If you want big Mongolian nature without a long journey, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is the place. It is an easy trip from Ulaanbaatar, and you can ride horses, stay in a ger and camp under the stars. This guide covers how to get there, what to see and what to pack.
What Is Terelj Like?
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park lies north-east of Ulaanbaatar — the road ends at Terelj village, about 66 km from the city centre. The park was established in 1993 and is surrounded by granite mountains, with clean air and wide valleys. In summer the grassland is green and full of wildflowers (edelweiss appears from July); in winter everything is covered in snow.
Nomads have lived in this area for a very long time, and you will still see traditional gers (Mongolian felt tents) dotted across the valleys. More about gers: the Mongolian ger explained.
How to Get to Terelj from Ulaanbaatar
The drive takes about 1.5–2 hours.
By bus
- The cheapest way. A few buses a day run from Ulaanbaatar towards Terelj, usually one early in the morning and one in the afternoon.
- The ride takes about 1.5–2 hours.
- Check the timetable and departure point locally, and plan how you will get around once you arrive — places in the park are far apart.
By taxi
- You can arrange one through your hotel or negotiate with a driver. Expect around 100,000 MNT or more one way.
- Agree the price clearly before you set off. Some drivers ask you to pay for their return trip as well, and some overcharge.
By car with driver
- No time limits — you can stop wherever you like and see the sights efficiently.
- Convenient for families and groups, and a guide can be added.
On your own or with a tour?
Travelling independently gives you complete freedom, but you will have to deal with transport and the language barrier yourself. A tour takes care of transport and guiding, and usually includes the things that are hard to arrange alone, such as horse riding and a night in a ger.
Things to Do in Terelj
Horse riding
Riding across the grassland is the reason many people come to Mongolia. Mongolian horses are small and generally calm, so even first-timers can enjoy a gentle ride, and there are longer routes for experienced riders. Feeling the wind on open grassland with nothing but hills around you is an experience you won’t get at home. Before you ride, read our riding safety manual.
A night in a ger
Staying in a ger is the best way to get a feel for nomadic life. Inside it is cosier than you might expect, with traditional furniture and decorations. At night the sky fills with stars, and waking up to the morning sun on the steppe makes the day feel special.
Camping
Terelj is also great for camping. Hike or watch birds by day, then sit around a campfire under the stars at night. The landscape changes with the seasons — flowers in spring, deep green grass in summer.
Top Sights in and near Terelj
Turtle Rock
The symbol of the park: a huge granite rock shaped by wind and rain into the form of a turtle. You can climb part of the way up for a view over the valley, but the rock is slippery, so take care. There is space nearby for a picnic, and locals tell a story that a king once hid treasure here.
Aryabal Meditation Temple
A few kilometres beyond Turtle Rock, this Tibetan Buddhist temple sits high on a mountainside. You reach it by a steep path and a staircase of 108 steps — the same as the number of worldly desires in Buddhism, so climbing them is said to purify the mind. The temple is built to look like the head of an elephant, and along the way there are prayer wheels; turning one is said to bring the same merit as reciting the scriptures. The view from the top is wonderful.
Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue
Just outside the park stands the giant statue of Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) on horseback, about 40 m tall. A lift takes you up to a viewing platform on the horse’s head, and there is a museum in the base. Full guide: Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue.
What to Pack and When to Go
Clothes and gear
- Layers: the temperature changes a lot during the day. Bring a fleece or jacket for the mornings and evenings; even in summer a light down jacket is useful at night.
- Wind and sun: it is windy and the sun is strong. A windproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses make a big difference.
- Shoes: sturdy, comfortable shoes for walking. For riding, shoes with a heel and a smooth sole are best.
- Skin care: sunscreen, moisturiser and lip balm — the air is very dry.
- Bags and wet wipes: useful for hiking and camping. Please take all your rubbish home with you.
Full list: summer packing list for Mongolia.
Seasons
- Summer (June–September): daytime temperatures can reach around 25°C, but mornings and evenings often drop below 10°C, so you will need a jacket.
- Winter (November–March): it gets down to around −20°C. Bring proper winter clothing — gloves, scarf, warm hat, ski-type wear — and shoes that grip on snow and ice.
Month-by-month details: Mongolia weather by month and what to wear.
Ride Through the Terelj Area with Us
Our own Erdene Tourist Ger Camp looks out over the Terelj mountains, about a 1.5-hour drive from the airport. On our 200 km Gunjiin Temple Expedition, you cross the Tuul River and ride north through steppe, mountain trails and forest to the historic Gunjiin Sum Temple, camping under the stars along the way. Questions? Contact us any time.
