Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is the easiest way to see real Mongolian countryside in a day: it is about 55–70 km from central Ulaanbaatar by paved road, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours' drive depending on traffic. In one day you can see Turtle Rock, climb to Aryabal Meditation Temple, ride horses through the valley and stop at the giant Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue on the way back.
Quick answer: Leave Ulaanbaatar by 9:00, ride horses in the morning with our partner herders, see Turtle Rock and Aryabal Temple after lunch, and stop at the Chinggis Khaan statue on the way home. You are back in the city by early evening.
Key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Park area | 2,920 km² (Wikipedia) |
| National park since | 1993 |
| Distance from central Ulaanbaatar (park entrance / Terelj village) | 37 km / 66 km |
| Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (height, opened) | 40 m, 2008 (Wikipedia) |
Horse riding with our local partners
eMongolia.eu has an official partnership with local families in Terelj who keep and rent horses for riding. They know the valleys, choose calm horses for beginners and ride alongside you. Rides range from one hour to half a day, and we can add a visit to a family ger for milk tea. If you want more time in the saddle, see our horse riding tours.
A sample day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Pick-up at your hotel in Ulaanbaatar |
| 10:30 | Arrive in Terelj and ride with our partner herders |
| 13:00 | Lunch at a ger camp or with a local family |
| 14:30 | Turtle Rock and the 108 steps up to Aryabal Meditation Temple |
| 16:30 | Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue complex |
| 18:30 | Back in Ulaanbaatar |
What to see
- Turtle Rock: a granite formation that looks like a giant turtle, about 1.5 to 2 hours' drive from Ulaanbaatar.
- Aryabal Meditation Temple: a hillside temple reached by 108 steps, with views over the valley.
- Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue: a 40 m stainless steel statue of Chinggis Khaan on horseback, with a viewing platform in the horse's head.
- Ger camps and nomad families: try milk tea, dairy snacks and, in summer, airag (fermented mare's milk).
Stay overnight?
Terelj also works for one or two nights in a ger camp, especially before a late flight or as a gentle first taste of the countryside before a longer Gobi tour. Nights are cool even in summer, and in winter Terelj is snowy and very quiet. See our Ulaanbaatar guide to plan the rest of your city days.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Terelj from Ulaanbaatar?
About 55–70 km by paved road, around 1.5 to 2 hours' drive depending on traffic.
Can beginners ride horses in Terelj?
Yes. Our partner herders choose calm horses for beginners and ride alongside you.
Is Terelj worth a day trip?
Yes. It is the easiest way to combine countryside, rock formations, a temple and horse riding in one day from Ulaanbaatar.
Sources
Want to ride in Terelj?
Tell us your date and group size. We will book horses with our partner herders in Terelj and arrange your driver from Ulaanbaatar.
Message us on WhatsAppOr email mugi@emongolia.eu with your travel month and planned route.