Selenga, River system in northern Mongolia and Buryatia, Russia
The Selenga forms where the Ider and Delger rivers meet in Mongolia and flows roughly 1,480 kilometers across highlands, plains, and marshes eastward toward Lake Baikal. It passes through several Mongolian provinces and Russian regions along its course.
Archaeological digs in the Selenga basin uncovered Paleolithic settlements marked by stone tools discovered in the late 1800s, showing that communities inhabited the river region from ancient times. These finds suggest humans have used this waterway for thousands of years.
The river links communities across Mongolia and Russia, where fishing, herding livestock, and farming remain part of daily life along its banks.
The river can be navigated from May through October, connecting settlements on both the Mongolian and Russian sides. Winter freezing makes water travel impossible during the cold months.
Where it meets Lake Baikal, the river spreads into a delta roughly 40 kilometers wide, creating wetlands that harbor over 170 bird species and rare plants. This zone attracts thousands of migratory birds each year during their seasonal journeys.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
