Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake - Volcano Khorgiin Togoo

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Volcano Khorgiin Togoo

Terkhiin Tsagaan lake

Volcano Khorgo TERKHIIN TSAGAAN NUUR ( GREAT WHITE LIKE )

Known in English as the Great White Lake, this freshwater lake (and the volcanic area around it) is certainly the highlight of Arkhangai, and one of the best in a country full of beautiful lakes.
 

Surrounded by extinct and craters volcanoes (part of the Tarvagatain Nuruu range), Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur is not as forested or as large as Khuvsgul Nuur, but it is closer to Ulaanbaatar, completely undeveloped and just about perfect for camping (though there are a few flies in summer). The lake, bird life and mountains are now protected within the 77,267 hectare Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park.
 The lake is 16 kilometers wide, 4 to 10 meters deep and over 20 kilometers in length. It flooded 61 square kilometers. The lake supports Pike, Taimen, Lenok, Sig, Siberian Grayling, Roach and Burbot. Sig is a hunting fish. Rare birds are found here.

As the lake is 2060 above sea level it is frozen until June. This lake, which was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago, is excellent for swimming, though a bit cold in the morning - try the late afternoon, after the sun has warmed it. It even has what may be Mongolia's only truly sandy beach. The fishing is good. Dramatic sunsets round off the day perfectly.


One good excursion takes you to the top of Khorgo Uul volcano (2965m). A road leads 4km from Tariat (also known as Khorgo) village to the base of the volcano, from where it's a 10-minute walk up to the cone (GPS: N48° 11.695', E99° 51.054').