Stepping Out, Reaching Out: Orkhon Valley, nature at our doorstep.

“The 121,967-ha Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape encompasses an extensive area of pastureland on both banks of the Orkhon River and includes numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century. The site also includes Kharkhorum, the 13th- and 14th-century capital of Chingis (Genghis) Khan’s vast Empire. Collectively the remains in the site reflect the symbiotic links between nomadic, pastoral societies and their administrative and religious centres, and the importance of the Orkhon valley in the history of central Asia. The grassland is still grazed by Mongolian nomadic pastoralists.” – inscribed on UNESCO world heritage list in 2004

Far left where you see the fence line, is our camp and the backdrop is Orkhon Valley, right next to us!

Ajit & Lijuan on top of the hill

Ovoo – heap of rocks used to worship mountains & skies.

Blue Khada (silk scarf) tied to a branch on the ovoo – Blue represents sky

Horse skulls


...showing them their photos on the camera	...letting them play with my camera	love the pics they took! Its ok that my camera was covered in sand & one of them even chewed the strap.

Stupa

they were on the hill looking through their bino…not too sure what they were spying on.

This Great Imperial Map monument was built in 2004. The three sides honour various empires established on the Orkhon Gol, including the Hunnu period (300-200 BC), the Turkic period (AD 600-800) and the Mongol period (13th century).