Khatgal

Khatgal is the heart of tourism at Khövsgöl Lake. The village is a mix of Russian-style wooden houses and nomadic gers. It is the place where adventures begin: from here, the famous horse trekking tours into the mountains and along the lake start. Khatgal's port is home to the historic ship Sukhbaatar, which now transports tourists across the water. Visitors appreciate the authentic Mongolian hospitality and the cozy guesthouses. The local market provides handmade souvenirs made of felt and yak wool, as well as traditional delicacies. The natural surroundings invite hiking up the nearby hills, which offer dramatic views over the lake. Khatgal is accessible via a paved road from Mörön and even has a small airport for domestic flights. The best time to visit is summer, when the village is full of life and the nights are less cold. In March, the village becomes the center of the Ice Festival, as the community celebrates on the frozen lake.

Nearby cities

Mörön

Mörön serves as the administrative center of the mountainous Khövsgöl province in the north.

Khövsgöl Lake

Known as the 'Blue Pearl' of Mongolia, this massive freshwater lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and larch forests.

Renchinlkhümbe

A remote village in the Darkhad Valley, famous for its shamanic traditions and proximity to the taiga.

Tsagaannuur (Reindeer area)

The gateway to remote northern Mongolian taiga, home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders and a place of deeply rooted shamanistic traditions.

History & landmarks

Khorgo Volcano

The Khorgo Volcano is an extinct volcano in the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, or the Great White Lake, is a beautiful freshwater lake in central Mongolia surrounded by volcanoes.

Nature

Lake Khövsgöl

Often referred to as the 'dark blue pearl' of Mongolia, it is the country's largest freshwater lake.

Egiin Gol

The only outlet of Lake Khövsgöl is a crystal-clear, torrential river that winds its way through picturesque, wooded valleys.

Mount Munku-Sardyk

Mount Munku-Sardyk is the highest peak of the Eastern Sayan range on the border between Russia and Mongolia.

More places

Deer Stones of Uushigiin Uvur

The Uushigiin Uvur complex in Khuvsgul Province preserves some of Eurasia's finest Bronze Age deer stones.

Mönkh Saridag

The highest peak of the Sayan Mountains lies on the border between Mongolia and Russia.

Darkhad Valley

An isolated basin in northern Mongolia, characterized by reindeer herders and dense forests.

Tsaatan Reindeer Camps

In the northern forests of the taiga, the nomadic Tsaatan families herd reindeer for milk, transport, and as spiritual companions.

Khangai Mountains

This green and water-rich mountain range in the center of the country is characterized by vast alpine meadows and dense larch forests.