Image by Kaare Ward Jensen / 500px Images

Mongolia

Rugged Mongolia is an adventure destination where travelers can experience vast, untouched landscapes and learn about nomadic culture.

An Open Country

Mongolia existed in a Soviet bubble for most of the 20th century. Now a generation beyond the fall of communism, Mongolia has emerged as a young democracy with a promising economy based on mining, agriculture and tourism. Some revenue is being funneled back into improving tourist facilities, including a new international airport near Ulaanbaatar. Visas are relatively easy to acquire; a handful of nationalities won’t even require one. Mongolia welcomes all travelers, particularly those with an independent streak that delight in making their own way.

Mongolian Wilderness

Mongolians are fully aware of the unique beauty of their country. Ask locals and they will probably start gushing about the spectacular countryside, vast steppes, rugged mountains, clear lakes and abundant wildlife and livestock. Some areas are so remote you could drive a full day and see almost no signs of human habitation. It’s this true wilderness experience that many people find so appealing, and city residents from Ulaanbaatar frequently hit the road to camp. Protected areas cover almost a fifth of the country and the government is looking to increase that figure.

Nomad Hospitality

Mongolia's nomadic culture is famous – visitors can sleep in a herder's ger (traditional felt yurt), help round up the sheep, ride horses and simply "get back to nature." The legacy of Chinggis Khaan and resurgent nationalist pride sharpens the experience. A culture of tremendous hospitality welcomes respectful travelers here. When traveling in Mongolia, however, keep in mind that guests are expected to reciprocate any forms of generosity, so when visiting families, always have a ready supply of gifts for the kids.

Not Just Grass & Horses

Once half nomadic, Mongolia is changing rapidly as its citizens flock to Ulaanbaatar and other big cities for work and study opportunities. Whether they are rural or urban, Mongolians take pride in their country's democratic institutions of civic participation. Mongolia is eager to be part of the global community, sending its troops on peacekeeping missions around the globe and promoting itself as a country to host northeast Asian peace talks; visiting now puts you in the middle of these dramatic transformations.

Must see in
Mongolia

  • Naadam Festival

    Mongolians love their naadam. With two or three days of serious wrestling action, awesome horse racing and dazzling archery, who wouldn’t? While ‘naadam’ literally means games, the celebration is much more than that. It’s all about fun, getting together with friends and relatives, eating a lot of khuushuur (mutton pancakes) and emptying a bottle or two of vodka. The most traditional festivals happen in villages such as Khatgal in northern Mongolia, where every member of the community is somehow involved. These village naadams are also ultra-photogenic – with all wrestlers, archers, jockeys and festival-goers set against stunning backdrops.

  • Hiking

    With its rugged mountains, serene river valleys and fields of wild flowers, the Mongolian back country is begging to be explored on foot. Hiking is a new activity in Mongolia, but it’s certainly possible at places like Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Bogdkhan Uul and Khövsgöl Nuur National Park. Although there are no warming huts and few marked trails, you’ll find shelter in gers and encounter locals who are more than willing to show you the way. There are no Sherpas, but a pack horse (or yak) will do nicely. Good maps, a sturdy tent and a sense of adventure will help see you through.

  • Khövsgöl Nuur

    The natural highlight of Mongolia is Khövsgöl Nuur, a 136km-long lake set on the southernmost fringe of Siberia. For Mongolians the lake is a deeply spiritual place, home to powerful nagas (water spirits) and a source of inspiration for shamans who live there. For foreigners, Khövsgöl is a place for adventure, with horse riding, fishing, kayaking, trekking and mountain biking a few of the possibilities. Hard-core adventurers can even embark on a 15-day trek around its glorious shoreline. Launch your expedition from Khatgal, a quaint village of log homes, tourist camps and shops.

  • On the Trail of Chinggis Khaan

    Amateur historians shouldn’t miss the chance to track down Chinggis Khaan. Pack a copy of Mongoliin Nuuts Tovchoo (The Secret History of the Mongols), climb into your jeep and head east. Start at the place where Chinggis found his famous golden whip, Tsonjin Boldog, which is now a hill topped with a huge statue of the great conqueror. Continue on to Khökh Nuur, the site of his coronation before 100,000 soldiers. The trail gets wilder the further you go, until finally reaching Dadal, the great conqueror's alleged birthplace.

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