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Between the Ears: Mongolia


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13 Days from $3841.30 per person | Trip Type: Field School | Activity Level: Advanced | Group Size: 5-10 + 2 Instructors


Trip Overview

  • Experience a homestay with a nomadic Kazakh family to learn about their style of horsemanship and daily life

  • Ride a multi-day pack trip with horses and camels through steppe, rocky mountain, and forest

  • Attend Naadam, Mongolia’s annual festival celebrating the sports of horse racing, wrestling, and archery (July 3-15 expedition). Participate in a 2-day local showcase of horse culture for the July 14-26 expedition.

  • Visit eagle hunters and throat singers


Trip Itinerary

  • Day 1: Welcome to Mongolia! After checking in, spend the afternoon exploring the city, visiting key landmarks and the biggest equestrian statue in the world (Genghis Khan). Dinner and night in a hotel.

  • Day 2: We start our adventure with a morning flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii, a vibrant town at the heart of Mongolia’s Kazakh community. Our host welcomes us for teatime. For the next two days, we will stay with a nomadic family, immersed in their way of life. They will introduce us to Mongolian horses: strong, resilient, and built for endurance, having carried nomadic warriors and herders across the vast steppes for centuries. During these two days our host family will teach you everything you need to know for the trek. You will see how horses are being trained and learn to adapt the way you ride to the Mongolian horse. People ride differently in Mongolia: high over the back of the horse and short stirrups when trotting or cantering. They hold the reins in one hand and steer by neck reining. Overnight in a Kazakh ger (yurt).

  • Day 3: We spend the day learning more about the Kazakh nomadic way of life. We will practice herding horses and watch how kumiss, fermented horse milk, is made. We will learn about the ‘Uurga’, a traditional wooden pole with a lasso (usually made of leather or rope) attached to the end – the Mongol version of a lasso. Night in ger.

  • Day 4: After breakfast, we will travel to Dayan Lake, covering approximately 150 km (4–5 hours). There, we will meet the horses and eagle hunters that will guide us for the next 4 days of our trek. This is the time to organize supplies and make sure everything is ready for the adventure. Night in ger.

  • Days 5-8: We begin our four-day horse trek, travelling about 50 km each day through the Yolt Valley. We will ride horses and carry tents and supplies on packing camels: Mongol way. The landscape changes every day: we will go from steppe looking plains to rocky mountains and lush forests. We will cross rivers and set up camps every night. This is the region of wolves, eagles and wild bears. Nights in tents.

  • Days 9-11: We’ll travel to a village for several days showcasing local horse culture. Although the schedule with be flexible for these immersive days in the village, activities will include horse archery, kokpar (a traditional horseback game played with a goat carcass), eagle hunters, traditional horse catching and farrier work, and the chance to spend time with local villagers sharing food, drink, and music. Nights in tents. On the 24 , we’ll travel to Khovd. There, we’ll experience Mongolian throat singing and explore how deeply horses are rooted in local culture, from music to food and everything in between. Night in hotel.

  • Day 12: Conclude your adventure with breakfast, followed by a transfer to Khovd Airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, our team will transfer you to your hotel, where you can rest or explore the city. Dinner together and night in hotel.

  • Day 14: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.


Overview: Join us for a rugged expedition in Mongolia. Guaranteed to be an adventure to the country’s far western reaches where the Altai Mountains rise from the vast steppe, this expedition is a deep dive into local culture and place.


Age Requirements: 18+

What can you expect when you travel on an Anthro Tours trip?

  • Dedicated Anthro Tours instructors and knowledgeable guides

  • A small group of 6-10 guests

  • Comfortable and convenient accommodations in each destination

  • Included activities as indicated in itineraries

  • Optional activities may be available for an additional cost as indicated in itineraries

  • Opportunities for on-your-own exploration as indicated in itineraries

  • Included meals as per itineraries

  • Tent partners match for solo travelers at no additional fee



Dates & Prices

2026 Dates & Prices

14-26 July 2026

$3841.30 per person

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. Optional activities are at an additional cost. All prices and fares are quoted in US dollars.


Travel Insurance

A minimum level of medical and emergency travel insurance is required in order to travel with Anthro International Field Schools. Details are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and you will not be permitted to join the group until you have provided evidence of adequate travel insurance.


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