Lake Khuvsgul is Mongolia’s “Blue Pearl“, two kilometers above sea level, frozen from January until May, and located in the most northern province of Mongolia. Untouched by industry and modern urban life, the Lake’s water is unbelievably clear, and every detail of fish a dozen or more meters below can be seen. It is the second largest freshwater lake in Central Asia, containing two percent of the world’s freshwater supplies with some 96 rivers flowing into the lake.

During the frozen period, the lake is covered by over a meter of ice. The locals hold annual ice festivals, with ice skating, cross-country skiing and horse-sledding. Khuvsgul Province has several ethnic minorities such as the Buriat, Darkhad and Dukha; the latter is known as the Tsaatan or known as reindeer herders. Their lives entirely on the reindeer and on shaman rituals, a unique culture that has for centuries involved a sustainable use of products from the reindeer and the taiga (forest). Sadly, this lifestyle is now being threatened by the encroachment of the modern world.