The pristine Lake Huvsgul is 2 million years old, and makes up to 1% of the world’s total fresh water reserve. The Huvsgul stretches for 136km in the Alpine-like mountains, and the deepest point of the lake is 262m. The Huvsgul region itself is a home to the Tsaatan – Reindeer Herders of Mongolia, an ethnic group famous for their distinctive lifestyle based on keeping reindeers in the depth of the Taiga.       

The Huvsgul Lake is a part of the Huvsgul National Park. A small village Hatgal is at its southern shore and is a popular destination among locals and visitors both in summer and winter. Located at an altitude of 1645 meters above sea level the Lake freezes over from December until April or May revealing fantastic lacy ice patterns. Some visitors even imagine that the Lake ice doesn’t melt away even in summer!

You can enjoy spending a few days at the beautiful Lake and do some winter hiking in the woods, reindeer sledding, ice fishing, and horse or yak riding, besides visiting a nomad family or two to see their lifestyle in the winter.

Moreover, when the large lake is frozen solid up to 3 meters deep, that Huvsgul’s most famous event takes place – the Ice Festival! At the beginning of March the two day Ice Festival is held on the frozen lake with locals and visitors partaking. Events include a gala opening ceremony on the ice, a folklore concert, shaman ceremony and many competitions featuring ice sculptures, ice ankle bone shooting, plus horse, reindeer sled, jeep and ice skating races. Winter sports include downhill and cross-country skiing, ice-fishing contests, a 100 kilometre ice-skating marathon and a 12 kilometer horse sleigh race. 
Where to stay:

·         Ashihai Resort is operating this winter by the shore of the Lake (106km from Murun), and provides comfortable traditional Ger accomodation and luxury wooden house starting from 100 USD. Ashihai Resort contact number is: 7000-5459; 9926-4484 (English & Mongolian speaking) Or you can email at info@ashihai.mn  

·         MS Guesthouse in Khatgal village (100km from Murun) is open all year around, and offers bed & breakfast at 20000 MNT per person (charges extra for other meals & activities). You can get more info from Mrs. Batchimeg (her mobile is 8836-7666, English & Mongolian speaking).

Getting there:

·         You may want to drive yourself, in this case, from Ulaanbaatar to Murun is 760km. And from Murun to Khatgal it’s 100km, and to Ashikhai Resort it’s 106km.     

·         Or you can take the Ulaanbaatar – Murun bus service at 3pm everyday (arrives in Murun by 10am next day) – the bus leaves from Dragon Centre (ticket price is 32000 MNT one way. Tel: 70174902). Both Ashihai Resort & MS Guesthouse offer pick up & transfer service from Murun.  

Prepared by Zola, Managing partner of Selena Travel for GoGo Travel. © All rights reserved 2015.