Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Runner’s
celebrates it’s 10th year anniversary !

On this special occasion, we offer visiting the NAADAM FESTIVAL
before taking part in the 6-days Ms2s add-on trek 12 - 17 July 2008

The Naadam Festival takes place every year, on July 11 and 12. This festival is based on the traditional disciplines that marked the lives of Mongolians since the days of their Great Khans: horse riding, wrestling and arrow shooting. It is the most important event of the year for the nomads and their horses. On this occasion, we will follow the local festivities taking place in Khatgal: a colourful and truly joyful moment.

A very spectacular and exciting trip. Travel through valleys, rivers, streams, over mountain passes, green steppes covered with a multitude of flowers, accompanied by singing Mongolian horsemen. Watch eagles flying high above in the blue sky, Woodpeckers, golden Serbian gees, cranes, insects of all shape and sizes, deer, mice, prairie dogs, squirrels.
Springs flow straight out of mountain sides, fish swim up rivers from the lake. Enjoy blue skies, star sprinkled nights and fantastic rainbows as a back drop.
Experience the romanticism of one of the most remote countries in this world: truly magical is the only way to describe it.

Programme

10 July	camp Toilogt : trek preparation
11 July	visit the Naadam festival in Khatgal
12 July	start trek
13 - 17 July	trek
18 July	return to Ulaan Baatar (jeep/plane) You will be met by your travel guide at Ulaan Baatar airport who accompanies you on the transfer to the hotel and for dinner.
19 July	departure from Ulaan Baatar to Beijing
Remarks	Except for health reasons, it is not possible to interrupt the trek. There is no communication possible while on the trek.

The trip includes :
Full-board, complete camping equipment except sleeping bags and mattresses, competent local and foreign guides, translators, equipped riding and pack-horses.

A. Introduction & General Information
Taking part in a trek requires some adventure and team spirit, sufficient physical condition and pleasure in hiking. And, most of all, you should enjoy outdoor life!

About 2.6 million horses wander the rolling grasslands in large herds. Mongolian horses are shorter than those in Europe. However, they are not ponies - Mongolians would get offended by that expression ... Mongolian horses are sturdy and persevering, they provide perfect transport and, most importantly, the mares produce the milk for that much-loved Mongolian drink known as airag (fermented, slightly alcoholic mare's milk). It is said that this milk promotes beauty and health. Airag is also served at festivities and used for ritual acts.

B. Beginners and inexperienced riders
Experience shows that even people who have never ridden a horse before shortly become confident with it.

Still, we do recommend to beginners and to those who haven't ridden a horse for a while to take a few riding lessons before the trek. This does not only increase safety, but also gives you more confidence and will enhance your pleasure of riding. Don't hesitate to contact us for further information. We will be glad to answer any question you may have.

C. Experienced riders
Riding in Mongolia is an unforgettable experience ! Enjoy the feeling of freedom when galloping along the famous wide open spaces of Mongolia ! As mentioned above, Mongolian horses are not as tall as those from Europe - but a few hours of practice are sufficient to get used to their movements. Their gentle behavior and enjoyable character, as well as their reliability and temperament will provide pleasant surprise to every rider's heart.

D. My horse
It is very important to us that each rider and her/his horse feel comfortable with each other.

Different level horses are available. All are in very good condition, reliable and good-tempered.

Each participant will have a horse for the duration of the trek. You will get to know your horse during preparation time at camp Toilogt. We will be glad to help and support you wherever we can and will give you the opportunity of a test ride to make sure that the choice of your horse appeals to your experience.

E. Equipment & Riding clothes
The saddles are of Russian type, made in Mongolia. They are padded, surprisingly comfortable and perfectly suited to long trips.
We also provide :

• mini-chaps
• saddle bags
  will be provided.
  

If you have own riding clothes, we recommend you to take the following items :

• chaps or mini-chaps
• riding gloves

Gloves are necessary to maximize grip on reins and to avoid scratches. Do take some, possibly riding (or driving) gloves unless you are used to ride long stretches without gloves.

Also make sure to check our Clothing & Equipment section.

F. Safety & Liability Release
We take all necessary steps to maximize safety of all riders. However, we call your attention to the important fact that horse-riding is an activity that entails risks and that each participant takes part on a trek under his own responsibility. None of the organisers and organisation involved will be held liable for accidents or illnesses during the traveling period that could incur. We do recommend that you contract evacuation insurance, if you do not have any, for the duration of your trip. Liability releases, waivers and/or safety notices of other organizations you have booked our trek through apply, should it be the case.

During the trek preparations, we will show you how to deal with horses and detail some riding-rules. Do keep to these rules - they have been set up for your own safety, the safety of the group, and, let us not forget, for the safety of the horses.

• Each saddle is equipped with safety stirrups.
• We do not make it compulsory to wear a riding helmet, but we highly recommend it. You can either wear a riding helmet or any other protective helmet (such as a climbing or bicycle helmet). When planning to wear a helmet, don't forget that you have to be protected against the sun!