Orkhon waterfall

Orkhon waterfall, well known as “Ulaan Tsutgalan” is 30 km from the nearest village Bat-Ulziit, 130km from Kharkhorin, and 495 km from Ulaanbaatar.

     The height of this waterfall is 16 meters (52, 5 feet), and the width is 5 meters (16 feet). 

About 2,5 million years ago, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions took place and hot lava created a layer of thick basalt stone mulch. After this occasion, 20000 years later, the waterfall was created. Orkhon River itself is the longest river in Mongolia with a length of 1124 kilometers (709 miles). The River sources from Khangai Mountain Range and confluence to Selenge River, eventually reaching Lake Baikal.

     Diverse species of fish like the pike, Siberian sturgeon, taimen, Asian common asp, Siberian grayling are residing in the river. For its historical value related to Great Mongolian Empire, the Orkhon river Valley is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has been protected since 2006 as a National Park.

The best season to visit 

Ask your tour manager if the waterfall is started to flow or not yet.  Because recent years, the water is not running all year and drying up until the first good summer rain. Late July and August are the best times to visit there.