Khustai National Park

Lying in the valley of the Terelj River 80 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar, Terelj national park has long been a holiday resort for people from the capital and short – stay tourists. It is one of the most visited areas in Mongolia due to its magnificient scenery and its proximity to Ulaanbaatar. There are great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, simming, rafting, riding and bird watching. In winter frozen rivers provide skating and snow-covered valleys are ideal for crosscountry skiing. Terelj is picturesque place of high cliffs of granite, rivers and forests. It is located in Khan Khenti Park. Also known as Khustain Nuruu (Birch Mountain Range), this park was established in 1993 and is about 100km southwest of Ulaanbaatar. The 50,620-hectare reserve protects Mongolian wild horse, the takhi, and the reserve’s steppe and forest-steppe environment. In addition to the takhi, there are populations of maral (Asiatic red deer), steppe gazelle, deer, boar, manul (small wild cat), wolf and lynx. A visit to the park has become a popular overnight excursion from Ulaanbaatar in recent years.