Orkhon Valley
A UNESCO valley made by a volcano and an earthquake, a twenty-two metre waterfall, and two days on a Mongolian horse to see the parts of it a vehicle cannot reach.
The valley the empire was run from
Mongolia is vast, and one of the most amazing places on earth. It has beautiful landscapes, a unique nomadic culture, a long history and very hospitable people, who have kept their traditions from generation to generation for centuries. There are no fences on this land. Come and experience its wilderness and natural wonders. This tour takes you to historic Kharakhorum, the Orkhon valley, which UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site in 2004, and the Khugnu Tarna reserve, and lets you experience nomadic culture.
Day by Day
Kharakhorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. It was founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220, but it grew into the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 1230s under his son Ogedei. The Mongols had a profound impact on trade across Central Asia, as their vast empire connected east and west. We explore the highlights of the city and visit Erdene Zuu monastery.
The Orkhon valley is one of the most visited places in central Mongolia. It was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, and its volcanic landscape is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its links to the history of the Mongol Empire. The Ulaantsutgalan waterfall, about 20 metres high, falls over the volcanic rock of the valley. There is also a chance to see the nomadic way of life, its culture and its traditions. We start horse riding in the valley.
We ride horses in the Orkhon valley, a place of great historical importance for Mongolians. Along the way we see the highlights of the valley, such as deer stone monuments, rock paintings and volcanic rock.
Khugnu Khan nature reserve covers 46,990 hectares in Rashaant soum of Bulgan province, at the point where three provinces meet. Alongside its mountains, the reserve has a remarkable stretch of sand dunes about 80 kilometres long, and the scenery is a striking mix of desert, mountain, river and green grassland. There are two monasteries in the reserve.
Mongolia is one of the last places in the world where nomadic herding is still a common way of life. We visit a nomadic family to experience the real culture of Mongolian nomads, and see how they herd their livestock and make dairy products and traditional clothes. Afterwards we drive back to Ulaanbaatar.
