Editor's note: This CNN Travel series is (or has been) sponsored by the countries we feature. CNN retains full editorial control over the subject matter, coverage and frequency of articles and videos within its sponsorships, in accordance with its policies.
Lake Khyargas, Mongolia CNN —
Traveling from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, to Lake Khyargas in western Mongolia is not for the faint of heart.
The drive is around 1,800 kilometres (about 1,118 miles) and will take between one and three days, depending on how used to driving on the country's tough roads you are.
And then there's the weather: it's not uncommon to experience three seasons in the same afternoon while road ripping in Mongolia.
Once at the lake, drive for around 43 km over rough roads and deep sand to reach Ketsu Kad, the lake's most famous landmark.
But the journey is worth more than that, especially at a time when stories and images of overcrowded tourist spots and fed up locals continue to dominate headlines around the world.
Known for its whitewashed cliffs and crystal clear waters, a visit to this little-known Mongolian site will make you feel more like you're in the Mediterranean than some remote Asian region.
“Lake Khyargas is one of Mongolia's hidden gems,” says Uyanga Vladimir of TIC 4×4 and Outdoor, an outdoor enthusiast and Ulaanbaatar resident who shares travel photos on Instagram @uvtravels.
“The uniqueness of the landscape and surrounding rock formations in this area is fascinating compared to what one would normally expect in other parts of the country. Lake Hjargas feels more like Greece than anywhere else, and the atmosphere is similar. It's like another world.”
Swimming among the locals who come to swim in this enchanting lake makes you feel like you are witnessing something special – its untouched natural beauty is part of its charm and makes the experience even more memorable.
But according to Vladimir, it's not just the views that are out of this world.
“Legend has it that deep inside Lake Hyargas lives a huge blue bull,” he explains, “and every autumn the bull emerges from the bottom of the lake to visit just a few nomadic families and bless them with bountiful livestock for the coming year.”
One of several saltwater lakes in the country, Lake Hyargas is located in northwestern Uvs Province and flows into the Zavkhan River Basin, known for its semi-desert climate. (You're more likely to spot the country's famous Bactrian camels than anyone walking along the lake's shore.)
With a length of 74 km, a width of 31 km and a depth of 80 m, it is the third largest lake in Mongolia.
Its main attraction, Ketsu Kad, is a natural rock formation along the eastern bank. If you plan to visit on your own, we recommend a 4×4 capable SUV that can handle the deep sand (just ask all the Prius drivers who are rescued every hour).
Alternatively, you can take a boat to Ketsu Kad from the north shore of the lake, which is a popular beach and campground.
There are a few lakeside lodges, including Ketsu Kad Tourist Camp and Balloon Beach Resort, both 43 kilometres off the main road to Hyargas. The drive takes more than two hours, depending on whether your car gets stuck in the sand dunes.
There is also a free campsite in front of Ketsu Kad, which is popular with locals.
There is no official entrance or designated ranger station, but personnel patrol the area around the lake and charge a modest entrance fee of 9,000 tugriks (less than $3) while on patrol.
There are hot springs scattered around the lake, including a natural spring on the north side.
For bird lovers, the banks of Lake Hyargas, especially Ketsu Kad, are a major attraction.
Many globally threatened species can be seen here, and if you watch early in the morning you might see Dalmatians, Bar-headed Goose, Crested Grebe, Cormorants, Cinereous Vultures, Little Owls, Common Kestrels, Common Duckers, Siberian Stonechat, Isabella's Flycatcher, Desert Wheatear, Eurasian Tree Sparrows and Rock Sparrows.
Migratory birds arrive on the lake in April and fly out again in mid-September, with the main attraction for tourists being to see the large round cormorant nests where eggs are laid and incubated, high on the cliffs at Ketsu Kad.
There are also many fish species such as water frogfish, Altai flounder, Osmanthus lake and Japanese dace, all of which provide an excellent food source for birds.
As mentioned above, it's a long drive from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Khyargas. Avid travelers can get there in a day, although it's more realistic to allow 2-3 days to traverse the 1,800 kilometers.
Alternatively, you can fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ulaangom, the capital of Uvs province, which is just 220 kilometers from the lake. Several travel companies offer trips to the area that include a visit to the lake.
Meanwhile, Uvs in the northwest near the Russian border is Mongolia's largest province and one of its most diverse, with picturesque lakes as well as snow-capped mountains and arid deserts making up a unique part of the country.
Getting up close and personal with the rugged wilderness of this remote part of Mongolia, it's hard not to compare the experience to the crowded tourist destinations many have visited this summer, a time filled with news stories of Spanish towns fining tourists who took over beach space, people spraying tourists with water pistols in the streets and Japanese authorities being forced to take action against tourist overcrowding at Mount Fuji.
It's a great reminder that Mongolia's lesser known natural wonders, while not the easiest to get to, offer a great alternative to some of the more well-known global tourist destinations that are becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy.
