Potanin Glacier
Lines of ice before the peaks.
Altaihunters — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dorhodor — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Altaihunters — CC BY-SA 3.0 · FanousF — CC BY-SA 4.0 · martin_vmorris — CC BY-SA 2.0
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is the great mountain destination of far western Mongolia, where the borders of Mongolia, Russia and China meet. It holds Khuiten Peak, the country's highest point, along with glaciers and long lakes. Getting here is long and costly, but the scenery is unlike anything else in Mongolia. The park was established in 1996, covers 6,362 sq km and includes the lakes Khoton, Khurgan and Dayan. Argali sheep, ibex, red deer, golden eagles and snow leopards live here. It also contains the Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Tsagaan Salaa rock art with over 10,000 images. The Potanin Glacier, 14 to 20 km long according to sources, runs in grey and white lines before the five peaks. Khuiten rises to 4,374 m and is climbed only by experienced mountaineers. In the valleys live Kazakh herders who keep eagles and horses, with green foothills and long blue lakes framed by larch. The park lies about 107 km in a straight line from Ulgii, but the road is rough and calls for private transport. You need a border-zone permit from Ulgii or through a tour company, plus the park fee, so arrange these in good time. The season is June to August. Take a guide and do not approach the glacier alone. The UK Foreign Office reports fuel shortages that may disrupt travel to remote areas, so check before you set off.
Lines of ice before the peaks.
A World Heritage Site.
Blue water among larch.
Tsengel district, Bayan-Olgii Province, far western Mongolia
Yes. It is a border zone, and the permit comes from Ulgii or a tour company, so arrange it before you arrive.
Not to see the lakes and glacier with a guide. Khuiten Peak is only for experienced climbers.