Orkhon Valley
Orkhon Valley
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
65 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
18
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Kacie01
Barstow, CA112 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
On our tour, we spent a total of 4 days and 3 nights in the Orkhon valley. While the waterfall was awesome, the highlight was the aggregate of all the beautiful scenery and hiking that was available. The waterfall was about a half-day's drive (4wd off-road of course) from a place we spent two nights that had a natural hot spring & great hiking. It was also only about an hour or two drive from the Tuvkhun monastery (temple on a mountain). While the waterfall itself wasn't that big, the canyon area around it is also a great place to spend a day or 1/2 day of hiking or exploring. My kids loved walking around it!
Written July 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orkun14
Zug, Switzerland175 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
If I had to summarize inner Mongolia with one word, it would be serenity. Spent 5 days recently in central Mongolia, landed in UB, hired a guide (Odka from Selena Travel, great guide, extremely knowledgeable and accomodating) and a 4x4 (driven very safe by Amgaa), took off to KharKhorin.
The land is amazing with its beautiful views, sheep, goats, cows, horses, dogs everywhere, mixed up with people in the most natural way. People are extremely friendly, upon asking Odka if we could see the inside of an local family ger, she just picked a ger visible from the main road, had us drive there, knocked on the door. The lady of the house invited us without the slightest doubt, offered us traditional Mongolian tea, food and we had a great (translated) conversation. Keep in mind that bringing simple gifts (biscuits, fruit juice, some tokens, etc) is of tradition for this kind of spur of the moment visits.
We have eaten in small tiny restaurants along the way, most without any name signs, all tasted amazing. Food generally consists of meat (mutton, beef, chicken), potatoes, noodle and eggs, very affordable as well.
I'd definitely recommend staying in ger camps, taste the lack of everyday technology (electricity?), live in the most natural conditions, enjoy the calm and silence. I have met many tourist groups and everyone had the same relaxed look on their faces. Sleep with sun down, get up early in the morning, full day ahead... Do horse riding, take pictures, go for hiking, walks, swim in the -rather cold- lakes, it's evening before you know it.
If I have to name a few attractions, I'd count Erdene Zuu monastery, the turtle rock, phallic rock (you will understand what's meant when you see it) close to Kharkhorin, Orkhon scripts (Khushuu Tsaidam), Orkhon falls. But again the biggest attraction is the nature itself...
The land is amazing with its beautiful views, sheep, goats, cows, horses, dogs everywhere, mixed up with people in the most natural way. People are extremely friendly, upon asking Odka if we could see the inside of an local family ger, she just picked a ger visible from the main road, had us drive there, knocked on the door. The lady of the house invited us without the slightest doubt, offered us traditional Mongolian tea, food and we had a great (translated) conversation. Keep in mind that bringing simple gifts (biscuits, fruit juice, some tokens, etc) is of tradition for this kind of spur of the moment visits.
We have eaten in small tiny restaurants along the way, most without any name signs, all tasted amazing. Food generally consists of meat (mutton, beef, chicken), potatoes, noodle and eggs, very affordable as well.
I'd definitely recommend staying in ger camps, taste the lack of everyday technology (electricity?), live in the most natural conditions, enjoy the calm and silence. I have met many tourist groups and everyone had the same relaxed look on their faces. Sleep with sun down, get up early in the morning, full day ahead... Do horse riding, take pictures, go for hiking, walks, swim in the -rather cold- lakes, it's evening before you know it.
If I have to name a few attractions, I'd count Erdene Zuu monastery, the turtle rock, phallic rock (you will understand what's meant when you see it) close to Kharkhorin, Orkhon scripts (Khushuu Tsaidam), Orkhon falls. But again the biggest attraction is the nature itself...
Written August 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam S
Rapperswil, Switzerland110 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Nice to be out in the countryside with all the animals around the gers at night. Grunting yaks for instance. The infrastructure is very basic, but in this case I really feel that is a part of the whole experience. Some nice hikes. We were there with young kids - the 'road' is very bumpy. At times driving through streams. We were happy to be in our russian 4WD van.
Written October 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldAdventurer_7
Atlanta, GA597 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Of all the places that we spent time touring in our 10 days, this was definitely the biggest waste of time and tied with the biggest disappointment (with Yolyn Am - no glacier). We were on a private tour and I picked this place because of the good TA rating and reviews. If you're trying to see a lot of the country, or the top spots, do not spend the many hours it painstakingly requires to slowly traverse the lava lock-laden valley and poor roads to finally get to the waterfall.
Liked:
- Beautiful landscape, although somewhat comparable to other areas (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur)
- Lots of yaks and that alone feeling - although this is a basic tenant of Mongolia
Disliked:
- The waterfall was underwhelming: long walk, lots of bugs, too many people, dirty water combined with trash and hard to access. We took and picture and turned around to go back. 10 hours for a 5 minute pay-off.
- The drive took MUCH longer than expected when looking at the map and the other distances throughout - this was the slowest we progressed over the whole trip
- In light of all the beautiful things that we saw and did, we felt like this wasn't worth the time and we regret not spending more time in (any) of the other places
We spent 5 hours (approx) to get in, from the valley entrance.
Liked:
- Beautiful landscape, although somewhat comparable to other areas (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur)
- Lots of yaks and that alone feeling - although this is a basic tenant of Mongolia
Disliked:
- The waterfall was underwhelming: long walk, lots of bugs, too many people, dirty water combined with trash and hard to access. We took and picture and turned around to go back. 10 hours for a 5 minute pay-off.
- The drive took MUCH longer than expected when looking at the map and the other distances throughout - this was the slowest we progressed over the whole trip
- In light of all the beautiful things that we saw and did, we felt like this wasn't worth the time and we regret not spending more time in (any) of the other places
We spent 5 hours (approx) to get in, from the valley entrance.
Written December 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bayandorj L
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia33 contributions
Oct 2015 • Business
24 meters high waterfall lies Orkhon valley. Sometimes there is a no water because of dry summer. But last 4 years, there is plenty water. Just enjoy.
Written February 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lochie2
Macau, China68 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Who would think such a gem would be hidden a few kms up the road from Karakhorum. Once you've soaked up the history of Eerdene Zuu and the ancient capital, make sure you add an extra day to experience the Orkhon Valley - river, waterfall, rural scenery........horseback if you've able.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Weak Knee Traveler
Singapore, Singapore12,833 contributions
Jun 2019
The terrain is not easy to drive as cars need to cross streams and also the rolling hills but the views are stunning and definitely worth the effort.
Written May 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loh B
Singapore83 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Orkhon Valley is a must for tourists to experience the nomadic and lush greenlands of Mongolia. Visitors can expect a really bumpy car ride on the way in. We didnt get to stay at the tourist camp but with one of thr families' spring settlements. They were hospitable and friendly. Orkhon waterfall and the rivers were half frozen. During the horse riding, we threaded carefully on the frozen banks.
Written May 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AGK5656
Singapore, Singapore379 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
It's an UNESCO site, vast grassland & faraway mountain ranges with lots of horses, goats & cattle for company. We stayed at the Orkhon Ger Camp just a kilometer from the waterfall.
Written August 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoranWembley
United Kingdom4,058 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Ideal for horse riding activities as well as hiking along the river and over to higher grounds. The waterfall is nice and possible to hike down to the bottom of it. Horse riding on the flat grounds was super exciting when galloping. Horse riding to the hills above the valley provides some wonderful panoramas of Orkhon Valley. One of the nicest places on my 12 day tour of Mongolia.
Written August 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John G
Tianjin Region, China
How do you get there from Ulan bator? Is it by bus? How much is the bus and how reliable are they? Are there any hotels etc around it?
Written April 5, 2015
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