Mongolia is known for its bitterly cold winter. Yet, it is bearable when humidity is low. Last weekend, a group of us including friends from British School of Ulaanbaatar went on a day trip to Terelj National Park near Ulaanbaatar when temperature was -16C.

It took approximately 1 hour drive on tarmac road to get the national park. We divided into two groups and the first group did horse riding whilst others were dog sledging. This is Leigh Jone’s first winter and his daughter, four year old Eloise’s first horse ride in Mongolia. Trotting on Mongolian horse with uncle Amaraa was her favourite part and she learned how to say ‘chu chu’ in Mongolian to let her horse go faster. She also wanted to bring her teacher Adam with her as his horse was slow and was the last one in a row. Eloise now wants a horse for Christmas.

This is Leigh Jone’s first winter and his daughter, four year old Eloise’s first horse ride in Mongolia. Trotting on Mongolian horse with uncle Amaraa was her favourite part and she learned how to say ‘chu chu’ in Mongolian to let her horse go faster. She also wanted to bring her teacher Adam with her as his horse was slow and was the last one in a row. Eloise now wants a horse for Christmas.

Second part of the trip was dog sleighing. It was a new for everyone in the group. Siberian Huskies were hauling and barking as we approached. Each sleigh was dragged by 8 dogs and a driver stood behind a sleigh and other person sat on the sleigh. Yet, it happened to be that Leigh and I ended up driving a sleigh without an extra person and it was very fast. In the beginning, it was a bit challenging and some of us turned over with their sleigh. We sleighed on snow and on the frozen river for 5 km round trip. As you master riding the sleigh, you feel real enjoyment. We will definitely come back. Although we supposed to be hiking in the mountains after lunch, it was a bit too cold for our four year old team member. So we decided to stay warm and cosy indoor.

We will soon set off for a longer dog sleighing trip. In case you would like to join us wrap up well and be brave to explore frozen land of hospitable Mongolia. Please contact us at info@zendmentravel.com or call us at (+976)-99086302 or (+976)-99998015.