HORSE BREEDERS OF THE RIVER VALLEY

LIVING TOGETHER WITH NOMAD FAMILY BY THE MOUNTAIN RIVER

Meet Baldan, his wife Urnaa, and their beautiful children, a family of nomads living alongside the Hojuul River, located on the north of the Khangai mountain range, only kilometers from the Tosontengel village. 

This part of Zavkhan province is considered the coldest of the country, with temperatures regularly going down to -53C in winter. It is also the birthplace of many streams and rivers that will nourish the Selenge river (the longest river in the country, that goes itself into the lake Baikal in Russia), and is therefore at the origin of many ecosystems and life in Asia. The entire volcanic region is also known for its ancient civilizations and some of the earliest men of Asia, with open-air tombs and tumulus still visible today.

The couple over 50 years old have 4 children, with 2 of them already a student and graduated from university. Their older son is currently working as a high school teacher in Tosontsengel, while their only daughter studies medicine. Their two younger boys are living with them around the nomadic campsite, and represent the next generation of herders in the region. 

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OVERVIEW

LOCATED BY RIVERSIDE IN THE LOWER VALLEY OF VERDANT HIGH MOUNTAINS 

From Uliastai town 3 hours drive / 196 km   
From High Mountain Nomad Camp 4 hours drive / 170km 
From Lake Valley Horse Riding Camp 3 hours drive / 160km 

HORSE BREEDERS OF THE RIVER VALLEY
 
LIVING TOGETHER WITH NOMAD FAMILY BY THE MOUNTAIN RIVER

Meet Baldan, his wife Urnaa, and their beautiful children, a family of nomads living alongside the Hojuul River, located on the north of the Khangai mountain range, only kilometers from the Tosontengel village. 

This part of Zavkhan province is considered the coldest of the country, with temperatures regularly going down to -53C in winter. It is also the birthplace of many streams and rivers that will nourish the Selenge river (the longest river in the country, that goes itself into the lake Baikal in Russia), and is therefore at the origin of many ecosystems and life in Asia. The entire volcanic region is also known for its ancient civilizations and some of the earliest men of Asia, with open-air tombs and tumulus still visible today.

The couple over 50 years old have 4 children, with 2 of them already a student and graduated from university. Their older son is currently working as a high school teacher in Tosontsengel, while their only daughter studies medicine. Their two younger boys are living with them around the nomadic campsite, and represent the next generation of herders in the region. 

________
OVERVIEW

LOCATED BY RIVERSIDE IN THE LOWER VALLEY OF VERDANT HIGH MOUNTAINS 

From Uliastai town 3 hours drive / 196 km   
From High Mountain Nomad Camp 4 hours drive / 170km 
From Lake Valley Horse Riding Camp 3 hours drive / 160km

Baldan takes pride to raise his grandchildren in the countryside through the summer holidays, teaching them to love their land, and their horses. One day he will be happy to let them free to herd the horses just like him beforehand. The family is owning a large number of horses, divided into 2 herds (each with its own stallion) totaling 20 mares for each group plus other males and calves. But despite the large herd to take care of, Baldan explains with pride that he tries to keep this number as controlled as possible, with the stallions and the other males needing to protect the mares and calves from wolves populating the region, especially during winter.

The specificity of the Mongolian horses is that they are not bred the same way as Western countries, with farms and inseminations. They do live freely as wild horses on their own, traveling together as a pack, through forests, steppes, and mountains, protecting each other from predators, in search of the best pastures and with the least amount of snow to feed everyone during the winters.
The herders call them “wind horses” being “free” animals: as soon as released, the horses will gallop freely to their own future. The work of herders is to find and gather them back to the camp after some days out in the wild.

A definite ideal spot for an outpost to be set up, for a great relaxing moment, and to appreciate the rich culture of the pastoral nomadic lifestyle. Therefore, the river nomad adventures will bring the best scenic experiences with easy treks to the surrounding mountains, and in front of busy running nomadic life, always with the curiosity and the smile of the herders. 

It is our privilege to discover 4 different riding paradises with different ways of tackling it, along with visiting and learning about the families that your journey will support. All of this made possible with the comfort of our own private Gers welcoming you every evening for a well-deserved rest. This is one of the prime locations of Gobi Mountain Lake western’s adventures, great in-between rest and exploration, and an authentic visit to discover the horse breeders of the region.

This whole region is an incredible place to ride the many horses of the region, for a unique experience, rarely seen elsewhere. As being one of the coldest regions during the Mongolian winter (January- March), it is also a wonderful place to discover a totally new landscape, for when the snow is covering the ground. You can experience what the nomadic lifestyle truly is during the winter months, by joining our trip to these amazing locations. You will have a chance to ride along, eat and share stories beyond the typical summer season that hosts the bigger number of tourists in Mongolia.