Tore-Khol Lake

Tore-Khol is a freshwater closed lake in southern Tuva’s Ubsunur Hollow, partly extending into Mongolia. The Russian part of the surface is about 35 km², the Mongolian about 7 km²; elevation near 1,148 m. Shifting sands dammed a Tes-Khem tributary to form the basin. Shores are sand dunes up to 12 m in a semi-desert setting: Tsuger-Els sands to the north-east and Eder-Elezin to the south-east. Vegetation is sparse with occasional shrubs on dunes. Pike, peled and osman occur in the water — a draw for anglers and for photographers contrasting water and desert bank. The nearest landmark on the Russian side is Erzin settlement about 20 km north-east. Steppe roads lack asphalt corridors; wind raises dust and clay sections trap sedans after rain. The lake lies on the fringe of the Ubsunur Hollow biosphere reserve yet stays less visited than showcase sites. Plan self-sufficiency: shade, water, spare fuel and respect for the border zone.