Munkhkhairkhan Mountain

Munkhkhairkhan, the eternal sacred one, reaches about 4,200 metres and is usually ranked among the two or three highest mountains in Mongolia after Khuiten, carrying permanent snow and small glaciers on its upper slopes. It sits in its own national park in Khovd province, well away from the routes most travellers take, and sees a fraction of the visitors that Tavan Bogd does; expeditions here often meet nobody but herders. The approach crosses high pasture where Kazakh and Zakhchin families graze yaks and horses, and base camps are set below the glacier for a summit attempt that needs ice equipment and settled weather. Snow leopards live in the range, along with ibex and argali, and the herders will talk about livestock losses to them. The mountain is sacred, with restrictions on behaviour that local guides will explain.

What you actually see

• The glaciated summit - permanent snow and ice above four thousand metres.
• High pastures - yak and horse herding camps on the approaches.
• Wildlife country - snow leopard, ibex and argali habitat.
• Emptiness - one of the least visited high mountains in the country.

When to go

June to September; July and August give the most settled weather for a summit attempt. Nights are below freezing at base camp in any month. The approach tracks are impassable outside summer.

Honest expectations

This is an expedition with no infrastructure whatsoever: a guide, horses or camels for loads, and full self-sufficiency are required. Ice equipment and experience are needed for the summit. Rescue is not available. Sacred-site customs apply and should be respected without argument.

Nearby

Khovd city lies northeast; Tsambagarav rises to the northwest.