Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To get a ride up the western shore, you have to pay for a taxi from Khatgal (around
T50,000). Alternatively, if you're travelling solo and travelling light, ask at your guest-
house whether anyone can give you a ride on the back of a motorbike.
The western shore makes a good trekking route; Click here .
Eastern Shore
The eastern shore is less mountainous than the west, but offers spectacular views across
Khövsgöl Nuur. It gets far fewer visitors than the western shore, making it a great destin-
ation for travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. The main drawback to this
side of the lake is the appalling road that heads up to Khankh. Expect mud, rocks, roots
and the odd collapsed bridge.
From Khatgal, head for the bridge over the Egiin Gol. The trail meanders over some
hills and continues past a prominent ovoo at the Ikh Santiin Davaa (GPS: N 50°52.622', E
100°41.185') pass to a gorgeous spot called Borsog (GPS: N 50°59.677', E 100°42.983') , six
hours by jeep and 103km from Khatgal.
If your spine hasn't suffered permanent damage, you could carry on further to a couple
of gers known as Sevsuul . The road actually improves a little here, then hugs the lake
and is usually passable all the way to Khankh.
From Khatgal, allow at least 11 hours by jeep (less by motorcycle) to travel about
200km to Khankh , a former depot for oil tankers headed to and from Siberia. From here,
trucks used to cross the lake in winter, carrying oil to Khatgal before the collapse of the
Soviet Union. Khankh is more Buriat and Russian than Mongolian because most visitors
are Russian holidaymakers from Irkutsk.
Remember that if you reach Khankh, you will have to come all the way back along the
same bone-crunching eastern road: there is no way any vehicle can get from Khankh
down the western shore. At the moment going all the way around the lake is only pos-
sible by boat or horse. The nearby border crossing with Russia is closed to third-country
nationals.
WHEN TO VISIT KHÖVSGÖL NUUR
Spring (April-May) A pleasant time to visit as it rains less than August and the
flowers and birdlife are at their best. However, it will still be very cold, with snow on
the ground and ice on the lake until early June.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search