A national park on the capital's doorstep
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park covers 2,930 square kilometres of the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. It is the easiest big-nature Mongolia escape from Ulaanbaatar, 80 kilometres by paved road, and yet it holds authentic wilderness: brown bears, moose, deer, sable, and the Tuul River flowing pure from its highland source.
Big Sky Lodge
Our flagship four-season lodge sits in a hidden meadow between granite ridges. Eight private cabins, a central dining yurt, a bathhouse with river views, and no light pollution. Guests wake to mist on the meadow, horseback ride before lunch, and return to hand-milled pine saunas after dinner.
What to see
Turtle Rock, a 24-metre granite boulder that looks like a turtle from the north. Aryapala Meditation Centre, a working monastery reachable by a 108-step stairway up a ridge. Khagiin Khar Lake, a glacial lake at 1,700 metres. And the endless horse trails through Siberian pine and white birch groves.
When to visit
Late May through early October for hiking, horseback riding, and nomad family visits. December through March for ice fishing on the Tuul, dog sledding at our outpost, and winter sky watching. Summer avoids the coldest Mongolian experience but misses the authenticity of winter transhumance.
Activities beyond hiking
Daily horse rides from the lodge to hidden stupas, picnic lunches on ridge tops, river fishing for lenok and grayling, archery lessons in our practice field, Buryat bread baking with our lodge cook, and stargazing nights with a Starmount telescope our guide operates.
Is it too close to the city?
Terelj gets crowded on weekends near Turtle Rock. Our properties are deep in the park, accessible only with a Rara Avis vehicle and our road permit. From the lodge you do not see another building or road.
