Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Weather in hovsgol airmag - June/july

Country forums / North-East Asia / Mongolia

Hi,

I will be doing a 6 week horse trek in Hovsgol Airmag in june and july, and I'm starting to look at what to pack but I'm having trouble getting a good idea of what the weather is like at that of year, can anybody give me advice on:

  1. How much does it actually rain?

  2. What are the temperatures like in the day/at night?

  3. Tips on what kind of camping/clothing gear to bring...

Thank you!
-Yannick

Hi Yannick

"6 week horse trek in Hovsgol" -
sounds like a great adventure, please share your experiences when you return.

Following are the average monthly climate statistics for Hovsgol (from the Khatgal climatology station)

  1. How much does it actually rain?
    June: 52mm, - 7 rainy days
    July: 82mm (peak month) - 12 rainy days

  2. What are the temperatures like in the day/at night?
    June - night 2c, day 18c. - 10 hours of sunshine
    July - night 5c, day 19c. (peak month) - 9 hours of sunshine

  3. Tips on what kind of camping/clothing gear to bring...
    Tent and rain resistant cover for gear,
    June July is a good season from temperature point of view,
    the rain is not such a big issue, for every rainy day (and not all day) you get at least one dry day,

Links
Khatgal climate
Mongolia climate
Horse riding/buying tips

Have a nice riding trip

Dan

1

I would advise taking a numbner to go between the saddle and your bum as traditional Mongolian saddles are made of wood and are quity uncomfy, and the "Western" saddles they sometimes provide are not too great.
My other advice is to try and ride Mongolia-style early on as it is much more comfortable.
It involves sitting very far forward and leaning a bit forward with short stirrups. This is because the Mongolian horses mainly trot, and quite fast, and for long periods this style is more comfortable than doing a Western rising trot.

2

Thanks for the advice, but I'm actully bringing my own endurance saddle (an orthoflex). Do you thinkt hat will be a problem?

3

I did a 15-day ride out of Khatgal last year. Temperatures were mild, day and night, throughout. Rain was always light and/or brief. I recommend bringing leggings to protect the inside of your shins so that you can wear shorts on warm days. I did not have them, so I invented the "slock." Cut the toes off a pair of socks, then pull them up over your knees.

We had 2 bad days of biting flies, no insect problems the rest of the time.

If you are going to visit the Reindeer People/Dukha/Tsaatan be prepared for bitter cold. They will be above timberline and you might get a July blizzard like we got.

Guide Tuya (my guide) out of the Garage (I forget the #, 24?) guesthouse does not drink alcohol and knows a bit of English.

Guide Bolt and his client both threatened to kill each other in Renchinklume.

Be sure to take things to reciprocate hospitality with.

--Will

4