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- Lake Khovsgol (the lake itself) — A huge, almost shockingly clear freshwater bowl; the water is a deep blue-green and the shorelines are wild and empty. Paddling or taking a slow boat across the bays is the best way to appreciate the scale and silence. (Personal favorite — mornings on the water with a thermos and no one else in sight.)
- Taiga larch forests and ridgelines — Old-growth larches and pine-clad slopes hug parts of the lake, giving you proper forest trekking instead of endless steppe. Hikes here are fragrant, shaded, and great for spotting small wildlife or just escaping the wind.
- Khatgal and the southern bays — The small lakeside town that acts as basecamp: cheap gers, local boats, market stalls, and the easiest access to day trips and gear rentals. Good place to organize boat
- Lake Khovsgol (the lake itself) — A huge, almost shockingly clear freshwater bowl; the water is a deep blue-green and the shorelines are wild and empty. Paddling or taking a slow boat across the bays is the best way to appreciate the scale and silence. (Personal favorite — mornings on the water with a thermos and no one else in sight.)
- Taiga larch forests and ridgelines — Old-growth larches and pine-clad slopes hug parts of the lake, giving you proper forest trekking instead of endless steppe. Hikes here are fragrant, shaded, and great for spotting small wildlife or just escaping the wind.
- Khatgal and the southern bays — The small lakeside town that acts as basecamp: cheap gers, local boats, market stalls, and the easiest access to day trips and gear rentals. Good place to organize boat rides to quieter coves or hire a guide for multi-day treks.
- Tsaatan (reindeer) camps and Darkhad Valley — A cultural highlight: a chance to visit reindeer-herding families (when permitted) and see a traditional nomadic lifestyle that feels miles from modern life. Requires planning and a respectful guide, but it’s unique to the region.
- Tributary rivers, deltas and small waterfalls — The smaller rivers that feed the lake carve pretty deltas, pools and falls—perfect for short hikes, photography and cooling off in summer. These spots are often less crowded than the main beaches.
- Wildlife viewing — The park’s mix of lake, taiga and mountains supports moose (elk), marmots, sable and a rich birdlife; brown bears and wolves are present but typically elusive. Dawn and dusk along quiet shorelines or forest edges are the best times to look.
- Winter ice and night skies — In winter the lake freezes into a glassy plain with surreal ice formations and superb stargazing. Activities shift to ice-fishing, sleds and cross-country routes; if you’re lucky you’ll catch aurora in the pitch-black north.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.