Khövsgöl: Mongolia's Great Northern Lake

Khövsgöl is a long blue lake in the far north, ringed by mountains and larch forest, a short way from the Russian border. Where the Gobi is about distance, Khövsgöl is about staying put: settle into a camp on the shore and ride, walk, paddle and rest.

The lake in numbers

Roughly 136 km long and more than 260 m deep, Khövsgöl holds a large share of Mongolia’s fresh surface water. It sits at about 1,645 m, so even July nights can be cold, and weather changes quickly.

Getting there

Fly + drive (most common). Flights from Ulaanbaatar to Mörön take about 1.5–2 hours, operating several times a week in summer (schedules change by year — check when you book, and book early for July). From Mörön it’s about 100 km to Khatgal, mostly unpaved; allow 2–3 hours by private vehicle. Your camp or driver can meet the flight.

By road. Two long days from Ulaanbaatar. The northern route via Bulgan passes the beautiful Amarbayasgalant Monastery and Uran Togoo extinct volcano. Alternatively, Khövsgöl links naturally with a Central Mongolia trip via Tsetserleg and Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake — the basis of our 10-day itinerary. Flying one way and driving the other is a popular compromise.

Where to stay

Most camps are on the western shore north of Khatgal, from basic to comfortable. The eastern shore is less developed and quieter, with rougher access. Khatgal has guesthouses. Many camps open from June to mid-September.

Things to do

• Horse riding along the shore and into the hills — from a few hours to multi-day treks with a horseman.
• Hiking, including viewpoints above the lake.
• Boat trips and kayaking in calm weather.
• Wildlife and birds in the forest and wetlands — see wildlife in Mongolia.
• Visits to herder families with yaks and reindeer near the shore. (Note: reindeer at roadside “photo stops” near the lake are a different thing from the remote Dukha communities of the taiga.)

Winter: the ice

From roughly January to April the lake freezes thick. The Khövsgöl Ice Festival (also called the Blue Pearl festival) is held at Khatgal in late winter — in 2026 sources listed 2–3 March, but dates have moved in other years (2025 was shifted to February because of Tsagaan Sar). Confirm before planning. Winter travel needs specialist preparation; see winter in Mongolia.

When to go

Late June to early September for summer. July is warmest and busiest; rain is common in July–August. September brings autumn colour and very cold nights. Mid-May to mid-June is often still cool, with camps opening.

Who it suits

Good fit: couples, families, horse riders, hikers, anyone who wants fewer driving days and more time in one beautiful place.

Less ideal: travelers who want desert scenery or who only have 5 days and don’t want to fly — getting there takes a chunk of time either way. See Gobi vs Khövsgöl.