Ubsunur Hollow Nature Reserve

The Ubsunur Hollow Nature Reserve (Russian: Убсунурская котловина) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the far south of the Tyva Republic, straddling the Russian-Mongolian border. The "hollow" refers to a vast endorheic (closed) basin — one of the last unspoiled steppe ecosystems on Earth — that contains an extraordinary cross-section of nearly every major landscape type found across Inner Asia within a single geographical area.

The reserve covers approximately 868,000 hectares on the Russian side, with the Mongolian portion (Uvs Nuur Basin) included in the UNESCO designation. The landscape ranges from alpine tundra and mountain steppe at the basin's edges to semi-desert and desert steppe at its centre, with freshwater lakes, saline marshes, and river valleys interspersed throughout. The basin supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including the snow leopard, Pallas's cat, Mongolian gazelle, steppe eagle, and the reintroduced Przewalski's horse on the Mongolian side.

The climate is extremely continental and arid, with hot summers (temperatures can exceed 40°C on the basin floor) and bitterly cold winters. The best time to visit is June through September, when temperatures are milder and the steppe is at its most accessible. The reserve is one of the most remote and least visited UNESCO sites in the world, requiring careful planning and advance permits for access.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Kyzyl Airport, approximately 500 km to the north. From Kyzyl, travel to the Ubsunur Hollow by 4WD vehicle (8–10 hours). Erzin (approximately 80 km north of the reserve boundary) is the nearest settlement with basic services.

By Car / Road

The reserve is reachable from Erzin (approximately 80 km south, 1.5–2 hours by 4WD) or from Kyzyl (approximately 500 km south, 8–10 hours). The roads are unpaved and can be extremely rough, particularly in the final approach to the reserve. A 4WD vehicle with good ground clearance is essential. Travel permits must be obtained in advance from the reserve administration.

The reserve is vast and only accessible by 4WD vehicle with an authorised guide. Walking and horseback excursions within the reserve are arranged through the reserve administration or licensed tour operators. There are no roads within the reserve itself — routes follow tracks and open steppe.

• Ubsunur Hollow Basin — the vast central steppe basin, with its mosaic of desert, semi-desert, grassland, and wetland habitats stretching to the horizon.

• Sayan Mountain Rim — the mountain slopes that form the northern and eastern edges of the hollow, with alpine tundra and taiga forest.

• Ubsu-Nur Lake — a large saline lake at the centre of the basin, a major bird habitat and a striking landscape feature.

• Petroglyphs and Archaeological Sites — ancient rock carvings and burial mounds scattered throughout the basin, reflecting thousands of years of human habitation on the steppe.

• Wildlife — the reserve supports populations of Pallas's cat, Mongolian gazelle, steppe eagle, Daurian hedgehog, and various reptile species. The snow leopard is present in the mountainous fringes.

• Guided 4WD safari across the steppe basin, visiting key landscapes and wildlife observation points (arrange through Kyzyl-based tour operators or the reserve administration).

• Horseback riding across the steppe with local guides — the traditional way to travel the basin.

• Wildlife observation, particularly birdwatching (over 300 bird species recorded).

• Visit archaeological sites and petroglyphs with a knowledgeable guide.

• Camping in the steppe under exceptionally clear night skies (full self-sufficiency required).

All meals are self-catered or provided by tour operators as part of guided expeditions. Traditional Tuvan expedition food includes tsuvgun (dried meat), buuz (steamed dumplings), dried dairy products, and bread.

All drinking water must be carried in or purified from natural sources. Tour operators typically provide water supplies for multi-day expeditions.

The Ubsunur Hollow Nature Reserve has no formal accommodation. Camping is permitted in designated areas with advance permission from the reserve administration. Multi-day expedition tours from Kyzyl typically include yurt or tent camps with meals as part of the package. Budget: expedition tours with camping (approximately 5,000–15,000 rubles per day, depending on group size and duration).

There are no shops, markets, or commercial facilities within or near the Ubsunur Hollow Nature Reserve. All supplies — food, water, fuel, and equipment — must be purchased in Erzin (80 km north) or Kyzyl (500 km north) before entering the reserve. Multi-day expedition tours typically include all necessary provisions.

• Erzin, 80 km north, 1.5–2 hours — the nearest town with basic services and accommodation.
• Kyzyl, 500 km north, 8–10 hours — the capital of Tyva with full services and transport links.
• Samagaltay, approximately 200 km northeast, 4 hours — a village with access to the Azas Nature Reserve.