Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The village of
Tarialan
(GPS: N 49°46.614', E 91°54.525')
makes a good base for explora-
tion. It is 11km off the main Ulaangom-Khovd road, about 25km out of Ulaangom
(watch for the blue sign). The Strictly Protected Areas office in Ulaangom (
Click here
)
sells permits for the protected area.
Activities
The wonderfully scenic mountains here can be approached on hikes from different direc-
tions. Locals say the most scenic hike is the two-week, one-way hike from Tarialan to
Telmen Mod. You can also hike to Goojuur Waterfall (eight days). More common,
though, is the shorter five- to six-day hike from Tarialan to Khotgor.
If you're short on time, consider the 15km hike to the pretty lake, Khökh Nuur.
Tarialan to Khotgor Hike
TREKKING
From Tarialan follow the
Kharkhiraa Gol
, past the local bathhouse, and up into the
mountains; you'll need to cross the river up to nine times as you go up the valley. Three
days and 50km later you'll cross over the
Kharkhiraa Davaa
(2974m), which is access-
ible on foot but difficult going for pack camels.
From the pass you descend into the pretty
Olon Nuur Valley
, a marshy area of lakes
and meadows. Turn north to walk over
Yamaat Davaa
(2947m) into Yamaat Valley, an
area inhabited by snow leopards. In summer a
ger camp
is sometimes open in this val-
ley. At the end of the valley you can easily reach the town of Khotgor, where, with a bit
of luck, you might be able to arrange a taxi to drive you back to Ulaangom (five to six
hours).
Tours
UB-based tour companies such as Tseren Tours (
Click here
)
, Mongolia Expeditions
(
Click here
)
and Off the Map Tours (
Click here
) run walking trips through this area.
Alternatively, try to hunt down
Dash
( 9421 1004; guide services per day T30,000)
, a
local guide who lives in his family ger at the mouth of the valley which leads from Tari-
(shower T1000)
, which is in a small white concrete building, beyond the far western edge
of the village, and keep walking for a couple of hundred metres up the valley.
Dash can take you on some fabulous multiday treks; anything ranging from a few days
to two weeks. He can arrange horse or camel rides for around T20,000 per person per
day, plus the same again for an animal guide. It's an extra T30,000 per day if you want a
