Close to the border with Russia, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains, the “blue pearl” – as it is known in this part of northwestern Mongolia – is classified as one of the 17 ancient lakes of the world, having held water consistently for more than 2 million years.
With mirror-like azure waters stretching to distant horizons under immense skies, it is also, with the exception of Russia’s Lake Vostok, considered the world’s most pristine lake. In an arid land where most lakes are salty, Khövsgöl contains almost 70 per cent of Mongolia’s fresh water and it is held sacred