Mongolia evokes images of endless rolling hills, eagles roaming the skies and locals dressed to the nines in their warmest clothes and it’s no surprise that this vast and varied nation is becoming ever more popular among travellers keen to veer off the beaten track. From riding camels through a golden desert to sleeping in a yurt atop a mountain, read on to discover the best things to do in Mongolia.
Explore Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia’s bustling capital city offers an exciting fusion of traditional eastern cultures and modern western influences. It’s a place where you can tap into a rich Tibetan Buddhist tradition at a sacred monastery before whizzing off to an upmarket boutique in search of the finest Mongolian cashmere. The city has a fascinating history and is packed full of cultural curiosities; you can admire Buddhist artworks and artefacts at the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, learn about the nation’s revolutionary independence from China while strolling through Sukhbaatar Square and gain an in-depth perspective of Mongolia’s history and culture at the National History Museum.
Sleep in a Ger
The best way to experience life as a true Mongolian nomad is to sleep in a traditional ger (yurt). For thousands of years, this traditional circular dwelling has been the primary style of home for nomadic people. It can take as little as 30 minutes to construct a ger to house up to 15 people using a simple portable wooden structure covered with felt. We can arrange for you to spend the night in a private ger in a privileged location atop the beautiful Shankh Mountain, overlooking the surrounding valley.
Go Camel Riding in the Gobi Desert
To best explore the sweeping golden sand dunes of the Gobi Desert, hop onto a two-humped Bactrian camel. Camel riding is surprisingly more comfortable than horse riding, thanks to their slow pace and gentle nature. To further tap into this ancient local tradition, we can organise a visit to the home of a local camel herding family, where you can experience both their hospitality and their simple way of life. Those lucky enough to be visiting Mongolia in March can even take part in the annual Ten Thousand Camel festival, which celebrates the rich camel-breeding heritage of the region with camel races, camel polo and even a camel beauty pageant.
Visit the Silk Road city of Karakorum
Though relatively small, Karakorum is steeped in Mongolian history. The ancient city was the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 1200s under the charismatic leader, Chinggis Khan, and his descendants, as well as being one of the most important cities along the Silk Road. Today, the site is home to several attractions, including the nation’s oldest monastery, the Erdene Zuu; and the Karakorum Museum, where you can delve deep into the ancient history of Mongolia.
Venture into Lake Khovsgol Nation Park
Home to an immense azure lake bordered by the pristine Central Asian Steepe and two snowcapped mountains, this national park - which is nicknamed the ‘Blue Pearl of Mongolia’ - is a true haven for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. There are 68 species of mammals roaming the park, such as roe deer, brown bear and Siberian fox, as well as a further 244 bird species, the majority of which migrate to the park every summer. Lake Khovsgol has also become a hot-spot for adventure-seeking travellers keen for a spot of hiking, climbing, horse riding, biking and kayaking.
