Mongolia

Mongolia is the world’s largest landlocked country that does not border a closed sea. Sandwiched between Russia to the north and China to the south, the majority of its 1.5 million square kilometers is covered by grassy steppe, with high mountains to the north and west and the Gobi desert to the south. The territory of Mongolia was ruled by various nomadic tribes before Gengis Khan founded the Mongol Empire in 1206, and expanded it into the largest contiguous land empire in history. His grandson Kublai Khan conquered China proper and established the Yuan dynasty. Tibetan Buddhism spread to Mongolia in the 16th century, led by the Manchu-founded Qing dynasty which absorbed Mongolia in 1711. By the 20th century almost one-third of the male population were Buddhist monks. After the collapse of the Qing dynasty, Mongolia achieved independence from China in 1921. Despite the tides of globalization, Mongolia retains the largest pastoralist society on Earth, with nearly 30% of the population being nomadic or semi-nomadic.

With its rich history, dating back to the Mongol empire of Gengis Khan and beyond, breathtaking landscapes from the Altai mountains to the vast grass steppes to the Gobi desert, pervasive outdoor adventures, and rich culture, Mongolia is a unique treasure that must be experienced to be believed.

Destinations

Key sights to see

Ulaanbaatar

Founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic centre, Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital, and cultural, industrial and financial heart. Key sights include Sukhbaatar square, the National Museum of Mongolia, the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the Zaisan memorial, which offers panoramic views of…

Ölgii, Altai Mountains

Nestled in the Altai mountains, this small city was established in the 1840s by Kazakhs fleeing the expanding Russian Empire. Nowhere else has Kazakh art, music, and the tradition of hunting with Eagles been preserved better. Ölgii is also the…

Chigertei, Altai Mountains

Chigertei National Park lies near the main ridge of the Altai Mountains, and the border with China's Xinjiang province. It serves as the summer highland pastures of Kazakh nomads, who herd their sheep and goats, and hunt with eagles here.…

Khovd, Khovd Province

Khovd province is a region in north-western Mongolia where the majority of inhabitants are not Kazakhs but Mongols. Khovd town itself is an appealing, multi-ethnic town of Halkh Mongols, Myangad Mongols, Kazakhs and other peoples. It boasts both Buddhist temples…

Mongol Sands, West Gobi

The Gobi is a large desert in Central Asia. On the western fringes of the Gobi is Mongolia's Great Lakes Basin, where one finds the Mongol Sands, the longest sand dunes in Mongolia which descend directly into the lakes, with…

Khongor Sands, South Gobi

240 km west of Dalanzadgad in the South Gobi are the giant dunes of Khongor Sands, covering an area of nearly 900 square kilometers. Sculpted by cross-winds, the dunes here are as high as 100-300 meters and are often called…

Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, South Gobi

120 km to the East of Khongor Sands are the 'Flaming Cliffs' of Bayanzag. The 'Flaming Cliffs' get their name from their awe-inspiring red and orange hues at sunset. They were made famous by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, who…

Yol Valley, South Gobi

Yol Valley is a dramatic ravine in the heart of the Gurvansaikhan mountains in the South Gobi. Ice usually blankets the narrowest parts of the ravine until mid-summer. Birdwatching is rewarding here. Visitors are sure to see the bearded vulture,…

Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, East Gobi

Ikh Nart Nature Reserve's 66,000 hectares of grassland and semi-desert steppe is famous for its other-wordly granite rock formations, and Argali sheep, a sub-species of the world's largest wild sheep, unique to the Gobi desert. Visitors can explore the area…

Khentii Province

Khentii province, located in the East of Mongolia, is named after the Khentii Mountains. While it is best known as the birthplace and likely final resting place of Temüjin, otherwise known as Genghis Khan, it also has spectacular natural landscapes,…

Hustai National Park

Hustai National Park is a land of arid steppe, forest, and gentle slopes located just 2-3 hours west of Ulaanbaatar. It is home to Mongolia's last remaining population of the rare and critically endangered Przewalski's Horse, or 'Takhi' in the…

Hövsgöl River Canyon

A three hour, breathtakingly beautiful drive away from the dusty outback town of Mörön in Hövsgöl province, the Hövsgöl River Canyon is a picture-perfect canyon between granite and limestone cliffs that soar hundreds of meters above the wild river. The…

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

Day tour of Ulaanbaatar

Visit the Gandan Monastery and the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, the theocratic leader of Mongolia. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the National Museum of Mongolia to admire its ethnographic collections and examine the history of Genghis…

Naadam Games

Experience the Naadam Games, one of the most important national festivals celebrated every July across Mongolia. The festival mainly features three games, horse racing, wrestling and archery, or "the three games of men," that have been practiced since at least…

Eagle Festival, Altai Mountains

Watch traditional Kazakh hunters compete to catch small animals such as foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagles, dressed in full eagle hunting regalia and mounted on groomed decorated horses, at the annual Eagle Festival, held every October in…

Kazakh Family Visit, Altai Mountains

Visit the local Kazakh families in their yurts, which are typically much richer in decoration and handicrafts than Mongol gers (yurts). Experience first-hand the culture and livelihoods of these nomadic people, and witness their work as pastoralists. Learn from eagle-hunters…

Camel Safari, Mongol Sands, West Gobi

Enjoy a spectacular camel safari at the Mongol Sands, across the sand dunes, down to the beaches of Dörgön Lake, with a spectacular view of its blue-mirrored waters and the snow-capped Jargalant Hairkhan massif in the distance. The area is…

Biking, Camel or Horse Riding, Ikh Nart

Explore the other-worldly landscapes and rock formations of Ikh Nart Nature Reserve on mountain bike, camel or horse. Encounter Argali sheep, and possibly Siberian Ibex and several bird species including enormous cinereous vultures, and explore various archaeological and historical sites…

Day tour of Khongor Sands, South Gobi

Spend a full day exploring the stunning landscape around Khongor Sands, and encounter a few nomadic families and their livestock. Travel south by jeep to the Zöölöön mountain range and hike through the highland valleys. In the evening, see the…

Monastery Visit, Khentii Province

Explore the remains of the secluded Baldan Bereeven Monastery which was founded in 1654, and rose to become one of the most important monasteries of eastern Mongolia with up to 8000 resident lamas, but was destroyed during the Stalinist purges…

Day Tour of Yol Valley

Drive into the heart of the Gurvansaikhan Mountains and ascend into the Yol Valley, a dramatic ravine blanketed by ice in the narrowest parts until mid-summer. Explore the ravine on foot, and look out for the bearded vulture, called 'Yol'…

Nomad Community Visit, Hustai

Meet with nomadic herders and enjoy a lunch of traditional buuz (mutton dumplings) and hushuur (mutton pancakes) before embarking on a game drive through Hustai National Park to see wapiti deer and the famous, unique, Przewalski horses, which are closer…

Kayaking, Hövsgöl River Canyons

Float through picture-perfect river canyons between cliffs of granite and limestone that soar hundreds of meters above the wild river and experience several Class II and III rapids. Choose to take the oars on the raft, pilot your own inflatable…

Accommodations

Great places to stay

Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar

The Shangri-La Hotel is Ulaanbaatar's only international-standard five-star property. Located in the heart of the…

Steppe Hotel, Khovd

Steppe Hotel in Khovd is the first small hotel to offer something approaching international comfort…

Three Camel Lodge, South Gobi

Three Camel Lodge is an iconic steppe retreat comprising 40 well-appointed gers, each with their…

Ikh Nart Rocks Ger Camp

Ikh Nart Rocks Ger Camp is a small, boutique-style ger camp on the fringes of…

HS Khaan Ger Resort, Hui Doloon Hudag

HS Khaan Ger Resort is located on the grassy plains west of Ulaanbaatar, a one-hour…

360 Wilderness Ger Camps

360° Wilderness Ger Camps are ﬁve-star pop-up accommodations that are flexible and lightweight enough to…

Trips

Popular, customizable trips

Altai Mountains and West Gobi

11 days / 10 Nights from $ 5000 per person

Explore the Altai mountains in the rugged north-western part of Mongolia, close to the border with China and Russia and learn about the natural ecosystems and wildlife, as well as the culture of the native Kazahk nomadic tribes. Then head to the western fringes of the vast Gobi desert and experience the stunning beauty of Mongolia's Great Lakes basin, and go on a camel safari at the Mongol Sands, the longest sand dunes in Mongolia.

Naadam Games

14 days / 13 Nights from $ 7000 per person

The Naadam games, celebrated every July across Mongolia, is one of the most important festivals of the country. The festival mainly features three games - horse racing, wrestling and archery. Spend 14 days in Mongolia experiencing the Naadam games, the culture of Kazhak nomads and eagle hunters, and the Buryat Mongols and Buddhist lamas of Khentii province, the breathtaking beauty of the Altai Mountains and the steppe valleys of Khentii, and finally, the imposing monuments of Ulaanbaatar.

South Gobi Sands and Mountains

9 days / 8 Nights from $ 3000 per person

Experience the awesome landscapes of the South Gobi desert with a camel safari at the Khongor sands. Then visit the 'Flaming Cliffs' at Bayanzag, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews (considered the inspiration for Indiana Jones) made the world's first discovery of fossilized dinosaur eggs in the 1920s. Explore Yol Valley and see bearded vultures, before heading to Hustai National Park to see the critically endangered Przewalski horses and meet with local nomads.

Mongolia

Destinations

Activities

Accommodations

Trips

11 days / 10 Nights from $ 5000 per person

14 days / 13 Nights from $ 7000 per person

9 days / 8 Nights from $ 3000 per person

Add to favorite

Create new board

Add to current board

Add to favorite

Delete from favorite

Add to favorite