Stone Horse Expeditions and Travel

Parkash Singh opted not to leave a text review of Stone Horse Expeditions and Travel

Excellent execution, from initial communication throughout the entire trip, up until the day we left after a few additional days in UB. Keith and Sabine (owners) are extremely professional, knowledgeable and deeply embedded in the local community. This is a small family run business with a big heart and it shows. Highly recommended.

EPIC ADVENTURE – by an avid Horse Holiday Enthusiast

Stone Horse is TOP NOTCH! The Gorkhi Terelj National Park riding expedition with Stone Horse is an epic wilderness adventure on the Mongolian Steppe with incredible horses, knowledgeable horsemen, and spectacular scenery. I participated in this ride in July of 2023 along with Nadaam festivities and a visit to the Gobi all organized by Stone Horse. There is nothing I can say that will do this expedition justice. I write this months later still reeling from the experience and eager to return for more!

The horses were responsive, well trained, and well matched to the rider’s abilities. All were fit and healthy and living their best lives. Riding through the vast, rich countryside on strong, sturdy Mongolian Horses alongside a herd of loose pack horses and extra mounts, is the experience of a lifetime.

Sabina and Keith provided all the camp gear which included a high-end down sleeping bag, quality tents, storage bags, etc. The camp was equipped beyond my wildest dreams with a stove (when needed), full cooking equipment, a camp shower, and other luxuries I did not expect on this adventure. Sabina and our camp cook provided a variety of fantastic hot meals daily. The food was incredible on the trek and I am still a bit flabbergasted at how they managed to accomplish such delicious meals while out in the wilderness.

Keith and Sabina (owners) are incredible individuals, environmentalists, outdoorsmen, and horse people. Their team of horsemen, guides, and cooks are phenomenal! From booking through execution, Stone Horse provided clear communication and all necessary information and details. Keith and Sabina run a high caliber, well organized tour. I HIGHLY recommend Stone Horse expeditions for your Mongolian adventure!

There aren't enough adjectives to explain what an amazing job the Stone Horse Team did to take care of our group. It truly was an Expedition that tested all of us but Keith and Sabina truly made the experience so special with their amazing team of horsemen and chef. There is no better way to experience the Mongolia wilderness than by the back of a docile Mongolian horse. Our chef on site at camp cooked us delicious meals to sustain our very active days. I also did side trips to Naadam and the middle Gobi, which were incredible experiences as well. I feel I only touched the surface of what Mongolia has to offer. I cannot recommend them enough to host your stay in Mongolia!

HI Keith
Its disingenuous to say a diver was dispatched after a satelite call 10 mins after the accident and then arrived within in 2 hours, Its a 6 hour drive and he was a scheduled re-supply trip anyway and he was already 4 hours into the journey when Sabien called.Lucky for me- I had the accident at 11;30am and was in my hotel room after midnight, it was a hell trip out of 6 hours after I waited for the driver to unpack and have his dinner. The sling the so called qualified staff appied an hour after my fall was pretty poor first aid Ketih by anyone standards, and yes they both had just done a first aid course, I suggest another given the sling. I was told twice to get back on the horse and they would even lead me out to the Get camp- 2 or 3 Hours ride not out of the Park Keith thats ridiculous and not seriously possibleits a 3 day ride., they wanted me to ride or be led to the next camp but seriously I could not lift a rein so I very forcibly told Sabine I was walking, but given the risk of another fall and the thought of a compound fracture I was not getting back on. yes you spent 10 mins with me in choosing a horse after spending all day with the experienced riders and swapping horse stories I suggest you start with the beginners in your horse matching Keith I think you would get a better outcome. The aftercare and concern wellat best I thought you might ask after me at the farewell dinner and atleast offer me a credit of the lost 5 days of my ride or a discount should I wish to come again. pretty poor suctomer service. Its true I was asked if I wanted anything after you manager took me to the clinic the next day and I said rest for a couple of days and then maybe I might like an outing but alasno other outings were offered. Your manager told me you would pay the medical and hotel bill (this was not true) But I took this on face value and Thats why I had I had no money at the clinic but I refunded you didn't I and now I really wish I hadn't. I don't think much of the treatment I received nor do I think much of your horse matching skills as you said you need to buy some more horse and as the travel writer who comes every year with you noted to me.... her friend had that horse last year and didn't get one well either, so perhaps a re-think is needed. However the truth is I really iam inexperienced and I should have insisted on staying back from the gallopers with one of your team till I found my feet but I was intimidated by the situation and felt like I was holding everyone back. I do recall your horseman were often often chasing the pack horses and there were at least two times I remember being the last in the line with no one behind me. But its your second time back after covid and new staff and I think there adjustments you have probably already made. I hope so and I hope you take the honest feedback on board. But finally to address the Nadaam adventure you offered. It was very disappointing. no wrestling tickets what was that about and us having to pay scalpers on the day, there was no real planning at the race track either no one knew what actually was happening and everyone was pretty disappointed not just me.

Terrible, they say suitable for beginners but it isn’t I fell off , fractured my arm and they wanted me to ride out, no credit offered either a lousy outfit

I had an amazing time Hasha our driver and Suvd our guide took a good friend and myself on an incredible 7 day adventure through the Gobi. The Gobi was beautiful in so many ways from the flaming cliffs to the different Gers we stayed in. Everyone we met was so kind and you get to learn so much about their culture and way of life. Loved this trip! And pretty sure we discovered dinosaur bones!

The trip of a lifetime! I felt safe and well cared-for the whole time and I had so much fun! Keith, Sabine, and their wonderful local staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and unflappable. And the horses and scenery are unbeatable. If you have even the slightest interest in Mongolia, call Stone Horse!

When I was a kid, I read several books on Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan and Marco Polo so horsing riding on the Mongol steppe has always been a dream of mine. To ride where the golden horde once rode, I can’t tell you how excited I was to go on this trip! Keith and I passed many emails before hand to answer any questions I needed which proved to be invaluable. He was extremely knowledgeable and very patient with me. Each morning, we woke, had a delicious breakfast, packed up our tents and headed the next camp side. The open steppe was stunning ranging from wide open fields (my favorite), to river banks, stunning mountain views and deep forest. Being on a horse embracing all this was truly specular! Keith's wife Sabina lead the ride each day and she was amazing! Not only a fantastic guide but extremely warm, hospitable and accommodating as well as very knowledgeable of the area we were in. I certain miss our conversations. With her were four horsemen from Mongolia who again were accommodating to a curious mind like mine and they certainly taught be some new horse riding techniques as well as some Mongolian phrases. I hope you are all well. So will all that, can you imagine running at full speed with your new friends on the open plains?! I can’t tell you how intoxicating that was!!

At each camp site, we set up camp, gathered wood and water from the nearby river and relaxed over a wonderful dinner. I took a bath in the nearby river also as well as washed some clothes. I couldn’t have imaged a more intense way of experiencing my childhood dreams seeing Mongolia as this trip was beyond all my expectations. For the rest of my life now, I can say that I rode the Mongol steppe and nothing can take that away from me!

Some other points

1. I don’t think even a teenage boy would be feel hungry on this trip!
2. I does get very cold at night, even at September so thermals to sleep in are a must
3. Mongol horses do ride a little different to western horses so it is a good idea to take some horse riding lessons before hand
4. Beyond final tip, you do not need any money on the ride.
There is plenty of opportunity to run around the steppe should that be your thing.
5. The weather does fluctuate a lot throughout the day so it’s a good idea to bring clothes that are easy to take on and off.
6. There is only so much you can carry on the horses so pack light.
7. For me, I wanted to be part of everything and learn as much as I could, i.e. how to put on a saddle, how to gather wood etc and I’m grateful Sabina and company were accommodating to this.

Hands down the best way to experience Mongolia. I went on an early winter expedition, which was sublime and uncanny -- hues of yellow and red vegetation set against rolling hills and extraterrestrial rocky outcrops. The cool weather made for comfortable rides during the day, and in the evening hours the highly professional staff set up a heated communal tent and prepared delicious warm food and beverages. I felt challenged but always safe, comfortable, and engaged. A must-do for anyone with a hankering for adventure.

Truly the adventure of a lifetime! Our group originally booked a ride in 2020 which was canceled due to Covid, and Keith worked with us for two years to make sure we could have the trip we'd long waited for. The horses were as sure-footed as mountain goats across intense terrain ranging from stirrup-high water, deep boggy mud, and loose scree. Sabine and her crew are exceptional and worked tirelessly to keep us warm, fed, safe, and on the move! This trip is best enjoyed by fit, confident riders with a game spirit. I can't wait to come back!