSEBACK
Today, set out on horseback for an invigorating 5-hour ride over majestic mountain passes, along the way circling Buddhist ovoos, ceremonial cairns set in high places. In the afternoon, camp at the base of Mandal Mountain, a sacred ancestral place for Mongolians. Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding. Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: June 16. Tues. ATTEND A BUDDHIST CEREMONY ATOP MANDAL MOUNTAIN
This morning set out for a silent walk up to Mandal Mountain and attended a Buddhist ceremony at a sacred ovoo at the mountaintop. Spend the rest of the day exploring Bhukhan Valley - head out for a walk, go fishing, or take an optional horseback ride to a nearby nomad settlement. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian barbecue feast and sing around a bonfire. Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding (optional) or 1.5 – 2 hour RT hike/600’ elevation gain/loss (optional). Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: June 17. Wed. RETURN ON HORSEBACK TO LAPIS SKY CAMP
Today ride back across the steppe to Bhukhan Valley; alternatively, return by jeep. Settle into your ger at Lapis Sky Camp and enjoy free time to unwind before gathering for a shaman performance, followed by a hearty dinner in the camp's dining ger. Activity: 3.5-4 hours horseback riding. Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: June 18. Thurs. EXPERIENCE A LOCAL NAADAM FESTIVAL
Today, take part in an exciting local Naadam festival. Naadam (short for Eriyn Gurvan Naadam) means "Three Manly Games" — bareback horse racing, wrestling, and archery. These festivals take place every summer, and young men train all year to compete. Watch the races, mingle with locals, meet the winners, take photos, and sample delicious local food. This evening, listen to a traditional morin khuur, a horse-head fiddle concert, as you sit around the camp's bonfire and bid farewell to the nomad horsemen and hosts. Activity: Cultural festival. Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: June 19. Fri. JOURNEY BACK TO ULAANBAATAR
After an early breakfast, journey back to Ulaanbaatar by Land Cruisers. Stop along the way for lunch. This evening, enjoy an optional farewell dinner with the group at the Indian Namaste restaurant. Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: June 20. Sat. DEPART FROM ULAANBAATAR
Bid farewell to Mongolia and transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound or onward flight. Meals: B
Secure your place on our limited journeys with $500 tax deductible donation supporting the mission of ATW80Fabrics.
You can can also pay by check or money wire. Email us at atw80fjourneys@gmail.com for details.
Trip Leader, Carroll Dunham
Offering over 30 years of experience guiding journeys, medical anthropologist Carroll Dunham brims with an insatiable curiosity for exploring different ways of living, cultural traditions, rich geographies, and the natural history and biodiversity of this planet we call home. With a rich background in Buddhism, medicinal plants, and traditional healing systems, Carroll reveals remarkable makers, farmers, herders, designers, ecologists, and spiritual leaders who lend insight into the human ingenuity of plastic-free fabrics.
With boundless enthusiasm, Carroll Dunham has been leading journeys and pilgrimages for over 30 years with National Geographic, Wilderness Travel, and Wild Earth Journeys.
What’s Included
English-speaking local guides
Transfers upon arrival and departure (if applicable)
Transportation provided on-trip
Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Non-alcoholic beverages at included meals
Bottled or filtered water at included meals, private transfers, and activities
Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
All gratuities except the Expedition Leader
What’s Not Included
Internal flights are an additional cost
Airfare to and from the destination, as well as internal airfare where applicable
Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
Visas when applicable
Alcoholic beverages, sleeping bags
Expedition Leader gratuities
Meals not noted as included (discretionary)
Additional beverages (discretionary)
Passport fees, visas, and visa photos as required
Phone calls, laundry, and other items of a personal nature (discretionary)