Lake Hövsgöl Skyline Trail

- Pack-horse supported trek -

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Lake Hövsgöl is one of the most pristine large waterbodies of Asia. It is the twin lake of Baikal and its waters are equally blue. The setting is spectacular with Siberian taiga and the Horidal Saridag Mountain Range to the west. These mountains are dramatic, often flanked with impressive screes and craggy outcrops, but they are of an attainable scale, rising to nearly 3000m from the lakeshore at 1650m above sea level. The lake is almost devoid of ships, and a transparency of 16-25 meters deep.There is Lenok Trout and an endemic Grayling in the lake. It stretches some 125km from north to south and is 262 meters deep. It is not as deep as Baikal, but part of the Baikal Rift system, which resulted from the pressures associated with the collision between India and Asia some 55 million years ago.

Brief Outline Itinerary

You will fly on a domestic flight to Mörön, the aimag capital of Hövsgöl or direct into the airstrip at Hatgal village, which is located at the southernmost tip of the lake. The terrain around Lake Hövsgöl is rugged taiga. For this trek we are fully equipped for expedition style travel, and our luggage will be carried by pack-horses. A cook and a trail guide will follow the expedition.

Transfers to Nature's Lodge & Gers depends on arrival airport, and also on condition of the lake with waves and wind for a possible boat transfer to camp. Mörön airport is 130km from Nature's Door, and it takes 3 hours to Hatgal village (100km), located at the southernmost tip of the lake. Plus an additional hour to reach Nature's Door the last 30km overland, or 20 minutes by speed boat. Hatgal airstrip is 50 minutesby jeep from the lodge, or speed-boat 20 minutes from the jetty at Hatgal.

Day 01: Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in the Mongolian capital. A transfer guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. You will be given a brief description of the in's and out's of Ulaanbaatar.

Day 02: To Lake Hövsgöl

Pick up at your hotel and transfer to the airport. Fly domestic flight 1½ hour to Mörön. You will be met and a jeep will bring you 102km across a jeep track north to Hatgal village and on to Natures Door Ger Camp, some 16 km north from the village. Sometimes there are also flights directly into Hatgal village airstrip.

Day 03-07: Skyline Trail Trek

We will start out by a boat trip on Lake Hövsgöl to our starting point, situated by a renowned mineral spring. We then spend the next 4 days hiking along the lakeshore and over breathtaking ridges with spectacular views of Lake Hövsgöl. We will pass in the vicinity of the Oran Dash Mountain. A flattop mountain 2893 meters high that dominates the western shore. It is referred to in local legends about the creation of the lake. During the trek there is an opportunity to climb the 2961m high Ikh Uul. Wildlife such as Argali Sheep and Siberian Ibex inhabit the ridges, however, you need o be very skilled and equipped with binoculars to be able to see them. The Horidol Saridag is completely devoid of people, due to the lack of pasture. It is wild nature at its best. Return to Nature's Door Lodge & Gers on day 7.

Day 08: Lake Hövsgöl

Full day to unwind or use the facilities and activities of the Lodge, situated by the lakeside.

Day 09: To Ulaanbaatar

Early transfer back to Mörön (or Hatgal airstrip) and fly to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 10: In Ulaanbaatar

A.m. Visit Gandan Monastery and Bogd Khan Winter Palace. Gandan is the liveliest monastery in Mongolia and center for the Buddhist revival in the country. Bogd Khan was the theocratic leader and Living Buddha of the Mongols until 1924, and as such the equivalent to what HH Dalai Lama is for Tibetans and Mongols alike.
P.m. Time for shopping.

Day 11: Fly out

Transfer out to your next destination.

Practicalities

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar

USD 1940 per person (min 2 members)
Single room/tent supplement: USD 290

Includes: Leadership and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights at Nature's Door Lodge and all overnights in tents. Domestic flight Ulaanbaatar-Hövsgöl return and all transfers. Park entry fee.

Excludes: Imported drinks, airport tax MNT 12500 on departure (approx. USD 12 p.p.), laundry, air or train tickets in and out of Mongolia. Visa fee.

DATES ex. Ulaanbaatar

Any day 01Jun-01Sep excl. some Saturdays early and late in season.