Big Skies Trail

Overview

Xperience a nomadic lifestyle without having to bend yourself into a sleeping bag or a tent.

This Xperience will cover the southern fringes of the Khan Khentii, the scenic interior of Gorkhi Terelj National Park, which is mountain forest taiga zones.

Group size is half of our regular Xperiences in Mongolia and all riders overnight in Gers (yurts) which are moved to a new location, by yak cart caravan, every 2 days. Meaning you will be able to stay in the basic comforts of a bed (sturdy cot) with full linens, and a Ger heated by a stove.

You will start your Xperience with a short drive to the taiga life zones of Khan Khentii and you will be dropped off at the Upper Tuul River to meet your local crew of horsemen. They have deployed your personal Gers at the site already. After a day trial ride in the vicinity, 2 overnights, you continue your ride in a truly nomadic style without vehicle support in wild terrain. You will be supported by a caravan of yak carts and local nomads. Your luggage and a fully collapsible Ger lodge will be loaded on to yak carts.

You will ride in daily big loops while the caravan makes its way to your next night scenic night stops. Camping stream side along rivers mostly. You will spend 2 nights in each location and ride over mountains, steppes, forests and wooded meadows.

Luxury under the big mongolian skies!

Accommodation

Fully collapsible Ger camp, including showers and compost toilets. The Gers are each equipped with cot beds (including full linen), chairs and a table, and a wood burning stove. For 2 nights you stay at a low-impact Ger camp at Jalman Meadows. In Ulaanbaatar you will stay at a centrally located hotel in deluxe rooms. All accommodation in double occupancy.

Meals

Excellent Western and Mongolian food with fresh local ingredients

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar you will be transferred to your hotel. There will be a briefing tour followed by dinner and entertainment.

Day 2 and 3

In the morning you will visit the Gandan Lamasery, center for the Buddhist revival in Mongolia, possibly in time for the prayers. The Mongols follow the Tibetan version of Lamaism, being the Dalai Lama the supreme theocratical leader. You will then be driven out of the city, and gradually the Mongolian landscapes unfolds before your eyes. By the time you come to the Hadan Hoshuu steppes valley, there are no traces of the so-called civilization any more. Another world of pastoralist nomads with their horses, gers and livestock are making use of this summer pasture. Picnic lunch en route. You will cross across the forested Zamtiin Pass into the Upper Tuul River Valley. You will meet the yak carts and the horses at Bosog Meadows, stream side of the Tuul River and spend two overnights here. Each ger will have a stove and strong cots with full bedding. After a night under the stars in your luxurious ger (yurt) tented camp, you will make a full day trial ride on the southern side of the Tuul River, up the valleys, forests and on to the ridges with stunning panoramic views of the habitat of southernmost Siberian forests as it makes the transition to Mongolian steppes. You will now ride along with the yak carts downstream along the tiny Baruunbayan until you reach to the large meadows by the Tuul River. Again, you will cross the Tuul River with your horse while your caravan heads straight for Bosog Meadows, which will be your last night stop. Full day ride loop out of Bosog Meadows will bring you up the valleys and ridges on the southern side of Tuul River.

Day 4 and 5

The day before your entire camp of gers (yurts) have already been loaded on the yak carts, and now your luggage is being loaded before breakfast. Your support structure is free from vehicles. All your provisions, camping equipment, luggage’s will be loaded on to yak carts. You will ride and make way north towards the Khentii Mountains, across the forested ridge into the next valley, the Baruunbayan, where you will again spend another two overnights. Riders will separate at some point and ride a most scenic loop. The next day you will make a full day ride excursion from your new base camp at Baruunbayan River, to Gunjin Sum, a temple ruin hidden in the forest.

Day 6 and 7

Pack up and load the caravan for the last time. You set out separating yourselves from the yak carts caravan riding up the partly forested ridges. Most trees as larch, however some of the ridges there are larger patches of Pine, there is a real possibility to come across the rare Black-billed Capercaillie. But also Black Grouse which is more common. Your ger camp will be built next to the Zuunbayan River, a tributary of the Tuul River. You will spend two nights at this place. One full day you will ride up towards the tree line of the Khentii Mountains, with spectacular scenery and views in all directions.

Day 8

Today you say good bye to the herders and their yak carts caravan, and head on horseback to the Sharbulag Valley, crossing the uppermost parts of the Tuul River. You will reach the small ger camp at Jalman Meadows mid afternoon. Stay overnight in the ger camp.

Day 9

A full day to enjoy the setting of Jalman Meadows Ger Camp. You may use the day for an additional half or full day ride. Or lean back in the library ger with good reads on Genghis Khan, contemporary Mongolia or horses for that matter. If you like to replace the ride with a float on Russian catarafts downstream using inflatable rafts which will be loaded to a yak cart and taken to the river side. There is also a possibility of a river side sauna at stream side.

Day 10

In the morning you will be picked up by a driver and return to Ulaanbaatar. Check into your hotel. See the capital city on your own. Distances are short and nearly all points of interest may by reached on foot. Your guide is standing by to assist you in your shopping or sightseeing activities.

Day 11

Transfer out back home or on to your next destination.

Additional information

All transfers included | Airport Gateway ULN

Additional beverages and lunch in Ulaanbaatar are paid separately

The services of local herdsmen will be required along with their animals. The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where you will be riding

If the group consists of 4 riders or more, you will also have a Mongolian doctor come along as part of the crew