Rygsækrejsen 2015-2016: Bumpy drive to the beautiful Orkhon Valley

Woke up to a beautiful morning. Blue sky with a few clouds. A bit too late though. Malene had set the alarm for 5:45 but we didn't wake up until 6:30. So we missed the morning walk we had planned and instead went straight for the showers. Having a quick shower wasn't too bad since it meant we have time before breakfast to sit outside the Ger. Blog writing when the sun is just coming over the horizon isn't that bad an alternative to walking in the hills.

Today was mostly driving – through the Orkhon Valley heading for Mongolias highest waterfall. First we were off for the practical stuff – food. So we stopped at the local supermarket (good) and the local container market. Malene was in one of the cook groups so she was doing the shopping with the others while Mikkel looked around the market. Looked like so many of the markets we have experienced so far going through central Asia. All the commodities are there including freshly butchered meat which usually arrives in the trunk of a car or simply in the back of a van. Also here in Mongolia.

Then it was off for some bumpy driving through the valley. We had a lunch stop at around 1 pm next to the river. Beautiful spot so those of us not on food duty decided to climb the nearest hill. It turned out to be a quick climb since the weather changed to “wet” so this time we hurried down the slope and headed for dry lunch inside the truck.

We continued driving along the rived looking for a place to cross and eventually made it to a small village where there was a bridge. The truck made it to the other side and we continued until the road ended and camped just before the waterfall. Beautiful evening with sunshine, some cold drinks and later some good food. So perfect sitting there overlooking the river.

After dinner we went to have a look at the next door Mongolian family who were gathering the yak's separating the small calfs from the rest of the herd. Ready for tomorrow's walk to the waterfall.