How To Get to Potanin Glacier in Mongolia By Car?
Located in the Bayan-Ulgii Province of Mongolia, the Potanin Glacier is the longest glacier in the country. Reaching the glacier by car is an extreme journey.
Where is Potanin Glacier?
The glacier is located in the westernmost point of Mongolia, within the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, also known as "the five sacred mounts of Altai," near the triple border with China and Russia.
Why is it called Potanin Glacier?
The glacier is about 14 kilometers long, nestled in the Altai Tavan Bogd mountain range within the Altai Mountains. It’s named after explorer Grigory Potanin.
Road Conditions and Vehicle Requirements
The road to Potanin Glacier is challenging and requires a 4WD vehicle and an experienced driver. The area is usually covered in snow until the end of May, with snow returning in October. Even in August, nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. The trail can become very muddy and slippery after rain, making it difficult to navigate. During and after a storm, the road may be impassable, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The rainy season lasts from mid-July to mid-August.
Travel Precautions and Recommendations
Only 4x4 vehicles should attempt this trail. It passes through remote areas, so preparation is essential. If you decide to travel along this dusty and bumpy route, ensure your driver has experience with the road. The vast steppes and great distances in Mongolia make road trips mandatory, and the journey to Tavan Bogd is an adventure that involves bumping over rutted dirt trails and plowing through mud-soaked river valleys.
Vehicle Choices
Driving a Furgon, a Russian ex-military jeep, is a popular choice, especially when durability is more important than comfort. It's common to reach the glacier with a UAZ-425 (pronounced “Wuzz”), a relic of 1960s Soviet engineering capable of traversing almost any terrain as long as its engine does not overheat. This vehicle is colloquially known as the “bukhanka,” which means “loaf” due to its shape.
Challenges and Scenic Beauty
This road tests the skill and courage of any driver, ending at an elevation of 3,095m (10,154ft) above sea level. The area is extremely inaccessible, situated at the border of Mongolia with Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. The rugged and remote reaches of western Mongolia are characterized by wild landscapes, glacier-wrapped mountains, green river valleys, and soaring peaks.
Final Tips
Don't forget your camera with plenty of film or memory, fully charged batteries, and an empty memory card. The scenery in this remote area is stunning, with clear rivers fed by ice-melt tumbling down the valleys, a rainbow assortment of wildflowers carpeting grassy meadows, and white peaks dominating the skyline.