Lake Hövsgöl

- the twin lake of Baikal in Mongolia

Printable pdf file.
Click to download

Lake Hövsgöl is one of the most pristine large waterbodies of Asia situated at 1645 meters above sea level. 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. 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. You will stay at Nature's Door Lodge, right on the shore of Lake Hövsgöl. All meals will be served in the ger camp or as picnic.

A local guide will meet you when landing in either of the two locations. 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. If the weather is good there is a possibility to transfer from Hatgal village by a speed boat for maximum 5 people at some additional cost. The speed-boat takes 20 minutes from the jetty at Hatgal to Nature's Door.

Day 01: To Lake Hövsgöl

Pick up at your hotel in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the airport. Fly 1½ hours to Mörön. Most flights to Mörön are late afternoon/evening flights.

Day 02-03: Lake Hövsgöl National Park

Natures Door is a fully equipped lodge destination. The lodge is directly on the lakeside. There are mountain bikes, inflatable kayaks and horses. You plan your days with local staff the night before and explore the area. Popular activities is to go fishing, hike up the hills of the Horidol Saridag Mountains, visit local people, bike on the jeep tracks.

Lake Hövsgöl is a magic place. Nature's Door is fully equipped to make the best out of your stay.

Day 04: To Ulaanbaatar

A.m. Transfer back to Hatgal airstrip and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival transfer to your hotel in town.

Practicalities 

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar
USD 650 per person (min 2 members)

Supplement for Lodge: USD 60
Single supplement: USD 60.

Includes: All meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights Ger Camp or equivalent. Domestic flight Ulaanbaatar-Mörön return and all transfers. Park entry fee. Pls. note, single occupancy is only possible when there is availability in camp, at additional charge..

Excludes: Imported drinks, airport tax on departure (approx. USD 13 p.p), laundry, air or train tickets in and out of Mongolia. Visa fee.

Additional night at Natures Door is USD 45 per day including all meals, activities and taxes. Single supplement is USD 20 per night.

DATES ex Ulaanbaatar
Daily 23Jun-23Sep.
Subject to confirmation of domestic flight.

Hazard: You need to plan to stay in Mongolia for at least 2 nights after the return from Lake Hövsgöl. Flights from the interior may cancel due to poor visibility (rain/fog), why there need to be some "rubber" time built in to the itinerary, In order to accommodate such changes, to be able to be back in time for your international flight departure.

Copyright ^© Nomadic Journeys