Lake Khovsgol
★ 4.9🇲🇳 KhovsgolSuggested visit 3-4 daysBest season June to August, mild enough to explore the shore
NatureLakeHorse riding
Mongolia's largest freshwater lake, so clear you can see deep below the surface, ringed by taiga forest and mountains.
Overview
In northern Mongolia, Lake Khovsgol covers about 2,760 square kilometres and reaches more than 260 metres deep, making it the country's largest freshwater lake and one of the oldest lakes in the world. Visibility underwater runs to tens of metres, and coniferous forest and mountains surround it. Riding, boating and hiking are all possible, the frozen surface carries vehicles in winter, and Tsaatan reindeer herder camps lie along the shore.
History
Formed by crustal faulting and millions of years old, it long served as summer pasture for the Tsaatan and became a national park in 1992.
Highlights
- •Clear water and coniferous forest
- •Horse riding and boating
- •Tsaatan reindeer herder camps
- •Driving on the frozen surface in winter
Practical tips
- •Lakeside lodging is mostly ger camps — book ahead
- •The water stays cold all year; swim with care
Practical information
- Best time
- June-August
- Tickets
- National park entry around MNT 3,000
- Opening hours
- All day
- Local food
- Lake fish soup, milk tea, dried curd
- Getting around
- About twelve hours by road from Ulaanbaatar, or fly to Murun and drive two hours.
- Visa
- Visa-free for stays up to 30 days with a valid passport.
Traveller reviews
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