Mongolians call Khuvsgul a sea. The lake holds one percent of the world's fresh water and reaches 262 metres at its deepest point. You can count the stones on the bottom metres below the surface.
This journey runs at a slow pace on purpose. Horses along the shore, a boat day on the water, long evenings around the fire. Nothing here needs to be rushed.
Аяллын маршрутDay by day
Мөрөн хүртэл нисч, цаашаа унаагаар явна.We fly to Murun and continue overland from there.
1-р өдөрDay 1
Улаанбаатараас Хатгал тосгонUlaanbaatar to Khatgal village
A morning flight lands us in Murun, and a short drive brings us to Khatgal at the southern tip of the lake. We settle into a lakeside ger camp and watch the first sunset over the water.
With local horsemen we ride through the larch forest of the eastern shore. First-time riders get calm horses and a guide at their side. Midway, a rocky lookout opens up the whole length of the lake.
15 км морьтой15 km rideГэр баазGer camp
Нуурын хойд хэсэг, Мөнх сарьдаг уулThe northern reach of the lake and Munku-Sardyk peak
We set out by boat, pass the uninhabited island in the middle of the lake, and land in a quiet bay on the western shore for a fresh fish lunch over the fire. The colour of the water changes by the hour.
In summer a Tsaatan family camps at the edge of the taiga within reach of the lake. We spend the day with them, among the reindeer and the teepee-like urts. For many travellers this is the day they remember most.
90 км унаагаар90 km by 4x4Гэр баазGer camp
Цаатан айлын зуслан, тайгын захA Tsaatan summer camp at the edge of the taiga
No schedule today. Kayak, fish, walk the shoreline or simply sit with a book. In the evening the camp sauna is fired up, and the last night passes under a sky full of stars.