Canoeing expidetion on Orkhon
Description:
The ultimate Mongolian outdoor expedition. Paddle the legendary Orkhon River — one of Central Asia’s great waterways — through four extraordinary days of wild canoe camping, then combine it with horse riding in the dramatic Tunkhel landscape, a high-altitude mountain trek, and train travel woven seamlessly along the Trans-Mongolian Railway.
Eight days. Four sports. Some of the world’s most remote and beautiful river landscapes. Professional international and local guides ensure safety and support throughout. The full Ulaanbaatar city day on the final day brings the journey to a triumphant close.
Fitness: Decent swimming and paddling ability required — multi-day expedition
Booking: Minimum 6 months advance booking required
Guides: Professional international and local expedition guides throughout
Equipment: High-quality canoes and full camping gear provided
Tour Highlights
- 4-day Orkhon River canoe expedition through some of the most remote wilderness in Central Asia
- Horse riding in the spectacular Noyon mountain area near Tunkhel
- All transport via local trains along the legendary Trans-Mongolian Railway
- Wild camping every night on the pristine banks of the Orkhon River
- Full Ulaanbaatar city tour on the final day — Chinggis Khan Museum & folk concert
- Professional international and local expedition guides with full safety briefings
- Total immersion in Mongolia’s most spectacular and least-visited river landscapes
Map:
- Tour duration
- Tour Grade
- Person in group max
- Date start
- Date end
- 8 day(s)
- Challenge
- 15
- 2026-06-01
- 2026-09-01
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Day by day itinerary:
Arrival in Tunkhel
08.00-09.00 Transfer from your hotel in Ulaanbaatar to the train station in Ulaanbaatar.
09:35 Board Train #271 from Ulaanbaatar. Personal welcome from your guide at the platform.
12:50 Arrive at Tunkhel. Transfer to Tunkhel Guest House. Lunch.
15:00 – 18:00 Afternoon sightseeing by private car — forest drives and mountain hiking in the Khan Khentii foothills.
18:30 – 19:30 Dinner at the guest house. Campfire by the Kharaa River with fellow expedition members.
Horse riding & Night Train to Erdenet
A day in the saddle through the dramatic Noyon mountain area before the night train carries the expedition north to Erdenet.
Morning Breakfast at camp.
All day Horse riding up into the Noyon mountains — sweeping views, genuine Mongolian horsemanship, and an arrival at a nomadic family camp for a warm and memorable shared dinner.
21:00 Transfer to Unegt station.
22:45 Board the night train to Erdenet. Sleep in your cabin as northern Mongolia passes in the darkness.
The expedition moves to the Orkhon River — the ancient waterway that powered Mongolian civilization for millennia. Today's afternoon is devoted to preparation and training before the paddles enter the water.
Morning Arrive in Erdenet. Breakfast at a local café. Grocery shopping for the four-day canoe expedition.
Midday Transfer to the Orkhon River. Meet the canoes. Comprehensive safety briefing and paddling skills training with your certified international guides.
Afternoon First short paddle — a warm-up section to build confidence and team cohesion before the main expedition begins.
Evening First night camping on the Orkhon River bank. The expedition has begun.
Orkhon River-Canoeing Day2
A full day on the water — open valleys, forested cliff faces, and pristine Mongolian wilderness unfolding on both banks. Self-cooked expedition meals at camp. Swimming and wildlife spotting throughout. Camp at a spectacular new riverside location each evening — the landscape varies constantly.
Orkhon river - Canoeing Day 3
A full day on the water — open valleys, forested cliff faces, and pristine Mongolian wilderness unfolding on both banks. Self-cooked expedition meals at camp. Swimming and wildlife spotting throughout. Camp at a spectacular new riverside location each evening — the landscape varies constantly.
Orkhon River-Final Canoeing day
The last day on the Orkhon reveals its grandest stretches. The sense of space, silence, and freedom here is unlike anything else in Asia. A final night's camp on the Orkhon riverbank — fires, stories, and the quiet pride of a river expedition completed.
Orkhon River Finish Canoeing
Morning Complete the canoe expedition at Ulaan Uul. Congratulations — the Orkhon journey is done.
Midday Local jeeps collect the group and transfer to Khangal train station.
17:40 Board Train #311 — overnight sleeping cabins to Ulaanbaatar. Pizza from Erdenet delivered to the train for a well-earned celebration dinner. Raise a cup to what you have achieved.
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar City -City Tour
The perfect close to eight extraordinary days: a full city day in Ulaanbaatar, putting the ancient history of the Orkhon Valley into its wider Mongolian context.
06:15 Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to Best Western Hotel in the city centre.
09:00 – 12:00 Chinggis Khan National Museum — 9 floors of Mongolian history from the Bronze Age to the 20th century. The ideal close to a journey through lands the great khans once ruled.
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch at Modern Nomads Restaurant.
14:00 – 15:00 Choijin Lama Temple Museum.
16:00 – 17:00 Coffee break and rest.
18:00 – 19:00 Mongolian Traditional Folk Concert.
19:30 – 20:30 Celebration buffet dinner at Shangri-La Mall Restaurant. Eight extraordinary days — richly deserved.