Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mandshir Khiid to Ulaanbaatar
HIKE
This approach to Tsetseegün from the south side is the easiest route by far. As you face
the monastery, cut over to your right (east) until you get to the stream. Just follow the
stream until it nearly disappears and then head north. About three hours' walking should
bring you out over a ridge into a broad boggy meadow, which you'll have to cross. If
you've walked straight to the north, the twin rocky outcrops of the summit should be
right in front of you. When you start to see Ulaanbaatar in the distance, you're on the
highest ridge and close to the two large
ovoo
(a shamanistic pyramid-shaped collection of
stones as an offering to the gods) on the summit From the
ovoo
you can return to Mand-
shir or descend to Ulaanbaatar.
A second route from the monastery begins from the left (west) side of the temples,
passing a stupa on the way up to the ridge. This route, marked with yellow tags, is faster
but you'll miss the
ovoo
on Tsetseegün.
Coming down from Tsetseegün the quickest way is to head due north, towards the
Ob-
servatory
('Khureltogoot' in Mongolian), and descend to the valley where you'll cross
the train tracks. You can catch a taxi from here to town for around T10,000. A new route
from the Observatory goes downhill and then west one valley to the Sky Resort, where
its possible to hike or hitch on a new road to UB along the southern bank of the Tuul
River.
Another route takes you to the Zaisan Memorial (
Click here
)
, on the southern fringe of
the city. Be careful not to drop down too soon or you'll end up at
Ikh Tenger
, one valley
short of Zaisan. Ikh Tenger is where the president lives with machine-gun-wielding
guards, who will be none too pleased if you drop by unannounced. If you see a barbed-
wire fence you are in Ikh Tenger; to get out, just continue west along the fence and over
the next ridge.
From Mandshir Khiid straight to Zaisan, plan on walking about six to seven hours.
From Mandshir Khiid to the Observatory, figure on six hours.
Horse Riding
In summer, some of the ger camps around Mandshir Khiid rent out horses.
Stepperiders Camp
HORSE RIDING
( 9665 9596, 9911 4245;
www.stepperiders.mn
; GPS: N 47°43.649', E 106°47.418'; rides per day
from US$45)
Horses are available from Stepperiders Camp, just off the main Ulaanbaatar-
Zuunmod road. Stepperiders is run by Minde, a recommended local horse guide who can
give lessons, instructions and support to independent travellers planning their own ex-
