Orkhon waterfall is situated at the heart of the historically significant Orkhon valley.
Orkhon Valley, located 320 KM west from Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar, was for centuries seen as the seat of the imperial power. It was also viewed as a strategic target for any occupying force into the country. These days however it is in the sights of any visiting tour group to the region aiming for its sheer natural beauty.
The Orkhon river is Mongolia's longest flowing, running for a remarkable 1120 km cutting through the historical Orkhon Valley, which is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The Orkhon falls formed around 20,000 years ago created by a combination of volcanic activity and earthquakes.
The falls drop 27 meters from a black stone cliff into a basin-shaped gorge below, attractively surrounded by light pine trees before reaching out to the traditional Mongolian grasslands.
The Orkhon Waterfalls do not flow all year and tend to start after the first heavy summer rains. July and August are the prime times to visit the falls, although it can be gorgeous in Autumn.
Mongolian Waterfalls
The waterfalls in Mongolian are beautiful, but this is mainly due to the adventure getting there and the surrounding areas. If you have visited waterfalls in other countries, then they do not expect a vast Niagra falls affair as you would be disappointed.
We would recommend checking with you tour operator before travel as the falls in Mongolia are seasonal they depend on the summer rains or winter snow.
If there is little or no water you can always console yourself with the fact that the journey to either Turgen waterfall and Orkhon falls has been a real adventure and the scenery and people still stunning.
