Mongolia travel guide - including map of Mongolia, travel tips, attractions, accommodation, health and safety, culture and weather in Mongolia
Mongolia is vast. This landlocked country (further from the sea than any other on earth), has one of the lowest population densities on earth.
Blue skies and huge expanses of near-empty land epitomise Mongolia. There are few roads, and nomadic herders still roam the steppe as they have for centuries.
Horses are the most common form of transport, while two-humped Bactrian camels are also used for transport in parts of the country.
Not that Mongolia is all grassland as people often imagine; in the south of the country is the magnificent Gobi desert, in the west are the Altai mountains – home to the Kazakhs who hunt with eagles , while the north is known for mountains, rivers and the stunning Lake Khovsgol.
Mongolia is more diverse than people realise. Come here for the unspoilt landscapes and unchanged culture. But be prepared for long distances.
Take plenty of layers, even on summer, a torch and sun glasses/sun protection.
If invited into a family ger, avoid stepping on the threshold as you enter, and then make your way round in a clockwise direction, trying not to turn your back on the altar or religious items.
When you sit down, avoid pointing your feet at the altar, the hearth or another person.
Other etiquette tips; never take food from a communal plate with your left hand; hold cups by the bottom, not the top; avoid touching another person’s hat; keep your sleeves rolled down to avoid exposing your wrist.
Mongolia is known for producing the best cashmere in the world, so leave some space in your bag.
June to September is peak season, although May and October can be good times to visit the Gobi desert.
The Naadam Festival in July is Mongolia’s biggest draw, and features archery, wrestling and horse races. It is celebrated throughout the country, although UB’s is particularly well known.
Winters are very cold, and there can be snow in the Gobi desert. However, hardier folk will find a warm welcome, few visitors and low prices. We’ve had good reports of the Gobi’s annual Camel Festival held in March.
Ulanbaatar (ULN) 15km from the city
Distances are huge. Fly between centres and/or be prepared for long off-road drives. Bactrian (two-humped) camels and horses are the buses and taxis of most of the country.
Lodgings outside the cities are mostly in ger camps. The gers usually have a solid floor, proper beds and a wood-burning stove. Bathroom facilities are usually Western-style and in a separate block. The best hotel in UB is probably the imaginatively named Ulanbaatar Hotel.
Ulanbaatar has a surprisingly wide range of restaurants, both international and local. Ger camps usually serve Western and Mongolian food. Typical dishes are soups and stews made with mutton, served with noodles or bread. Dumplings and pancakes are also popular. Horse, camel and yak meat are all available. Dairy products, from sheep, goat, camel or cow milk are ubiquitous.
Milky tea is the most common drink. Airag (fermented mare’s milk) is refreshing but don’t forget it’s alcoholic. As well as lethal homebrews, vodka is the most common drink but beer, such as Mongol or Chinggis, is becoming more popular. Wine is increasingly available in the ger camp and is usually from Chile from Australia.
Vegetarians will survive but vegetables other than carrots, cabbage an dpotatoes are rare, so dishes can be monotonous.
Consider immunisations against hepatitis A and B, rabies and meningoccal meningitis. However,the biggest hazards are crossing the road in UB, and banging your head on the door of your ger.
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A trip which covers many of the diverse landscapes of Mongolia. You will get a real sense of the vast landscape in the land of the blue sky.
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Ride horses through the sublime Naiman Nuur mountainous region of Central Mongolia, staying with local nomadic families along the way in their felt gers to experience their pastoral way of life, de...
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Ride the rails through Mongolia's grassy steppe and Siberia's taiga forests, stay in a local village on Lake Baikal, admire the grand structure of Moscow's Kremlin and Red Square, marvel at the ric...
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A climbing expedition to Mount Khuiten in Mongolia, the world`s most remote peak
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Experience the magic of Mongolia on this economical private tour which includes a 7 day overland journey travelling from Ulaan Baatar to the South Gobi.
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For those with limited time but still wanting to discover the main sights of Mongolia this itinerary begins in the capital, before exploring the incredible landscape of the Gobi Desert. Travelling ...
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After exploring Ulaanbaatar, a busting capital city still littered with Soviet-era relics, this tour sets off into the countryside to introduce travellers to the vast open landscapes that make up t...
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Watch the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival, cheer on wrestlers and archers, listen to famous throat singing, sleep in traditional gers, devour Mongolian barbecue in the grasslands
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Travelling on the Trans-Siberian railway? This short trip is perfect if you want a stopover in Mongolia. Get beyond Ulaan Baatar, see the real Mongolia and spend time with a nomad family
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Mongolia, with its vast steppes and open skies, its magnificent mountains and equine tradition, really is the quintessential land of the horse trek. On this tour we will visit the cultural city of ...
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A great way to immerse yourself in Mongolian nomadic culture, this trip will give you some insights into this traditional way of life, as well as an introduction to Mongolia's endless skies.
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Travel from Moscow to Beiing aboard a luxury, private Imperial Train stopping in the grand Siberian cities of Kazan, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk. Enjoy a picnic on the shores of Lake Baikal, disc...
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Journey by train across the steppe, dine on Lake Baikal's fish, admire Red Square and Chinese temples, spend the night in a traditional Mongolian ger, wander Beijing's hutongs.
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Sleep in a traditional Mongolian ger, ride a horse across the Mongolian countryside, learn traditional crafts and skills from nomadic hosts, compete with Mongolian nomads in archery
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Contemplate the Soviet architecture and influence in Ulaanbaatar, explore the ruins of remote monasteries, share a ger with a nomadic family, soak in the Tsenger Hot Springs, visit Mongolia's ancie...
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Take the legendary Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian Railways from Russia to Beijing via serene Lake Baikal and the wild expanses of Mongolia. This extended tour includes a stop in the historic ci...
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Discover the absolute must sees of Mongolia on this individual private tour which mixes in equally stunning but lesser known sites, such as Zuun Nuur and Khorgo, with the capital Ulaanbaatar, the G...
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