One of the clearest lakes in the world, Lake Hovsgol or Khövsgöl, has the nickname “Dark Blue Pearl of Mongolia”. Mongolia’s largest fresh water lake is 125 km long and plunges to over 250 m in depth. Due to its size the water is very cold, and remains ice-covered until well into June.
The mountains around Lake Hovsgol are carpeted in wildflowers during Mongolia’s brief summer.
Although most of the shores of Lake Hovsgol are forested, there are a few herders who take advantage of the area’s lush meadows.
The Khoridol Saridag mountains to the west of Lake Hovsgol rise up to 3,000m.