Northern Mongolia is the ultimate destination for adventure seekers, promising a unique and memorable experience. This spectacular region is part of the vast Siberian Great Taiga Wilderness, where snow-capped mountains, abundant wildlife, and pristine freshwater lakes, like the breathtaking Khuvsgul Lake National Park, create an outdoor paradise. Large rivers and lakes make it a haven for fishermen, while historical sites and ancient burial monuments add a fascinating layer of cultural depth.
A highlight of the region is Khuvsgul Lake—one of the world’s 17 ancient lakes and known locally as “Mother Sea.” Holding 70% of Mongolia’s surface freshwater, this sacred lake is home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders and the Darkhad ethnic tribe, whose traditional portable round tents, called “urts,” are crafted largely from tree bark. Northern Mongolia is a place where nature’s splendor and cultural richness meet, inviting travelers to experience its untamed beauty and timeless traditions. Northern Mongolia offers a rare glimpse into a traditional way of life that has endured for centuries.
Khuvsgul Lake, often called Mongolia’s “Dark Blue Pearl,” is a freshwater gem in northern Mongolia and one of the world’s deepest and purest lakes. This pristine lake is renowned for its sheer volume, containing 2% of the world’s freshwater and ranking as the second largest in Mongolia by surface area. With a history dating back over 2 million years, Khuvsgul Lake stands at 2,760 meters above sea level, stretching 136 kilometers in length, 36.5 kilometers in width, and reaching depths of up to 262 meters. It’s a biodiversity haven, home to 1,700 plant and animal species, many found nowhere else on earth.
Established in 1992, Khuvsgul Lake National Park spans 70,000 square kilometers across the Alag-Edene, Renchinlhumbe, Hankh, and Chandmani Undur sum territories. The park’s rich ecosystem includes 63 mammal species, such as Argali wild sheep, ibex, brown bears, wolverines, moose, and even elusive snow leopards. The lake itself hosts nine fish species, including Omul, Lenok, and Taimen, while the park’s wetlands attract 244 bird species, many of which are migratory waterfowl that thrive in the area’s wet meadows and lagoons.
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery—forests, mountains, and meadows that frame its crystal-clear waters—Khuvsgul Lake is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and serene boat rides, with rental boats and kayaks available for exploring the lake’s stunning vistas and spotting wildlife. Horseback riding is also a popular way to experience the area’s scenic landscapes and immerse oneself in Mongolia’s natural beauty.
The lake and its surroundings offer incredible opportunities for photographers, with sweeping landscapes, clear waters, and rugged mountain peaks providing a range of unforgettable shots. Whether for adventure or relaxation, Khuvsgul Lake delivers an experience like no other, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Ice festival
Each year, Lake Khuvsgul, on the southern edge of the Siberian Forest, transforms into a winter wonderland as it freezes over with five feet of clear, solid ice. This extraordinary natural playground becomes the setting for the annual Ice Festival, a vibrant two-day celebration of local culture, traditions, and the unique way of life in northern Mongolia.
Held in February or March in Khuvsgul Province, the Ice Festival attracts both locals and visitors eager to experience Mongolia’s winter magic. As temperatures drop to -35°C, participants compete in a variety of traditional sports, including ice skating, ice wrestling, dog sledding, and horse sleigh racing. Nomadic reindeer herders, the Tsaatan, join with residents to celebrate and honor their heritage through friendly competition and festivities.
The festival offers an array of activities and competitions, from thrilling ice sumo and ice sculpture displays to scenic sleigh rides across the frozen lake. Visitors can also enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers, sample traditional Mongolian foods, and browse handcrafted items made by local artisans. This lively gathering serves as a beautiful shamanist ceremony, offering insights into the Tsaatan people’s culture and spiritual practices.
The Ice Festival at Lake Khuvsgul provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness and engage in the vibrant traditions of northern Mongolia, all set against the stunning backdrop of one of the world’s purest lakes.
The remote Darkhad Valley in northern Mongolia is a vast, breathtaking region celebrated for its untouched landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage, and rich biodiversity. Encircled by the towering Ulaan Taiga and Khoridol Saridag mountain ranges, the valley is home to the Darkhad people, who maintain a traditional nomadic lifestyle that reflects a deep connection to the natural world. Moving seasonally to find grazing for their herds, the Darkhad community embodies a harmonious relationship with their environment, resulting in a remarkably preserved natural landscape.
Adding to the valley’s allure are the Tsaatan, a small, indigenous group of reindeer herders of Turkic descent, related to the Tuvans. Known for their unique and mystical way of life, the Tsaatan inhabit the beautiful taiga forests, offering a rare glimpse into a centuries-old culture that few outsiders have experienced.
The Tsaatan, a small and diminishing nomadic tribe, are among the world’s last traditional reindeer herders. Deeply rooted in a unique shamanistic culture, the Tsaatan people worship the “Eternal Blue Sky” and rely entirely on their reindeer for sustenance and survival in the remote Taiga forests. Currently, about 400 Dukha people, divided among 70-80 families, live in close-knit communities of two to seven households, moving their tepees 5-10 times per year to find favorable conditions and fresh moss for their herds. This way of life has fostered a profound cultural heritage that has become a high interest draw for visitors from around the world. Tsaatan people speak a Uriankhai dialect related to Mongolian. Their reindeer are not only essential for survival but are integral to every aspect of their nomadic lifestyle, serving as transportation for hunting, gathering firewood, seasonal migrations, and visiting other communities or nearby towns. Reindeer milk is a dietary staple, used to make cheese, milk tea, butter, and yogurt, with each animal producing 96-100 liters of rich milk during the season. While they sometimes consume reindeer meat, the Tsaatan prioritize herd growth over slaughter, ensuring their numbers steadily increase—reaching 2,690 reindeer by 2020.
The Tsaatan generally settle at elevations of around 2,300 meters, descending to 1,800 meters in winter to find shelter from harsh winds. Their reindeer, adapted to these conditions, easily dig through the snow to forage on the moss beneath. This remote community’s lifestyle, customs, and traditions remain a captivating testament to a way of life preserved for centuries and celebrated during events like the Reindeer Festival, held in August.
The Tsaatan people live in traditional tepees of various sizes, crafted from wood frames and covered with durable canvas—originally animal skins. Large tepees are constructed with 28-32 larch poles. Though they live with few possessions, each item in a Dukha tepee is essential to their way of life. On the right side of the tepee, hunting gear, saddles, tools, and utensils are neatly stored. While most Dukha sleep on animal skins laid on the ground, some use handmade low wooden beds. These minimalist yet practical interiors reflect the resilience and self-sufficiency of the Dukha, showcasing a lifestyle that’s adapted seamlessly to the rhythms of the Taiga.
The Shishged River is the lifeline of the Darkhad Valley, supporting the traditional nomadic communities that rely on its waters. Flowing through the valley’s stunning landscapes, the river and its tributaries, particularly the pristine Tengis River, are abundant with fish, providing a vital food source for locals. Shishged’s clear, fish-rich waters not only sustain the valley’s residents but also enhance its natural beauty, making it a captivating feature of this remote region.
Uushigiin Uvur, a remarkable Bronze Age site in Murun soum of Khuvsgul province, lies 20 km west of Murun town and holds significant historical treasures. This area is rich with ancient burial mounds and a captivating row of 14 upright deer stones, standing between 1 to 4 meters high and 20-50 centimeters thick, placed closely together. Mongolia is home to around 500 of the 600 deer stones found in Central Asia, marking it as a central site for these enigmatic monuments, which date back as early as the 13th to the 9th century BC.
These restored standing stones feature intricate carvings of symbols such as the sun, moon, belts, knives, and leaping deer, believed to be crafted for ritualistic purposes. The stylized deer, often depicted with bird-like beaks or spiraling horns, are shown as if flying between earth and heaven. Unlike typical grave markers, deer stones served as clan totems and worship sites, though later civilizations sometimes repurposed them for burial. At Uushigiin Uvur, however, these unique stones do indeed mark ancient tombs, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Mongolia’s Bronze Age heritage.
Uran Togoo, an extinct volcano in Khutag-Undur soum of Bulgan aimag, is a fascinating geological landmark situated 600 km from Ulaanbaatar and 80 km west of Bulgan city, conveniently near the main highway to the north. This ancient volcano, which last erupted around 20 million years ago, was designated a protected area in 1965. Standing at 1,686 meters, Uran Togoo features a distinct crater 500-600 meters wide and 50-60 meters deep. At its base lies a small lake, though shrinking due to climate change and recent low rainfall.
Nearby, 12 km south, are the neighboring volcanic formations of Tulga, Togoo, and Jalavch Mountains, which erupted during the Quaternary period. This unique volcanic terrain supports diverse wildlife, with thriving bird populations, including grouse, sparrows, owls, falcons, cuckoos, and hoopoes. Deer, argali wild sheep, roe deer, wild boar, wild goats, marmots, gophers, and steppe rabbits also roam the area, along with a notable presence of snakes. Uran Togoo offers a remarkable glimpse into Mongolia’s natural history and is an ideal destination for those interested in both geology and wildlife.
Amarbayasgalant Monastery, known as the “Monastery of Tranquil Felicity,” is one of Mongolia’s three largest and most revered Buddhist centers. Located in the scenic Iven Valley near the Selenge River, it rests at the foot of Mount Burenkhaan in Baruunburen sum of Selenge Province. This historical complex was originally constructed between 1727 and 1737 by the Manchu emperor to honor Zanabazar, the renowned Mongolian Buddhist leader and sculptor, whose mummified remains were relocated here in 1779.
Though partially destroyed in the late 1930s during Communist purges, the monastery was extensively restored from 1975 to 1990 with UNESCO’s assistance. Today, around 50 monks live and practice here, compared to over 2,000 in 1936. The main temple, Tsogchin Dugan, is richly adorned and houses a statue of Rinpoche Gurdavaa, an Inner Mongolian lama who lived in Tibet and Nepal before returning to Mongolia in 1992. His fundraising efforts were instrumental in the temple’s restoration.
For visitors, the monastery offers a blend of history, spirituality, and breathtaking views. Behind the monastery, newer landmarks, including a golden Buddha statue and a stupa, dot the hillsides. A hike up the surrounding mountains rewards visitors with panoramic views of the valley, making Amarbayasgalant not only a spiritual retreat but a visual feast steeped in Mongolian history and culture.
