Otgontenger Strictly Protected Area
Location: 1200 km from Ulaanbaatar and 65 km from Otgon soum of Zavkhan province. The distance to the provincial center Uliastai town is 100 km. Snowcapped Otgontenger Mountain is the highest peak of Khangai Nuruu Mountain Range in central Mongolia and a part of Otgon Tenger Strictly Protected Area protects rare plants and animals such as roe deer, Siberian musk deer, Saussurea dorogostaiskii Palib, and Argali wild sheep. Most recent surveyors agreed the peak of the mountain is 4008 while most topographical maps show 4021 m.
Mongolians officially worship the mountain as a sacred mountain except for natural protection. The mountain has been worshipped between 1779 and 1911. Later in 1992, the tradition revived after the communist regime, Otgontenger Mountain and its surrounding 95510 hectares of area categorized under strictly protected area. The mountain has been officially and ceremonially worshipped once every 4 years according to the Mongolian president’s decree. The sacred name of the Mountain is Bogd Ochirvaani. The locals believe this 3 billion years old mountain (considered the first land of the earth) is home to the Buddhist deity Bogd Ochirvaan. The summit above the 2800 m is covered with permanent snow. Just below the snow line are a sacred Badarhundaga Lake, a sculpture of Ochirvaani deity, and presidential ovoo (a pile of stones from the worshippers).
Surrounding steppe and mountain steppe are extremely rich in lakes, rivers and are fertile pastureland.
There is Otgontenger hot spring 20 km south of Otgontenger peak. About 30 springs used by locals for health purposes. Resorts developed around the springs are at an altitude of 2500 m and their main customers are local visitors. Locals also use fine Altan els sand for healing purposes. The sand is special as it melts in the mouth.
It is advisable to drive reliable four wheels vehicles when traveling to Otgontenger Mountain particularly in wet summer months. There is a locally run ger camp near the mountain and works on and off.
