heymongolia
Monasteries & temples

Tövkhön Monastery

A small hermitage high on a forested rock, built by Zanabazar, Mongolia's great Buddhist artist.

Reached by a steep walk or horse ride through larch forest, Tövkhön is a pilgrimage site with caves and rocks linked to Zanabazar, the 17th-century leader and sculptor. It is part of the Orkhon Valley World Heritage area.

  • Region: Central Mongolia (Övörkhangai)
  • Best time: June–September
  • Time needed: Half a day

Tours that visit Tövkhön Monastery

  • Beauty of Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Festival (13 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,477)
    A 13-day July tour timed for the local Naadam in Kharkhorin, continuing south through Ongi and the South Gobi before flying back to Ulaanbaatar.
  • Orkhon Valley & Karakorum (5 days · Central Mongolia · Nomadic Journeys · from $1,350)
    A 5-day jeep or minibus trip from Ulaanbaatar to Hustai, the Orkhon Valley and Karakorum, with a hike to Tuvkhun Monastery and ger camp stays.
  • Central Mongolia & Orkhon Valley (7 days · Central Mongolia · Steppe Riders · from $2,500)
    A 7-day guided off-road motorcycle tour from Ulaanbaatar through central Mongolia and the Orkhon Valley, with a support vehicle and ger camp nights.
  • Orkhon Valley Cycling Adventure (5 days · Central Mongolia · Steppe Riders · from $1,500)
    A 5-day supported mountain bike trip from Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin and the Orkhon Valley, with rides to Tuvkhun Monastery and the Orkhon Waterfall.
  • Nomadic family's stay and visits in Orkhon Valley (6 days · Central Mongolia · Mongolia Guide)
    A 6-day stay with a herding family near Khujirt in the Orkhon Valley, reached by public bus from Ulaanbaatar, with optional riding and trips to a waterfall and Tuvkhun Monastery.
  • Horseback Trekking to Tuvkhun Monastery (9 days · Several regions · Sky Ice Telmuun Tours (Mongol Tours) · from $1,680)
    A 9-day central Mongolia trip with horseback riding through the Orkhon Valley to Tuvkhun Monastery, plus Khustai, Kharakhorum and hot springs.
  • Gobi Desert Highlights and National Parks Tour (12 days · Gobi Desert · View Mongolia (Virgin Nature) · from $1,895)
    A 12-day tour from Ulaanbaatar through the Gobi and on to the Orkhon Valley, Tuvkhun Monastery, White Lake and Kharkhorin, staying mostly in ger camps.
  • Bike Tour through the Valley of the Orkhon River (15 days · Central Mongolia · Explore Mongolia · from $1,990)
    A 15-day off-road cycling trip from Ulaanbaatar through Khustai and the Khangai mountains to the Orkhon Valley, Kharkhorin and Lake Ugii, with ger, tent and hotel nights.

Nearby places