Clear water
Pebbled bottom.
Bernard Gagnon — CC0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC0 · Nrantuya — CC0
Mongolia's largest freshwater lake by volume, which Mongolians call the Mother Sea, stretching long and clear between mountains covered in larch and pine forest in the far north, quite unlike the image of steppe and desert. Its water is extremely clear and blue, the pebbles on the bottom visible from the shore, ringed by taiga forest and meadows that bloom in summer. Elk, bears and wolves live in the forests, and families of reindeer herders in the northern mountains. In winter the whole lake freezes so hard that lorries cross it, and an ice festival is held on it. Little Khatgal at its southern tip is the visitors' base, with ger camps and wooden cabins along the shores, from which visitors ride horses, hike and take boats. The water is very cold even in summer. A small fee covers the national park around the lake. Visitors fly to Moron and then drive about two hours. UK travel advice reported fuel shortages in 2026 that may disrupt domestic flights and road travel to remote areas, so check with your operator before setting out. June to September is the best time; winters are bitter, with temperatures far below freezing.
Pebbled bottom.
All around.
Along the shore.
Khuvsgul Province, northern Mongolia near the Russian border
Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Moron, then about two hours by car to Khatgal, or take a long overland trip.