2 Day Horse trekking in Terelj national park

The best part of this two-day trip is the change of pace: you leave Ulaanbaatar for Terelj National Park, then cross open grassland on horseback instead of simply viewing it through a car window. You also spend the night in a traditional ger, eat with a local host family, and get a direct look at everyday Mongolian customs. I especially like the horse ride and the chance to meet a local horseman. The main consideration is basic comfort, since the ger has no shower and the cooking lesson listed in the program may not always take place.

I also like the mix of quiet outdoor time and major sights. Turtle Rock and Aryabal Meditation Monastery give the first day clear landmarks, while Chinggis Khaan’s statue and Zaisan Hill add a city and national-history angle on the return. Guide B has been singled out for being kind and helpful, which matters when you are learning to ride in a country where horses are part of daily culture.

Key points at a glance

• Ride across Terelj’s open grassland: Learn basic horse riding with a local horseman and spend time away from the road.
• Sleep in a traditional ger: The overnight stay gives you a taste of Mongolian hospitality, but there is no shower.
• Visit Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery: These are the park’s main sightseeing stops on day one.
• Eat with a local host family: Breakfast and other meals are included, with local food served in a family setting.
• Add major Ulaanbaatar sights: The return includes Chinggis Khaan’s statue and Zaisan Hill.
• Plan for simple logistics: Meet at Max Mall, bring cash and a charged phone, and arrange hotel pickup in advance if needed.

From Max Mall to the wide spaces of Terelj

Your meeting point is Max Mall in Ulaanbaatar, where the guide waits with your name or a TourGobi sign. Hotel pickup is optional, but you need to provide the pickup address ahead of time so a driver and guide can be sent.

The drive to Terelj National Park is part of the transition from city to countryside. The program does not give an exact departure time or driving duration, so check the available start time before booking. That matters on a two-day trip, since the first day includes several stops, lunch, horse riding, dinner, and the overnight stay.

Your transport includes a driver and an English-speaking guide. Mongolian, Japanese, and Korean language support is also listed, which may help if you are booking for a mixed-language group. Group size is not specified, so ask if the size of your departure matters to you.

Turtle Rock gives the first big park view

Turtle Rock is one of Terelj’s signature sights, and it is an easy first marker that you have reached the park. Its unusual shape makes it a natural photo stop, so keep your camera ready. The supplied program does not give a fixed amount of time here, but the visit is part of the first day before lunch and the riding portion.

This stop works well because it breaks up the drive. You are not asked to move straight from Ulaanbaatar into a saddle. Instead, you get a chance to see one of the park’s most recognizable formations before the more active part of the trip begins.

Bring cash, a charged smartphone, and practical clothing. The recommended packing list includes a change of clothes and a camera. You should also expect outdoor conditions rather than a polished attraction with every comfort close at hand.

Aryabal Monastery adds a quiet pause

Aryabal Monastery, described as a meditation monastery, is another first-day stop. It gives the outing a calmer, more reflective side before you meet the horseman. This is useful if you want more than a riding session, since the trip makes room for a spiritual and cultural visit as well as scenery.

The available information does not specify the exact walking route, visit length, or any dress requirements. Ask your guide if you want more detail before entering the monastery area. As with the park stops, comfortable clothing and sensible shoes are the safer choice.

The monastery also helps give the day some shape. Turtle Rock is a strong natural sight, Aryabal brings a cultural pause, and lunch with a local family then leads into the horse ride.

Lunch with a local family and horseman

After the morning sightseeing, you have lunch with a local family and meet the horseman who helps begin the riding portion. This is one of the most appealing parts of the program because the meal is tied to a real household setting rather than only a restaurant stop.

The program says you will learn how to ride a horse. That makes the activity suitable for people who want an introduction, though your comfort level still matters. If you have little or no riding experience, tell the guide clearly at the start. The listed material does not specify the horses, riding equipment, riding pace, or the exact training method, so those are sensible questions to ask before you mount.

You should not treat this as a formal riding-school course. It is a short cultural and outdoor trip with a riding segment, not a multi-day equestrian program. The quality of your day will depend partly on how comfortable you are with basic instruction and changing conditions outdoors.

Horseback through Terelj National Park

The horse ride is the heart of the trip. Instead of seeing Terelj only from the vehicle, you move through the park at a slower pace, with time to notice the open grassland and the setting around you. The second day also includes riding, so you get two separate chances to become more comfortable in the saddle.

The exact riding route and hours are not provided. That is important if you are hoping for a long-distance ride or a demanding trail. You should ask how long you will ride each day, how often breaks are taken, and what happens if you are not comfortable continuing.

I like that the ride is paired with a local horseman. You are not simply renting a horse and setting off alone. You get local guidance and a closer look at a central part of Mongolian life. One booking specifically praises guide B for making the trip comfortable, and that kind of calm support is especially useful when you are learning something new.

Your change of clothes is practical here. Dust, sun, wind, and contact with the horse can make a fresh shirt welcome after the ride. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and alcohol is not included. Snacks are also not included, so carry something if you know you need food between the scheduled meals.

A ger night with simple comforts

After riding, you have dinner and sleep in a Mongolian ger. A ger is a round traditional dwelling used across Mongolia, and spending the night in one gives this trip a stronger cultural focus than a standard hotel stay.

The accommodation is basic. There is no shower, so pack with that in mind. The information provided does not confirm the toilet arrangements, bedding details, heating, or room-sharing setup, so ask before you book if those points affect your comfort.

This is not the right trip for someone who wants a resort-style night after a day outdoors. It is a better fit if you are willing to trade convenience for a local stay and a different kind of overnight setting. The first day is full, so you may also want to keep your evening expectations modest: dinner, time with your hosts, and rest before the next morning’s riding.

Mongolian breakfast and a second riding session

Day two starts with breakfast in the local host’s Mongolian style. Meals are included, which helps the $310 price make more sense and saves you from arranging food in a rural setting. The exact dishes are not stated, so bring an open mind if you want to try local cooking.

You then ride again around the national park. This second session is useful for beginners because you may feel less uncertain after the first day. It also means the activity is not a quick photo ride squeezed between sightseeing stops. Still, the riding time is not specified, so ask for the expected schedule if riding is your main reason for booking.

Lunch follows, and the program says you will return to the car afterward. It also says the guide will teach you how to make a Mongolian lunch in a traditional way. One important caution: this cooking lesson did not take place on at least one booking, so treat it as a planned feature rather than a certainty. If learning to cook is central to your decision, confirm it before departure.

Chinggis Khaan’s statue and Zaisan Hill

The return portion adds two major stops. You visit a statue of Chinggis Khaan, a powerful symbol of Mongolia’s national identity and a natural place to think about the country’s past and present. The information does not specify whether this means a particular museum complex or how much time is included, so ask your guide for the exact stop details.

You also visit the Zaisan Hill memorial statue to see the view around the national park, as described in the program. Zaisan Hill is associated with broad views, but the exact visible area and weather conditions will shape what you see. Clear conditions will help, while cloud or haze can reduce the view.

These stops give the second day a different feel from the first. You begin with horses and local food, then return toward the capital through major cultural and viewpoint stops. That variety is one reason this works well as a short introduction to Mongolia.

What the $310 price really covers

At $310 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Terelj. But the price includes a driver, English-speaking guide, meals, a ger night, national park admission, and museum tickets. It also combines transportation, cultural stops, horse riding, and local hosting into two days.

The value depends on how much of that mix you want. If you only want a park visit and a quick ride, a shorter outing may cost less. If you want an overnight ger stay, meals, a guide, and several stops without arranging each piece yourself, the package is easier to justify.

You still need to budget for snacks, alcohol, personal-use items, and travel insurance. Alcohol is not included and alcohol products are specifically excluded. Insurance is also your responsibility, which is worth noting for any trip involving outdoor riding.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while planning. Starting times depend on availability, so check before finalizing your day.

Who will enjoy this two-day trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a first look at Mongolia that combines nature, local food, horses, and a traditional overnight stay. It suits people who prefer a structured trip to arranging a driver, guide, park visit, horseman, meals, and accommodation separately.

It is especially useful for a beginner who wants to try riding with instruction rather than book an advanced riding holiday. The support of a guide and horseman can make the first attempt less stressful, although you should still ask about the riding details that are not provided.

This may not suit you if you need private bathrooms, dislike basic accommodation, or want a long and technically demanding ride. It is also not designed for babies under one year, people over 95, or groups planning a bachelor or bachelorette party. Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed.

Should you book the Terelj horse trek?

Book it if the combination matters more to you than any single stop: two days in Terelj, two riding sessions, a ger night, local meals, and guidance in several languages. The strongest features are the personal setting with a local family and horseman, plus the chance to get beyond vehicle-based sightseeing.

Before paying, confirm the riding duration, group size, bathroom arrangements, pickup details, and whether the Mongolian cooking lesson will happen on your date. If you accept basic comfort and keep your expectations realistic, $310 buys a useful, varied introduction to Terelj. If the cooking class or a long horseback route is essential, get that promise in writing first.

FAQ

How long is the horse trekking experience?

The experience lasts two days. Horse riding takes place on both days around Terelj National Park.

Where do I meet the guide?

The meeting point is Max Mall in Ulaanbaatar. The guide waits with your name or a TourGobi logo sign.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is optional, but you need to provide the pickup address in advance so a driver and guide can be sent.

What accommodation is included?

You stay overnight in a Mongolian ger. There is no shower.

Are meals included?

Yes. Meals are included, including lunch, dinner, and Mongolian-style breakfast with the local host. Snacks are not included.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in Mongolian, English, Japanese, and Korean.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, a camera, cash, and a charged smartphone.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.