Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Summer
(June-August) A little more crowded with home-grown and foreign visit-
ors, but it can still be cold, and it often rains. The meadows around the lake are
sprinkled with beautiful wildflowers during this time.
Autumn
(September-October) The leaves are changing colour.
Winter
(November-March) Bitterly cold, but clear with blue skies. Khövsgöl Nuur
freezes to a depth of 120cm, allowing passenger trucks to cross the length of the
lake in winter.
Activities
Fishing
If your idea of heaven is sitting utterly still for hours on end and contemplating the bob-
bing of your rod in the water, well, welcome to Eden! If you don't have fishing gear
already, Buren Khaan shop in Khatgal has the best selection.
Around a dozen species of fish inhabit the lake, including grayling, omol, Siberian
roach, perch and lenok. A fishing permit costs T15,000 and is valid for three days or 10
fish, whichever comes first. You can get them from Khatgal's Government House (ask
for directions at your accommodation). Fishing is not allowed between 15 April and 15
June. The fine for fishing illegally depends on what it is you've caught; it's worked out
using the value of the fish multiplied by 10, with a US$40 fine on top of that.
Hiking
One of the best ways to see the lake and the mountains surrounding it is on your own two
feet. You will need to be self-sufficient, although there are a few gers in the area from
which to buy some meat or dairy products. The trails around the lake are easy to follow.
Of the mountains in the southwestern region, the most accessible is
Tsartai Ekh Uul
(2515m), immediately west of Jankhai, where the hiking is excellent. Also try the numer-
ous other mountains in the mountain range of Khoridol Saridag Nuruu, such as
Khuren
Uul
(3020m), not far north of the trail to Renchinlkhumbe;
Ikh Uul
(2961m), a little
northwest of Toilogt; and the extinct volcano of
Uran Dösh Uul
(2792m).
Longer treks are possible around the Ikh Sayani Nuruu range, which has many peaks
over 3000m. It is right on the border of Russia, so be careful not to accidentally cross it
or you may be shot at by border guards. A popular hike is up the western shore of the
lake from Khatgal to Renchinlkhumbe via Jinglegiin Am; it takes roughly about a week.
