Kharkhiraa Uul & Türgen Uul Getting there & around

Getting there & away

The mountains can be approached from different directions. Most hikers walk from east to west, from Tarialan to Khotgor. In Tarialan you can organise pack camels and a guide.

Tarialan is 31km south of Ulaangom. From here follow the Kharkhiraa Gol into the mountains; you’ll need to cross the river up to nine times as you go up the valley. Three days and 50km later you’ll cross over the Kharkhiraa Davaa (2974m), which is accessible on foot but difficult going for pack camels.

From the pass you descend into the pretty Olon Nuur Valley, a marshy area of lakes and meadows. Turn north to walk over Yamaat Davaa (2947m) into Yamaat Valley, an area inhabited by snow leopards. In summer a ger camp is sometimes open in this valley. At the end of the valley you can easily reach the town of Khotgor.

It’s 50km from Kharkhiraa Davaa to Khotgor, so you should plan six days for the entire route. Mongolia Expeditions and Off the Map Tours both run walking trips through this area.

If you start in Khotgor, it’s possible to drive into Olon Nuur valley, but it’s pretty boggy here so stick to existing jeep tracks.

A third route leads from Khökh Nuur.