Popular Destinations

Our Destinations

Holiday Types

More Holiday Types

About

Our Content

Travelling Safely

When to Go

Best time to Go

All best time to visit guides

Hovsgol

Mongolia’s northernmost province, Hovsgol is also, without doubt, one of its most beautiful.

Mongolia’s northernmost province, Hovsgol is also, without doubt, one of its most beautiful. Wooded hills give way to valleys covered with wildflowers which in turn lead to the clearest crystal rivers and freshwater lakes, filled with fish such as taimen and lenok as well as being home to an abundance of birdlife.

Located in the far north of the country close to the border with Siberian Russia and surrounded by mountains, the terrain is home to a variety of wildlife including ibex, wolf, argali sheep and moose.

Sayan Mountains and Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia

A little bit more about Hovsgol

At its centre lies Lake Hovsgol. Over two million years old it is known to the nomads who live near her shores as mother and sometimes referred to as the sea. The lake is the largest freshwater lake in the country and the primary source of drinking water.

Sitting at an altitude of 1,645 metres above sea level the surface of the lake freezes over completely in winter with the beautiful clear blue ice reaching over one metre in thickness. Hovsgol is also home, not only to Mongolian nomads but to the reindeer herders of the Darkhat Valley who live in yurts, which are similar in design to the American Indian tepee. Central to this group is the Shaman Lady, a tribal elder who dispenses wisdom and medicine to her clan.

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Erdenet Copper Mine

Visit the city of Erdenet, home to one of the largest copper mines in the world.

Ice fishing on Lake Hovsgol in winter, Hovsgol, Mongolia

Winter Lake Adventure

Wrap up warm for a winter adventure on Khovsgol Lake when the water freezes and people take to the ice for sledging and ice fishing fun.

Woman sat on the shores of Lake Hovsgol in Mongolia

Lake Khovsgol Adventure

Explore the lakeside, surrounding hills and extinct volcanoes on foot, horseback or bicycle. Alternatively, take to the water by canoe or kayak.

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

View Profile

Paul Craven

Paul, our Mongolian expert, joined Steppes Travel in 1994 and has visited Mongolia numerous times. His most recent adventure was with his son when they experienced a yak trek, staying in yurts as they travelled, as well as visiting a nature reserve where they found eagles and argali sheep.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

View Profile

Clare Wiggins

My love for Asia began with living there. Based in Vietnam and then Malaysia, I also explored the surrounding regions before eventually finding my way back home via China and the Trans-Siberian railway. At Steppes Travel, I get to share that love for Asia every day, helping clients experience the places I know best as if they were locals themselves.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Where would you like to go?(Required)

Name(Required)

Title First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?

More about Steppes