Orkhon Valley /Орхоны хөндий/: The Orkhon Valley was designated in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its cultural and historical values as a Cultural Landscape in 2004. For many centuries, the Orkhon Valley was viewed as the seat of the imperial power of the steppes. Today the cultural landscape still reflects the lifestyle of the Central Asian nomadic herders.

The abundance of ancient archaeological monuments attests that the valley has been settled for the last 40.000 years, from Paleolithic period through the Bronze and Iron Ages to the current day.

Enjoy our camp Talbiun, an unforgettable holiday! Mongolian Gers with steppe view, beautiful scenery invite you to relax! many common actions such as riding in the desert, cooking together make your stay with us a great experience. We look forward to your visit!

Location: Talbiun tourist camp is located in the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. More specifically at the beautiful scenario of Khaalgan Denj, Khujirt Sum of the Uvurkhangai Aimak the heartland of ancient nomads, on the south shore of the River Orkhon. Our camp is ideally located at the main gateway to the highlights of Central Mongolia.

How to get there?

Talbiun Camp is 430 km from Ulaanbaatar, and 31 km from Khujirt to Bat-Ulziit sum.

It takes 6-8 hours drive on good road to get to Talbiun camp from Ulaanbaatar. You will drive 340 km on good paved road to Kharkhorin and before you reach Kharkhorun you need to take turn to Khujirt, from there you continue for 31 km on piste road to Bat-Ulziit soum.

Transfer to the Talbiun ger camp

We can give you transfers if you like. Just send us an e-mail. Our transfer tariff: (the rates are subject to change, due to petrol price change)

• For 1-2 persons, it is cheaper to get to the Talbiun camp is by public transport. A bus leaves Ulaanbaatar at 8 am to Khujirt soum three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We will arrange transfers from hotel to the bus station and ticket for the bus. It costs 50 euros per person everything included. We will pick you up from Khurjirt soum to Talbiun ger camp.For more than 3 person it is recommended to go by private transfer. Please write us an e-mail. info@mongolia-travel.com
• If you would like a private transfer please contact us. We offer jeep and minivan depending on number of the group

Orkhon Valley Tourism Attractions & Activities

The Orkhon Valley National Park is named after one of the longest rivers Orkhon river in Mongolia. In 1235 Genghis Khan founded the capital of Mongolia in the Orkhon Valley, which served as the administrative centre for the Mongolian imperium at that time, stretching from the Pacific to the Mediterranean Sea.

Area size: Orkhon Valley itself is 353 000 ha with the national park being 652728 ha in size.

Ecosystem: Lakes, rivers, steppe, mountain forest-steppe, mountain ecosystems. In the national park, forest steppe and wetland vegetation prevail. The mountains are covered by larch-forests on their northern slopes, which have moister soils as they are less exposed to solar radiation. South-facing slopes have steppe vegetation, for example with the Alpine Aster (Тагийн Гол-гэсэр) (Aster alpinus). In the high mountain areas, mountain meadow landscapes with alpine vegetation and mountain tundra soils occur.

Plants and Animals: Birds find important resting and breeding grounds in the wetland areas of the rivers and lakes. Raptors like vultures, golden eagles and the Steppe Eagle (Aquilq nipalensis) can be found and of interest for viewing. Wildlife such as Siberian Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus) and Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) make the forests of Orkhon Valley National park their home.

People: Like most protected areas in Mongolia, the Orkhon Valley National Park is inhabited by local people. Even today many people live as nomadic herders with their livestock. They also use the forests to collect nuts, berries and firewood. To build up the traditional felt tent of the Mongolians many wooden poles are necessary. Parts of the national park are famous for its high quality ger (felt tent) pole production. Especially the Bat-Ulzii area, which supplies pole wood to many parts of Mongolia.

Today the cultural landscape still reflects the lifestyle of the Central Asian nomadic herders.

Orkhon River: The Orkhon River has its source in the eastern Khangai Mountain range and unites with the Selenge River before flowing into Baikal Lake in Russia.

150 m from camp Talbiun

Activities: Fishing, walking, cycling and horse riding along the Orkhon river. It is also amazing to read books lying on the rock next to the river.

Orkhon Waterfall: The Orkhon Waterfall is the most popular tourist destination in the park. It is possible to climb down to the bottom of the waterfall. The spectacular Orkhon Waterfall with its 24 metre (66 feet) deep basalt ravine was formed as a result of volcanic and earthquake activities about 20,000 years ago. The waterfall is part of the “Red River“ Ulaan Gol which unites with the Orkhon River 100 (330 feet) metres behind the waterfall. On its way to Kharkhorin, the Orkhon river has created numerous basalt rock formations. During periods with little rain the waterfall has been known to dry up.

50 km from camp Talbiun

Activities:

- Tour 1 (Riding 2 days/1 night): Going to the waterfall by horse either staying at the nearby camp or outside in the tent.

- Tour 2: A day tour to the waterfall by car.

Real Nomadic Live Style: Mongolian people are very hospitable. You can visit local nomadic families experiencing and understanding their lifestyle. Our nomadic lifestyle tours will give you an opportunity to participate in their daily routine actively.

500 m from camp Talbiun

Activities: Visiting Family Oidov, Davaa, Khosoo

Tour 1: Nomadic Lifestyle Tour (NL-OT11/10)

Tour 2: Nomadic Lifestyle Tour (NL-OT14/13)

Archaeological Memorials:

Kharkhorum was the capital of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan’s vast Empire in XIII-XIV century. Collectively the remains in the site reflect the symbiotic links between nomadic, pastoral societies and their administrative and religious centres, and the importance of the Orkhon valley in the history of central Asia. The grassland is still grazed by Mongolian nomadic pastoralists. Between 1999 and 2009 Мongolian-German archaeological team made excavation at two sites, north-west and north-east of Erdenezuu museum. You can visit Erdenezuu, Kharkhorum museum as well as the archaelogical excavation sites.

80 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: Visiting Kharkhorum /2 hours by car/

Rock painting: Rock paintings and grave stones are everywhere around our camp. You could spend a whole day to see them all. Numerous symbols and animals are painted on the rocks such as deers, horses, archers, ibexes and people. Because of these beautiful historical remains we painted our interior of our restaurant the similar way.

200 m from camp Talbiun

Activities: by trekking and riding visit rock painting

Grave stones Temeen Chuluu: Temeen Chuluu burial site is on the many burial sites around camp Talbiun. The surrounding area has many tombs and burial mounds belong to the Bronze Age.

8 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: by trekking and riding visit Temeen Chuluu grave stones

Monasteries:

Tuvkhun Temple is the reconstruction of an ancient hermitage monastery which was built in the XVII century. Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar, considered a folk hero by many Mongolians, built the original hermitage monastery. Like most other monasteries in Mongolia, Tuvkhun Temple suffered destruction in the 1930s. The rebuilding process began in 1990.

Tuvkhun monastery built on the rocky top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain 2312 m above sea level by Zanabazar as creation temple and meditation center in 1654. Zanabazar was a leader of Mongolian Buddhism, first Bogd (living Buddha), famous painter, sculptor and created Soyombo letters in the monastery, first letter of it used as a national emblem on Mongolian flag. There also he created green Tara and other many famous creations. The monastery had 14 temples.

The monastery registered in UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1996. The monastery is not only reason to head to there, also around the monastery many interesting caves, huge sacred trees and you will have amazing vista from top of monastery, the valley of Orkhon River is full of ancient historical items and nomads and their countless animals pasturing freely in the wild makes tour more impressive. We recommend Tuvkhun Monastery people those like hiking, rock climbing and horse riding. The Monastery is located north of our camp, 20 km north from Orkhon river. When the water level is low it is pleasant to go by horse 20 km to the monastery. You will cross the river on the horse. But when the river is flooded it is necessary to go to the bridge to cross the river. Then it is 50 km from our camp to the monastery. Because of the fact that the monastery is located on the peak of a mountain, you will have to climb to the peak either by horse or walking 5km through a forest.

20 km /50 km/ from camp Talbiun

Activities: Transfer to Temple by horse and car

Shankh Monastery: is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Mongolia, founded in 1647 by Zanabazar. It is located from our camp Talbiun 50 km. Monastery Shankh near Khar Khorin. According to Professor of German Archaelogical Institude Hans-Georg Huettel, who led the archaelogical expedition with Mongolia-German team, building of the monastery is Uguudei palace in miniature and provide an illustrative Impression of its architecture, even if it built only centuries later.

50 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: by car to Shankh Monastery from Talbiun camp

The Uurtyn Tokhoi Cliff:

Mongolian for “Eternal Elbow”, this is a steep cliff bordering a right angled bend of Orkhon River. Located at 1630 meter above sea level and originally named Khuurtiin Tokhoi, the cliff offers a marvelous view over Orkhon Valley.

3 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: by trekking and riding visit Uurtyn tokhoi Cliff

The Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Natural Monument:

(Navel Eight Lakes) was established as a Natural and Historical Monument of in 1992. It is famous for its magnificent landscape, springs, rivers, freshwater lakes of various depths and size and beautiful forest. The area can be difficult to reach.

We start by going to the waterfall then we travel about 40 km untill it is impossible to continue by car. From there we switch to horse and go further about 20 km. On the shore of the lake we will spend the night in tents in wilderness. There are not any camps or restaurants. Tour is 1-2 days long visiting 3-4 lakes and enjoying nature. With better jeep we could go to the lakes directly. But our tourists prefer walking or going by horse.

110 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: by car and riding/trekking visit Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Natural Moument

Khyatrun Mineral Spring:

The mineral spring is located on top of a mountain 25 km south of Orkhon Waterfall. The spring’s water is used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. The middle and western parts of the park were established in 1990. This is a remote high mountain area with peaks up to 3,500m high. North of the Orkhon Valley National Park is the Khangai Nuruu National Park with its many beautiful blue lakes.

80 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: by car and riding/trekking visit Khyatrun Mieral Spring

Khustyn Spring:

Khustyn Spring provides pure, cold mineral water used by many people for medicinal purposes. People will travel a long way just to obtain water from this spring.

15 km from camp Talbiun

Acitivities: by trekking and riding visit Khustyn Spring

Mogoityn Spring:

Both warm and cold mineral water emerges from Mogoityn Spring. The sulfurous water is used for medicinal purposes by Mongolians.

30 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: by trekking or riding visit Mogoityn Spring

Ruins of Khar Balgas city:

Located in the Khotont soum of Arkhangai aimag the ruins were considered the capital of the Uighur Empire, which governed the area for about 100 years during the VIII and IX centuries. It served not only as the administrative centre but also as a trading and cultural centre for the empire’s extensive network across Asia into Europe. Since 2010 the German Archaeological Institut with mongolian Partner Institut of Archaeologie, tedniig ajillaj baih uyer ene ruine-g uzehed mash sonirkholtoi baikh bolno.

130 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: see our Archaeological Tours

Tour 1: Archaeological excavations in Orkhon Valley participate 14/13

Tour 2: Archaeological sites in the Orkhon Valley 14/13

Palace at Doit Hill:

Kharbalgasaas baruun khoish 25 km baidag.

Located in the Khotont soum of Arkhangai aimag according and is thought to have been the palace of Ogodei Khan during the XIII-XIV century. The ruins overlook a cluster of small lakes near the Lake of Doit. There are remains of about 20 structures, the largest 45 by 60 meters with remaining stones of polished granite.

155 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: see our Archaeological Tours

Tour 1: Archaeological excavations in Orkhon Valley participate 14/13

Tour 2: Archaeological sites in the Orkhon Valley 14/13

Turkish memorials of Khoshoo Tsaidam:

Located in the Tsaidam Valley Lake along the western part of the Orkhon River (Khashaat soum of Arkhangai aimak), are two memorial monuments associated with the Turkish Empire in the early VIII century. These are the Bilge Khan and Khultegiin memorials, commemorating a politician and his younger brother who was Commander in Chief of armed forces. In the beginning of 2000 team of Mongolian-Turkish archaelogists made excavation here. There was a museum built with the findings of the expedition team.

120 km from camp Talbiun

Activities: see our Archaeological Tours

Tour 1: Archaeological excavations in Orkhon Valley participate 14/13

Tour 2: Archaeological sites in the Orkhon Valley 14/13

Accommodation

We have 30 gers. A Ger can be arranged with 1-4 beds depending on the booking.

Ger:

Shower/Toilet:

Restaurant is capable of serving 80 people dining at one time. We serve our guests with Mongolian and European dishes. Our restaurant is decorated by Mongolian famous painter Ts.Tsegmed. The interior design resembles the rock paintings that can be found around our camp.

24 hours of electricity: All Ger are equipped with lights and power sockets.

Our camp is connected to crystal clean water supply. We have our own deep well. It is perfect for drinking and other use. We have it examined every year by professionals. Local nomads and our staff enjoy cold mineral water in hot summer time. They call it tap Cola

Many people say that Mongolian meat is very tasty. It is obvious because the livestock graze freely choosing the best parts of the plants.

We at Talbiun camp serve our guests with Mongolian and European dishes made from the hearts of our cooks.

Preparing a dish with our guests and treating our guests with Mongolian delicatesse Khorkhog is one of the tour highlights.

We also welcome vegetarians. We have our own garden where we grow our vegetables. We serve our vegetarian and vegan guests with fresh vegetables which makes their stay comfortable.

Our team: professional, kind, flexible, quick service.