Shiliin Bogd & Dariganga

Shiliin Bogd (1,778 m) is an extinct volcano and the highest peak in Sükhbaatar aimag, rising from the Dariganga plateau near the Chinese border. Mongolians climb to its rim to watch the sunrise, and a visit is usually combined with the cave of Taliin Agui, the lake of Ganga Nuur and Dariganga village, about 70 km to the west.

A field of volcanoes

Dariganga lies in one of Mongolia's largest volcanic fields, where more than 200 cinder and lava cones and their basalt flows cover well over 10,000 km². Dating shows eruptions over a long span, from the Miocene, more than 10 million years ago, into the Pleistocene, less than 1.7 million years ago. From the summit you look out over cone after cone across the grassland. This is the meeting point of the eastern steppe and the Gobi, a landscape of short grass, almost no trees and wide horizons, grazed by herders' horses and sheep and by Mongolian gazelles.

Lakes and dunes

Between the mountain and Dariganga, the Moltsog Els dunes stretch across the south of the aimag, and on their northern edge lie Ganga Nuur and a cluster of smaller lakes. 'Lake Ganga and its surrounding wetlands' has been a Ramsar site since 2004, and whooper swans gather there in autumn. The lakes have been shrinking, and vehicle tracks easily damage the dune grass and soft soils.

Timing and respect

Late May to September is the usual season, and September is the time to see the swans. The plateau is exposed, with strong wind and cold mornings even in summer, so bring warm layers and a torch for the pre-dawn climb. On the summit, walk clockwise around the ovoo, do not remove stones or offerings, and ask your guide about local customs, which differ between sacred sites.