Privately guided Family Farm tours
Get ready for an unforgettable journey to a remote off-grid yak farm nestled outside of Fairbanks, Alaska! Meet the majestic creatures up close, learn about their fascinating history in the far North, and discover the hard work and dedication it takes to raise yaks in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
YAKS & TRACKS
Venture off the beaten path and discover the rustic charm of Fairbanks, Alaska, with a one-of-a-kind tour to a remote off-grid yak farm, complemented by an exciting UTV trail ride.
JUST YAKS
This hands-on, interactive, family-friendly adventure allows visitors to not only witness life on a working yak farm but to actively engage with the animals in a fun and educational manner.
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This tour invites you to explore the untamed Alaskan wilderness, where the raw beauty of nature meets the hardworking spirit of those who choose to live and farm off the grid.
Perfect for adventurers, animal lovers, and anyone eager to witness sustainable farming practices of the Last Frontier.Our tour begins at our authentic Mongolian yurt before jumping into a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) for a thrilling off-road trail ride, weaving through peaceful and breathtaking scenery terrain of Pleasant Valley. As you follow winding trails through boreal forests and rolling farm fields, you'll feel the adrenaline build as the wilderness surrounds you.
Your destination? Mammut Mountain Yak Farm, a unique, off-grid farm, where you’ll gain an inside look into the fascinating world of raising these resilient animals in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.Once at the farm, you’ll have the chance to meet the yaks up close, pet, feed and get photos with them. Guests will learn about sustainable farming techniques, and hear the personal stories of the farm’s owners. This tour blends adventure with education, offering an authentic glimpse into the daily life of those who thrive in Alaska’s remote and harsh conditions.
After a fulfilling visit to the yak farm, you’ll hop back onto your UTV for the return journey to the Mongolian yurt. The return ride allows you to take in more of the stunning Alaskan wilderness, offering the possibility of even more wildlife sightings.
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Trail Highlights
Breathtaking Views: The ride will take you through scenic landscapes, from dense forests to rolling farm lands.
Alaskan Wildlife: The area is home to a variety of wildlife. Your guide will point out potential sightings of moose, grouse, and possibly even the elusive lynx.
Off-Road Adventure: Whether you’re navigating through dense forests or splashing through creeks, the ride is exhilarating yet comfortable.
Farm Highlights
Yak Interactions: Meet the yaks and learn about their impressive ability to thrive in the extreme conditions of the Alaskan wilderness. Enjoy the opportunity to pet and feed the yaks.
Sustainable Farming Practices: Discover how the farm operates without relying on the grid. Learn about solar energy, water collection systems, and the innovative techniques the owners use to raise livestock.
Alaskan Agriculture: The farm’s owners will discuss the challenges and rewards of farming in Alaska. With long winters and short growing seasons, they must carefully plan every aspect of their operation. You’ll gain insight into the local agricultural industry and how Alaskans adapt to life in such a unique environment.
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TOUR DURATION: 1.5 hours
TRAIL MILEAGE: 10 miles
TRAIL TIME: 45 minutes
YAK TIME: 45 minutes
TIME SLOTS: 12:30 pm & 2:15 pm
DAYS/WEEK: Saturday and Sundays only; Limited availability on Fridays
SEASON: July 11th - November 30th
CAPACITY: 5 people (not including lap children)
AGE LIMIT: None
ARRIVAL TIME: 5-10 minutes prior to start time
TRANSPORTATION: Not included
*please call for larger groups -
ADULTS: $165 (ages 8+)
CHILDREN: $125 (ages 3 - 8 years old)
LAP CHILD: No Charge (ages 0 - 2) -
Are Yaks adapted to the cold?
Interior, Alaska has temperature extremes with hot summers and bitter cold winters, and low precipitation year-round. Yaks are hearty, easy keepers that thrive in our climate due to their high-altitude adaptations. Yaks, native to the Asian Highlands, are adapted to live in extreme cold and harsh conditions. Some of these adaptations include: larger and specially shaped heart and lungs for low oxygen, low surface area to body mass ratio for heat retention, three layers of fur (guard hairs, fine wool, and finest down wool), efficient metabolism that slows in cold air temperatures to allow them to conserve energy while still maintaining body temperature, ability to consume snow for hydration, and much more!How are Yaks useful?
Yaks are useful in many ways! They can be great source of lean meat and high fat milk. They are good companions but also very complimentary with our northern off-grid lifestyle. They produce incredible fiber (we wear lots of wool), they can be trained to pull sleds or haul logs out of the woods (we heat our home primarily with wood harvested from our property).Where did Yaks originate?
Wild yaks originated in the Himalayas between 5 and 2.5 million years ago and only 15,000 exist in the wild today.When were Yaks domesticated?
Yaks were domesticated at least 3,000 years ago in Tibet. Communities in the Asian highlands from Tibet to Mongolia rely on yaks for meat, milk, fiber, leather, dung for fuel, plowing, riding, packing and significant roles in religious ceremonies.How did yaks get to the United States?
Yaks were imported into the US in the late 1800s as zoo animals, but now are very valuable livestock animals that appear on farms throughout the country.
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A full refund will be issued if the cancellation is received before 7 days of the tour. A 20% cancellation fee will be charged to cancellations inside 7 days. No refunds will be issued if the cancellation is less than 24 hours prior to the tour. Day of booking cancellations will not be refunded. No shows will be charged in full.
Overdue Arrivals: Guests arriving 15 minutes late are subject to an altered tour to ensure guides remain on the schedule (this could result in a shorter trail time or less interaction with the yaks). Guests arriving in excess of 15 minutes late for a day tour will forfeit their tour and be charged in full.
Emergency & Covid Cancellations: If guests have an emergent case, please notify us immediately to explain the situation. (Examples of emergent cases include emergency hospitalization or car accident; examples of non-emergent cases include failure to secure appropriate transportation, getting lost, previously known/mitigatable health etc). Proof may be requested to receive a full refund. A positive covid test result with the date is required to issue a full refund. If no contact is made prior to the tour start time, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations by guide: If unforeseen safety or health concerns arise that require a guide to cancel a tour, guests will be notified as soon as possible of the change. Guests will be given an option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
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Situated near Fairbanks, Alaska, Mammut Mountain Farm offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rustic charm of rural Alaska while learning about the gentle and hardy yaks that call it home.
The farm, completely off the grid, is a testament to sustainable living, relying on solar power and other renewable sources to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle.
This hands-on, interactive tour allows visitors to not only witness life on a working yak farm but to actively engage with the animals in a fun and educational manner.
The experience of visiting an off-grid yak farm begins the moment you arrive with a short and serene walk through birch trees.
As visitors make their way to the authentic Alaskan-made wall tent for the meet & greet, they are immediately introduced to the off-grid lifestyle that defines this farm.The Yaks: Gentle Giants of the North
Yaks are central to the farm's operation, and visitors are given ample opportunities to get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures.
Native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, yaks are incredibly well-suited to Alaska’s subarctic climate. Their thick, woolly coats protect them from the cold, while their powerful, muscular builds allow them to navigate the rugged terrain with ease. The animals are calm and gentle, making them ideal for human interaction.Throughout the tour, visitors are encouraged to feed, pet, and interact with the yaks, creating a hands-on experience that is both fun and educational. The yaks are often seen grazing in the fields or lounging in the barn, but they are always ready for some attention. Visitors can feed the yaks nutritious snacks like hay or specially prepared treats.
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Farm Highlights
Location: Off-grid, remote yak farm located outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, offering a unique rural Alaskan experience.
Feeding Yaks: Get the chance to feed the friendly yaks and learn about their diet and behavior.
Petting and Interaction: Pet and interact with the yaks, experiencing their gentle nature up close.
Learning About Yaks: Gain insight into yak care, their role in sustainable farming, and the importance of these animals in Alaska's rural life.
Sustainable Practices: Learn about the farm's off-grid lifestyle and how they manage energy, water, and farming without reliance on traditional utilities.
Alaskan Climate Adaptation: Discover how yaks thrive in the harsh Alaskan climate and what makes them unique livestock for the region.
Local Products: Opportunity to purchase locally made yak-related products such as wool or handcrafted goods.
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TOUR DURATION: 45 minutes
YAK TIME: 45 minutes
TIME SLOTS: 10:00 AM & 5:00 PM
DAYS/WEEK: Saturday and Sundays only; Limited availability on Fridays.
SEASON: July 11th - November 30th
CAPACITY: 7 people (not including lap children)
AGE LIMIT: None
ARRIVAL TIME: 5-10 minutes prior to start time
TRANSPORTATION: Not included
Please call for larger groups -
ADULTS: $85 (ages 8+)
CHILDREN: $65 (ages 3 - 8 years old)
LAP CHILD: No Charge (ages 0 - 2) -
Are Yaks adapted to the cold?
Interior, Alaska has temperature extremes with hot summers and bitter cold winters, and low precipitation year-round. Yaks are hearty, easy keepers that thrive in our climate due to their high-altitude adaptations. Yaks, native to the Asian Highlands, are adapted to live in extreme cold and harsh conditions. Some of these adaptations include: larger and specially shaped heart and lungs for low oxygen, low surface area to body mass ratio for heat retention, three layers of fur (guard hairs, fine wool, and finest down wool), efficient metabolism that slows in cold air temperatures to allow them to conserve energy while still maintaining body temperature, ability to consume snow for hydration, and much more!How are Yaks useful?
Yaks are useful in many ways! They can be great source of lean meat and high fat milk. They are good companions but also very complimentary with our northern off-grid lifestyle. They produce incredible fiber (we wear lots of wool), they can be trained to pull sleds or haul logs out of the woods (we heat our home primarily with wood harvested from our property).Where did Yaks originate?
Wild yaks originated in the Himalayas between 5 and 2.5 million years ago and only 15,000 exist in the wild today.When were Yaks domesticated?
Yaks were domesticated at least 3,000 years ago in Tibet. Communities in the Asian highlands from Tibet to Mongolia rely on yaks for meat, milk, fiber, leather, dung for fuel, plowing, riding, packing and significant roles in religious ceremonies.How did yaks get to the United States?
Yaks were imported into the US in the late 1800s as zoo animals, but now are very valuable livestock animals that appear on farms throughout the country.
-
A full refund will be issued if the cancellation is received before 7 days of the tour. A 20% cancellation fee will be charged to cancellations inside 7 days. No refunds will be issued if the cancellation is less than 24 hours prior to the tour. Day of booking cancellations will not be refunded. No shows will be charged in full.
Overdue Arrivals: Guests arriving 15 minutes late are subject to an altered tour to ensure guides remain on the schedule (this could result in a shorter trail time or less interaction with the yaks). Guests arriving in excess of 15 minutes late for a day tour will forfeit their tour and be charged in full.
Emergency & Covid Cancellations: If guests have an emergent case, please notify us immediately to explain the situation. (Examples of emergent cases include emergency hospitalization or car accident; examples of non-emergent cases include failure to secure appropriate transportation, getting lost, previously known/mitigatable health etc). Proof may be requested to receive a full refund. A positive covid test result with the date is required to issue a full refund. If no contact is made prior to the tour start time, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations by guide: If unforeseen safety or health concerns arise that require a guide to cancel a tour, guests will be notified as soon as possible of the change. Guests will be given an option to reschedule or receive a full refund.