If you know us, you know we love to hike. The idea of doing an independent hike for several days had been on our bucket list for as long as we can remember. Being completely surrounded by nature and carrying all our belongings and necessities in a backpack, sounded like a perfect adventure and challenge. So, when we traveled to Mongolia, we knew the country would offer us some perfect opportunities to finally make our dream happen.

After some careful planning, we decided to do an independen hike at Khövsgöl lake. The most important reason is that the lake would function as a natural guide to keep us on track. We’re not exactly very profound users of maps, so the thought of getting hopelessly lost in the Mongolian landscape didn’t sound very appealing to us. And that’s why Khövsgöl Lake offered us the perfect solution! We could follow the shores of the lake so we wouldn’t get lost. The stunning landscapes were the bonus!
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Some information about the Khövsgöl area
The Khövsgöl area lies in the North of Mongolia, near the Russian border. The Lonely planet describes the area as the lovechild of Switzerland and Montana: The rugged landscape has a combination of taiga vegetation, breathtaking lakes and some dramatic mountains. The region is sparsely inhabitated, but the people who live here are very extraordinary. Among them are the Tsaatan, a reindeer-herding community that is able to live in this harsh climate, where winters can bring temperatures below -30°C. The region is also home to an array of wildlife, including sheep, ibexes, moose, wolves, and even bears.
The main attraction of this region is, without any doubt, the Khövsgöl Lake. The lake is also called “the Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” and the hige freshwater lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The size of the lake is an impressive 2,760 km², stretching 136 km in length and has a depth of 267 meters. The lake holds nearly 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and nearly 1% of the world’s total freshwater reserves.

Read more: The best things to do in Ulaanbaatar
How to get to Khövsgöl Lake?
There are different options to get from Ulaanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia) to Khövsgöl lake.
By bus
The first option to get to Khövsgöl is a combination by bus and shared taxi. This is by far the most affordable option and is what we did.
First, you’ll need to take a bus at Ulaanbaatar’s Dragon Bus Terminal to Mörön, the provincial capital of the Khövsgöl region.
- Duration: ~12–14 hours
- Cost: ~36,000 MNT (~10 EUR/ 10 USD) for a one-way ticket
- Tip: We recommend taking the night bus, which departs around 6 PM. While the journey is long, the buses are generally comfortable, and you can save a day of travel by sleeping en route. Be prepared, though—Mongolian buses often double as cargo transport, with locals carrying everything from building materials to livestock!
Once in Mörön, you’ll need to take a shared taxi or private car for the remaining 90 km to Khatgal, the main town on the southern shore of Khövsgöl Lake.
- Cost: ~30,000–40,000 MNT per person (~8.5–11 EUR, after bargaining!)
- Tip: Arrive early to find a shared ride, as drivers often wait to fill up their car before departing.
From Ulaanbaatar, there is also a direct bus to Khatgal. This bus departs once a week on Saturday at 8 PM.

By plane
A second option to get to the Khövsgöl lake is a combination of taking the plane and a shared taxi. This is the ideal option if you are short on time or looking for more comfort. Domestic flights from Ulaanbaatar to Mörön are available via Mongolian airlines.
- Duration: ~1 hours
- Cost: ~300,000–450,000 MNT (~100–150 EUR) for a one-way ticket, depending on the season and availability.
- Note: Flights often sell out during peak summer months (June to August), so book in advance. Find the cheapest flights via Skyscanner.
From Mörön, you’ll still need to arrange transport to Khatgal, as described above.
By private car
If you’re traveling with a group or prefer a more flexible schedule, hiring a private driver from Ulaanbaatar directly to Khatgal can be an option. The main advantage is that this option gives you the freedom to stop at viewpoints or interesting sites along the way,like the Amarbayasgalant Monastery or Erdenet, one of the world’s largest copper mines.
- Duration: ~14–16 hours
- Cost: ~600,000–800,000 MNT (~200–260 EUR) for the entire car (split between passengers)
Via a tour package
If you’d rather not deal with logistics, joining a tour is the easiest way to reach Khövsgöl Lake. There are a lot of tour operators in Ulaanbaatar that offer guided trips, inclusding transportation, accommodation, and meals. Tours include additional activities like horseback riding, visiting the Tsaatan families, or kayaking on the lake.
- Duration: depending on the tour (usually 5–7 days including a visit to the lake)
- Cost: Starts at ~1,000,000 MNT (~350 EUR) per person

Where to sleep in Khatgal
If you want to start your independent hike in the morning, you’ll need a place to stay in Khatgal to prepare your hike and spend the night. There are some guesthouses and hostels available here, but during the summer months, they quickly sell out, so make sure to book in advance.
Energy Guesthouse
Energy Guesthouse offers rooms with a shared bathroom. There is also a shared kitchen. There is also a minimarket available.


Family Hostel
Family Hostel offers rooms with a shared bathroom and a shared kitchen. If needed, the hostel offers packed lunches.

More information about our hike
We started our hike in Khatgal, located on the southern tip of the lake. Here we stocked up on supplies (mainly oatmeal, noodles and Snickers), enough to survive our days in the wild. To make sure we didn’t got lost, we followed the west shore. During the hike, we always had amazing vistas over the lake. In total, we spend five days hiking.
We brought our camping gear with us: a tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and cooking gear. Mongolia truly is like a big camp site. You spot a nice place? Just put up your tent and start a campfire! No horse, no sheep, nor Mongolian that won’t let you.


We followed a horse trail until we reached Toilogt where we made our way back to Khatgal. Our trek counted approximately 75 km in total (climbing mountains, river crossings and swamps included). We highly recommend this trip to everybody who likes hiking. If you plan to do an independent hike as well, get more advice from our complete independent hike and camping guide.




Happy hiking!
Matthias & Mieke
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