Mongolia - The North - Khovsgol Lake

After some incredible scenery around the Khorgo Volcano we are heading further North towards Khovsgol Lake. We realise that it is getting more touristy as soon as we hit the lake and see some of the reindeer herdsmen posing for some local tourist's cameras - for money of course. The reindeer actually need higher terrain however sadly the herdsmen figured out that posing generates more money than following their traditional way of life.

After a steep descend the road hits Lake Khovsgol which contains 1% of the world's fresh water supply and 65% of Mongolia's fresh water reserves. It is crystal clear and icy cold, in winter a one meter thick layer of ice covers the lake and only in 90ties oil trucks were forbidden to cross the frozen lake to Siberia after some ended inside the lake.

It is our last major stop of our journey and we finish it off with two days on horse's back. Horses are the only mean of transport once the road ends even though my bottom (still) doesn't agree. The smiles in the faces of the others show me how ridiculous my trotting skills on the horse are...how on earth can I adjust to the rhythm of the horse without crushing my favourite bits? Anyway a slight painful experience but at the end, Gobi II (my horse) did much more what I wanted him to do than not. Until the lightning started and he got slightly scared...

From the lake it is another 3 days of driving back to Ulaanbaatar to conclude our more than 3000km or dirt roads and potholes. On the way back we spend a night in a 'fancy' Soviet style hotel in Erdenet. The city is only existent as one of the biggest mines of Mongolia found its home here. And that's also why we can follow the only sealed road all the way to Ulaanbaatar. Thank you guys for a great trip.
more images here

Tsaatsan Reindeer Herdsmen - Photo: internet

Lake Khovsgol and our horses around our tent site - prime pristine waterfront.

Mongolian horse seats

Not the most comfortable seat for our horseman,
ours had more padding and no metal plaques - thanks for that!

Our horseman on the left - done for the day.

Horse's paradise if you know what you are doing - Lake Khovsgol

Only flying can be better than riding horses here.

Biggest office work place in the world - might get a little bit
chilly in winter. The national park fee collector. 

Final stop before Ulaanbaatar: Edernet with...

...Soviet style housing...

...hotels and...

...more housing for all the mine workers...