The Great Mongolian Ride - Adventure With a Heart

You can be part of the longest charity ride in the world! This is not a race, but a group ride over 3000km in 61 days, from the West point of Mongolia in the Altai Mountains to the Easternmost tip of the country, the open grassy plains of Dornod. All this to benefit the Mischeel foundation which provides dental care to Mongolian children who sorely need it. Join for the whole 10 week expedition, or for a short 10 day sprint. The ride starts on the 20th of July 2021 from the base of the Altai Mountains in Bayan-Ulgii Province, Western Mongolia, finishing on the 23rd of September 2021 in Dornod Province at the Eastern Border of Mongolia and China. This is a one time charity challenge, a once in a lifetime chance, as well as a completely unique experience, all for an amazing cause.

The Beneficiary: The Misheel Foundation

The sole beneficiary of this Charity Ride, the Misheel Kids Foundation, will receive 20% of proceeds and 100% of all funds raised in excess of the price of the ride. It provides much needed dental care for a rolling count of more than 700 vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Mongolia, primarily at seven orphanages and daycare centers based in Ulaanbaatar. Team members are encouraged to fundraise towards their entrance fee and beyond as this will help raise awareness to the need for dental care in Mongolian children.

The Foundation works as a facilitator and sponsor between the orphanages and specially selected dentists and dental clinics, providing annual check-ups, full sponsorship for treatment, follow up examinations and repeat treatment, if necessary. The backbone of the Foundation is providing fun and engaging oral hygiene education and preventative education aimed at children and their caretakers, bringing brighter smiles to children in Mongolia. The Foundation also engages in an annual rural outreach project to remote areas in Mongolia’s outlying regions. The last two years have seen successful projects engaging the Tsaatan, or Reindeer herder community, and local Mongolian communities in the far North of Mongolia. In 2019 the dental team treated almost 350 patients in 6 days, including children who would not otherwise have been able to reach dental help at all. The Misheel Kids Foundation relies on private, corporate and minimal government sponsorship to provide its services, good quality dental treatment and education to the vulnerable children of Mongolia. It is run on a voluntary basis by its Founders and Board Members.

Not a Race, but quite an Adventure!

The Organizers

The Great Mongolian Ride is being organized by Gabriella Schmidt-Corsitto, Gaby to her friends, jointly with Saraa and Baagii, a local horse herding family and horse trekking experts. Saraa and Baagii have been organizing and running horse treks and expeditions for over 20 years all across Mongolia. Their home base, Saraa’s Ger Camp and Horse Treks is famous among expat and visiting equestrians in Mongolia for providing excellent service and thrilling horse riding experiences.The charity ride has been dreamed up by Gaby and has come about through her years of passionate riding and exploring Mongolia on horseback with Saraa and Baagii. Gaby herself has been riding horses since she was a child, and now, at the age of 55, she feels more at home in the saddle than out.

The Horses

Mongolian Horses are made for long distances. After all, it is on their backs that Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan and their hordes invaded Europe. Every participant will be provided with 2 horses, and all fresh horses will be provided after around every 1000km at designated points. They are on the small side and sometimes feisty but are uniquely suited for this adventure .

Ride across Mongolia

Itinerary and Logistics

This ride is one of a kind, crossing the whole width of Mongolia! The group will ride together for 50 km per day, travelling East along a set route. After every 10 days of riding, there will be a rest day. This will also allow for new riders to swap in and riders who have completed their section to travel back to Ulaanbaatar by car. The organizers have prepared 6 sections where riders can join this epic adventure but going the whole way will be a once in a lifetime adventure! Each section is different and offers a unique chance to see remote Mongolia. There are limited spaces for each section, so please book according to your desired dates as soon as possible. In every section there will be a chance to see the real Mongolia, enjoy time with nomads, seeing large herds of animals roaming freely on the steppe, and riding your horses freely like generations of Mongolian’s have done for centuries. Each section has its challenges, whether it be a river crossing or a mountain pass. However, every day you will see beauty unlike anything in Europe; the landscapes in Mongolia are so huge and the sky so wide you have to experience it yourself. Please note: This schedule is subject to change at any time. Weather conditions in Mongolia are often unpredictable. Flexibility and endurance are thus essential for a horseback riding.

THE GREAT MONGOLIA RIDE

The Great Mongolian Ride: 61 days

20.07.2022 – 23.09.2022

Adventure of a lifetime - Ride for Mongolian children! Starts on 20 July 2022 from Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Bayan-Ulgii, Western Mongolia. For adventurers who want to take on the whole 10 week challenge, you must be in very good condition and have experience riding on long distances. We will ride together as a group for 50km per day, traveling East along a set route we have prepared. After 10 days of riding, we will have a rest day. Every participant will be provided with 2 horses, and fresh horses will be provided after around every 1000km at designated points. We welcome challengers to join for the whole 10 week ride! Includes: 61 riding days (non riding days are free), transport to the start point and from the end point to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 300 per day)



The Great Mongolian Ride: 10 day sections

Team 1: 20.07.2022 to 30.07.2022

Starting in the high Altai Mountains by 3000 meter above sea and continuing along the Tsagaan river. High altitude! The first 4 days are mountainous and tricky riding, but with the chance to visit famous Eagle hunters! We will visit Bayan Ulgii, the province City of Ulgii and continue along the Khovd river to a much lower altitude, than Achilt Lake with lots of bird wildlife. Then beautiful scenery with red rock, green steppe, fresh water and salt lakes. Scenery like the moon! Herds of horses, yak and camel are abundant. Our last stop for Team 1 will be at the salty Khyargas Lake, which is 70 km long and 30 km wide with sand beaches. Includes: 10 days riding, transport to the start of your section and back to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 420 per day)



The Great Mongolian Ride: 10 day section

Team 2: 31.07.2022 to 10.08.2022

Starting from the salty Khyargas Lake riding next to the beach around the lake. After around 40 km we will cross the huge Zvakhan river by a ferry and ride to the Khetsuu Khad Rocks with all the Cormorant birds. An absolute overwhelmed place. Then we cross a endless stone desert and arrive at the smale city Urgamal. We will be following the Khungii river and ride next to the Bor Khyaryn Else; sand dunes. Beautiful landscape. A other high light will be the Mosongiin river in the middle of Sand dunes there we will stay overnight and have all evening to enjoy this natural wonder which belongs to one of the national parks in Mongolia. From there we will rid high up to the rocky mountains over 2900 meter over sea-level and will see the most astonished rock deformations ever. Our way will continue to Ulaagchny Kahr Lake, this is a lake in middle of rocks and Sand dunes. Beautiful and infinite space is surrounding us. Finally, we will arrive on the endless stone dessert and green stepps surrounded by green hills where the team 2 will end. Picturesque landscapes. Herds of horses, sheep, yaks and nomadic families. Includes: 10 days riding, transport to the start of your section and back to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 420 per day)



The Great Mongolian Ride: 10 day sections

Team 3: 11.08.2022 to 21.08.2022

Central Mongolia, where the Ider river flowing along we will reach Ikh Uul and the lovely town Jargalant. We will ride over a mountain pass of 2300 meter over see level. Looks like in the german or swiss alps with lots of yaks; sheep’s, goats, cow’s and of course horses. We will arrive at Terkhiin Tsagaan lake and the famous volcano which we will clime up to visit. This is next to the city Tariat. Then we ride next to the Saman river which is turning in to a huge canyon. A amazing landscape. And aging we will ride over a beautiful forest hilly pass forward to the City Tsetserlek and to the hot spring near Tsenker valley. Herds of sheep, goats and horses in abundance Our Team 3 will be ending near Bat Olzii next to the famous Orkhon Waterfall and Orkhon valley and river. Includes: 10 days riding, transportation to the start of your section and back to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 420 per day)



The Great Mongolian Ride: 10 day sections

Team 4: 22.08.2022 to 01.09.2022

Central Mongolia, again very varied landscapes from green rolling steppe, to sand dunes and desert with the first herds of Gazelle, small mountains and lots of beautiful river valleys. Picturesque landscapes. Herds of horses, sheep and goats and many nomadic families. Best for riders on a tight schedule. In this group we will visit the Kharkhorin, the location of the ruins of the ancient capital city of the Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan, now home to Erdene Zuu Monastery which was built in 1232. On our way we will also be able to visit on of the oldest Stone graves in hole Asia. Next to it is the Tuul river and We will arrive at Saraa’s Ger Camp which is 80 km from Ulaanbaatar. Shortest travel for Team 4 to go back to Ulaanbaatar and for the team 5 to arrive. Includes: 10 days riding, transport to the start of your section and back to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 420 per day)



The Great Mongolian Ride: 10 day sections

Team 5: 02.09.2022 to 12.09.2022

From Saraas Ger Camp we will start towards east to the homeland of Genghis Khan. The Khentii Aimag. And we will visit Khar Zaikhan Khukh lake, where Chinggis Kahn was crowned. The landscape is outstanding with his rocky mountain surrounded by the green endless steppes. We also will visit the Balden Bereeven Monastery which was built in 1654. The ruins of Olggchiin Kherem will be our next visit and stop. Green rolling steppe, very open large valleys and small mountains and wide rivers will follow on our way. Includes: 10 days riding, transport to the start of your section and back to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 420 per day)



The Great Mongolian Ride: 10 day sections

Team 6. Group (for 11 days) on 13.09.2022 to 23.09.2022

The final group will have the most remote and adventurous section! Wide open grasslands and deserted areas along the huge Buir lake. This lake is 40 km long, 21 km wide and 11-meter-deep. You feel like you are near the ocean but at the same time teeming with gazelle and antelope. On our way to Khalkkhol there are many historical stone monuments. Ending in Khalkhgol Sum on the border with China, after 3100 km, it has the highest monumental war memorial at 30 meters. This area is the most unexplored in Mongolia and very few travelers have been here! Our longest charity ride in the world will end in Khalkhogol. Includes: 10 days riding, transport to the start of your section and back to Ulaanbaatar. All meals, camping equipment, horses. (Price is USD 420 per day)

Gallery

Location

Car

Meeting point for all riders is Ulaanbaatar The departure spot starts from Saraa’s Ger Camp. Transportation to and from the start and end points of the ride will be provided.

Airport

Chinggis Khaan International Airport

Food & Drink

Food & Drink (Food & Drink)

All meals on the ride are included. Breakfast and dinner will be cooked and can be taken in a dining Ger (yurt).