Stay for two consecutive nights with Mongolian herders on the grasslands, ride with them into unfenced pastures, then follow a desert guide into the heart of the desert for a northern China journey that weaves together an immersive horseback journey across the steppe, herder life, desert exploration, and Mongolian culture.
Seven days across herder life, horseback trekking, desert stars, Genghis Khan heritage and Ordos culture.
This is not a conventional sightseeing route that packs each day with attractions and transfers. It is a slower, fuller private journey through Inner Mongolia, where horseback riding on the grasslands, herder life, the desert interior, and Mongolian culture are linked together naturally, allowing you to truly stay in the grasslands, ride into them, and then move step by step toward the heart of the desert.
You will spend two consecutive nights with Mongolian herders deep in the grasslands, riding Mongolian horses or Sanhe horses with them into wider, quieter pastures. Along the way, meals are prepared at camp, evenings gather around the bonfire, and mornings begin with feeding sheep and releasing horses alongside the herders. After the grasslands, a desert guide will lead you into the interior of the desert for dune driving, hiking, camel riding, sand sliding, a camp BBQ, and a star-filled night. The journey closes with the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Ordos Wedding, so the route does not stop at scenery alone, but also reaches a deeper layer of local culture.
Five compact cards present the route’s core: herder life, horseback as the main thread, desert interior, Genghis Khan culture and comfort in balance.
Stay for two consecutive nights with Mongolian herders, not merely to “see the grasslands,” but to truly live in them. Morning light, nightfall, time in the saddle, and everyday herder life all become part of the journey itself.
Horseback riding is not a brief add-on here, but the main thread of the route. Ride Mongolian horses or Sanhe horses with local herders into wider pastures for about 5–6 hours each day, making riding the true way into the grasslands.
The desert chapter enters a quieter stretch of dunes with a stronger sense of space. The focus is not only on the activities themselves, but on the dunes, the wind, the light, and the way the desert slowly returns to silence after sunset.
Visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and then step into the intangible cultural heritage performance “Ordos Wedding,” allowing the journey to extend from landscape into steppe civilization, ritual traditions, and cultural symbolism.
The grassland chapter preserves the authenticity of staying with herders, while the city and desert chapters offer more comfortable hotel stays. The overall pace remains unhurried, making it well suited to private groups that value privacy, cultural depth, and a complete travel experience.
Two nights with herders allow morning light, nightfall, time on horseback, and daily life to unfold naturally rather than remain surface-level impressions.
Horseback trekking across the steppe runs through three days of the journey. Riding with herders into wider pastureland brings a fuller rhythm and a stronger sense of real nomadic life.
Daytime riding, camp meals on the grasslands, tea breaks and bonfires at dusk, and stars overhead at night are followed by the desert interior, the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, and the Ordos Wedding, giving the journey both natural drama and cultural depth.
After the grasslands, you spend a night back in the city before entering the desert, allowing both body and pace to shift naturally. This works especially well for private groups who value the experience itself.
The grassland chapter is about staying with herders and entering a more real way of life, while the city and desert chapters provide steadier comfort so that authenticity and overall quality can coexist.
Dining is not a secondary arrangement but part of the experience itself. Every meal responds to the environment and rhythm of that day.
Travelers who truly want to complete a substantial grassland horseback-riding experience.
Those who love authentic natural settings and do not prefer conventional sightseeing routes.
Those who want to combine grasslands, herder life, the desert, and Mongolian culture within a single journey.
Travelers drawn to nature, photography, outdoor experiences, and lifestyle travel.
Couples, friends, and small private groups.
Those who are comfortable with communal restroom facilities in the grassland ger chapter and care more about authenticity and the overall depth of the experience.
Day 2 is opened by default because it begins the deep grassland chapter.
Begin with the comfort of the city, letting both body and mind ease gradually into the journey.
Stay:5-star hotel in Hohhot
Stay in the grasslands, ride into them, and truly slow down within them.
Stay:Herder-family ger (communal restroom facilities)
Give the day fully to the rhythm of the deep grasslands.
Stay:Herder-family ger (communal restroom facilities)
From a grassland dawn back to city culture, this day links natural experience and Mongolian herder life in one continuous flow.
Stay:5-star hotel in Hohhot
Today the main character is not a sightseeing stop, but the desert itself in its purer, wider, more powerful form.
Stay:Desert-view hotel
Slow down in the morning light over the dunes, then step into a deeper and more resonant world of Mongolian culture.
Stay:5-star hotel in Ordos
Take the grasslands, the desert, the stars, and the culture with you, and let the journey end on a calm, unhurried note.
Stay:—
If guests are interested in speed and mechanical aesthetics, content related to Ordos International Circuit can be arranged according to the departure date. The following are public events that may be referenced for 2026:
• Racing Hero automobile stunt show: July 3 to September 2, 2026; two performances daily, 17:30-18:15 / 20:00-20:45
• Warm City Grand Race OGP (formerly Genghis Khan Grand Prix GKGP): 45th edition from May 15 to May 17, 2026; 46th edition from September 4 to September 6, 2026
• CDGP China Drift Championship: July 17 to July 19, 2026
• CICC China Circuit Championship: August 7 to August 9, 2026
Chinese- and English-speaking local guide service throughout
Accommodation and meals as listed in the itinerary
A dedicated vehicle according to the size of the private party, including standard fuel, tolls, and parking
Grassland horseback riding, Mongolian deel experience, felt-art making, Can-Am desert crossing, camel riding, sand sliding, desert hiking, and energy snacks
Visits to the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Ordos Wedding
Bonfire activities on the grasslands and in the desert
Agency liability insurance and personal travel accident insurance (subject to policy terms)
International or domestic transport to and from Hohhot / Ordos
Personal hotel expenses and the single supplement
Personal activities outside the itinerary
D6 circuit experiences, automobile stunt shows, and other optional paid upgrades
Extra expenses caused by weather, flight delays, traffic control, policy changes, or other force majeure
Customs duties for overseas travelers, excess-baggage charges, and luggage storage / handling fees
This product is a private customized journey and can be adjusted moderately according to group size, preferred pace, and interests.
The intensity of activities such as grassland riding and desert hiking can be adjusted according to each guest’s condition. First-time riders can also join.
Comfortable 5-star hotels are arranged in Hohhot and Ordos, while the grassland chapter involves staying in a herder-family ger with communal restroom facilities.
The grassland chapter is not about luxury accommodation, but about truly staying with a herder family and entering a more authentic nomadic living environment. Both the grassland and desert stays will be kept clean, hygienic, and basically comfortable, but the real value of the experience lies in the setting itself.
The accompanying photography service is light and natural in style, and will not turn the entire journey into a staged photo shoot.
Natural factors such as weather, windblown sand, and rain may affect camp dining, bonfires, or the sequence of some activities, but we will do our best to preserve the core experience.
• If Ordos circuit or event-related content is included in the itinerary or selected as an upgrade, it is subject to the actual schedule on the day.
Where is Inner Mongolia? Is it the same as Mongolia?
Inner Mongolia is in northern China and borders Mongolia. Both belong to the Mongolian Plateau and both continue Mongolian grassland culture and nomadic traditions. For travelers, Inner Mongolia is easier to access and better suited as a starting point for experiencing the steppe and nomadic culture.
Which city should I fly into?
We recommend arriving via Hohhot on the first day and departing from Ordos at the end. This avoids backtracking and keeps the overall pace more relaxed.
If I go to Beijing first, is it convenient to continue to Hohhot?
Yes. The high-speed train from Beijing to Hohhot usually takes around 2 hours, and direct flights to Hohhot are also available from major Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Which season is best for this route?
Spring, summer, and autumn all work well. From March to May, the grasslands turn green again and the air feels fresh; June to August is the classic and most comfortable season; September to November brings richer autumn colors and a quieter atmosphere. Winter also has its own distinct snow scenery, but it is much colder overall.
Do I need prior horseback-riding experience?
No. Basic instruction and time to get familiar with the horses are arranged before departure, and the riding intensity can be adjusted flexibly according to each guest’s condition.
Will the route be too tiring?
Overall, it is in-depth but not extreme. Both grassland riding and desert hiking can be adjusted according to your stamina, so it suits travelers who want a real nature experience without making the journey too rushed or too physically demanding.
What are the grassland ger conditions like?
The grassland chapter uses a herder-family ger with communal restroom facilities. The emphasis is on an authentic, tidy grassland living experience rather than urban hotel-style luxury.
Can we add more days of horseback riding?
Yes. This route is already a private customized journey, so the number of riding days, the length of the grassland stay, and the riding intensity on each day can all be adjusted according to your interests, stamina, and overall pace.
If we do not want to stay in the herder-family ger, can we change to a more comfortable grassland stay?
Yes. If accommodation comfort matters more to you, we can change the grassland chapter to a luxury ger at a grassland resort or another more comfortable lodging option. This would increase part of the cost and would also shift some of the journey away from its original emphasis on authentic herder life.
Will the desert stay feel too basic?
No. The desert chapter uses a scenic-view hotel with a noticeably higher level of comfort than an ordinary camping site, making it better suited to resting well between the dunes and enjoying sunrise and nightfall.
What is most distinctive about the 7-day version?
It makes the grassland riding more complete, the desert experience more immersive, and then adds the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Ordos Wedding to give the whole journey greater cultural weight.
What is the biggest difference between this route and a standard Inner Mongolia tour?
It emphasizes authentic experience rather than checklist sightseeing. Instead of looking briefly and moving on, you truly stay with a herder family, ride into the grasslands, enter the desert interior, and then engage with a fuller layer of local culture.
Is this trip good for photography?
Very much so. Grassland sunrise, camp setups on the steppe, afternoon tea, traditional Mongolian dress, the desert interior, bonfires, and the night sky all create strong visual scenes.
Will the photography service affect the experience?
No. The photography service is natural and light in approach and will not interrupt the rhythm of the journey.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If there is rain or strong wind, outdoor arrangements such as camp meals or bonfires may be moved to a more suitable setting, but we will do our best to preserve the core experience.
Can children or older travelers join?
Yes, but we would need to discuss age, stamina, and comfort with the activities in advance so that we can adjust the pace and arrangements appropriately.
Can dietary needs be discussed in advance, such as no lamb, vegetarian meals, or allergies?
Yes. If you have vegetarian requirements, food allergies, religious dietary restrictions, or other meal preferences, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Is this a private tour, and can it be adjusted?
Yes. The route is designed primarily as a private small-group journey and can be adjusted moderately according to group size, pace, interests, and stamina.
What is the safest way to pay in Inner Mongolia?
The safest approach in Inner Mongolia is to prepare WeChat Pay, Alipay, and some RMB cash. Only some 5-star hotels accept international credit cards such as Visa, so foreign credit cards should not be treated as the main payment method.
Is the circuit experience mandatory?
No. Circuit experiences and related performances are optional paid upgrades and entirely voluntary. They do not affect the main journey.
7 Days in Inner Mongolia, China | Stay with Mongolian herders, from horseback and bonfires to desert stars, and visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
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