Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

The Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve was established in 2003, to protect the endangered wildlife and their habitats. It a unique landscape where high mountains, vast steppes, clear rivers, lakes, and wetlands coexist in harmony.  

The reserve is divided into three zones: a touristic zone open to visitors, a restricted zone with limited access, and a strictly protected central zone where entry is forbidden.

Situated about 1200 meters (3937 feet) above sea level and located 130 km (113 km on paved road, 17 km on bumpy road) from Ulaanbaatar to the southeast on the banks of the River Kherlen.

Historically, it was the birthplace of D. Natsagdorj, the founder of modern Mongolian literature and there are many lines in his poetry, praising the natural beauty of the Gun Galuut.

Lakes & Mountain:
Within the reserve, the largest lake are Lake Ikh Gun (8.8 square kilometers / 3.4 square miles) and Lake Ayaga (1.2 square kilometers / 0.5 square miles), both located in the northern part of the touristic zone. Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve is traversed by the several rivers, including the Kherlen River – one of the longest rivers in Mongolia – as well as the Ayaga, Shinebula, and Galuutai rivers.

Baits Mountain, located in the center of the reserve, stands at 1,641 meters (5,384 feet), while Berkh Mountain, in the extreme south, rises to 1,631 meters (5,351 feet).

Animals:
The region is home to a variety of wild animals, including wild sheep (argali), gray wolves, foxes, lynxes, Pallas’s cats (manuul), hares, marmots, and mice. Antelopes are also occasionally seen east of the mountain.

Birds:
Among the many bird species found in the area are the steppe eagle, golden eagle, saker falcon, kestrel, upland buzzard, long-legged buzzard, Mongolian lark, Calandra lark, crested lark, horned lark, thrush, pipit, hoopoe, owl, and tawny owl.

Fish:
Today, 38 species of fish inhabit the Kherlen River, which originates in Mount Khentii and flows into Lake Dalai in Inner Mongolia. Notable species include the taimen, lenok, Amur pike, burbot, and flathead asp. Fishing is permitted, but only under a “catch and release” policy.