Mongolia’s Khoridol Saridag Mountains

Mongolia’s Khoridol Saridag Mountains

Khovsgol Nuur National Park in Mongolia’s northern Khovsgol Province is rightfully considered one of Mongolia’s highlights. Tour companies often highlight the eastern shoreline of Khovsgol Lake for being less developed and less impacted by tourism. However, challenges are present on both shorelines as tourism increases, primarily due to the vast size of the protected area and the limited financial resources available for its upkeep. Despite the western shoreline being more developed, we continue to use it as a base due to its convenient access to Mongolia’s Khoridol Saridag Mountains.

Mongolia’s Khoridol Saridag Mountains form a 150 km-long range stretching from south to north, situated between the western shore of Khovsgol Nuur and the Darkhad Depression. The range features numerous peaks close to or exceeding 3000 meters, including Ikh Uul (2961m) and Uran Dosh Uul (2702m). Composed primarily of uplifted dolomite, the region’s stark, arid upland areas contrast sharply with the lush alpine meadows found at lower elevations. In 1997, 558,458 acres of the Khoridol Saridag Mountains were designated as a Strictly Protected Area, Mongolia’s highest level of protection, to safeguard numerous mammals such as Eurasian elk, red deer, musk deer, wild boar, and European badgers.

We offer both horse trekking and trekking routes throughout the Khoridol Saridag, allowing visitors to explore its sharp peaks, deep narrow gorges, steep slopes, and wide valleys. The images featured in this blog post were captured by our guests during their trekking experiences in the Khoridol Saridag Mountains.

Despite the increase in companies offering trekking itineraries through the Khoridol Saridag Mountains, we remain committed to our slow travel philosophy. We arrange treks that allow for multiple nights in one location, providing a more immersive experience and a deeper appreciation of the area’s variety and diversity without the rush of covering too much distance in a short time.

We limit the number of treks we arrange each year, and none of our treks follow the same route, thus avoiding the creation of a tourism circuit. Our trekking style is ‘non-itinerised,’ meaning our groups do not follow a predetermined path. This approach allows them to fully embrace spontaneous adventures and benefit from the local knowledge of the herders with whom we have long-term community partnerships. These herders plan the treks and accompany our guests, offering a rich cultural experience that goes beyond the physical challenge. Our Khoridol Saridag treks often follow the migration routes of local herding families, providing a unique insight into their way of life as they move between seasonal pastures.

We work in long-term partnership with a local Darkhad herding family led by Basaanchuluu, with whom we arrange all our treks. Basaanchuluu grazes his livestock in the foothills of the Khoridol Saridag, and our treks in collaboration with him often follow the migration routes used by the Darkhad herders. Despite the limited herding pastures and permanent human settlements within the Strictly Protected Area, the natural habitat remains largely untouched by human activities.

In addition to multi-day treks, day hikes are also possible within the mountains, utilizing tracks created during extensive exploration by the USSR in the 1980s. For those who prefer a less strenuous walk, a stroll north along the western shore, where the lake blends seamlessly with the slopes of the magnificent Khoridol Saridag, can be extremely enjoyable.

If you would like to experience the Khoridol Saridag Mountains with us, consider joining one of our Mongolia trekking or horse trekking trips. Alternatively, get in touch with Jess & let us be of help.