Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Khustain National Park
T10,000, Mongolians free)
was established in 1993 and is about 100km southwest of Ulaan-
baatar. The 50,620-hectare reserve protects Mongolia's wild horse, the
takhi
, and the re-
serve's steppe and forest-steppe environment. In addition to the
takhi
, there are popula-
tions of
maral
(Asiatic red deer), steppe gazelle, deer, boar, manul (small wild cat),
wolves and lynx. A visit to the park has become a popular overnight excursion from
Ulaanbaatar in recent years.
It's worth spending at least one night in the park, as you are most likely to see
takhi
and other wildlife at dusk or dawn.
The park is run by the now self-financed Hustai National Park Trust (
Click here
)
. The
information centre
( 9323 0169)
at the entrance to the park has a ger with displays on
the park and the
takhi
, a small souvenir shop and videos that include a documentary on
Mongolian horses. There's a large ger camp here with a restaurant and shower block,
plus volunteer accommodation. Ten kilometres south into the park's core area is the
former park headquarters. Another 13km or so west of that is Moilt camp.
Sights & Activities
Horse riding (per hour/day T7000/42,000), hiking, mountain biking (per hour/day
T4000/16,000) and jeep excursions (per kilometre T1400) are all on offer. There's a good
hike that takes you from the visitors centre to Moilt camp (22km) in about five hours.
A fun horseback trek heads to Turkic
stone monuments
(GPS: N 47°33.201', E
105°50.991')
southwest of the park, and then on to Tuul Gol.
With your own jeep you can drive to Moilt camp. Park regulations require you to take
a park guide (free within the park) and stick only to existing tracks. Wildlife watching is
best at dusk and at dawn. The
takhi
could be in any number of places, and park guides
can direct your driver to the best spots.
search, which includes monitoring
takhi
. Ideally you need to commit to at least two
weeks.
Sleeping
