Explore Ulaanbaatar
The capital city serves as an excellent base camp for visiting travelers, offering plenty of modern and comfortable hotels to stay in — not to mention good restaurants and clubs to visit — while there. The vast majority of visitors to Mongolia arrive via plane or train in "UB" as it is colloquially known, giving them the perfect opportunity to rest for a few days before venturing out. Some of the highlights include visiting the National History Museum, strolling through the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, and dropping by the famous Gandantegchinlen Monastery, which is home to more than 150 Buddhist monks.
Sleep in a Ger
A ger or yurt is a traditional Mongolian dwelling that has been used on the Central Asian steppe for thousands of years. Nomads have used yurts as shelters for generations, keeping them well protected from the wind, rain, snow, and cold. Naturally, they make for a great place for visitors to spend the night too, creating a unique camping experience unlike any other.
There are dozens of ger camps found throughout Mongolia, offering everything from a basic place to spend the night to luxury upscale experience. Some are located in or near urban locations, while others can be found in remote, wilderness environments. Either way, travelers get a sense of what it is like to stay in one of these unique and enchanting places.
Explore the Altai Mountains by Horseback
Mongolia is home to arguably the greatest horsemen that have ever lived, which is why Genghis Khan was able to build and maintain such a massive empire. So what better way to explore this spectacular country than by horseback? Altai Mountains is largely uninhabited, with just a few nomadic families that maintain a way of life that is very similar to how their ancestors lived hundreds of years ago. The snow capped mountains of the Altai make for a dramatic backdrop for day-long horse rides, although if you'd prefer to hike that option is available too. Simply put, there is no better way to see this amazing country.
Ride Tavan Bogd National Park on a Fatbike
Fatbikes have been a real game-changer for adventure travel, allowing cyclists to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations that would normally not be rideable at all. With their oversized tires and rugged frames, fatbikes are built to take on rugged terrain and offer a comfortable ride in the process. That makes them a great option for exploring Mongolia's Tavan Bogd National Park in the far western region of the country. The park is hundreds of square miles of unspoiled wilderness that is seldom visited by outsiders. In fact, chances are the only people you'll see there are the nomads who still call this place home.
Take a Camel Trek Through the Gobi
The Altai Mountains are beautiful and remote, but that isn't the only wilderness landscape that is worth visiting in Mongolia. The Gobi Desert stretches across more than 500,000 square miles, creating one of the most dramatic environments on the planet. Visitors are often captivated by the rolling sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, and arid plateaus. Despite that however, the Gobi is place that is filled with life, making it a must-see destination for any adventurous traveler.
Experience the Naadam Festival
Mongolia's Naadam Festival is a traditional event that takes place in early- to mid-July each year. As with all things Mongolian, the origins of the festival date back hundreds of years, with connections to Genghis Khan himself. As the story goes, the men from the Great Khan's army would challenge each other in three different events — archery, wrestling, and horse racing. Today, those three activities are still sit at the heart of the Naadam Festival, which draw hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.
Visit the Eagle Hunters
One of Mongolia's more revered traditions is hunting with eagles a practice that stretches back more than 6000 years. The nomads of the steppe domesticated birds of prey to assist them in fox hunting as a way to protect their herds. In remote regions of the country, eagles and falcons are still used in this way, making it a mesmerizing experience for visitors.
The eagle hunter typically only ply their trade in the winter, although they are often willing to introduce travelers to their birds anytime of the year. Tour operators and guides can generally help connect you with a local hunter, proving the ability to see a magnificent golden eagle up close and personal.