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From Flaming Cliffs to the Edge of Blue Heaven: Trekking
in Mongolia
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The Four Peaks
The most easily accessible hiking in Mongolia is around the
four peaks that surround Ulaan Baata. They are considered
holy by the Mongolians, and relate roughly to the four points
of the compass. The highest and most impressive is the climb
up Tsetseegum Uul, which can be seen dominating the
skyline to the south of the capital. There are two main routes
that can be followed, the Manzshir Khiid Route, which
approaches from the mountain's southern side is the most popular
and the easiest. The Zaisan route is more scenic, but
also more challenging, and a return journey to the peak will
take you about eleven hours. Make sure you go prepared as
weather conditions can change rapidly. Hiking trips into the
mountains are only sensible from June to September and, as
with all National Parks in Mongolia, a permit is required,
which can be purchased at the entrance gates.
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Trekking in the Gobi Desert
Many people come to Mongolia purely for the challenge of trekking
across the Gobi, a feat completed most impressively by Benedict
Allen in his book "Edge of Blue Heaven".
Treks can be on horseback, but are most commonly completed
on camel, or at least with camels to carry equipment
- an obvious form of transport to use when over two thirds
of Mongolia's large camel population live in the Gobi. Striking
out on your own is not advisable as this is one of the most
remote wildernesses in the world where help is rarely close
at hand, however, there are innumerable guided tours available,
at a variety of costs, though none come cheap. Always be sure
to carry more than enough water for your expedition, although
the Gobi is only 3% sand, water is still is severely short
supply and its unlikely that there will be any opportunity
to collect more on your way.
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Areas worth heading for are the Mountain range of Jaragiyn
Els, the Yol Am Valley, the Gurvansaikhan National
Park and the 'Flaming Cliffs'. This area is particularly
interesting for the hundreds and thousands of bones, footprints
and preserved dinosaur eggs that have been found there. Dinosaur
remains were first discovered in this area in 1922 by Roy
Chapman Andrews, but more recently a particularly rich site
was found at Ulkaa in 1993, and archaeologists still
head out here regularly in hope of being the next to make
an amazing discovery.
Gorkhi-Terlj National Park
Also within easy travelling distance of the capital, Ulaan
Baatar (only 50 miles), this National Park is a popular destination
for many of lovers of the outdoors. It lies on the edge of
the Khentii mountains which is said to be the region
of Mongolia where Genghis Khan was born, and offers
beautiful scenery, interesting rock formations, lush green
meadows, pine forests, bare hillsides, and fast flowing rivers,
where hiking, horse riding, and fishing are all possible.
Many adventure tour companies organise trips into this area,
and it is a common stopping place on tours of the country
because of its easy access, but independent trekking can also
be undertaken, as long as you take the usual precautions for
inclement weather, and other unexpected events. Accommodation
can be found in specially arranged tourist ger camps, which
can conveniently be used as a base for day walks. Don't forget
that visitors to most Mongolian National Parks will need to
obtain a permit, so check before you go.
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by Guilia Vincenzi
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