Great White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur)

We did not see it coming.

A beautiful lake and an inactive volcano in the same location.

Seemingly separated by an invisible line, the extreme beauty of the two environments could not be more different. An extinct volcano dominates the barren landscape while adjacent to it lies a beautiful lake – giving life to plants, birds and fish.

Extinct Volcano Khorgo

Khorgo Mountain is located on the northern part of Khangai Mountain Range at an altitude of 2,200m. Since its last eruption approximately 7,700 years ago, what’s left is a dead volcano covered with basalt.

From the foot of Khorgo Volcano, it was a short 15 minutes hike up to the crater rim of the volcano.

From the edge, the 200m wide crater plunges 100m towards the center of the pit. The black lava field still remains today along with a volcanic forest and scant vegetation.

From the top, the volcanic field of Taryatu-Chulutu valley is sparsely littered with trees.

Back into our waiting Russian Van at the foot of the volcano, we continued west towards Terkh White Lake. Midway, to avoid being tossed about painfully due to the bumpy road, we got out and walked.

Khorgo Volcano (right) surrounded by the Khangai Mountains

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur

Terkh White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur) is located 2,060 meters above sea level in Tariat soum in Arkhangai province. The freshwater and volcanogenic lake is 16 kilometers in length, 4 -10 kilometers wide, 20 meters in depth and covers an area of 61 square kilometers.

The lava flow from the eruption of Khorgo volcano dammed a river to form this beautiful freshwater lake. Today, it is fed by ten rivers including the Terkh river (which is the biggest), while only one river (the Suman) flows out of it. Locals renamed the lake to Terkhiin White Lake because of the white waves.

Scenic shoreline
The lake is surrounded by extinct volcanoes and is a perfect spot for bird and wildlife watching. Birds build their nest and lay eggs on a small island in the middle of the lake.

The lake also supports a rich species of fish.

There is a small peninsula with a little hill at the end of it, offering a nice view over the Ger camps along the lake shore.

At our Ger camp one other surprise awaited us. We were fitted out in the Mongolian national costume – a robe like garment called a ‘deel’ for the final activity of the day – horse riding.

The terrain immediately around the lake are hills with steppe and forest steppe vegetation. The national park has numerous trails ideal for exploring on horseback. I had a gentle horse that was easy to manage, adding to my enjoyment of the experience.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
It was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of flora & fauna.  It is surrounded by the Khangai Mountains, which reach 3000 meters above sea level.    

Here all day long, the hum and cries of birds, the quacking of many types of ducks and geese can be heard. In the summer Red deer, Siberian deer, wild bear, Great Cormorant are a common sight, nesting around the lake.

Visited 18 September 2018