TSENKHERIIN AGUI

These caves, located around 100 km south of Khovd and 20 km from Khar Us Nuur National Park, lie at the foot of the Chandmani mountain. They were first discovered and explored in 1967 by Soviet and Mongolian archaeologists. The Upper Palaeolithic rock paintings they contain were soon placed under state protection, as early as 1971. Dating from around 15,000 BC, these paintings depict animals including camels, ibex, sheep and bulls, and possibly even ostriches and mammoths, testifying to their ancient presence in the region. The pigments were made from red and brown earth. Traces of smoke in the almost 20-metre-high cave seem to attest that it was already used as a shelter by Paleolithic populations.

Since 1996, the paintings have been on Unesco's tentative list of World Heritage sites. Unfortunately, some of them have been vandalized in recent years. However, copies of the original paintings are on display in the Museum ofAimag in Khovd, which is well worth a visit.

The caves are located near the entrance to the Mankhan nature reserve, which protects a vast steppe. This is one of the few places in the country where you can still see the saiga antelope.

You can sleep in a ger camp close to the caves. There is also a small restaurant.