Jalman Meadows Wilderness Ger Camp
Introduction
Just three hours of drive north of the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, yet remotely located in the uppermost parts of the Tuul River Valley, lies Jalman Meadows Ger (yurt) Camp, a beautiful pasture teeming with wildflowers in the summer. It is located within the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, which is one of the Mongolia’s true wilderness area, extending all the way up to the Russian-Siberian frontier. This area constitutes the transition zone of steppe and the southernmost reaches of the boreal forests of Siberia. Hence, there are steppe valleys, lush meadows along the Tuul River and extensive larch forests with patches of birch.
Wildlife such as wolf, lynx, brown bear, red deer, gazelle, moose and wild boar are certainly present but hard to see during the summer. While to the south in Gorkhi Terelj National Park, the southernmost extension of that wilderness area, conventional tourism has been allowed to develop, Nomadic Journeys low impact ger (yurt) camp which is located completely on its own, next to the Tuul River. The camp is put up for the summer season and taken away in the winter, leaving no traces anywhere. We use low-impact indigenous, thus appropriate technology to offer lodging and sometimes also transportation with the assistance of yak carts or riding horses which provided by the local Mongolian nomads (herders).
This Jalman Meadows Self-Guided Journey is geared towards travelers who prefer to be as independent as possible, while allowing to reach their destination at the lowest possible cost. You share the transport to the camp and back with other travelers as well as staff and provisions. At the ger camp you plan your daily activities with our English-speaking camp manager. There are fine hikes in the surrounding area and optional activities are available as described.
| Trip Details |
|---|
| Jalman Meadows Wilderness Ger Camp |
| 5 Days / 4 Nights |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights |
| 3 Days / 2 Nights |
Trip Details
Activities
Dayhikes:
Hike to the lookout point of Hevtee Gatsaa for beautiful views over Jalman Meadows and the Tuul River. But really you can order a picnic lunch from camp and make day hikes in any direction of Jalman Meadows.
Yak cart rafting
Load a lightweight inflatable catamaran-raft (or kayaks) onto a yak cart which provided by local Mongolian nomad (herdsmen). A herdsman will follow with the cart as you trek for half a day up to the Tuul River. You’ll have your picnic lunch at noon and return by raft or kayak (on your choosing) downstream through Jalman Meadows to the ger (yurt) camp. Life vests, paddles and picnic lunch are provided. USD 15 per person for half day, USD 30 per person for full day.
Swimming:
The Tuul River is at it’s most pristine up here. The water may be cold, but usually pleasant during July and August. The river is mostly crystal clear and transparent with regular deep pools decent for swimming.
Reading:
A small library on Mongolian culture, history and wildlife has been collected over the years and it is available to the guests in the Library Ger (yurt) next to our Restaurant Ger (yurt). There are many recent additions as your reading material in Mongolia. Most books are in English, Mongolian and Swedish, but a few are in German and French.
Horse riding:
Horse rides for just an hour, half days or full days may be organized with local Mongolian horsemen at an additional cost. Picnic lunches will be provided from the camp. There are a few hard hats and chaps available, but serious riders are best advised bringing their own horse riding equipments. All rides should be pre-ordered latest before dinner, the evening before. USD 35 per person for full day, USD 18 per person for half day and USD 7 per hour.
Mountain biking:
There are two mountain bikes available that may be rented for the hour or day for excellent excursions in the Jalman Meadows area.
Riverside sauna:
We will bring a folded ger (yurt) – loaded on to a yak cart – to the river bank by yak cart which is provided by local herdsmen and build your own riverside sauna! USD 25 per person for half day (minimum 2 persons). Each additional person will cost additional USD 10.
Birding:
You may admire the avifauna that comes in all sizes from azure tits to majestic steppe eagles. You will get 80 percent of Mongolian species with a European birding guide book. There is one in the library ger (yurt).
Conferences & lectures:
At an additional cost for groups, seminars on contemporary, historical or natural Mongolia may be organized, along with subjects like traditional Mongolian music and medicine.
Additional trips:
The relatively remote location of Jalman Meadows merits other extended trips deeper into the Khan Khentii wilderness, such as our Yak Trek and Mongol Horse Trails. Both are based at Jalman Meadows since it is the common starting point for each of them. Please ask for details of these additional, interesting trips in Mongolia.
Itinerary Map
PRICE 2023 ex Ulaanbaatar:
3d/2n: USD 380 per person
4d/3n: USD 570 per person
5d/4n: USD 760 per person
Single Supplement: USD 80 per night
Additional night: USD 190 per night
Private transfer: USD 140 per vehicle
Children: 0-2 years free. 3-12 years 25-50%.
Practicalities:
Transfers:
Operates daily as shared transfer on fixed times. Departs 08:00 from UB and returns 13:30 from camp. You may – at a supplement cost – order a private transfer at any time suitable to you. The entire drive from Ulaanbaatar to Jalman Meadows is with a minivan or bus 5,5 – 6 hours and private transfer with 4WD vehicle 3 – 3,5 hours.
Staff:
Camp has an English speaker camp manager to assist you for activities around camp.
Meals:
The meals will be provided 3 times a day in the Restaurant ger, or as picnics on request.
Overnights:
The gers have 2 beds in each and family gers with 1 double and 2 single beds.
Includes:
All meals at camp. All overnights in double occupancy ger. Transfer to and out of camp on scheduled times.
Excludes:
Beverages. Transfers and accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Air or train tickets in and out Mongolia. Activities at camp.
Transfer schedule:
Daily mid May to end of September.
from UB: 09:00
from camp: 14:00
What our guests say
We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.
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Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung 🙂
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Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung 🙂
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