Hi everyone,

We're heading off to do Vlad-London in April this year (wow, it's getting pretty close...) and I'm trying to finalise which border crossing we'll tackle from Russia into Mongolia. We'll be coming from Irkutsk, and I'd rather not back-track and take the main border crossing around Sukhbataar. I've heard that the area around Khovs-Gol-Nuur (south west of Irkustsk, above a place called Moron) is pretty stunning. It looks to me like there is a border crossing above this lake. Has anyone used this? The closest town on the Russian side looks like it is called Mondy, and the Mongolian town is called Turt.

I'd love to hear from anyone that has used this border crossing, and whether it is ok to do on motorbikes.

Cheers,
Rob

51st Traverse

Hi Rob: That border crossing north of Lake Khuvsgul is not open to foreigners, only to Russians or Mongolians. I've never heard of a foreigner being successful in entering there, though several have tried to get permits to do it. It seems to be a firm prohibition.

Plus there is not really a road from there south to Moron. Some maps show a track along the eastern side of the lake, but it's not really a permanent track and is often impassable to vehicles (horses work ok!). There is a ferry that runs up and down the lake, and in winter you can just drive down over the frozen lake...

There are only three Russia-Mongolia border crossings open to foreigners: far west, Sukhbaatar to the north of Ulaanbaatar, and in the far NE of Mongolia.

You're really not backtracking that far to enter at Sukhbaatar from Irkutsk. The roads on the Russian side are good and you can make the Mongolian border at Sukhbaatar easily in a day from Irkutsk (probably less).

Khuvsgul lake is very beautiful and is even more pure than Baikal since the water flows from Khuvsgul to Baikal. It's worth the visit if you can find the time. If you enter at Sukhbaatar, when you get to Darkhan take the turn west towards Erdenet and from there continue on the norther route to Moron. You can get there in a couple of days of riding from the Russian border as long as there hasn't been too much rain. If it's been rainy then it can be super muddy and very slow going until it dries out.

Have fun!

Scott

I agree, we were there last year and the border guards will let you know well before the border that it is "no go" for foreigners.

Still the valley leading south-west from Lake Baikal is well worth one or two days. It is quiet and the road is good. There are hot springs also. You will need to return to Lake Baikal though to go to Mongolia.

__________________
Chris