Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan)
Улаан цутгалан
A basalt gorge waterfall on the upper Orkhon River Valley, with a drop of about 20 metres, surrounded by volcanic landscapes and grassland camps.
The waterfall is called Ulaan Tsutgalan in Mongolian, meaning “Red Waterfall.” It sits on a volcanic lava plateau, where the Ulaan River has carved through basalt to create a drop of about 20 metres. Below it lies a gorge about 22 metres deep, and a path leads down to the valley floor. Many Mongolian ger camps are scattered across the nearby grassland, and you can ride horses or hike to the surrounding lava formations. It is about 120 km from Kharkhorin, a 3 to 4 hour drive by off-road vehicle, and most tours stay overnight. The water flow depends heavily on rainfall, and in dry years the waterfall may stop flowing.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Tövkhön Monastery
- Tsenkher Hot Springs
- Khujirt Hot Springs
- Orkhon River Valley
- Mongol Empire Monument
- Kharbalgas (Ordu-Baliq)
- Ruins of Karakorum
- Kharkhorum Museum