Mountain chains (Nuruu):

Some two-thirds of Mongolia is covered by mountains. The main ranges are the Altai and the Khangai mountains which run from northwest to south, across the northern central part of the country. These forest and mountain zones are relatively well watered and surrounded by mountain-meadow and flat grassland. From the western mountain chains open steppe stretches to the southeast and merges into semi-desert in the south. The Sayan Mountains mark the boundary between Siberia and Mongolia north of lake Khovsgol, while the Khentii range is located north of Ulaanbaatar in the central northeastern part of the country. The southern Gobi contains the famous “Three Beauties” or Gurvansaikhan Mountains, one valley of which shelters a tiny ‘glacier’ in its surprising alpine/desert setting. This accumulated frozen snow along the sheltered riverbed of the Yoliin Am Valley canyon survives (most years) throughout the hot summer months.

Mongolia’s highest mountain, Khuiten (4,374m), is found in the Tavan Bogd area of the Altai Mountains. Munkhkhairkhan (4,204m), Mongolia’s second-highest mountain, rises on the border of Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd aimags or provinces. Owing to their isolation, they represent a challenge to the most skillful mountaineers.