Destination
Orkhon Valley
A UNESCO World Heritage landscape and the cradle of nomadic civilization, in the heart of Central Mongolia.
The Orkhon Valley, roughly 360km southwest of Ulaanbaatar, was the political and cultural center of successive nomadic empires for centuries and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It combines river and steppe scenery with major historical sites, including the Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan) and the ruins of Karakorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan.
Why visit Orkhon Valley
For travelers interested in Mongolia’s history as much as its landscapes, the Orkhon Valley is the single richest region in the country — the birthplace of the nomadic empires that once stretched across Asia, still surrounded by working nomadic communities today.
Landscapes and experiences
- Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan)
- Karakorum, capital of the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan
- Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery
- Open steppe, rivers, and volcanic landscapes across the valley
Things to do
- Visit the ruins and museum at Karakorum
- Explore Erdene Zuu Monastery’s temples and stupas
- Hike to Orkhon Waterfall
- Visit a nomadic family living in the valley today
Best time to visit
May to October. Summer brings green landscapes and a fuller waterfall; spring and autumn have fewer travelers.
Tours in Orkhon Valley
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