Waterfall · Bat-Ölzii, Övörkhangai Province, central Mongolia

Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan)

Waterfall plunging into a volcanic gorge in the upper Orkhon Valley of central Mongolia

Ambient sound · similar settingWhite water at the foot of a waterfall

Photo: Chongkian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Discover Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan)

Ulaan Tsutgalan, the Red Waterfall, is the best-known waterfall in Mongolia. On the open grasslands of the upper Orkhon Valley the ground suddenly gives way, and the river pours about 24 m over dark volcanic rock into a narrow, pine-fringed gorge. From the rim you look straight down into the spray; a steep path a little downstream leads to the gorge floor.

It is a place of contrasts: rolling green pasture dotted with gers and grazing horses above, and black basalt walls below. Many travellers combine it with the monasteries and ruins of the Orkhon Valley and spend a night or two camping or riding horses in the area.

Don’t miss

01The waterfall dropping into a basalt gorge
02A steep path down to the gorge floor among pine trees
03Volcanic rock landscapes of the upper Orkhon Valley
04Herding families and horses grazing on the surrounding pasture
05Frozen falls in winter

History & culture

The story of Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan)

The gorge is the product of volcanic activity during the Quaternary period, when an eruption near the source of the Tsagaan Azarga River sent lava down the Orkhon Valley, laying down thick layers of rock over several kilometres. The Orkhon River has since cut down through these layers, and the waterfall marks where it drops into the gorge.

The wider Orkhon Valley has been a heartland of steppe empires for centuries, and its Cultural Landscape, including Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery, is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. In winter the frozen waterfall area has hosted the Karakorum Ice Festival, with ice archery and speed skating.

Local life & traditions

The upper Orkhon is herding country, and summer camps of gers line the valley. Families make airag (fermented mare's milk) and other dairy products in the warmer months; airag is alcoholic, so Muslim travellers may prefer to politely decline and accept tea instead. When you visit the region's Buddhist monasteries, dress modestly, walk clockwise around temples and stupas, and ask before taking photographs inside.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Walk the rim for views, then take the steep path down into the gorge to see the falls from below; it is rocky and can be slippery, so take care. The surrounding valley is excellent horse-riding country, and local families often hire out horses with guides.

Camping near the falls and visiting nomadic families are popular, as is combining the waterfall with Tövkhön Monastery, a hilltop hermitage that is a few hours away by road and on foot. Fishing and cycling are also possible in the area.

When to go

Late July and August are often recommended, because the waterfall may be reduced or dry until good summer rains arrive. June to September is the main travel season for the valley, with cool nights. In winter the falls freeze and the area is very cold, with access dependent on conditions.

Plan your visit

Travel tips

Visit after the summer rains begin for the strongest flow.
Wear sturdy shoes; the volcanic rock is uneven and the descent to the gorge is steep.
Allow extra travel time: the last stretch of road is rough and slow.
Bring warm clothing; nights in the Khangai uplands are cold even in summer.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan): food, markets & places to stay

Kharkhorin, with Erdene Zuu Monastery, is the main base for the Orkhon Valley; published travel times from Kharkhorin to the falls are around four to five hours by road. Ger camps and homestays are scattered along the valley near the waterfall, and Tövkhön Monastery lies within reach on the way.

Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan) & what’s nearby

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