Highlights:
- The lake is enormous and beautiful with crystal clear waters
- Visit a local shaman
- Meet Tsaatan Reindeer Herders
- Hike in the surrounding pine forests on the Siberian border
Travel from Ulaanbaatar:
Flights depart from Ulaanbaatar every day to Mörön city taking around 3 hours. You then drive 2 hours north on good roads to Khatgal at the southern tip of the lake.
Driving from Ulaanbaatar to Khatgal at the foot of the lake takes at least a full day of driving on good roads.
Advice:
Take excellent boots, warm, waterproof clothes and a good sleeping bag with you. Nights can be chilly and rainfall can be heavy and unexpected.
The lake water is very cold so be careful if you plan on swimming.
If you are planning on visiting a local shaman then you should offer a gift of some kind (money, sweets, cigarettes or alcohol are all acceptable) and do not take their picture without permission.
There are some Tsaatan herders here with their reindeer during the summer tourist season who you can meet and talk to for a small fee.
There is a great boat museum in Khatgal city st the southernmost tip of the lake.