Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
Mongolia · Arkhangai · 2060 m
Description
Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, the White Lake, sits at two thousand metres in the Khangai mountains and was formed when lava from the Khorgo volcano dammed the valley. The crater itself stands a few kilometres east and can be walked up in half an hour, with the rim looking down into a bowl of loose red scoria. Black lava fields with basalt caves surround the lake on that side. The water is shallow, warm enough to swim in by August and full of pike. Herders bring their animals down to the shore through the summer.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, the White Lake
- Khorgo volcano crater rim
- Black lava fields around the lake
- Swimming and pike fishing in the shallows
- Horse riding along the lakeshore
- Basalt caves in the lava field
- Ger camps on the northern shore
- Waterbirds on the lake margins