Hentii Mountains Ride - Mongolia
Hagiin Har Nuur - Wilderness Packtrip

Hagiin Har Nuur (Hagiin Black Lake) is a remote lake located hidden in the interior deep forests of the Khan Khentii Protected Area - the Hentii Wilderness northeast from Ulaanbaatar. It is Mongolia’s only true wilderness in the sense that it is completely devoid of people and domestic animals. It is the realm of wolfs, moose, red deer, gazelle, wild boar, lynx, and brown bears. We will not meet any people for most part of the journey. The Tuul River originates close to Hagiin Har Nuur and it eventually finds its course via Ulaanbaatar and drains out to the north to the Selenge River, which in turn feeds Lake Baikal with two thirds of its water, which in turn empties in the Arctic Ocean. The Herlen River originates a couple of kilometers away; it belongs to the Pacific drainage basin. It is located within the taiga life zone and near the watershed  point of Asian Rivers whereof some drains out north to the Arctic Ocean, others to the east into the Pacific Ocean.

IT-MNRT02
Rates include breakfast every day, and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights in ger (yurt) camp and tents. Camping equipment and all local transport.
10 days/ 9 nights $ 1,310 
Supplements: Private hotel, tent and ger single supplement  $300
2008 Dates: 09/13-09/22
 ... and on request with a minim of 2 riders
Meeting: Ulaanbaatar
Level:  Good Novice+
Tack:  Mongolian Buryat Military Saddles
Horses: : Mongolian
Pace: Slow to Moderate, some trots
Min/Max Riders:  2-6
Note:   This ride may be requested at other times. Please note that July and August, which have more rain, may cause small streams in the area to flood to the extent they become rivers dangerous to cross. While possible to undertake this dramatic horseback journey during this time, you should then plan accordingly so that your planning allows for several days delay, should it happen. A private date for minimum 2 persons is +$150 per person supplement.

Brief Outline Itinerary 
The support structure for our expedition consists of local herdsmen with riding horses and packhorses that will carry tents, luggage and equipment. We ride cross-terrain and camp in the wild. Our trailfinder is a local herdsman who spends the winters with his herd and family at Jalman Meadows, a 8-hour horseback ride from Hagiin Har Nuur. Jalman Meadows Ger Camp is also located there, from where our expedition will start. It has double occupancy gers. A cook and interpreter will accompany the ride.

Equipment: During the daytime, sunny and warm weather is likely, however during the early morning hours it is equally likely having frost! You need to bring your own sleeping bag and good rainwear with you. Just in case bring therma wear and gloves. Please bring your own hard hat and short chaps. 

Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals over open fire. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips.

 Day 1:  Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Arrive by air to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight Bayangol Hotel (first class) or similar. Dinner and trip briefing in the evening.

DAY 2 To Jalman Meadows

A.m. Depart by vehicle from your hotel in Ulaanbaatar for the 3-3,5 hours ride to  (110km) the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. It is the continuation of Terelj National Park, consisting of the interior parts of the same. For an hour we will drive through a steppe valley that is summer pasture for numerous herdsmen and their cattle. 
P.m. On arrival meet the trailfinder and horsemen. Trial ride around the area and cross the Tuul river to enjoy the view over  Jalman Meadows, rich in wildflowers and berries during the summer season, located just below the Jalman Mountain (2051 meters above sea level).

DAY 3-4 To Hagiin Har Nuur 

Our route will be decided according to river levels and climatic conditions of the time. There are three different barely visible trails unknown to others but for the local people, that makes its way towards Hagiin Har Nuur. We will load the packhorses with the equipment, and set on the ride. There is a saddlebag for each rider. We will make our way further up the Tuul River Valley or the Zuunbayan River Valley. We will make our way into this fascinating area of rivers and small lakes via the Hongoriin and Hagiin River and set up a base camp by the lake. We will remain here for two nights. The area is rich in wildlife, although it is difficult to see it. The lake itself and the rivers are rich in fish such as Grayling, Lenok Trout and Taimen, that can grow to sizeable portions here.

Day 5 Hiydiyn Sardag  & Höh Nuur

We will make a day ride, first in a northeasterly direction to the small and ruined Sardag Monastery. Built by Zanabazar, the first of the Mongol Bogdo Gegens (Living Buddha’s like the Dalai Lama) in the 17th century. It was destroyed during the purges in the Stalinist 1930s. Then to the northwest to Höh Nuur (Blue Lake) which is considerably smaller than Hagiin Har Nuur. There are several small lakes connected to it. Return to the same campsite.

DAY 6-7  To Jalman Meadows

We will now again load our packhorses and ride back for Jalman Meadows Ger Camp, via an alternative route. Equally nice nature of Siberian taiga lifezone.

DAY 8  Jalman Meadows

Day at leisure at Jalman Meadows Ger Camp. Hike in the area. Sleep in a real bed in relative comfort.  This is a buffer day, just in case there are delays in the wilderness, potentially caused by rains and flooded streams.

DAY 9  To Ulaanbaatar

A.m. Picked up by vehicle and drive 3 hrs back to Ulaanbaatar. Hotel.

DAY 10 Ulaanbaatar

Transfer to the airport and fly out. End of services after breakfast.

Practicalities
Best time: The Khan Khentii is a true wilderness area with many small unregulated streams and rivers. Should it suddenly rain a great deal, it would mean that the river crossings may become impassable, forcing us to take alternative routes and delaying our arrival back to civilization. July and August is the rainy season of Mongolia, however, it rains just about the same level of precipitation during the equivalent period for summer rains in Europe.  Not very much on the whole, but in Mongolia sudden downpours occur during this time. We recommend the months of June and September for this ride, which usually have more of blue skies and less rain. If you decide to come during July and August, it would still be possible to make the trip, but you should allow some days before taking your flight out of Mongolia, in the unlikely event of a delay due to sudden rain. We will stock up with contingency provisions in any case.

Equipment: During the daytime, sunny and warm weather is likely. However, during the early morning hours it is equally likely having frost! You need to bring your own sleeping bag and good rainwear with you. Please bring your own hard hat and short chaps. 

Hazards: Please note that the area is true and rugged wilderness. The last day may be used as a buffer day, if there are delays due to rain and swollen rivers that make necessary river crossings impossible.

Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals over open fire. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips.