With rugged hills, pristine rivers, and incredibly vast Spaces, Mongolia is becoming a destination for travelers hungry for adventure. This expansive, landlocked Asian country has a wealth of natural beauty. While getting there may take effort, the rewards are well worth it. In short, Mongolia is an outdoor lover’s dream, and Lake Khovsgol National Park is the ideal place to enjoy it all.
The 85-mile-long Lake Khovsgol, located in the far north of Mongolia and surrounded by mountains, rocky shorelines, and dense pine forests, is Mongolia’s largest body of water. (It’s so huge that it accounts for 20 percent of the country’s freshwater resources and 0.04 percent of the planet’s.) It is often called the “sister of Lake Baikal” because of its similarity and proximity to the famous great lake in Russia.
Lake Khovsgol is where the Mongols go to escape from everything. However, it is now attracting more and more international tourists.
Most of the park’s human activity occurs on the west coast, where there are about 50 visitor camps, mostly made up of yurts, the Mongolian version of the yurt. These circular wooden and felt structures are not just accommodation but a unique cultural experience. They are simple and comfortable, and thanks to their thick insulation, they stay cool when hot and warm when cold.
Tourist camps in Khosvgol range from humble campsites to more upscale eco-huts. They are usually family-run and have on-site restaurants that offer a diverse menu to cater to different tastes. For those seeking more creature comforts, the better camps have spacious wooden houses and hotel-style rooms with private bathrooms. However, such luxuries are the exception rather than the rule in rural Mongolia.
Nature is the true star of Lake Khovusgol, boasting pure air, soothing surroundings, and wildlife such as Siberian moose, wolverines, ibex, mink, and brown bears. “My favorite thing is to wake up at sunrise and go into the forest,” Batsuren Ganbaatar, whose family owns Olympic camps and restaurants on the West Coast, told Travel + Leisure. “Everything is so quiet and beautiful, and I often see deer.”
The lake and surrounding parks are a visual feast. The cold, clear waters take on bright hues of blue and aquamarine, reminiscent of the Caribbean or Hawaii. The Khoridol Saridag mountains stand like stone sentinels on the shimmering surface of Lake Khovsgol. At sunset, the sky is flooded with shades of pink, orange, and bright white, counterbalancing the bruising shadows cast by lingering clouds. In the summer, evening thunderstorms roll over the water, allowing lucky spectators to see an explosive lightning show that dwarfs any artificial fireworks display.
Lake Khovsgol is a pristine, unspoiled natural place that offers visitors warm beds, hot meals, and various tourist services. Even a few days spent there will leave you relaxed, energized, and refreshed.
Where to live
Twin lakes
Set on a small peninsula off the main road, the Twin Lakes is more of a small hotel than a rugged tent. It has private rooms and well-equipped A-frames nestled among pine trees. The hotel’s restaurant serves Mongolian-standard Western food, and it has its own stretch of coastline with large chairs and a classic wooden pier. If you want peace, look no further.
Khuvsgul Bayan-Ulaan
With comfortable yurts and chalets perched on broad hillsides, Bayan Ulan’s main selling point is its stunning views. This is especially true of the restaurant, which is built in the style of a North American cabin and has walls of Windows looking out onto the sparkling lake. It is the perfect place to grab a drink and enjoy the view.
Adahar Peninsula eco-camp
Designed with maximum sustainability in mind, Adahar Peninsula Eco-Camp practices what it preaches by recycling all organic waste into compost, introducing guests to the local flora and fauna, and using 100% solar power. Most of the food is locally sourced, even a lakeside sauna. It is also situated on the largely undeveloped eastern shore of Lake Khovsgol, guaranteeing a tranquil experience in an environment that already exudes tranquility.
What to do
Jump into the saddle
Mongolians are said to have been born on horses, and even today, you’ll see that horses are still the preferred mode of transportation for many locals. There are many horse camps on the lake’s western shore that you can mount to, whether it’s a one-hour excursion or a multi-day camping trip on the northern coast.
Take your OARS
A lake as beautiful as Khovsgol almost begs you to leave it, and several places offer kayak rentals to help satisfy that craving. The lake’s surface is often glassy calm, allowing you to glide through the water while the trees and rocks on the shore slide.
birdwatching
Mongolia is a wonderland for bird lovers, and Lake Khovsgol is no exception. The lake is home to many permanent and migratory species, including kites, white-tailed sea eagles, gray-matter vultures, bar-headed geese, red-billed ducks, terns, gulls, red-billed crows, great cormorants, nuthatches, Demoiselle cranes, and many more.
Catch river Monster
The Egg River flows from the southern end of the lake. It is famous for its fish, including grey salmon, lenok trout, and the legendary taimen. This giant salmon is the top prize for most anglers who come to Mongolia. Whether you want to cast your spinning rod or wet fly line, fishing eggs is a chance to catch trophy fish in pristine waters.
Hike khoridonsaridag
With steep slopes, deep canyons, expansive valleys, and sheer peaks nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, Khoridol Saridag is a playground for mountain hiking. This mountain range rises from the west side of the lake, offering stunning views of Khovsgol and beyond.
Visit reindeer herders
The Tsaatan(or Dukha) are nomadic people who raise reindeer in the mountains and valleys west of the lake. For more adventurous people, visit these people at the ranch, but it’s a grueling multi-day ride on horseback. Luckily, several groups of Tsaatans come to the lake in the summer, where you can have your picture taken with the reindeer and, if you prefer, buy some of their traditional handiwork.
Sailing with the Mongolian Navy
As a landlocked country, Mongolia doesn’t need warships. However, they still have one dedicated to defense, and it’s no surprise that it patrols the country’s largest lake. In the summer, the Sukhbaatar III docked in the town of Khatgal at the southern end of the lake, and guests could hop on a boat twice a day for a cruise in the middle of the lake. Besides the stunning views on both sides, you can learn some historical tidbits about the country’s peculiar single-ship navy.
Get there
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, has international flights via Genghis Khan International Airport (UBN). From there, there is a quick flight to Molun, the capital of Hosugol province, and a 1.5-hour drive on a closed road to the village of Hagar at the southern end of the province. (It takes at least a full day to drive from Ulaanbaatar to Molen.)
Once at Hagar, the road to the lake’s western shore becomes a rutted dirt road with potholes. (A suitable paved road is being built, though.)
When to go
Mongolia’s winters are long and harsh, so unless you’re looking for snow, ice, and biting cold, June, August, and September are the best times to visit. July is also lovely, but the annual Naadam Festival (Naadam Festival) is around this time when the camps at Lake Khovsgol are packed with vacationing Mongols. It’s also the rainiest month, so inclement weather can be problematic.
Arrange your trip
While it is possible to travel independently in Mongolia, logistics and language barriers make it difficult and time-consuming. Most tourists turn instead to established tour companies to arrange for them: accommodation, transport, fuel, meals, permits, and side trips are usually included in one package. While there are plenty to choose from, Goyo Travel, Nomadic Trails, and View Mongolia are all reputable agencies that offer packages and customized itineraries to suit your needs.
