Stage 1

Date: Aug. 24(Mon)

Start: Noyon Tour Resort

Finish: Blue Lake

Length: 75km (Unpaved 100%)

Elev. +699m

Time Limit: 8 Hours

​

The ride begins on the banks of the Kherlen River, which forms the border between Ulaanbaatar and Khentii.      The Kherlen River is a major river in Mongolia, originating in the Khentii Mountains and flowing approximately 1,264 kilometers through eastern Mongolia before emptying into Lake Hulun (Dalai Nuur) in China.   Upstream of the Kherlen River lies Burhan Khaldun, believed to be the birthplace and tomb of Genghis Khan. Burhan Khaldun was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. 

​

Kherlen River, historical significance is so profound that it is mentioned numerous times in the "Secret History of Mongolia." As one of the three sacred rivers, it is deeply connected to Mongolian identity, as evidenced by the expression "Mongols of the Three Rivers." The area surrounding the river boasts a unique ecological environment of forests, taiga, and grasslands. It is also a focal point of Eastern Mongolia's natural culture, where numerous wildlife and livestock grazing coexist.

​

​About 50 kilometers from the starting point, the route heads straight north toward the Khan Khentii Special Protected Area.   Along the way, you'll see traces of nomads, and depending on the season, you may or may not encounter gers.

​

The final destination of Stage 1 is Khar Zurkhni Kokh Nuur, which means “blue lake of the black heart” in Mongolian.   Khar Zurkh Kokh Nuur(Mongolian: Хар зүрхний хөх нуур) is a small but historically significant freshwater lake nestled among forested mountains in Khentii Province, eastern Mongolia. The lake is widely believed to be the site where Temujin was proclaimed Genghis Khan in 1189 by the tribal khuriltai (council), making it one of the most legendary locations in Mongolian history.

​