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FOUR HOLY PEAKSThe 4 peaks surrounding Ulaanbaatar are considered holy. The Tsetseegum, Chingeltei, Songino Khairkhan and Bayansurkh mountains correspond, more or less, to the 4 points on the compass. These peaks are great for hiking, and they're popular for their forests of larch trees, grasslands and stunning bird and other animal life, including red deer, ibex and sable. The forest is the most southern limit of the Siberian larch forests. There is no shortage of thunderstorms in summer, so be prepared, and there's heavy snow in winter. TSETSEEGUN UUL.Of the four, easily the most magnificent mountain is Tsetseegun. At 2256m, Tsetseegun is the highest point in the Bogdkhan Uul range, which dominates the skyline to the south of Ulaanbaatar. From the city, you can't get an idea of just how beautiful this area is, but once you're in the forest it has a whole different feel. If you are hiking around this mountain, you need a permit - that is, you must pay an admission fee. You can do this at the gate to the Bogdkhan Uul Strictly Protected Area or at Manzshir Khiid. If you aren't hiking to the mountain through these entrances, you should get a permit from the Protected Areas Bureau in Ulaanbaatar, though in reality the chances of being checked are minimal. There are numerous approaches to the summit, some easier than others, and you may want to go up one way and descend by another route. One popular option is to hike from Manzshir Khiid to Ulaanbaatar, either to the Zaisan Memorial or the Ikh Tenger Valley. This takes about 10 hours' hiking, so you'll need to camp overnight in the park. The trip is only sensible from the beginning of June to the end of September. During the rest of the year, no matter how pleasant the weather is in the morning, sudden thunderstorms and icy winds can come out of nowhere (even during summer). It's important to take a compass and know how to use it, as it's easy to get lost in the forest. You'll need to make an early start and, as there is little or no water on top of the ridge, carry all the water you will need, plus extra food. Some scrambling over fields of granite boulders is necessary, and the chance of slipping and injuring yourself should not be taken lightly. It would be wise to inform a friend or
guesthouse owner in Ulaanbaatar of your itinerary and the time of your expected return.
CHINGELTEI UUL.On the North side of Ulaanbaatar, Chingeltei Uul (1949m) has some pretty forests near the top. You can reach the base of the mountain by bus No 3, 16 or, best of all, 18 from the center of Ulaanbaatar. By taxi, you can go all the way up to a gate from where it's a 2km walk to the summit. SONGINO KHAIRKHAN UULThis small mountain to the West of Ulaanbaatar has the unusual name of 'onion mountain'. There is no bus to it, so you need to take a taxi to the base, passing through a park with concrete animal statues. Getting back to Ulaanbaatar could be a hassle if you haven't made prior arrangements, though on a Sunday it should be easy enough to hitch a ride. BAYANZURKH NURUUThe name of this range of peaks to the East of Ulaanbaatar means 'rich heart mountains'. There's a little forest at the top and views from the summit are good. You can reach the base of the mountains by taking the bus to Nalaikh and getting off before the women's prison. Of the four holy peaks, these are the least impressive. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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Classic tours
