Lake Khuvsgul Hiking Tour In Northern Mongolia
About this tour
The Khuvsgul lake in northern Mongolia is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia. It marks the southern edge of the great Siberian taiga forest and holds 70% of the country’s freshwater reserves. Skirted by great mountain ridges with densely wooded slopes it is revered as the “Mother Sea” by local people. Mountainous forests lying beyond the lake are home to reindeer breeding Tsaatan people who are well known for preserving shamanistic worship of spirits of nature and ancestors. On this tour, you will enjoy exciting hikes in the pristine natural surroundings, be awe-struck by stunning landscapes, and experience the traditional nomadic culture and the rich historic heritage of Mongolians. The hiking tour is of easy to moderate physical difficulty and suits travelers of any level of fitness.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Sergelen, Mongolia to Bayangol Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Arrival at Ulaanbaatar, guided city tour. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia, and transfer to a centrally located 4-star hotel. Afternoon guided city tour will introduce you to the highlights of the city: the Gandan Temple - the city's main Buddhist center, the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan, and the Zaisan Memorial, an elevated hill on the city's edge providing a panoramic view of UB. Then choose to visit one or two museums from the following: National Museum introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to the modern era, Dinosaur Museum with a unique collection of dinosaur fossils, Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying the best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. The Winter palace of Bogd Khan showcasing rare statues of Buddhist deities and items of personal use of this last theocratic ruler of Mongolia is also worth considering. An evening folk show of music, throat singing, and contortion will be followed by a welcome dinner. (Dinner, hotel)
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Flight to Khuvsgul lake. A brief flight to northern Mongolia brings you to the country’s deepest lake, the Khuvsgul. It’s the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia and holds 70% of the country’s freshwater reserves. This 265m deep lake sits in a tectonic rift amidst the great Siberian taiga forest. Upon landing, we drive for over an hour to a cozy resort on the lakeshore. Enjoy the rest of the day by hiking along the shoreline and savoring stunning landscapes reflected in crystal clear waters. A boat trip to an island in the middle of the lake or kayaking can be booked optionally. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)
Day 3: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Khuvsgul, Mongolia
Hike to the bird-eye viewpoint of the lake. After breakfast, we take a short drive to the base of the Bayan mountain range that skirts along the whole length of the lake. It’s densely coated in primeval larch forests but ridgetops sit well above the tree line. Zigzagging on steep slopes we hike for 7km/4.35mi on faint tracks laid by surveyors during the socialist period preceding the 1990s. Past the treeline, the forest is replaced by a rugged ridge, barren and rocky. At the day’s high point at 2380m, we relish a well-deserved lunch with awe-inspiring views of the great water expanse and green slopes down below. We return to the camp in the late afternoon. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)
Day 4: Khuvsgul, Mongolia to Delgermurun River, Mongolia
Hike Tola mountain ridge and visit the Deer Stelae complex. Leaving the lake behind we drive to a small mountain range where each small hilltop is marked with spectacular granite outcrops. We spend 2-3 hours hiking in the tranquil natural setting. Our next stop is a remarkable historic site consisting of 30 Deer Stelae and burial mounds. The Deer Stelae are megaliths covered in carvings of flying deer. These artistically made tombstones mainly signify ritual sites of Bronze age noblemen. This evening we settle in a cozy resort perched on a high bank of the Delger river. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)
Day 5: Delgermurun River, Mongolia to Tultiin Tokhoi, Murun, Mongolia
Hike in Erdene mountain On our last day in northern Mongolia, we explore one of the least visited parts of the Khuvsul lake region by hiking on the eastern spur of Erdene mountain. It is made of deep V-shaped valleys coated in rich coniferous forests. Throughout the hike, we negotiate steep slopes alternated by spectacular limestone ridges to catch breathtaking views of the virgin Earth. At the end of the day, we return to the comfort of the riverside resort. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)
Day 6: Tultiin Tokhoi, Murun, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Return flight to Ulaanbaatar. After days of experiencing the diverse landscapes of northern Mongolia, it is time to return to Ulaanbaatar. We catch a flight back to the capital and celebrate the memorable holiday with a traditional meal. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, hotel)
Day 7: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Sergelen, Mongolia
International departure. Time to say goodbye to Mongolia. We will transfer you to the city airport for your journey home. (Breakfast)
What's included
All accommodation: hotel (2 nights), ger camp (4 nights) Indicated meals & drinking water All visits, sightseeing, national park and permit fees Overland transport Gasoline Domestic airfare and airport transfers English or German speaking guide
Travel insurance Optional activities such as horse riding & kayaking etc., Excess baggage fee on domestic air travel Meals not indicated Drinks & Alcohol Gratuities
What to know
Tour is calculated on twin sharing basis. Single accommodation supplement is USD 128. This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with us.
Route & locations
Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Sergelen, Mongolia to Bayangol Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia