2 Day Horse trekking in Terelj national park

The best part of this trip is the change of pace: you leave Ulaanbaatar behind and cross Terelj National Park on horseback, with a night in a family ger rather than a standard hotel. Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery add sightseeing, but the real draw is moving through the open country at horse speed.

I like two things here. First, local meals and ger lodging give you a direct look at Mongolian daily life. Second, the trip is practical for beginners because the guide teaches you how to ride before setting out. The guide and driver have also been praised for being kind and reassuring, including guide Bee.

The main caution is comfort. The ger has no shower, and one guest found that the promised lesson on making a traditional Mongolian lunch did not take place. At $310 per person, this is best for you if the cultural setting matters more than polished facilities.

Key points to know before booking

• Two days on horseback: Learn the basics, then ride through Terelj National Park with a guide.
• A night in a family ger: Sleep in a traditional Mongolian home with meals included.
• Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery: Mix outdoor riding with two of Terelj’s best-known stops.
• Several guide languages: Tours can be guided in Mongolian, English, Japanese, or Korean.
• No shower at the ger: Pack with simple overnight comfort in mind.
• Extra city sights included: The return route visits the Chinggis Khaan statue and Zaisan Hill.

Leaving Ulaanbaatar for Terelj National Park

The tour begins at Max Mall in Ulaanbaatar, where your guide waits with your name or a TourGobi sign. Hotel pickup is also available if you provide an address, which is useful if you have luggage or are staying away from the meeting point.

The drive takes you from the capital toward Terelj National Park. Exact departure times and driving times are not provided, so ask for the schedule before you book if you have a flight, train, or other fixed plan afterward.

Terelj is a sensible choice for a short escape from Ulaanbaatar. You get broad open country, rock formations, forested areas, and horse routes without needing to arrange a separate domestic trip. The park entrance fee is included, as are a driver and guide, so you are not left sorting out several small payments along the way.

The tour is listed at $310 per person. That is not a budget day trip, but the price covers two days of transport, guiding, meals, accommodation, park admission, and museum tickets. It becomes better value if you want a ready-made introduction to Mongolia and would otherwise need to arrange a driver, horse guide, meals, and a ger stay separately.

Turtle Rock, the easy landmark with a big payoff

Turtle Rock is the first major sightseeing stop. Its shape is easy to recognize, and it gives the day a clear visual marker before the riding begins.

This is a good place for photos and for getting your first feel for Terelj. The stop is not a long museum visit or a demanding walk, so it works well alongside a riding trip. Bring a charged phone or camera, as the tour specifically recommends both.

Do not expect Turtle Rock alone to justify the price. Its value comes from being part of a wider day that combines a national park visit, cultural stops, lunch, and horse riding.

Aryabal Monastery and a quieter pause

The itinerary includes Aryabal Monastery, also described as a meditation monastery. This stop adds a calm, reflective element to a day that otherwise centers on transport, meals, and riding.

You should expect a sightseeing visit rather than a long religious program. The included museum tickets may apply to the cultural sites visited, but the exact ticket details are not specified, so ask the guide what is covered if that matters to you.

The monastery helps give the trip some variety. You are not simply taken to the park for a short horseback loop. You see a cultural site, spend time with a local family, and then sleep in the area.

Lunch with a local family and horseman

Lunch takes place with a local family and horseman before the riding begins. This is one of the more useful parts of the day because it connects the park visit with the people who live and work there.

Meals are included throughout the tour. Day two begins with a Mongolian-style breakfast at the host family’s home, and lunch is also provided before you return to the vehicle.

Food arrangements in a family home are naturally less formal than eating at a city restaurant. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should arrive ready for a local setting rather than a menu with many choices. Snacks are not included, so bring your own if you need food between meals.

Alcohol is not included, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Cash is recommended, which is sensible for any small personal purchases or snacks.

Learning to ride before crossing the park

The riding portion begins after lunch. The guide teaches you how to ride a horse, then you set out around Terelj National Park.

This is a useful format if you have little or no riding experience. You get an introduction before heading away from the family home, and the guide remains part of the trip. Still, horse riding requires balance and comfort around animals, so you should tell the guide about your experience and any concern before you begin.

The riding is the heart of the tour. From horseback, you move at a slower pace than a car and see the park from a more personal angle. You are not just stopping at a viewpoint, taking a photo, and leaving. The route itself becomes part of the visit.

Exact riding hours, route length, horse details, and group size are not provided. Those details matter. Ask how long you will be in the saddle and what happens if you find riding uncomfortable. The advertised program includes riding on both days, so you should be prepared for a repeated horse-riding schedule rather than a single short introduction.

The second day includes another ride around the park after breakfast. This gives you more time to settle into the saddle, but it also means the tour may not suit you if you want only a brief taste of horse riding.

Dinner and a night in a Mongolian ger

After the first day’s ride, you have dinner and sleep in a Mongolian ger. A ger is a round, portable home traditionally used across Mongolia, and staying in one gives the trip a stronger connection to local life than an ordinary hotel room.

The ger is included in the price, but it does not have a shower. That is the most important comfort note in the entire trip. Pack a change of clothes, keep your overnight items simple, and consider bringing personal washing supplies that do not require a full bathroom.

You should also expect a basic stay rather than resort service. The value is in the setting, the family connection, and the chance to experience a traditional form of accommodation. If a private bathroom is essential to you, this is probably the wrong overnight trip.

The ger stay is particularly useful for visitors who want more than a quick park photo. You have dinner, breakfast, and time in a local home. The arrangement also keeps the two-day schedule compact, since you do not return to Ulaanbaatar after the first day.

Day two, breakfast, another ride, and a cooking promise

Breakfast is served Mongolian-style by the local host. After eating, you return to horseback for another ride around the park.

The itinerary also includes a lesson on preparing a traditional Mongolian lunch. Treat this as a possible highlight, not a firm guarantee. One verified booking found that the cooking lesson did not happen, so you should confirm with the guide at the start of the trip if this part is important to you.

That small gap matters because the lesson is more than a meal. It would give you a hands-on look at how local food is prepared, rather than simply placing a dish in front of you. If it is not available, the tour still includes meals and cultural contact, but the cooking element is missing.

After lunch, you return to the car. The road portion then shifts from rural Terelj toward two major Ulaanbaatar-area sights.

Chinggis Khaan’s statue and Zaisan Hill

The return route includes a visit to a Chinggis Khaan statue. Chinggis Khaan is central to Mongolia’s national story, so the stop gives the trip a clear historical reference point after two days focused on nature, horses, and family life.

The exact statue location and museum details are not stated, though museum tickets are included. Ask the guide how much time is planned there and what the ticket covers.

The final stop is Zaisan Hill memorial, where you can see the wider view around the national park according to the tour plan. This gives you a high viewpoint at the end of the trip and a chance to take stock of the region after seeing it from the ground.

Zaisan Hill is also a practical last stop because it brings you back toward the city before hotel drop-off. You finish with a broad view rather than ending immediately after the rural ride.

What the $310 price includes

The $310 price includes:

• Driver
• English-speaking guide, with Mongolian, Japanese, and Korean guide options also available
• Meals
• One night in a Mongolian ger
• Terelj National Park entrance fee
• Museum tickets

The package is strongest for people who want the logistics handled. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Terelj, find a horseman, book a ger, or work out meals on your own.

The price is less appealing if you only want a short ride or already have transport and accommodation arranged. It is also worth checking the group size, exact schedule, and amount of riding before paying, since those details are not stated.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some useful flexibility when planning a Mongolia trip with changing transport plans.

Who will enjoy this two-day ride

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a compact introduction to Mongolia that combines several parts of the country in one booking. It suits visitors who want:

• A first lesson in horse riding
• Outdoor time in Terelj National Park
• A traditional ger night
• Meals with a local family
• A guide who can speak English, Japanese, Korean, or Mongolian
• A simple way to combine countryside and Ulaanbaatar sights

It is less suitable if you need hotel-level comfort, a private shower, or a tightly timed schedule. It may also be a poor match if you dislike horses, do not want to ride on both days, or need a guaranteed cooking lesson.

The stated age restrictions are clear: the activity is not suitable for babies under one year or people over 95. Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed, and bachelor or bachelorette party groups are not accepted.

Pack a change of clothes, camera, cash, and a charged smartphone. You should also bring any personal items you need for a night without a shower. Snacks are not included, so take some if you prefer to eat between the scheduled meals.

Should you book the Terelj horse trek?

Book it if you want the horse riding and ger stay to be the center of your Mongolia visit. The strongest parts are the two days in Terelj, the local meals, the family setting, and the help of a guide and driver. Guide Bee is one named guide associated with the tour, and the available languages make this easier for many international visitors.

Think twice if your main goal is comfort or a carefully guaranteed cooking class. The no-shower ger, uncertain cooking lesson, and unspecified riding schedule require a flexible attitude.

For the right person, $310 buys more than transport and a photo stop. It buys a compact look at Mongolia through horses, food, family hospitality, and a night under a traditional roof.

FAQ

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Max Mall in Ulaanbaatar. Your guide will wait with your name or a TourGobi logo sign. Hotel pickup is available if you provide a pickup address.

What languages can the guide speak?

Guides are available in Mongolian, English, Japanese, and Korean.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a Mongolian ger is included. The ger does not have a shower.

Are meals included?

Yes. Meals are included, including lunch on the first day, dinner, Mongolian-style breakfast, and lunch on the second day. Snacks and alcohol are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, camera, cash, and a charged smartphone. You may also want snacks and personal washing supplies because the ger has no shower.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.