Zavkhan Trekking
Zavkhan Trekking
5
About
Zavkhan Trekking offers day treks, and longer, to Mongolia's remotest areas, traveling by horse-back. Our treks are aimed at people who specifically wish to avoid the main tourist areas and get well off the beaten track. For intrepid travelers who know that the best way to experience Mongolia is by horse.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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5.0
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Stephanie
Ward, New Zealand5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024
Now that I'm back home and reflecting on my photos I can say that this was an amazing experience. An extremely well-run trek and I would definitely recommend anyone wanting to go with this company to go for it. I experienced things out of my comfort zone but throughout the whole trek I was treated with respect and dignity by the whole Zavkhan Trekking team. For example, I am a fussy eater and sadly by the end I couldn't handle any more Mongolian treats, such as the mutton, yak milk & the cheeses. No one forced me to eat the food, and I certainly didn't go without. The food was generally amazing.
Tips: Make sure you take a good lip moisturizer/conditioner that will last for the period of the trek. You will find that you are using it heaps. Take a nasal spray as I found I got a bit sniffly from being in a higher attitude & drier environment. (Thankfully I had one) Ensure you have a good sleeping bag. I took a Macpac Azure 700 Std -11°C and found I was extremely comfortable at this time of the year. I didn't have a liner but that was just because I didn't buy one. Take a book to read or another activity such as crosswords for down time. Ensure that your riding boots are comfortable to walk in down steep hills as there are a couple of instances whereby the riders have to walk downhill. I myself took my Dublin riding boots and another pair of general yard boots. I had to revert to the yard boots as they were so much more comfortable to walk in downhill as my usual riding boots were too hard on my toes. The stirrup irons are extremely roomy so no concerns there with changing my boots. I would probably take a light pair of sandals if I was to go again for wearing around the campsites. The supermarkets in Mongolia are very well stocked so don't stress about taking everything from your country in your luggage to Mongolia. There is something for everyone on those shelves. Read all the information provided by Zavkhan trekking and you can't go wrong.
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, Those are very helpful tips, hearing it from multiple sources will really help future riders believe us when we say you need a good sleeping bag ;) We appreciate your thoughtful review and words - and we are glad you loved Mongolia!
Written 2 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Vicemaster02
Austria42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024
I did the 2 weeks trail in the Altai Mountains and it was one of the most amazing trips I have ever done. The nature is incredible. The horses were really healthy, the wrenglers really professional, the whole organization amazing - from the beginning. Ogi - our guide - one of the best I ever had and I travel a lot. :) so if you wanna experience Mongolias true nature - DO IT!!
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your words!! It means a lot. Post Covid has been a difficult time for all travel companies, so we appreciate the encouragement! Cheers
Written 2 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

WilsonsWanderings
Baltimore, MD190 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015 • Couples
My fiancé David and I went on a fourteen day horse riding adventure in Sept. 2015.
I had been wanting to explorer Mongolia and the country side for a few years when I stumbled on Zavkhan Trekking. BEST DECISION EVER!!!

We could not have picked a better company to go with. Neither David nor myself had any experience riding horses besides the occasional trail ride. Under the guidance of our lovely guides Jen and Agnar I quickly learned how to properly ride, the do's and don'ts of horse handling and was even able to canter a few times. I don't want to brag but I even got Cuddles, my horse, to jump a stream. It doesn't matter the stream was four inches across, my horse and I, jumper it! The head wranglers (who own the horses) were also a great asset to the success of this adventure.

This trip is defiantly for someone who is easy going but also adventurous. I say easy going because we picked a trip that was set to go into the national park, but due to a blizzard we had to completely redo the itinerary. I think it was even more adventurous than what I had expected. You have long days in the saddle but are rewarded with views and amazing experiences. The trip turned out to be even better because we saw a lot more than originally planned. We also got to visit and stay with family's and that was extremely awesome. How many people can say they slept in a local family's gher? Sometimes the best laid plans change and they change for the better! If you are somewhat in shape, mentally tuff, and self-assured you will LOVE this trip.

On a side note: I have hiked to the top of Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and Everest Base Camp. In other words I have done a lot of organized trips and this trip was by FAR my favorite. Unfortunately, I do not have the words to express how much I LOVED this trip. I wish I was a writer so I could properly share with you how much this trip fulfilled my expectations.

This is NOT a trail ride. You stay in tents, you do not have a proper toilet or shower for 14 days. They have cooks who prepare food for you over a dung filled stove. Did I mention you collect the dung? You eat pretty much the same thing ever day, and you are GLAD to have it. It's ruff but rewarding at the same time.

We picked the trip in Sept. because it ended with a day trip to see the famous Eagle Festival. This was also so impressive. I loved this part of the trip too. If you don't know what the Eagle Festival is google it. If you can swing it I suggest you not miss this.

I will defiantly be booking another trip with John and crew again.
Written 9 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hiphopapotomous
Auckland Central, New Zealand21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My wife and I completed the Zavkahn Classic riding trek in September 2018. We're both seasoned travellers and love the outdoors. Consequently a large proportion of our travel centres around outdoor and adventure experiences. Without any reservations we both have to agree that the horse trek we've just undertaken with Zavkahn Trekking has left us with the fondest of experiences and memories. We have a new found respect for the people who inhabit those remote parts of Mongolia and in terms of our own experiences this adventure will be very hard to beat!

Even with the uncertainties around traffic congestion in UB to weather and roading concerns in the mountains, everything ran on schedule. Contingencies were in place for unforseen circumstances and equipment provided was more than adequate for the situations encountered.

Haldi, our local guide, was excellent. For him, nothing was a problem and his local upbringing allowed us to learn about local customs and ways. He and his team gave plenty of scope for those with better riding experience to enjoy things at their pace while beginners or those with less experience were equally catered for. My wife and I both fit into the latter group. But as the days progressed, equally and exponentially, so did our skills and abilities!

Erka and her assistant were fantastic in the kitchen tent. No two meals were the same. Everything was cooked over a portable wood fired oven and without exception all meals tasted fantastic and were plentiful.

The rest of the support crew of drivers and wranglers also made for a professional outfit and exceptional experience for us, the clients.

One word of advice for anyone looking to undertake this trip. Don't underestimate the temperature. We completed our trip at the end of the Mongolian summer. (end of Sept). The temperature inside our tent reached - 10 Celsius one night! We regularly rode in temperatures well bellow freezing. A thick sleeping bag and alpine clothing are a must at this time of year!

We would participate in another Zavkahn Horse trek in a heart beat... Maybe Kazakhstan next time!
Written 20 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, Thanks for the response - a respect and lasting fondness for remote Mongolia and its people sounds like a wonderful feeling to have after a trip like that, and I am glad to say that's how I feel too, after working here for many years. I hope your increased horse riding skills serve you well in your further adventures! Keep in touch.
Written 4 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Aaron W
Southgate, MI22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I just finished up week long trek out on the steppe. Zavkhan runs an amazing operation. It feels like you are going on an adventure with family and friends more so than hiring a company. John was an interesting and amazing person as well as Ogi and Jenya and their drivers, cooks and wranglers. Everyone got along great and it really seemed like a well oiled machine.

The landscape is breathtaking by itself. It truly is like going back in time as you ride by herds of semi wild horses and cattle, sheep and goats abound.

I only had 20 minutes of riding experience prior to this trip, but the crew made me feel confidant and safe and there were no issues. Truly a great way to learn to ride.

For the more experienced riders in the group, there were times where we split so they could enjoy a good gallop.

The food was great as well. I was a bit worried about eating boiled mutton for a week, but the cook had proper skills. There was a good variety with plenty of vegetables which included something like a yellow curry, borscht, goulash and many side dishes. The local fresh dairy products were delicious as well.

I highly recommend this trip to anyone. I know I look forward to going on some of their other adventures.
Written 29 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Aaron, Thank you for the recommendation! That means a lot to us - we will have horses ready for you whenever you are ready to return!
Written 19 September 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Wanderer
Manila, Philippines55 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Friends
Just finished a trek across the Zavkhan province with these guys. What a fabulous trip. The horses...the camp sites...the support crew...the views...the whole package was far better than expected. If you in any doubt and you like riding...even basic...do it. The country is one of a kind and the Zavkhan trekking guys will take you places and show you parts you'll never see otherwise.
Written 20 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your feedback A, always good to have a fellow Kiwi along, even one who has defected to the Dark Side...great group of people to start the season with in Zavkhan. I always enjoy riding with Dondov, Tsoj, and Adya, they are master horsemen, and the whole team are what really made it unforgettable. It was good from my side to explore that new route and ride where I have not been for maybe 8 years. It's a beautiful part of Mongolia for sure (and not a tourist to be seen anywhere!). John.
Written 21 July 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

wandering_teacher12
Hong Kong, China31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Friends
Zavkhan Trekking is the company you should use if you want an unforgettable trip. We completed a private tour of Mongolia that covered over 3500km and we loved every single kilometre.

We set a tough goal for John: we wanted to experience and see Mongolia, but we wanted to avoid any route where we might meet tourists!. However, he accepted the challenge and delivered a road trip that included beautiful scenery and campsites; opportunities for us to experience local customs and celebrations as well as historical and religious sites.

Jenya, our Mongolian guide, was exceptionally knowledgeable and thanks to him we got to meet a huge amount of people that let us learn about Mongolia. Our drivers, Sainaa and Sacha, were also amazing and always made us feel safe on the different terrains. They were very professional and friendly and made the trip feel like a group of friends on an adventure. Any minor mishaps, such as a flat tyre, were dealt with efficiently and considering the difficult terrain, the van handled it very well!

We got to see a wide variety of places, from mountain steppe, the steppes and the Gobi. The different scenery really is breathtaking and we always had a great place to camp each night. Food was also good and we ate well all trip (except for the mare's milk, which is not for people with weak stomachs!).

The best part of the trip, however, was our guide's ability to introduce us to the people and customs. I think Jenya's English was better than my own and he was eager to share Mongolian customs and history with us. Through him we also met a wide variety of people and as a result had some great experiences, which included a beautiful barbecue next to the Onon river and seeing some pre-Nadaam races, as well as the Sainshand Nadaam.

Everyone we communicated with at Zavkhan were excellent - they are clearly passionate about Mongolia and providing a top class service.

I can’t express how much we loved the trip, however the fact that we were talking about what we are going to do on next year’s trip before this one had finished probably speaks for itself…
Written 20 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Viv M
Hong Kong Island, China12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2013 • Friends
Trekking on horseback across Mongolia was on my things-to-do-before-I-die list and so I had high hopes when we began our 21-day trek into the Altai Mountains. I chose Zavkhan for three reasons: 1) no strict set itinerary - they are the only tour group allowed in the region we trekked through, so had the freedom to chose the best routes based on the weather etc. 2) The reviews from so many who'd done the trip before were outstanding and detailed and 3) Many of those had return to do other trips with this company, sometimes more than once.

Our Eagle Festival trip in Sept/Oct 2012 was way beyond my expectations, with scenery that was just breathtaking and varying from day to day. We began in the lowlands, trekking up through snowcapped mountains, then down into glacial valleys and forests, sleeping under the stars by picturesque streams. We ventured into the no-man's-land between the Chinese and Mongolian borders, never seeing another tour group. New Zealander John Williamson was a fantastic tour leader, careful to ensure all of us and our varied riding skills were safe and enjoying the ride. His Mongolian colleagues, from our lovely Wranglers, gorgeous cook and drivers all made sure we had an authentic Mongolian experience from songs around the campfire at night, to the food and horse games they encouraged us to take part in.

But the highlight was the Eagle Festival that was the culmination of our trip. I can only describe it as seeing 50 Genghis Khan's with giant Eagles on their arms descending out of nowhere to partake in the most amazing spectacle of traditional Eagle-hunting and daring horse games. All were gracious about posing for photographs and there was just the right amount of tourists, so no jostling for the best shots.

I can't speak highly enough of this trip and will definitely consider doing another one of Zavkhan's Mongolian adventures. Their website is really detailed and so you arrive feeling very prepared to face minus five degree night temperatures or whatever the trek throws at you, with all the right gear. And anything else, there's the growing community of former Zavkhan trekkers who add their 'what I forgot to bring' updates to it after every trip. And the best part is our group of mixed nationalities and ages, who all bonded so well on the trip, have remained friends and in touch and may be reuniting for a wedding next year!
Written 30 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Viv, Thanks so much for your review. It makes it all worthwhile for us when we know people have a fantastic time. You describe the whole thing very eloquently! Thanks, John
Written 4 June 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Livehistorytours
Nerang, Australia1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2012 • Solo
I did a trip with Zavkhan Trekking in 2010 to the Altai mountains and the Sagsai Eagle Festival. The trip took 17 days all up and included ten days on horseback in the middle of nowhere. It was serene, spectacular, and gave me a feeling of being amongst the only people left on earth some days because it was so peaceful.

There was adventure too - every day brought something unexpected. I highly recommend John and the team to give you a "once in a lifetime" horse trekking experience.

Cheers from Rick
Written 19 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi RR, I could see you found your spiritual home amongst the eagle hunters of the Altai Mountains. I thought you might come back - and I was right!
Written 22 May 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Michael C
Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2011 • Solo
Zavkhan Trekking run the best tours in Mongolia. If you don't have long in the country then a trip to Khustai National Park is a great way to get out of UB for a while. But if you can spend a little longer then take a look at their horse riding adventures. They're well organised, but with a real feeling of independence and exploration. They go to the parts of Mongolia where you won't see any other tourists - a great way to experience the best that Mongolia has to offer!
Written 14 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi MC, I hoped you would have a great time. The management of our website is all the better for you having been and seen what we get up to in the Altai Mountains!
Written 22 May 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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