Big Skies Trail
Introduction
Luxury Horseback Expedition in the Khan Khentii Mountains
Travel the Mongolian way—on horseback, without having to bend yourself into a sleeping bag or squeeze into a tiny tent. Unlike traditional treks, this expedition offers upgraded comfort: every rider stays in full-sized Mongolian gers (yurts), every two days, our caravan moves to a new campsite while you ride in wide loops through remote valleys, forests, steppes, and meadows. Camp is usually set up streamside, with panoramic views and starry night skies. With sturdy cots, full bedding, and stove-heated accommodations, you’ll explore the wilderness in comfort while experiencing the timeless rhythms of Mongolian nomadic life. Group sizes are deliberately small—half the size of our regular horseback tours—allowing for a more intimate, immersive journey. The ride covers the southern fringes of the Khan Khentii wilderness and the scenic interior of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.
| Trip Details |
|---|
| Big Skies Trail |
| 11 Days / 10 Nights |
Trip Details
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in the Mongolian capital and transfer to your hotel. Tour briefing, followed by a welcome dinner.
Days 2–3: To Bosog Meadows
Morning visit to Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s center of Buddhist revival. Afterward, drive out of the city and into the countryside. As we approach the Hadan Hoshuu steppe valley, urban life fades away, replaced by nomadic families and their livestock. Cross the forested Zamtiin Pass to reach the Upper Tuul River, where we meet our yak caravan and horsemen. Spend two nights in gers by the river. Enjoy a full-day trial ride up valleys and forest ridges, with sweeping views of the southern Siberian taiga.
Days 4–5: To Baruunbayan Valley
Our gers and luggage are packed onto yak carts, and we begin our full expedition. Ride north toward the Khentii Mountains, crossing a forested ridge into the Baruunbayan Valley. Spend two nights here, with a scenic loop ride and a full-day excursion to Gunjin Sum, a ruined monastery hidden deep in the forest.
Days 6–7: To Zuunbayan Valley
Pack up the mobile camp one last time and ride to the Zuunbayan River. This remote valley is rich with wildlife—watch for black grouse or the rare black-billed capercaillie. Enjoy another full day ride into the high ridges of the Khentii Mountains with stunning panoramic views.
Day 8: To Jalman Meadows
Bid farewell to the yak caravan and ride south across the headwaters of the Tuul River. Arrive at our semi-permanent ger camp in Jalman Meadows, nestled in a serene riverside setting.
Day 9: Jalman Meadows
Enjoy a day at leisure. Ride the surrounding trails, float the Tuul River on Russian catarafts, or relax in the riverside sauna. For quiet reflection, browse books on Genghis Khan and nomadic life in the library ger.
Day 10: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Spend your afternoon sightseeing at your own pace with assistance from your local guide. Farewell dinner and a traditional Mongolian performance.
Day 11 – Departure
Transfer to the airport or continue your travels elsewhere.
DATES ex Ulaanbaatar:
BST01: 01 – 11 Jun
BST02: 09 – 21 Jul Naadam ext
BST03: 01 – 11 Aug
PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:
2 – 6 members: USD 3950 per person
Single room/ger camp supplement (4n): USD 200
Single ger outing supplement (6n): USD 1800
Private trip supplement:
2/3 members USD 600 per trip
4/up members no charge
Practicalities:
At Nomadic Journeys, we focus on meaningful connections—with local nomads, horses, and the wild landscapes of Mongolia. This is not just a ride—it’s a shared adventure rooted in traditional lifestyles. Respect for the horse and the ancient Mongolian equestrian culture is central to our philosophy, offering valuable insights for those who travel with us.
Transport: This journey involves no motor vehicle support once we leave the city. Apart from the initial and final drives, we travel entirely by horseback and traditional wooden yak carts, the same type Mongolian herders use when moving between seasonal pastures. You’ll be riding horses across the steppe while your luggage, camp gear, and dining ger are carried by yak cart caravan.
Accommodation: For this exclusive trip, we bring a fully collapsible ger camp, complete with showers and composting toilets. Each ger is comfortably furnished with sturdy cot beds (including full linens), chairs, a table, and a wood-burning stove for warmth. You will spend two nights at Nomadic Journeys’ own eco-friendly luxury ger camp at Jalman Meadows. In Ulaanbaatar, accommodation is provided at the Bayangol Hotel in Deluxe Rooms. All lodging is based on double occupancy.
Our Crew: A Mongolian English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout. An experienced camp cook prepares daily meals (both Western and Mongolian). Local herdsmen join with their horses and yak carts, offering deep insight into the traditional nomadic lifestyle. For groups of four riders or more, a Mongolian doctor will also accompany the trip as part of our crew.
Meals: Meals are freshly prepared by our own cook. We accommodate vegetarian diets. Fresh milk and yogurt are often sourced from local herders along the route. Meals are enjoyed in the dining ger, offering a warm and authentic setting.
Riding Skills: Riders must be competent and confident at all paces. Expect to be in the saddle for several hours per day across varied terrain. A good level of physical fitness and experience with trail riding is essential.
Naadam Games Extension: You may extend your adventure to witness Mongolia’s Naadam Festival ( BST02 Extension). Watch thrilling horse races with up to 1,000 horses, as well as traditional wrestling and archery competitions on the open plains outside Ulaanbaatar. Costs USD 1,100 per person.
Reversal of trip: For operational reasons, the direction of the horseback journey may be reversed, starting from Jalman Meadows and ending near the steppe, without affecting the core experience.
Includes: Leadership, breakfast every day in UB, welcome and farewell dinner. All meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights in hotels (2n) in shared double gers (8n), camping equipment and all local transport.
Excludes: Laundry. Drinks, lunch in Ulaanbaatar. Air or train tickets in and out of Mongolia. Visa fee. Local medevac coverage.
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 🙂
