Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1 Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel. Tour briefing, followed by dinner and entertainment.

Day 2-3 To Bosog Meadows
Visit the Gandan lamasery, possibly in time for the prayers, center for the Buddhist revival in Mongolia. The Mongols follow the Tibetan version of Lamaism, Dalai Lama being the supreme theocratical leader. We then drive out of the ugly exit of the city, and gradually the Mongolian landscapes unfolds before our eyes. By the time we 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. We will cross across the forested Zamtiin Pass into the Upper Tuul River Valley. We will meet the yak carts and the horses at Bosog Meadows, streamside of the Tuul River. We will spend two overnights here. Each ger will have a stove and strong cots with full bedding. After a night under the stars in our luxurious ger (yurt) tented camp, we 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. We will now ride along with the yak carts downstream along the tiny Baruunbayan until we come to the large meadows by the Tuul River. Again cross the Tuul River with the horses while our caravan heads straight for our Bosog Meadows, which will be our last night stop. Full day ride loop out of Bosog Meadows will bring us up the valleys and ridges on the southern side of Tuul River.

Day 4-5   To Baruunbayan Valley
The day before our entire camp of gers (yurts) have already been loaded on the yak carts, and now our luggage is being loaded before breakfast. Our support structure is free from vehicles. All our provisions, camping equipment, luggage’s will be loaded on to yak carts. We will ride and make way north towards the Hentii Mountains, across the forested ridge into the next valley, the Baruun-bayan, where we will again spend another two overnights. Riders will separate at some point and ride a most scenic loop. The next day we will make a full day ride excursion from our new base camp at Baruunbayan River, to Gunjin Sum, a temple ruin hidden in the forest.

Day 6-7  Zuunbayan Valley
Pack up and load the caravan for the last time. We set out separating ourselves 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. Our ger camp will be built next to the Zuunbayan River, a tributary of the Tuul River. We spend two nights at this place. One full day we will ride up towards the treeline of the Hentii Mountains, with spectacular scenery and views in all directions.

Day 8: To Jalman Meadows
Today we say good bye to the herders and their yak carts caravan, and head on horse back to the Sharbulag Valley, crossing the uppermost parts of the Tuul River. We reach the small ger camp at Jalman Meadows mid afternoon. Stay overnight in the ger camp.

Day 9: Jalman Meadows
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 down-stream 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 streamside.

Day 10: To Ulaanbaatar
A.m. Return to Ulaanbaatar and check into the hotel. See the capital city on your own. Dis-tances are short. The local guide is standing by to assist where your points of interest are located.

Day 11: Departure
Transfer out to your next destination.

*This trip can be combined with the Naadam Festival from July 9 to 12* Please inquire!

Nadaam...
Ancient medieval games still survive in Mongolia and are part of the Living Cultural Heritage of our country.  Wrestling, horserace and archery are still the most popular sports.  In July, the National Nadaam is held all across the country.  The largest being in Ulaanbaatar itself. Herdsmen arrive on horseback from distant provinces, simultaneously training their horses. Such a journey lasts for anytime between one to three months! A giant nomadic camp is being set up on the Jarmag Steppe area, between the city and the Bogd Khan Mountain Biosphere. Reserve during the night of July 10th.

Our Nadaam Extension is a close encounter with the Mongol Three Manly Games of horseracing, wrestling and archery. Skills required and practiced during the medieval times of Gengis Khan armies, and perhaps as way back as during the time of the Huns

Transport: Mongolian families frequently move from one pasture to the other using traditional wooden carts. These are tied to the animals available in the region. Here we will use yaks, or rather yak-cow crossbreeds here called hainag. The services of some herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals.

Staff: A local guide who speaks English and Mongolian will accompany the group at all times. A cook will follow. In addition, the services of several local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals. The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.

Dress is very informal but Mongolian sensibilities dictate a degree of modesty in the cut of the clothing worn.  Hotel laundry services are available but you will need to bring two or three changes of clothing for the camping portion of the trip.  This basic list will be adequate for the demands of our trips.  While in Mongolia we will have weather in the 60's and 70's during the day, but nights will be cold.  If you are passing through Beijing on the way to or from Mongolia, be aware that Beijing is hot and humid.

Useful items:
Small binoculars, travel alarm clock, earplugs, journal and pen, pocket knife (put in checked luggage, not allowed as carry‑on), lightweight snacks like granola bars, fruit bark, jerky, trail mix, nuts, tea bags that you can't start the day without, vitamins, water purification tablets, Mongolian phrasebook.
Our support structure is free from vehicles. All our provisions, camping equipment, luggage will be loaded on to yak carts. Even a ger (yurt) will be brought, and we will learn how to use it. 

Overnight Stays: All overnights are in hotels (2 nights) and in shared double gers (8 nights), which include camping equipment and all local transport. The ger camp is moved to a new location - by yak cart caravan - every two 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.

Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt to both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips. We have no problem accommodating vegetarians on this trail! For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of the USA, if entering the country as a tourist, for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
(a) All foreign nationals staying in Mongolia for longer than 30 days are required to register with the police within 10 days of arrival. (b) Nationals entering Mongolia for stays up to 30 days should apply for an Entry and Exit visa; for stays over 90 days nationals should apply for an Entry visa. (c) Nationals transiting via trains can apply for a single-, double- or multiple-entry Transit visa.
Types of Visa and Cost
Entry and Exit visa: £40 (single-entry, 30 days); £55 (double-entry, 30 days per visit). Entry visa: £35 (single-entry, 90 days). Transit visa: £35 (single-entry); £40 (double-entry); £45 (multiple-entry).
Validity
Visas are valid for three months from date of issue.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. If travelling on an organised tour, visas can be obtained through tourism companies or travel agencies. A group visa in the name of the tour leader is valid for all tourists on the list attached, provided relevant details (nationality, sex, date of birth, passport numbers, and dates of issue and expiry) are given at the time of application.
Working Days Required
Two to five. An express service is available which costs an additional £20.