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It’s an unforgettable journey to Chinggis Khan’s native land. It stands to the east of the country, in Khentii province famous for the rich historical and religious sites, including the reputed burial ground of Chinggis Khaan, the man who created the largest empire the world has ever seen. Chinggis Khaan had his humble beginnings as a small boy called Temujin, living on the banks of the Onon River in the area of Khentii. Temujin spent his days in Khentii herding, riding, and looking after his family. He worshipped Tenger, the blue sky and ruler of heaven. Today Chinggis is known as unifier of the tribes of Mongolia and hero of the Mongolian people. Myths about the great man are plentiful among the local people. We will explore this historical land, the wilderness area of the Khan Khentii Mountains on foot, horseback, and by jeep.
Khan Khentii National Park covers 1.2 million hectares of rugged mountain scenery, forests, wetlands and alpine tundra in the north of Mongolia. The Onon and Kherlen rivers flow through its borders and it is on the southern edge of Siberia’s taiga forest. Rare mammals including the endangered musk deer, and moose, brown bear, wolf, fox, roe, and elk roam in the forests. Historians come to study the ancient burial grounds and Turkish stone engravings. It is an uninhabited wilderness area accessible only on foot or horseback. It is supposed that Chinggis Khaan is buried in Burkhan Khaldun Mountain – most Mongolians surmise from legend that this is the place where his body lies. However, despite numerous international projects searching for the remains of his body it is yet to be found. The mountain is, however, the peak that Chinggis Khaan came to worship.
On the way back to Ulaanbaatar we will spend a day in Terelj National Park. You can do hiking and horse riding through the wonderful green hills dotted with colorful wild flowers and surrounded by Rocky Mountains with interesting rock formations. At the camp you will be offered to taste traditional barbeque Khorhog, large chunks of meat and vegetables ‘pressure cooked’ using hot rocks. When you cross little passages of the hills and mountains during you tour, all your team should get out the car and make respectful ceremony for the “Ovoo” which stands at the tops of hills. Ovoo is the site of worship, which is nearby. Ovoos generally consist of piles of rocks and other offerings to the gods such as blue silk and money. To worship you place your offering on the Ovoo and walk clockwise around it three times. According to the ancient saying, if you do this ceremony you will be lucky and reliable by “Lhus”, Nature God.
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