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Central and Northern Regions Mongolias Hangai Range defines much of the country's central northern recesses; the range is the largest of three major mountainous chains (and several smaller ones) in the area,which include the Huvsgul and Sayan ranges, a considerable of Mongolia s vegetation is concentrated in these places, and the ranges encompass several natural zones from mountainous stepped to Siberian taiga forest. Fertile soil and numerous rivers, streams and lakes sustain a variety of plants and the area shelters a huge array of species: elk, Siberian roe deer, wolves, foxes, wild boar, ibex lynx and brown bears, just to name a few. A number of popular destinations, highlighted by famous Huvsgul Lake the ancient ruins of Karakorum, spectacular Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur, as well as the orkhon and Selenge rivers and Hustain Nuruu National Park, make the greater Central and North Central region a must-see for many visitors. Khangai Mountain Range Distance: approximately 370 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar Duration: 7-9 hours by road Accommodation: camps and camping by tent Activities: nature trips, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, photography and video-graphy tours. Found in the heart of Mongolia (west of UB), the beautiful I Iangai Mountain Range offers more than steep slopes, as sterling rivers and lush meadows, as well as a rich human his¬tory, account for some of its appeal. The Hangai Range, most of which has an elevation over 2,500 meters, ex¬tends for over 800 kilometers from the west to the east. It's difficult to confuse these mountains with their western cousins, the Altai. . High, rocky cliffs and deep basins dominate both the Mongol Altai and the Gobi Altai, while the Hangai range features broad, warped, dome-shaped mountains covered with grass and trees. The Selenge, Orkhon, Ider, Zavkhan and Terh rivers, as well as Mongolian's southern desert lakes, all trace their source back to the Hangai. Numerous ancient burial sites are also found in the Hangai, created by the various groups of nomadic people who inhabited the region throughout history. Hugnukhaan Distance: 264 kilometers west of UB Duration: 5-7 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: hiking, climbing, horse riding, nature trips, wildlife, viewing This red rock mountain looms 270 kilometers to the west of Ulaanbaatar, on the way to Karakorum. The granite mountain and the surrounding entice many to take a closer look, either on horseback foot. Ruins of Uvgun Temple Distance: 264 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar Duration: 5-7 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: hiking, climbing, horse riding, nature trips and historical tours the ruins of Uvgun Temple are hidden behind the rocky ridges and cliffs of hugnukhaan Mountain in one of it is southern slope's numerous valleys. A newly built temple looks down upon the remains, both of which make for a wonderful scene when combined with the natural grandeur of Hugnukhaan Mountain, Batkhaan Distance: 250 kilometers west of UB Duration: 5-7 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: hiking, climbing, horse riding, nature trips, wildlife, viewing etc. Designated as a natural reserve for conservation of wildlife and ancient historic and cultural monuments, Batkhaan Mountain stands not far from Hugnukhaan. The reserve covers 218 square kilometers of land and includes the mountain itself as well as unique sand dunes spread out nearby. Batkhaan Mountain features a forest steppe landscape and several rivers and streams begin as trickles from the northern or southern slopes of the mountain. The reserve is home to Maral stags, wolves, deer and lynx. Bayangobi sands Distance: 269 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar Duration: 5-7 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: hiking, climbing, horse back riding, nature trips and hiking Forest and desert intermingle at Bayangobi, located 270 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar. A ger camp is located along the sand dunes, acting as a useful launch point for trips magnificent Batkhaan Mountain, only 15 kilometers away. Tours can also be arranged from the site to Karakoimi, Erdene Zuu, local temples and horse breeding camps. Orkhon River Valley Distance: 365 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar Duration: 7-9 hours by road Accommodation: Gel camps Activities: hiking, horseback rid¬ing, cultural tours, and fishing Numerous streams from the Han¬gai Mountain Range unite to form the Orkhon River, which flows across Central Mongolian for 1,124 kilome¬ters until it joins the Selenge River in the north. The Orkhon River functions as a habitat for many species of fish native to Central Asia including pike, mirror carp, Baikal sturgeon, taimen, river perch, Siberian umber, roach, golden carp and Amur catfish. Orkhon River also drops into Mongolia s larg¬est waterfall: Orkhon Waterfall. Famous for its prolific, ancient his¬torical sites—the ruins of Har Balgas fortress, the Hushuu Tsaidam stone monuments and the ruins at Uuld Ulaan Had to name a few—the Ork¬hon Valley attracts plenty of visitors interested in Mongolia s past. Kharkhorin- Ancient capital of Mongolia Distance: 365 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar Duration: 7-9 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: cultural tours and horseback riding, hiking and fishing in the surrounding area Once the capital of Mongolia, Karakorum's shell now possesses sym¬bolic and historical importance rather than direct political clout. However, it remains one of the region s most popu¬lar destinations, in part because the site now houses Erdenezuu Monastery, the nation's second largest Buddhist monastery. The ruins of Karakorum response about 370 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar, in Uvurhangai aimag. Karakorum was established around 1220 and was briefly Mongolia’s 1241. Within the next quarter century, Kublai Khan moved the center of Mongol affairs to Khanbalik, is now Beijing. Erdenezuu monastery Distance: 365 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar Duration: 7-9 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: cultural tours and horse back riding, hiking and fishing The first Buddhist monastery in Erdenezuu, was built on the ruins of Karakorum in 1586 on the orders of Abtai Sain Khan, a distant I but powerful relative of Chinggis Khaan. Stone monuments, bricks and many other building materials from the ruins of Karakorum were used in the construction of the monastery. The monastery occupies 1600 square meters, an area exactly 10 times smaller original city; the monastery is surrounded by a stone wall with 108 stupas (Buddhist shrines) and four gates. The Erdenezuu monastery preserves works made by Mongolian artisans painters, sculptors, sculptors embroiderers and craftsmen from 17-19th centuries. Erdenezuu flourished before the 20th century, containing one hundred temples and one thousand resident lamas (Buddhist monks) at one point. During the political purges of the 1930s, most of the temples were destroyed and many of the lamas were either executed or imprisoned. The temple remained closed until 1965 when it was finally permitted by the Mongolian government to reopen as a museum not a place of worship. However Erdenezuu clandestinely kept its former glory as a sacred place of worship for local Mongolians, and now represent important historical site for foreign visitors as well. Travelers arrive in Karakorum by road either directory or stay overnight one of three ger camps in the Hugnukhaan mountain area, where they have a chance to explore the nearby natural settings and view or even experience life among some of Mongolia’s nomads. There are several other ger camps in Karakorum area
Orkhon waterfall Distance:82 kilometers from Karakorum Duration:3-4 hours by road from Karakorum Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: hiking, fishing, nature trips, photography and videography tours Locally known as Ulaan Tsutganan the Orkhon River takes a 20 meter plunge at the Orkhon Waterfall. The rivers width at the falls is 10 meters, meaning an impressive volume of water takes the drop in spectacular fashion. The road to the waterfall is an easy one to navigate, owing to the riverside's rocky surface. Don I ex¬pect to make a quick excursion to the waterfall, as even by jeep it takes 3-4 hours to get site from Karakorum, a trek of 85 kilometers.
Khujirt Hot Spa Distance: 390 kilometers from Karakorum Duration: 7-9 hours by road Accommodation: Ger camps Activities: health spa tour Hujirt hot spa, located 90 kilometers to the south of Karakorum has served as a health resort for several decades. The hot spring, found at an elevation of 1,750 meters above sea level, has a number of mineral compo¬nents such as bicarbonate, carbonate, sodium and sulphuretted hydrogen; its water is used for treating nervous and cardiovascular diseases and back pain, The temperature of the spring water is +55°C. Additional areas of interest near the spa include several ancient tombs and a tourist camp.
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