HIKING MONGOLIA - DAY 8 - 8 days through the Tavan Bogd National Park

LONG 49.149722 LAT 87.943056

We were surprised to look out of the tent on our last morning and see the ground covered in snow; it was cold too. We took our time making breakfast, boiling water several times for repeat cups of coffee, staying in our sleeping bags as long as possible!

Day 8 of 8-day trek through the Tavan Bogd National Park in northwest Mongolia. Mid August is still quite warm during the days, even in the mountains, but not this morning. At base camp snow and an icy wind woke us and accompanied for the first few hours of our walk out of the park to meet our transport back to Ulgii.

A combination of cold, wind and altitude made walking today a challenge. But we warmed up and made our towards the sacred Obo site where sacrifices are made and prayers sent high up into the mountain deities.

Obo - with prayer flags and other offerings. Mongolians make special trips to the mountains just to make offerings at this site.

The wind was not kind but we kept a good, fast pace to stay warm. Even when the sun decided to come out mid-morning, the air was crisp and cool - but what views!

We were about to take off our shoes and brave the cold water of the last, shallow stream we had to cross when a kind Tuvan shepherd offered us his horse and helped us across.

It eventually warmed up back at 2,000 metres on our way back to Ulgii - here our friendly driver stopped for us to take pics.