May - Oct
Ulaanbaatar (ULN)
Mongolia
A trip to Mongolia is the road less traveled. This off-the-beaten-track Asian country has one of the last surviving nomadic cultures. Mongolia is a paradise for people who love the outdoors untouched by modern life and undiscovered by mass tourism. Venture into the wild with horse rides through the valleys, explore Buddhist villages and temples, hike through the mountains, sleep under the stars in a luxurious yurt, and enjoy the authentic farm-to-table food.
Discover it all on a tailor-made journey with Recherché Journeys. Contact us for a FREE tour plan.
Why travel:
The Great Outdoors: Mongolia is the place to immerse yourself in pure nature. Khustai National Park is the only place in the world where you will encounter truly wild horses galloping across the hills. With only 1,395 miles of paved road in the whole of Mongolia, you’ll pretty much go off-road for most of your tour and drive for miles without encountering any other human. Climb up the steep terrain of Bogd Khan mountain, hike around the crystal blue Ugii Lake or ride a horse to the majestic Orkhon waterfall. Mongolia is adventure travel at its finest.
Gobi Desert: One of the largest deserts in the world, Gobi Desert offers a range of unique ways to explore its endless horizons, rolling grasslands, and the staggering Altai Mountains; in a 4×4 Jeep, on camelback, or by foot. This exotic desert has been captivating explorers, paleontologists, travelers, and photographers for many decades. The colorful area of Bayanzag or Flaming Cliffs located in the heart of Gobi is known as the Dinosaur graveyard for containing over 140 dinosaur fossils.
Nomadic Hospitality: Mongolians are arguably the friendliest & warmhearted people in the world and willing to open their doors to strangers. Theirs is one of the world’s last surviving nomadic cultures, and Mongolian people have managed to preserve and develop many interesting customs over the centuries. To get a real insider experience, meet and spend time with a local nomad family, stay at yurts, taste their food and drinks, and learn their way of life.
Festivals: Mongolian festivals feature their unique ancestry and intangible heritage and hold symbolic importance. The annual Naadam festival, held in July, is the honored celebration of the national independence, has wrestling competitions, horse races, archery, cultural performances, and culinary offerings. Held in early October, Golden Eagle Festival features the eagle hunters of Western Mongolia who hunt with their berkut (golden eagles) in a fierce display of their speed and agility.
When to go:
Best time to visit: Jun – Aug. Picturesque summer season brings pleasant sunny days and a little rain. However, southern Gobi gets extremely hot. Temperatures fluctuate during the spring season from March to May, and the fall season from September to October is rainy but rewarding with views of colorful landscapes.
High Season: June – Aug. July gets busy due to the Nadaam festival, so book your trip in advance.
Low Season: mid-Sep – Apr. With temperatures dropping to -22F across the country, travel during the winter months is not advised. However, travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway can be done at any time of the year.