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Live Life on the Yurt Side

Welcome to Groovy Yurts! We import authentic Mongolian yurts, and distribute them across North America... and the rest of the world. We take great pride in being the direct link between our Mongolian partners and our customers. Our Groovy team is passionate about sharing Mongolian culture and centuries old traditions. If you are ready to begin yurt journey, you’ve come to the right place. Join our Groovy Delivery Tour for the ultimate setup experience.

Groovy Yurts Traditional Mongolian Yurt Graphic.

What is an Authentic Mongolian Yurt?

A yurt - or ger - is the home of the Mongolian nomads. Its history dates back thousands of years and yurts are still widely in use year round across Mongolia. Our beautiful yurts are made using mostly natural products, hand crafted by a Mongolian family on a principle of fair trade. Gers are sustainable, leaving no footprint and comprising organic material like felt insulation and horse hair ropes.

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Yurt door

Toono (Dome)

The most sacred part of the yurt, connecting the earth to the sky! The toono holds the yurt together, and is customizable to different finishes.

Yurt dome
Yurt cover

Top & Side Covers

The yurt walls and roof are covered with fabric & materials that come in ranges of durability options, all built to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Yurt top insulation

Yurt Insulation

Your yurt usually comes with one complete layer of Mongolian felt insulation (sheep wool). Depending on your location and purposes, you may want to add a second layer for your yurt.

Yurt insulation
Yurt frame

Yurt Structure

The core structural components - all made of wood (Tamarack and Siberian pine) - include the dome (toono), the central poles (bagaans who support the toono), as well as the huns (rafters) and lattice walls (khaanas).

Yurt base

The Platform

Yurts are not built into the ground! They float on a circular platform (optional) which is easily transported & assembled yet holds well with the overall structure.

Explore for Yurt-Self

Browse our catalogue, learn more about our delivery tours, or dive into our groovy experiences.

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Catalogue

Find the perfect yurt, or the furniture and accessories you need to complete your yurt!

Browse Catalogue
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Delivery Tours

Learn more about our delivery tours and stay up to date on all of our upcoming tours.

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Yurt exterior

Experiences

Explore what it's like to live in a yurt! Rent out a yurt or book a stay at Groovy Farm.

Explore Experiences
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Hip-hip-hooray, the truck is on its way!

Year Round: Local Tours - Ontario & Quebec -  ACCEPTING ORDERS

NEW Mid-July - August 2023 -  Eastern/Central US Tour - ACCEPTING ORDERS

NEW Fall 2023 -  Western U.S & Canada Tour - ACCEPTING ORDERS

Groovy Yurts delivery truck for all of our North American delivery tours.
Decorative pillows inside yurt.
Happy folks inside the yurt.
The view from outside the Groovy Farm yurt.
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Live, Work, Play

A yurt provides year-round, four-season options for living, working and entertainment - all within a structure that can be temporary or permanent. Great for camping, glamping, summer camps, corporate events…even as a B&B!

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Mongolian Yurt Collections

A Groovy Yurt – ger in Mongolia –is the traditional dwelling of Central Asian nomads. More than a tent, a yurt is the result of ancient savoir-faire and has been developed over hundreds of years. Made to resist extreme climates, this circular domed abode is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Easily dismantled, the yurt is portable and self-supporting. Browse our unique Mongolian yurt collections below!

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Why Authentic Mongolian Yurts?

Made mostly of natural & organic materials

Comfortable & breathes naturally

Packaged, portable & uncomplicated to install

Wool felts are perfect for insulating the compact structure; you'll experience warmth in the winter and a natural cooling effect in the summer

Energy efficient

Works of art; each one is hand-made

Each one has a spirit! Don't believe us? We invite you to step inside of one (right foot first, of course)

Why Groovy Yurts?

We've been exporting yurts from Mongolia to North America & Europe since 2003

By building strong relationships with our customers, we continuously improve our product, while respecting ancient Mongolian traditions

We've sold 1000+ yurts to date, which have all been used in North American climates

We source our yurts directly from Mongolian families and teams based on the principle of fair trade

A few times per year, we embark on a North American tour with the Groovy Truck, offering direct door to door service and delivery, anywhere

We love what we do!

Happy person on top of a yurt.
Team member working on assembling yurt parts.

Who We Are

At Groovy Yurts, we are a small, family-oriented team, taking pride in our yurts as well as the service we provide. We pride ourselves on our door-to-door delivery of the yurts – since we are nomads too! We also offer groovy set-up assistance, a full day dedicated to not only setting up your yurt, but also sharing yurt tips, evolution and history. Having spent considerable time in Mongolia, we want to share our passion for yurts and the Mongolian culture with you.

Groovy Yurts custom heart design.
Groovy Yurts custom heart design.

Our Values

Groovy Yurts has four pillars on which we operate: good for our suppliers, good for the environment, good for our customers, and good for our team.

We are built on the relationships that we have with the families of our suppliers in Mongolia, and we are honored to share their culture and stories with our customers. 

Yves and the Groovy Yurt team strongly believe in sustainable living and make every effort to source our materials and labor from the Mongolian countryside. Initiatives by Groovy Yurts support local Mongolian felt production and a tree nursery designed to plant 25 trees for every yurt sold. The trees are grown locally before being taken out to the countryside for replantation.

Groovy yurts design.

Rooted in Culture

We don't just sell yurts, we share the Mongolian practices and way of life with each of our customers.

Groovy yurts design.

Built on Relationships

Our yurts are manufactured by our partners in Mongolia with whom we have been working happily for 20 years.

Groovy yurts design.

Sustainability in Mind

We believe in sustainable living, from sourcing our products from the Mongolian countryside to repurposing materials for our production warehouse.  Fun fact: our workbench is actually an old bowling alley!

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Follow us on Social

Connect with us and follow along as we deliver Groovy Yurts across North America!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the life span of an Authentic Mongolian yurt and is there a warranty?

Mongolians say it will last up to 100 years. On our side, we do our very best to select quality materials for our yurts allowing them to adapt efficiently to the more humid North American climates. With a little care, the wood structure and felt insulation will last dozens of years. Our yurts are handmade and do not come with a warranty as such. Although we care to source the best possible quality materials for our yurts, we cannot guarantee what, how and where they will be used. However, we are always available for advice, parts, or questions in the event of a problem or concern.

The outer canvas is exposed to the elements 365 days a year and tends to wear sooner than the other yurt parts, especially in humid climates. Other factors such as sun exposure, rain, snow and applied treatments can all affect the longevity of the canvas. If your canvas is starting to wear, please ask us about our canvas replacement discount (applicable for up to 10 years after the initial yurt purchase).

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Do your yurts resist strong winds and snow loads?

Yurts have been developed in a country with an extreme climate. They are aerodynamic in nature and will resist strong winds. In Mongolia, they are normally not anchored to the ground as Mongolians do not want to harm the earth. In cases of extreme winds, Mongolians usually attach a big stone to a rope that hangs from the centre of the toono (central dome). This is, of course, an option in North America as well. You can also secure the yurt to your platform and or substructure. In this case, make sure that your platform and substructure are well-anchored to the ground. Groovy Yurts does offer a wind kit as well.

If the yurt is well installed, it should normally resist heavy snow loads. But for more safety, we advise our customers to regularly clear the snow on the roof. It is best not to leave your yurt alone where snow will be an issue as even the melting and re-freezing of the snow on the yurt, could be problematic.

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Are the yurts waterproof?

Our yurts are made of almost 100% natural material. Our cotton-based canvas is of good quality and is water resistant. In certain cases of prolonged rains or long-lasting melting snow, you might experience some humid spots here and there.

Here are a few ways to adapt your yurt to extremely humid conditions:

We 100% recommend placing a layer of house wrap (Solitex Mento 1000) between the felt and the outside cover on the roof and walls. We offer this option and custom-cut it for our yurts. In downpours where the yurt is damp, heat the yurt for 30 minutes with a good wood fire in the stove.

Ventilation in your yurt, around your yurt and under your yurt is crucial to success in your authentic Mongolian yurt. Ask us about tips for keeping the air flowing!

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Do the yurts need a lot of maintenance?

The authentic Mongolian yurt doesn’t like to be left alone for too long. It will last far longer if it is used, and cared for, ventilated and/or heated. Other than that, there’s not much to do apart from maybe tightening the ropes from time to time. Should you need to leave your yurt unattended for several months, we recommend you take it down and store it in a dry place. We have acquired a healthy dose of experience caring for these beautiful dwellings and we would happily share our knowledge with you.

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What is the difference between an authentic Mongolian yurt and a "Modern" yurt?

Both dwellings share the same name and a similar structure, but they are completely different products with advantages to both. In general, Mongolian yurts (or gers) are easier to install and move. They are built with more organic materials, and we strongly believe that they are also more comfortable, largely due to the felt insulation and canvas that insulates well in both the cold and heat. The organic materials allow for a “natural” breathing and circulation of air. This can be further improved by lifting the covers at the bottom of the yurt. Many specifics and details of the original Mongolian yurt have been forgotten or could simply not be recreated in “modern” yurts. Mongolian yurts are entirely hand-crafted and will require more care and attention than their North American cousins. You will have to adapt to your yurt and the yurt will have to be adapted to its environment. Even amongst authentic Mongolian yurts themselves there can be several different or slight variations. At Groovy Yurts, we take great care in selecting our materials and pay particular attention to how they are sourced. Ensuring our customers get the most out of their new yurt and thrive in the environment in which it is placed, is our number one priority.

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Are there windows in your yurts?

The toono (central dome) in an authentic Mongolian yurt provides most of your natural light when open. Ask us about our standard toono options and upgrades. In addition to this, all our yurts come with a double door system that will allow you to open the solid door to a second door that is framed for screens and/or glass. We leave it to the customer to add glass/plexiglass, or screening. We also offer bow windows for our yurts from a 4-wall (16ft) to the 8-wall (30ft) size. Our bow windows are sold in sections that are either fixed (do not open) or ones that do open. Depending on the size of the yurt, a recommended number of window sections can be added. It is possible to install a bow window in a yurt that has already been set up.

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Can one have electricity or running water in a yurt?

Everything is possible! The concept of an authentic Mongolian yurt is so flexible that it easily adapts to individual needs. All that is encouraged and required is that you respect the safety standards of construction and consult a professional when necessary.

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What is a wall – I thought yurts were round?!

Our yurts ARE round! A ‘wall’ is a lattice section that is unfolded like an accordion and connected to the next one in a circle to form the circumference of the yurt. The more wall sections, the bigger the diameter of the yurt is. Traditionally in Mongolia, most of the yurts have 5 walls and are 20ft in diameter. Traditionally, having fewer walls makes it easier to carry or transport, and most often is a stronger structure, having less connections.

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Are Mongolian yurts 4 season? What about heating, stoves, pipes and fire?

Authentic Mongolian yurts (compared to any other yurts) are very well insulated and easy to heat in the winter. Still, they remain cool in the summer mainly due to the felt insulation and cotton-based canvas that repels the outside sun and heat. A natural cooling air flow can be created by opening the toono and raising the side covers. This millenary all-natural air conditioning works extremely well.A standard wood stove, pellet stove or slow combustion stove will do the job quite well. Depending on your yurt size and or location, solar air heaters may work, as well as an electrical or propane unit.

Yurts are well insulated, so please take care of carbon oxides. The yurt comes with a very light tin plate on the toono (top dome) with a 4-to-5-inch hole for the stove pipe. This is the way they set up their stove pipe in Mongolia. In North America, it is required you use an insulated chimney pipe and have it professionally installed in order to comply with local building standards. On request, we can install your chimney flashing and bracket ahead of delivery.

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What type of platform should I use, or can I install the yurt directly on the ground?

We do not typically recommend you set the yurt up directly on the ground. It is important to keep the covers and felts dry and away from pooling water. However, it is okay to install a yurt on the ground for a limited period such as a special event, but we truly do not recommend doing so in humid/wet areas or over longer periods of time.

Regardless of whether your platform is made of wood, cement or hay, we recommend a circular 15-30 cm (6-12 inch) rim be build around the circumference of the yurt. This will allow for optimal water drainage and help to keep mice or other small animals from getting inside your yurt.

Several of our customers have installed their platforms on straw bales with a simple plywood cover. It’s easy, inexpensive, insulated and ecologic!At Groovy Yurts we produce and sell excellent ready-made platforms (made here in Canada). These platforms are insulated, easy to assemble and transportable.

You can install your yurt and platform virtually anywhere. However, we generally recommend areas have good sun exposure and that are somewhat open to encourage good air flow, allowing your yurt to breathe. Less ideal locations would include humid/damp areas, under a tree, in dense forests or up against other large bushes or structures that would disable healthy air circulation.

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How long and how many people does it take to install a yurt?

This will depend on the size of the yurt. Generally, for a 5-wall yurt it takes around half a day or in some cases a full day. If it is the first set-up, 3 to 4 people will be required. With a little bit of training, it will be easier and faster a second time.The first time can be a little tricky even with our detailed installation guides. If you purchase a groovy yurt, we recommend our set-up assistance service. We are professionals in the proper set-up of a yurt. We want your yurt experience to have a wonderful beginning.

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What is the weight of the yurt and what vehicle can I use to carry it?

Here is an overview of approximate values:

# OF WALLS       WEIGHT

2 walls               150 kgs (320 lbs)

3 walls                220 kgs (485 lbs)

4 walls                340 kgs (750 lbs)

5 walls                575 kgs (1268 lbs)

6 walls                650 kgs (1433 lbs)

7 walls                800 kgs (1750 lbs)

8 walls                1050 kgs (2315 lbs)

Should you decide to pick-up your yurt at our warehouse, or move it from one location to another, please ask our team about the transport requirements as they will vary depending on the size of your yurt, along with any accessories you have such as a platform, windows, extra felts, etc.

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What does set-up assistance mean?

Set-up assistance means, we will assist you and your team of helpers to set up your yurt. The raising of the yurt is a day in yurt care, tips, maintenance and history! A well leveled structure and platform, if you are building your own platform, must be ready for us upon arrival. The set-up conditions and number of people required to assist will be determined by the pre-delivery team. Failure to provide assistance will result is extra charges. Our delivery schedules are set out to accommodate our customers, so every effort is made to stay on time. That being said, our delivery times can be hampered by weather, vehicle issues, container delays, and a host of other crazy, hard to believe reasons. A delivery tour of this magnitude is an enormous challenge. Please know that it is our priority to deliver your yurt in a timely manner and that your patience is so appreciated.

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Is full set-up of your yurt available?

Full set-ups are only available in very special circumstances. Please ask us for details.

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Legislation

Legislation varies from municipality to municipality, province to province, and state to state. There is typically no specific ruling for yurts. Often, they are considered a non-permanent building and do not require a building permit. But that being said, other local municipalities may ask that your yurt be declared a permanent building structure and a building permit may be required. If you are experiencing some difficulties with legislation, please contact us.

We will equip you with information you can use for presentation to your municipality.

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Is your business based on fair trade?

Although we’re not certified by any organization, we strongly believe in the benefits of fair trade and that it is possible to conduct business and support local economies. Mongolia is a free market economy. We try to source our materials on the countryside to support rural areas and nomads. We are in very close contact with our suppliers and work hard to foster healthy business practices together. We give hand-in-hand bonuses to all of the workers every time we ship a new container.The wood industry is very regulated in Mongolia. We therefore participate in the development of a tree nursery project, financed by the sale of our yurts. A yurt uses in average 3.2 trees and it is our intention to plant 25 trees for every yurt sold. We also continue to support Globetrucker.org, an organization that equips rural schools with much-needed school supplies. A sewing school was opened in 2007 with the help of Globetrucker.org in Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar. We also participate in several community projects in North America when we are able.

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Return Policy

A 15% restocking fee will apply to all cancelled orders. If delivery has already occurred, the return shipping will also be at the customer’s expense.

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Contact us

Start Yurt Journey Today!

If you have any questions about our company, our yurts or our catalogue, send us a message and we will happily get back to you as soon as we can. We are at yurt service.

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