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Climbing is among the biggest draws to the park. The highest peaks of Tavan Bogd attract expert climbers, though lower peaks can be hiked by novices without special equipment. Khuiten Uul ('Cold Peak') at 4374 m (14,201 ft), Nairamdal Uul ('Friendship Peak') at 4,180 m ( 13,714 ft), and Bürged Uul ('Eagle Peak') at 4068 m (13,207 ft) all require ice axes, crampons, and ropes. While Malchin Uul 4050 m (13,150 ft) can be hiked. The base of the mountains is 2342 m (7,600 ft). The best time to climb is from July to early September when temperature is highest and most snow has melted at lower elevations (all peaks have permanent snow covered peaks). The peaks can be climbed any time of year, though it becomes more difficult the further from August you go. Only experienced climbers should go during winter with the help of a local expert to get to the mountains. There are several smaller peaks of over 3,500 m inside the park as you go south from Tavan Bogd that can be climbed also.
The mountains present a stunning view, with a 2,000-m massif and snow covered peaks. Below the peak is the 23-km² Potuniin Glacier and many more smaller glaciers and peaks. The Tavan Bogd Base Camp at the base of Potanin Glacier is occupied most of the summer with tourists and guides. Not many people live in close vicinity of the mountains, though they do live in the valleys leading to the mountains such as Tsagaan Gol. Near the ranger stations in nearby Tsagaan Gol and Tsagaan Salaa will be local families with horses to rent.
The twin lakes of Khoton Nuur and Khurgan Nuur and nearby Dayan Nuur has most of the people and archeology of the park, as well as the greenest scenery. Kazakh nomads live on the shores of the lakes during the summer. Many of these families hunt with eagles during the winter, and enjoy showing off their eagles to friends and tourists during the summer. Plenty of evidence of past civilizations can also be seen near the lakes with Turkic Stone Men, petroglyphs, and large stone burial mounds called khirigsuur. To the south of the lakes is forests with bears and red deer. Southwest of the lakes, two of the streams have waterfalls of 7 to 10 m in height. Khoton Nuur and Khurgan Nuur are connected by a narrow channel crossed by a bridge. At this crossing is a ranger station, border patrol base, a small shop and a few homes. Some of the families here rent horses for trekking and provide room and board to tourists.
River flows from the main mountain passes south of Tavan Bogd Mountains into Khoton Nuur and then Kurgan Nuur and the Hovd River. This forested valley has an abundance of wildlife and various monuments. The part nearest the lakes is referred to as Aral Tolgoi or Island Hill in the UNESCO World Heritage Site documents and has petroglyphs, standing stones, and stone burial mounds. On Dongoroh Mountain and other mountains surrounding the valley are endangered Argali sheep and Ibex. A wide green valley to the south going has the Ak Suu hot springs (or more correctly 'warm' springs). The mountain range to the south and west of this valley is the border with China.
White River
The White River is the main valley flowing from the Tavan Bogd Mountains to Tsengel village and the center section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on water levels, this may be the valley you take to get to Tavan Bogd. There is a ranger station in the valley after you pass the Shveet Khairkhan Mountain, which is a popular and relatively place to climb at 3320 m. It overlooks the valley below with its large mass of petroglyphs, Turkic stone men, and khirigsuur. The inhabitants of the valley are Tuvan, a Mongol tribe renowned for their throat singing and unique arts.
White Valley
White Valley is also called Baga Oigor, lies at the northern edge of the park close to the Russian border and is the largest concentration of petroglyphs, stone men, and burial mounds in all of Central Asia. There are over 10,000 petroglyphs in a 15-km stretch of the valley. Kazakh families live in this valley.
Ayan Travel Mongolia
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