The Orkhon Valley: waterfalls, history and grayling

The Orkhon Valley has been a centre of steppe empires for more than a thousand years. Today it offers a rare mix of history, scenery and easy fishing.

Highlights

• Erdene Zuu Monastery: built in the 16th century near the ruins of Karakorum, the old Mongol capital.
• Orkhon Waterfall: a 20 m waterfall dropping into a basalt canyon.
• Tövkhön Monastery: a hilltop hermitage with sweeping views.

Fishing the Orkhon

The upper river and its tributaries hold grayling and lenok. The water is clear in late summer and ideal for dry-fly fishing. Below the waterfall, the canyon pools are worth exploring.

Getting there

Kharkhorin is about a day’s drive from Ulaanbaatar on paved road. The waterfall requires a further rough drive — a 4×4 is essential after rain.

Cover photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons