2 Day Horse trekking in Terelj national park

Terelj is at its best from horseback. This two-day trip moves beyond a quick photo stop, taking you onto the grasslands, into a local family’s ger, and out for a night under a traditional roof. You’ll see Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery, then ride with local horsemen who help beginners get comfortable in the saddle.

I like the mix of riding and local life: you are not just looking at Mongolia from a vehicle, but eating local food and sleeping in a ger. I also like the kind, reassuring service described for guide Bee and the driver. The main tradeoff is simple comfort. The ger has no shower, and the promised lesson on making a traditional Mongolian lunch may not always happen.

Key points to know before booking

• Two days on horseback: Ride around Terelj National Park on both days, with instruction for people learning to ride.
• A real ger overnight: Sleep in traditional Mongolian accommodation at a local host’s home, with meals included.
• Classic Terelj sights: Visit Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery, also called the meditation monastery.
• Local connections: Meet horsemen and a local family rather than spending the whole trip at formal tourist stops.
• More than the park: The return includes Chinggis Khaan’s statue and Zaisan Hill for broad views.
• Basic facilities: There is no shower, and you should bring cash, snacks, a charged phone, and a change of clothes.

From Ulaanbaatar to Terelj in one morning

The tour begins at Max Mall in Ulaanbaatar, where your guide waits with your name or the TourGobi logo. Hotel pickup is also available if you provide the address in advance. That flexibility helps if you are carrying luggage or staying outside the central meeting area.

The drive takes you out of the capital and toward Töv Province and Terelj National Park. Exact departure times depend on availability, so confirm the start time when you book. A driver and an English-speaking guide are included, and Mongolian, Japanese, and Korean language service is also listed.

This first drive matters because Terelj is not a quick city outing. You need the vehicle transfer to reach the park, and the two-day format gives you time to see the main sights without rushing back to Ulaanbaatar after a short ride. Still, the day includes several stops and activities, so it is wise to keep your schedule open.

Turtle Rock, a useful first stop

Turtle Rock is one of Terelj’s best-known sights, and it makes a natural opening stop. The huge rock formation is shaped like a turtle, though you may need to look from the right angle to see the outline clearly. It is a good place for photos and a quick sense of the park’s unusual stone formations.

You should think of Turtle Rock as a scenic stop, not a long guided attraction. The value is visual: open grass, rock, and the chance to stretch after the drive. Bring your camera, as the tour specifically recommends one, but keep your phone charged as well.

A quiet visit to Aryabal Monastery

The itinerary also includes Aryabal Monastery, described as a meditation monastery. Its setting gives the first day a calmer pause before the horse ride. The visit is part of the national park sightseeing, with museum tickets included where applicable.

Do not expect a long religious study session unless your guide provides extra explanation on the day. The supplied details do not give a visit length or a formal meditation program. Instead, see Aryabal as a peaceful cultural stop that adds more meaning to the park than scenery alone.

Lunch with a local family and horsemen

After the morning sightseeing, you have lunch with a local family and horseman. This is one of the strongest parts of the trip for anyone who wants a closer look at daily life in Mongolia. You are eating in a local setting, not simply stopping at a standard restaurant.

The meal is included, as are dinner and breakfast. Food is described as local, and the second day includes Mongolian-style breakfast. Exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a fixed menu or a restaurant-style choice of meals.

The local setting also helps explain the horse ride. You meet the people connected with the horses before heading out, which makes the transition from sightseeing to riding feel more natural. It is a better setup for beginners than being handed a horse with no introduction.

Your first ride across the park

The first riding session begins after lunch. The guide and horsemen teach you how to ride, then take you around Terelj National Park. The focus is not on a short pony ride beside a parking area. You spend time moving through the park on horseback.

That said, this is not presented as an advanced riding tour. If you already ride often, you may find the instruction basic. If you are new to horses, the teaching is a useful part of the value. Tell the guide about your experience level before you start, and listen closely to the horsemen.

The exact riding time is not provided, so ask about the expected duration and pace. You should also bring clothes that can handle dust, outdoor movement, and a full day away from the city. A change of clothes is specifically recommended.

The setting is the main reward. You see Terelj from ground level, with the pace set by the horse rather than a car. That gives the park a more personal feel, though it also means you should be comfortable with a little uncertainty in the schedule.

Dinner and a night in a Mongolian ger

After the first ride, you have dinner and sleep in a Mongolian ger. A ger is a round, traditional Mongolian dwelling, and staying in one is central to the cultural side of this trip. It turns an ordinary park visit into an overnight stay with a local family.

The accommodation is included, but the facilities are basic. There is no shower, so pack with that in mind. A small wash kit, a change of clothes, and personal items will make the night easier, though the tour does not promise private bathroom facilities.

You should also expect the ger stay to feel more practical than polished. That is part of its appeal, but it is not the right choice if you need hotel-level comfort. Alcohol is not included, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Snacks are also not included, so bring your own if you need something between meals.

A second morning on horseback

Day two starts with breakfast in the Mongolian style at the local host’s home. The included breakfast gives you another chance to eat in a local setting rather than returning immediately to city food and hotel routines.

You then ride around the national park again. The second ride is useful because the first day is partly about learning the basics. By the second session, you should have a clearer sense of how to sit, guide the horse, and settle into the slower rhythm, although the tour does not promise an advanced riding lesson.

The repeated riding is also what justifies the two-day length. A one-hour photo ride can feel like a quick add-on. Here, horseback travel is the central activity across both days. If you mainly want monuments and sightseeing from a vehicle, this may feel like too much time in the saddle. If riding is the reason you are considering the tour, the extra day is the point.

Learning to make Mongolian lunch

After the second ride, you have lunch before returning to the vehicle. The plan includes teaching you how to make Mongolian lunch in a traditional way. This could be a valuable hands-on moment, especially after eating local meals during the ger stay.

Keep your expectations measured. The activity details do not specify the dish, ingredients, or length of the lesson, and the promised cooking experience may not always take place. One booking reported missing this part, which is the clearest warning in the available feedback.

I would treat the cooking lesson as a possible bonus, not the main reason to pay for the tour. If it matters to you, ask the guide early in the trip whether the lesson is scheduled and what you will prepare.

Chinggis Khaan’s statue and Zaisan Hill

The return journey adds two major Ulaanbaatar-area stops. First comes a visit to the Chinggis Khaan statue, with museum tickets included. The statue is an important national symbol and gives the trip a historical and cultural finish after the rural overnight.

The final stop is Zaisan Hill memorial statue, where you can see views across the surrounding area. This is a useful last look before returning to the city. After two days in the park, the view from above helps you understand how close the open countryside is to Ulaanbaatar.

The itinerary lists both the statue and Zaisan Hill on the return, but it does not give exact visiting times. If you need to catch a flight or train, do not schedule it too tightly after the planned hotel drop-off.

What the $310 price covers

At $310 per person, this is not a bare horse-rental outing. The price includes the driver, English-speaking guide, meals, one night in a ger, national park entrance, and museum tickets. Hotel pickup can also be arranged if you send the pickup address.

That bundle gives the price reasonable value for someone who wants a short, organized introduction to Terelj. You are paying for transport from Ulaanbaatar, guiding, two days of riding, food, park access, a cultural stay, and the return sightseeing. Booking those pieces separately would take more planning.

The value is less clear if you do not care about the ger or meals with a local host. You are still paying for the full package, including the overnight and repeated horse rides. Compare it with your priorities, not just the headline price.

Bring extra cash for personal spending, snacks, and anything outside the included meals and tickets. Alcohol, insurance, and personal-use products are not included. The tour also recommends a charged smartphone, camera, cash, and spare clothes.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This trip suits you if you want active rural travel with a clear cultural element. It is a good match for first-time riders because horse-riding instruction is part of the plan, and the local horsemen are there during the riding portion.

It also suits people who would rather sleep in a ger than spend both nights in Ulaanbaatar. The two-day schedule gives you a better sense of Terelj than a quick drive out and back. Guide Bee is specifically praised for being kind and making the trip comfortable, which is reassuring if you prefer support in English.

You should think twice if you need a shower every day, dislike basic accommodation, or want a tightly timed sightseeing program. The no-shower ger and flexible schedule are not minor details. Babies under one year and people over 95 are listed as unsuitable, and strollers or baby carriages are not allowed.

The tour also does not accept bachelor or bachelorette party groups. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited. Those rules point to the kind of trip this is: a quiet, outdoors-focused cultural outing rather than a party weekend.

Practical booking advice

Meet at Max Mall with your name or the TourGobi logo visible to the guide. If you want pickup from your hotel, send the address in advance rather than assuming it is automatic.

Ask about the start time, expected riding duration, and cooking lesson before departure. Those details are not fixed in the information provided, and the cooking portion has not always been delivered.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check availability for the actual starting time, since the two-day duration alone does not tell you when the vehicle leaves.

Should you book the Terelj horse trek?

Book it if you want a compact introduction to Mongolia that combines riding, local food, a ger night, and the main Terelj sights. The strongest reasons are the two riding days, the chance to meet local horsemen, and the personal service associated with guide Bee.

Skip it if you want hotel comfort, a guaranteed cooking workshop, or a short sightseeing loop with no physical activity. At $310, the tour makes the most sense when you use the whole package: ride both days, accept the simple ger, and treat the local meals as part of the experience. Go prepared for basic facilities, and this can be a memorable way to see Terelj at a slower, more human pace.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Ulaanbaatar?

The meeting point is Max Mall. Your guide will wait with your name or a sign showing the TourGobi logo.

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.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts two days.

What languages are available?

Live guide service is listed in Mongolian, English, Japanese, and Korean.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a Mongolian ger is included. The ger has no shower.

Are meals included?

Yes. Meals include lunch, dinner, and breakfast during the trip. The breakfast is served in a Mongolian style at the local host’s home.

What sights are included?

The trip includes Turtle Rock, Aryabal Monastery, Terelj National Park, the Chinggis Khaan statue, and Zaisan Hill.

Is horse-riding instruction provided?

Yes. The experience includes teaching you how to ride, followed by horse riding around the national park.

What is not included in the price?

Alcohol, snacks, personal-use products, and insurance are not included.