Khuvsgul Lake Tour
About this tour
On this trip we’ll have a great chance to explore gobi, lakes and mountains with forests. We’ll visit both lakes Khuvsgul and Great White. Khuvsgul is the largest fresh water lake in Mongolia by volume, and second largest by area. Khuvsgul Nuur is nicknamed “Younger sister of the Sister Lakes (Lake Khuvsgul and Lake Baikal)”. Lake Khuvsgul is located in the northwest of Mongolia near the Russian border, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world. You’ll enjoy this trip with landscape of Central and Northern part of Mongolia.
Activities included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Elsen Tasarkhai, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the Khustai National Park, located on the north side of the Tuul River, about a two-hour drive west of Ulaanbaatar. Although located in the central grasslands, Khustai means “with birch” because birch trees and aspen groves are plentiful in the area. It is a hilly terrain, with the Tuul River forming the southern boundary. The national park was originally set up in 1993 as a nature reserve for the first reintroduction of the Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii) into Mongolia. We will drive to Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes which are a semi-desert typed beautiful landscape with big sand dunes. We are going to have camel riding in here. After having dinner we can hike around the sand dunes. We can possibly see the sunset brilliantly in the area.
Day 2: Elsen Tasarkhai, Mongolia to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
We’ll drive to Mongolian ancient capital, Kharakhorin, Chinggis Khaan’s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon Valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire was governed until Kubilai Khan moved it to Beijing. It served as the capital for 40 years. Following the move, and the subsequent collapse of the Mongolian empire, Karakorum was abandoned. Whatever was left was used to help build the glorious Erdene Zuu monastery in the 16th century. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence. After museums, We’ll drive to Tsenkher hot spring. You’ll be able relax
Day 3: Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
We'll drive to Great White Lake and Khorgo Volcano. Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of fauna and flora. The area has extinct volcanoes, many beautiful lakes, a great number of animals and birds, and is definitely one of the best natural tourist attractions. Khorgo is a unique natural complex (2240 m), National Park surrounded by the Khangai Mountains, which reach as 3000 meters above the sea level. In the craters some of them are very tiny crystal- clears lakes. The Khorgo crater, situated at an altitude of 2.210 meters with a diameter of 20 meters and depth of 70 to 80 meters. We'll spend the night in a nomadic family ger.
Day 4: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
We'll go hiking from the lake Great White to the Khorgo volcano. You'll be able to go down and climb up the Khorgo craters, also it's great to go around the volcano.
Day 5: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia to Murun - Khatgal Highway, Mörön, Mongolia
We’ll drive to Murun the center of Khovsgol province. Murun is one of the biggest province in Mongolia. It will be full day driving
Day 6: Murun - Khatgal Highway, Mörön, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the Lake Khuvsgul whichis one of the country's largest and most spectacular protected areas. Lake Khuvsgul's 380 cubic km of water make it the fourteenth largest freshwater lake in the world and second largest in Central Asia by volume, with over 1% of the world's fresh water. At its deepest, the lake dives 262 meters. Ninety-six rivers and strearns empty into lake, but only the Egiin River exits the lake. The Egiin flows southeast until it joins the Selenge River, which flows through one of Mongolia's most densely populated areas on its way to Lake Baikal. The Lake is 1645 meters above sea level and is generally frozen from January until April or May.
Day 7: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
We'll do a full day horseback riding to the Lake Khuvsgul.
Day 8: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Uran Togoo & Tulga, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the Bulgan province and then we’ll drive little bit more and then spend the night in a tent.
Day 9: Uran Togoo & Tulga, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the Amarbayasgalant monastery. This is one of the most well known and largest monasteries of Mongolia, is located in the beautiful Iven Gol River valley on the foot of Burenkhan Mountain in Baruunburen soum of Selenge province. Visitors especially enjoy the magnificent art and architectural construction. Spend the night in a family ger.
Day 10: Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We will drive back to Ulaanbaatar.
What's included
Driver + 4WD vehicle + Gas English speaking tour guide/cook National park entrance fee Camel riding for an hour or longer regarding on guest’s request Horseback riding for an hour or longer regarding on guest’s request Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary 1.5L drinking water a day per person All meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Accommodation in UB Travel insurance Personal items Tips for the driver and the guide Alcohol drinks
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Elsen Tasarkhai, Mongolia