Khuvsgul Lake Tour
Extinct volcanoes, the Great White Lake, a hot spring, and four days around Khuvsgul — the deepest, cleanest water in the country, in the part people call Mongolian Switzerland.
Forest, water and volcanoes
Khuvsgul Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Mongolia. It is the country's deepest lake and holds most of its fresh water. Northern Mongolia is sometimes called the Switzerland of Mongolia because so much of it is covered in green forest. The lake is more than 2 million years old and was formed by movements of the earth's crust. This tour covers part of central and northern Mongolia and Khuvsgul Lake.
Day by Day
Uran Togoo–Tulga Uul is a protected area in Bulgan province, about 60 kilometres west of the town of Bulgan, around the extinct volcanoes Uran Togoo, Tulga, Togoo and Jalavch. All four names come from things found around the hearth, a nod to their volcanic past. The Uran crater is 500 to 600 metres wide and 50 metres deep, and we hike up to it.
Khuvsgul Lake is 136 kilometres long and 36 kilometres wide, and lies 1,645 metres above sea level. It is the second-largest lake in Mongolia and the deepest, and its crystal-clear water has earned it the name Blue Pearl of Mongolia. Cycling, swimming, walking, horse riding and hiking are the main activities here.
A second day at Khuvsgul Lake for cycling, swimming, walking, horse riding or hiking.
Terkhiin Tsagaan, the Great White Lake, is the highlight of Arkhangai province and is famous for its scenery. It lies about 600 kilometres north-west of Ulaanbaatar and has been protected since 1965, fully since 1997, to safeguard its mountain scenery and endangered plants and animals. It is surrounded by the Khangai mountains, which reach 3,000 metres above sea level. Much of the national park is covered by forest, where wild berries, rare herbs and many kinds of flowers grow, and it is home to deer, ibex and many species of birds. Around the lake we hike and explore its unusual landscape.
A second day at the Great White Lake to hike and explore its unusual landscape.
Tsenkher hot spring lies in a beautiful forested valley. The water comes out of the ground at 86°C and is said to help arthritic joints and other ailments. It is under high pressure underground, so the flow is strong, about 10 litres per second, and it carries minerals from calcium and sodium to sulphur. The water is good for the skin. During the day you can sunbathe, and after dark you can sit in the hot spring and look at the stars.
Kharakhorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. It was founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220, but it grew into the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 1230s under his son Ogedei. The Mongols had a profound impact on trade across Central Asia, as their vast empire connected east and west. We explore the highlights of the city and visit Erdene Zuu monastery. Afterwards we head to the Khugnu Tarna nature reserve.
After breakfast, we head back to Ulaanbaatar.
