Mongolia is a type of nations that has been on my bucket record for an extended, very very long time—in all probability since childhood. I made the under Mongolia itinerary a few years in the past. Lately, I lastly had the chance to go to. Initially I deliberate for early October, when the climate would (nonetheless) be nice, however because of a delayed enterprise journey, it was rescheduled to late November. This meant winter time, with chilly temperatures and the danger of numerous snow, which might render visiting the Deer Stones on the Khoid Tamir valley inconceivable. The opposite web site, Karakorum, is at all times accessible except there may be numerous recent snowfall. Would I like to recommend stepping into winter? Proceed studying to seek out out why it is best to and organize it safely.
Planning a winter journey to Mongolia
A go to to Mongolia wants some good preparation particularly in winter. The main focus of my journey was on two UNESCO websites that are situated southwest of Ulaanbaatar. I’d say that the Orkhon Valley, particularly Karakorum, can at all times be reached simply if the highway is cleared repeatedly. The opposite locations of curiosity depend upon snowfall. The Deer Stones within the Khoid Tamir valley might be reached from Tsetserleg if there may be not an excessive amount of new snowfall; in any other case, the highway is closed. For this, rent a 4×4 automotive with a driver who is aware of drive within the snow. It’s higher to be with two folks and even two vehicles and one one that can communicate the native language. In summer season this journey may simply be performed solo although.
Mongolia Visa and Flights
Mongolia has a visa-free entry possibility for 30 days for lots of nationalities till the tip of 2025 to advertise tourism. Do examine along with your native embassy if you happen to can enter at no cost as effectively. I arrived on a direct flight on MIAT airways from Frankfurt. Their new B787 Dreamliner is ideal!
Because it was winter with temperatures as much as minus 26 Celsius (minus 15 Fahrenheit), I made a decision to not keep at an area camp however at a pleasant lodge as a substitute. In Ulaanbaatar I stayed on the Blue Sky lodge which has superior views. In Tsetserleg on the lately opened Ashid Bekhi lodge. I can suggest each.
Garments for winter in Mongolia
Be certain that to carry heat clothes in layers. I purchased particular merino wool underwear which in the long run I didn’t use. I used to be in denims, sweater and winter jacket on a regular basis. Minus 26 in Mongolia feels a lot hotter than in different areas because of low humidity. I solely remorse not taking correct boots as my sport footwear weren’t the only option for heat ft. Frequent sense is required and don’t underestimate the chilly!
Now let’s take a look at the day-to-day itinerary of this Mongolian winter expedition.
Mongolia itinerary day 1: Begin of the Mongolia winter expedition
I departed from dwelling early morning by practice to Frankfurt. The direct MIAT (Mongolian Airways) flight from Frankfurt, which is only a four-hour practice journey from my dwelling, was very comfy. Their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner has nice enterprise class seats. The draw back is the timing of the flight. With a day departure, it means an arrival time of about 6 AM. It was nonetheless late night again dwelling so sleeping was troublesome however the The Blue Sky Resort and Tower lodge let me examine in early to make amends for sleep. I slept until late morning.
After lunch, I had some free time to discover Ulaanbaatar. Though the capital doesn’t have that many locations of curiosity, a day is well stuffed. Simply throughout the road from the The Blue Sky Resort and Tower lodge I explored the Chingis Khaan Sq.. I then continued to the The High-quality Arts Zanabazar Museum and the Chinggis Khaan Nationwide Museum earlier than it was supper time.
Dinner in Ulaanbaatar
There’s one craft beer brewery named MB Beer Plus in Ulaanbaatar so I needed to test it out. Simply a few minutes stroll from the lodge. At minus 25 levels Celsius this quick stroll was alright in regular clothes. Their meals is nice and the beer scrumptious so I like to recommend going. After testing all their beers, simply 4, I used to be again in my room early night for relaxation as the approaching days could be lengthy ones.
Mongolia itinerary day 2: Ulaanbaatar to Tsetserleg with a go to to the Orkhon Valley
I like to recommend, particularly in winter, to start out early round 8 AM as highway circumstances are not sure. All of the roads are well-paved although with some stretches a bit patchy. That’s, nonetheless, not the primary drawback throughout wintertime; it’s the snow. Though roads get cleared, will probably be a troublesome drive simply after new snow and may make reaching Tsetserleg in a day inconceivable.
It took approach over an hour to even depart Ulaanbaatar, however as soon as I used to be out it appeared to be an awesome drive. Clear skies, sunny with loads of snow however not on the roads. The views are superb the entire option to Karakorum within the Orkhon Valley. It’s limitless snowy steppes with snow-capped mountains within the again. Nomads have ready their winter camps and right here and there I noticed teams of horses looking for some final grass to eat.
Greatest Erdene Zuu viewpoint
It was already 2 PM once I arrived at Karakorum. Simply earlier than the town on the left, there’s a nice viewpoint of the Erdene Zuu monastery. If the climate is nice, be certain to go to it instantly as with snow, driving up turns into inconceivable. The subsequent cease for the day was the Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq deep contained in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It’s about 20 kilometers off-road and potential provided that there may be not an excessive amount of snow except you’re with a number of vehicles. There are ditches all over the place and the tracks aren’t seen so you’ll get caught and one wants extra vehicles to drag one other out then.
Mongolia
Go to Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq
The Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq is, though fairly eroded, very spectacular. The partitions are clearly seen with its defensive towers simply exterior the partitions. Inside, there’s a well-preserved pagoda, a effectively, and minor different buildings left. Khar Balgas, also referred to as Ordu Baliq, stood because the capital of the Uyghur Khaganate, an influential Turkic empire of the eighth and ninth centuries. Located in present-day Mongolia, it performed a pivotal function as a cease alongside the Silk Highway, reflecting its significance in commerce and diplomacy. The town, characterised by its nomadic way of life, was wealthy in cultural variety, with influences from numerous religions. Its historic significance extends to its diplomatic ties with the Tang Dynasty in China. Khar Balgas stays a captivating web site of ongoing excavation, shedding gentle on the colourful historical past of the Uyghur Khaganate.
The positioning just isn’t enormous and a go to takes about an hour. With temperatures at minus 25 levels Celsius (about minus 15 Fahrenheit) that was lengthy sufficient. The solar was setting as effectively so a should to get again to the highway earlier than dusk.
It was one other two hours’ drive to Tsetserleg the place I arrived round 7 PM. I selected the Ashid Bekhi lodge which is a brand new and trendy lodge, a bit dear, however with the chilly climate a good selection. A neighborhood dinner I had on the Fairfield Guesthouse a block away. It began snowing within the night so the winter expedition to the Deer Stones within the Khoid Tamir valley for the subsequent day grew to become not sure.
Mongolia itinerary day 3: Mongolia winter expedition to see Deer Stones
A go to to the Deer Stone Monuments and Associated Bronze Age websites, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, within the Khoid Tamir valley was the primary purpose of this journey. It might absorb summer season half a day however in winter it’s an extended day, a really lengthy one. The highway from Tsetserleg to Ikh-Tamir is paved nevertheless it goes over a cross with a fairly steep climb. This cross does shut after recent snowfall which I used to be afraid of would make a go to inconceivable right this moment. I used to be fortunate nonetheless that there was not an excessive amount of snow there and at 10 AM the cross was open. As soon as in Ikh-Tamir the ultimate stretch could be about 15 kilometers off-road.
The primary 10 kilometers had been very clean and the final 5 may have been if I didn’t take the flawed flip. The highway follows the valley river on the left facet and earlier than the Deer Stones location there’s a mountain on the left. Behind that mountain is one other valley. In summer season one can take a left earlier than the mountain and simply drive round. In winter this was a nasty selection. In some unspecified time in the future the highway tracks had been troublesome to observe. I needed to make new tracks which ended up in a ditch and obtained utterly caught with the automotive.
Caught within the snow in Mongolia
After attempting to get out, which didn’t work, one of the best would have been to stroll to the nomad camp that was only a kilometer or two away. Fortunately, a automotive driving the identical approach noticed me and got here to the rescue. It was a police officer and he helped the automotive to get free. He stated to observe him to the Deer Stones which the place close to his home. These had been nonetheless those at Jargalantyn Am, which I additionally needed to go to, and about 7 hours away. After a 45-minute drive I discovered it was the flawed course so I rotated. The plan was to drive again across the mountain however simply earlier than it a transparent monitor to the left was seen. After a few kilometers I arrived on the vacation spot. I actually felt that wow second right here. Standing alone in the midst of nowhere surrounded by snow and mountains taking a look at a Deer Stone carved centuries in the past.
Mongolian Deer Stones historical past
Deer stones are historic monoliths present in Mongolia, courting again to the Bronze Age, primarily between 1300 and 700 BCE. They’re characterised by their carved photos of deer, in addition to different animals and symbols. These stones had been possible used for ritualistic or ceremonial functions, probably as markers for graves or websites of significance. The deer stones are vital archaeological finds, shedding gentle on the cultural practices and beliefs of historic nomadic societies that inhabited the area.
There are various deer stones within the Khoid Tamir valley. You can not miss them as they’re clearly seen within the panorama. These Deer Stones need to be a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. They’re fantastically carved hundreds of years in the past. Superb colours and figures, I had a number of wow moments there. I don’t remorse going there in winter because it made this go to to the center of nowhere very particular.
There are additionally numerous burial mounds that encompass the Deer Stones. Up the mountain, there may be some rock artwork as effectively however as this may be lined in snow I didn’t even attempt to discover it. After two or three hours exploring the world, it was time to depart and return.
Mongolia
The previous brown coal mine
On the best way again there may be an previous brown coal mine. I assumed let’s test it out and make some images. After I noticed a rabbit I needed to get nearer for a greater picture however didn’t see a giant nail hidden below the snow. It punctured my shoe and foot. Fortunately in the long run it was a clear reduce and healed in just a few days. For such occasions I’m completely happy that I’ve all my vaccinations, like tetanus, updated. The very last thing I need is the necessity to discover it in the midst of nowhere. I at all times carry a small med package on day journeys as effectively. It saved the day.
The drive again was simple and round 7 PM I used to be again on the Ashid Bekhi lodge. Had the identical dinner because the day earlier than and loved some beers within the night. Mission achieved and a really lengthy drive again forward for the subsequent day.
Mongolia itinerary day 4: Again to Ulaanbaatar
The day could be lengthy so I departed Tsetserleg round 9 AM. Leaving a lot earlier would have meant driving at midnight which isn’t advisable. The highway between Tsetserleg and Karakorum was quite a bit worse than it was two days in the past. The recent snow made components of the highway like an ice-skating monitor. It was an extended drive to Karakorum the place I noticed that the tracks to Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq had been lined in snow. It might have been inconceivable to go to, so if you happen to go to in winter, go to locations instantly while you see it’s potential. In Karakorum, I finished on the Erdene Zuu monastery which may at all times be visited 12 months spherical.
Erdene Zuu historical past
Erdene Zuu Monastery, based in 1585, stands as one in every of Mongolia’s oldest and most vital monastic complexes. Constructed on the ruins of Karakorum, the previous capital of the Mongol Empire, it served as a religious and cultural middle. Below the patronage of Altan Khan, Erdene Zuu performed an important function within the revival of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. Regardless of durations of decline and suppression below communist rule, it stays an emblem of Mongolia’s non secular heritage and a key attraction for pilgrims.
The enduring view exterior from the wall and pagodas within the snow is mesmerizing. Contained in the partitions, I saved my go to quick as temperatures dropped to minus 29 Celsius (about minus 20 Fahrenheit). Fortunately I used to be simply in time to witness a brief ceremony of the monks. After warming up contained in the temple, I continued my approach again to Ulaanbaatar. The highway was with out snow.
Mongolia itinerary day 5: Flight to Beijing
The ultimate day I had an early breakfast on the Blue Sky Resort and headed to the airport. I didn’t fly again to Frankfurt however continued to Beijing for a congress. From there I continued to Jeju Island, South Korea and some different locations which I’ll cowl in one other article.
I actually loved my long-planned go to to Mongolia. The timing was dangerous however in the long run it was an awesome expertise. Karakorum and the Erdene Zuu Monastery had been nice, however the true spotlight was the Deer Stones. They’ve superb carvings, and the setting within the snow with no person round made the go to magical. Would I return in summer season? To Mongolia, sure, however to not these Deer Stones. I’d select one other location then. In case you are into an journey, go to Mongolia in winter however plan properly! I’m certain you’ll take pleasure in it.
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Gallery
Click on a picture for a full display screen gallery of extra images taken throughout this journey. If you happen to like to make use of any picture for industrial, non-public or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.
