Related Tours
LOCATION: 40 km south of Khovd town of Khovd province and 1390 km west of Ulaanbaatar.
Khar Us Lake is the second large freshwater Lake in Mongolia after Khuvsgul Lake. Elevated 1156 m above the sea level, 72 km by 36 km in size. The lake is relatively shallow with an average depth of 2.2 m and a maximum depth of 4.5 m. Lake has 10 islands. Khar Us lake is divided into north and south by Agshab, 30 km long and 274 sq kilometers reed-covered island. Overall, the lake and its reed-covered shallow wetland area are a perfect habitat for waterfowls by Ramsar Convention and a paradise for the bird watcher. There are about 200 species of birds registered and about 20 species are rare or endangered: Dalmatian pelican, white-headed duck, swan-goose, Pallas’s fish eagle, greater spotted eagle, black stork, lesser kestrel, white-naped crane, great bustard, white spoonbill, great crested grebe, and relict gulls. It is not easy to reach the lake due to its marshy surroundings and advisable to follow a guide or a ranger they can bring you to the best bird-watching spot. May and late August are the best times to watch the birds. One of the biggest afflux Khovd River delta is the best bird-watching spot. However, consider mosquitos and insects.
850.272 hectares areas of Khar Us Lake, Khar Lake, Durgun Lake, surrounding semi-desert, desert-steppe, and steppe have been protected as a national park since 1997 to protect the rare bird species and antelopes. Mountain sheep Argali, Siberian ibex, and snow leopard are among the mammals.
You need to obtain a permit from the Khar Us Lake National Park office to visit the lake and pay some fee.
