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Dmitry A. Mottl CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Tannu-Ola mountains

Mountains

The Tannu-Ola mountains form a range in Russia's Tuva region along the Mongolian border, with forested ridges and alpine valleys; they attract trekkers, geologists and travelers interested in remote Siberian landscapes and Tuvan culture.

Tannu-Ola mountains NovosibirskOmskTomskKrasnoyarskIrkutskUlan-UdeChita, Zabaykalsky KraiOlkhon IslandTannu-Ola mountains

Tannu-Ola mountains essentials

Address: Tannu-Ola mountain range, Tuva Republic, Russia

The Tannu-Ola mountains are a mountain range in southern Siberia that form part of the highlands along the border region between Russia (Tuva) and Mongolia.

The Tannu-Ola region has long been part of the cultural and pastoral geography of southern Siberia and western Mongolia, with local routes and settlement patterns shaped by the mountain barriers. Geologically the range is part of broader Central Asian orogenic structures.

Stretching along the southern edge of the Tuva Republic, the range lies close to the international border with Mongolia and separates river systems draining northward into Siberia from those flowing southward.

  • Geographic role: Forms a mountain barrier along southern Tuva and runs roughly parallel to the border with Mongolia, influencing local climate and river catchments.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Tannu-Ola mountains#

Summer is the most practical season for expeditions and trekking in the Tannu-Ola range.

Summer
June-August · 5-20°C
Short window for travel with milder temperatures and clearer trails; ideal for trekking.
Late spring/early autumn
May & September · -5-10°C
Shoulder seasons offer fewer mosquitos but more unpredictable weather.

Weather & Climate near Tannu-Ola mountains#

Climate

Tannu-Ola mountains's climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Winter) - Subarctic (Dry Winter) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -29°C to 19°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 30 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneAugustJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-42°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -29° - -19° -24° 10 mm overcast 94% 1.0 m/s 0.1 low 8.4h
February Poor -27° - -15° -21° 8 mm overcast 92% 1.1 m/s 0.2 low 9.9h
March Poor -20° - -7° -17° 12 mm overcast 77% 1.4 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.7h
April Acceptable -8° - 4° -5° 26 mm partly cloudy 56% 2.0 m/s 1.0 moderate 13.6h
May Good -1° - 12° 4° 36 mm partly cloudy 52% 2.2 m/s 1.4 high 15.3h
June Very Good 4° - 19° 11° 55 mm partly cloudy 54% 1.7 m/s 1.8 very high 16.2h
July Good 6° - 19° 13° 81 mm partly cloudy 58% 1.4 m/s 1.7 very high 15.7h
August Very Good 4° - 17° 11° 72 mm partly cloudy 60% 1.4 m/s 1.4 high 14.3h
September Good -2° - 11° 4° 43 mm some cloud 60% 1.5 m/s 0.8 moderate 12.5h
October Acceptable -9° - 2° -6° 25 mm partly cloudy 65% 1.4 m/s 0.4 low 10.6h
November Poor -20° - -9° -15° 20 mm overcast 79% 1.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.8h
December Poor -27° - -17° -22° 15 mm overcast 90% 0.9 m/s 0.1 low 7.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Tannu-Ola mountains#

Access is via regional transportation in the Tuva Republic, with Kyzyl as the administrative centre. From Kyzyl, local roads and guides are required to reach hiking and remote areas; charter vehicles are common for expeditions.

Tips for Visiting Tannu-Ola mountains#

  • Tannu-Ola ranges are remote - travel requires careful planning, local guides and appropriate permits for border regions.
  • Pack for continental climate swings: sunlit days can turn to freezing nights.
  • If interested in paleolithic archaeology, contact regional museums in Tuva for exhibits and local research contacts.