Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GOV-ALTAI
POP 53,700 / AREA 142,000 SQ KM
Mongolia's second-largest aimag is named after the Gobi Desert and Mongol Altai Nur-
uu, a mountain range that virtually bisects the aimag to create a stark, rocky landscape.
There is a certain beauty in this combination, but there is considerable heartbreak too.
Gov-Altai is one of the least suitable areas for raising livestock, and therefore one of the
most hostile to human habitation.
Somehow a few Gobi bears, wild camels, ibexes and even snow leopards survive, pro-
tected in several remote national parks. Most of the population live in the northeastern
corner, where melting snow from Khangai Nuruu feeds small rivers, creating vital water
supplies.
Mountaineers and adventurous hikers with a lot of time on their hands might want to
bag an Altai peak. Opportunities include Khuren Tovon Uul (3802m) in Altai
sum
,
Burkhan Buuddai Uul (3765m) in Biger
sum
, or the permanently snow-capped peak of
Sutai Uul (4090m), the highest peak in Gov-Altai located right on the border with Khovd
aimag. Most climbers approach Sutai Uul from the Khovd side.
NATIONAL PARKS OF GOV-ALTAI
The beauty of Gov-Altai's diverse and sparsely populated mountain and desert en-
vironment has led to the designation of large portions of the aimag as national
parks.
Alag Khairkhan Nature Reserve
(36,400 hectares) Protected Altai habitat with
rare plants, snow leopards, argali and ibexes.
Eej Khairkhan Nature Reserve
(22,475 hectares;
Click here
)
About 150km directly
south of Altai, the reserve was created to protect the general environment.
Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area
(
Click here
)
Divided into 'Gobi A' (Southern Al-
tai Gobi, 4.4 million hectares) and 'Gobi B' (Dzungarian Gobi, 881,000 hectares),
collectively this is the fourth-largest biosphere reserve in the world and protects a
number of endangered animals. Takhiin Tal has been set up on the border of the
northern section of Gobi B. Takhi(the Mongolian wild horse) have been reintro-
duced into the wild here since 1996 through the Research Station.
Khasagt Khairkhan Strictly Protected Area
(27,448 hectares) The area protects
endangered argali sheep and the Mongol Altai mountain environment.
Sharga Nature Reserve
Like the Mankhan Nature Reserve in Khovd aimag, it helps
to preserve highly endangered species of antelope.
