Surprisingly near the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, is the southernmost reach of the boreal forest of Siberia, which extends uninterrupted all the way to Europe and across the circumpolar north. These southern reaches are in fact the world’s southernmost distribution of wolverine habitat. The Tuul River originates at Jalman Meadows in the Khan Khentii wilderness, an area devoid of people, which is three times the size of Yellowstone National Park in the USA.  Within surprisingly short distances, we will experience some of the diverse landscapes of Mongolia and meet the nomadic people that call these landscapes home.

Brief Outline itinerary

However, if you arrive before 10 a.m. first we will visit the Gandan Lamasery, the liveliest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Thereafter we drive one hour on tarmac road out of town, one hour through a beautiful steppe valley, seeing many herdsmen with their livestock. The last hour crosses the ridge at Zamtiin Dava and driving up through forests we reach the Upper Tuul River Valley. These are the winter grazing lands of the local herdsmen, which is why most of them are not in the area in the middle of the summer.  This allows for a profusion of wildflowers, such as edelweiss. Met by yak carts, we will load luggage onto them and walk to Jalman Meadows Ger Camp by the Upper Tuul River.  

Day 2-3:  Khan Khentii
One full day of exploration of the area. Either on foot, on horseback or using the Russian catarafts available at camp. You choose the pace of your journey here, and also the modes of transport you would like to use.  The Hentii Mountains are covered with larch and birch forests. This protected area was established in December 1993 and covers most of the Hentii wilderness, stretching all the way up to the Russian-Siberian frontier. Herdsmen keep their livestock in the southern areas, following a lifestyle that is essentially unchanged since the time of Chinggis Khan. To the north is uninhabited wilderness.   Although rarely seen, wolves are numerous in the area. There are also wild boar, moose, red deer (Cervus elaphus), marmots and gazelle. Rivers flow down broad steppe valleys past wooded and alluvial meadows with broad leaf forests.  

Day 4:  To Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast transfer back to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar (3-3½ hrs).  

Staff: A Mongolian English-speaking leader will accompany you at all times. In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals.   

Riding skills: Complete horse riding novices should not attempt to ride individually on horses. However, the Mongols historically have been the most equestrian people on Earth, and remain so to this day. Anyone at ease with horses will enjoy riding. The use of riding horses is included in the tour cost.  

Ger Outing: Jalman Meadows Ger Camp is equipped with nomadic and thus mobile support systems. There are gers (yurts), and yak carts. Should you wish to enjoy a private camp with your own campfire and a private cook, we can arrange for you to have a novice cook who has been brought along to prepare meals for  your guide and, with the help of one of our nomad neighbors, we supply a folded yurt on a yak cart. All of you can head out for a walk, and you can choose your spot by the river or elsewhere. You will erect the yurt with the help of your hosts and spend the night right there. We supply the bedding, stove and provisions. This service needs to be pre-booked and will cost an additional USD 90 per person, regardless how many there are in your small group.  

Meals: Our cooks will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having cooks adept at both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips.  There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians. For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.

Includes: Guide, breakfast every day, and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights in hotel (1n.) and gers (2n.),and all local transport.

Excludes: Imported drinks, laundry.  Air or train tickets in and out of Mongolia. Visa fee.

DATES ex Ulaanbaatar:

Daily May 18th to September 21st