Mongolia and the Great Gobi Desert
A country with vast untouched nature, endless desert landscapes with nomadic tribes embibing ancient cultures & festivals and a people who are as hospitable as they are excited about the recent revival of tourism – a trip to Mongolia will take ruggedness to a different level, and consequently this itinerary is not for those seeking luxury vacations. But for those looking at going off beaten paths, this will be a trip to remember.
Trip Highlights
- Start your trip in Ulaanbaatar, a vibrant sprawling, industrialized city of pulsating commerce, wild traffic, nightlife and bohemian counterculture that contrasts the country’s pristine and primitive countryside
- Explore the Terelj National park – with its granite blocks and cliffs as well as meadows rich in wild flowers. Terelj offers fascinating rock formations which is a great place for hiking and horse riding.
- Be amazed by the astonishing granite formations of Baga Gazariin Chuluu,”stone of the little place”
- Listen to the dunes of Khongoryn Els as they sing from the sound they make when the sand moves in the wind
- Marvel at the flaming cliffs of Bayanzag – thanks to the reddish tint in the soil that glows as the sun falls
Which Visa Do I Need
Indian citizens require a visa to visit Mongolia.
Length of Stay
We recommend at least 10 days for this itinerary. There are no direct flights to Mongolia, so almost a full day is spent in getting there and back.
Best time to visit
June, July & August are the best months to visit Mongolia. The rest of the year is cold with minimal touristic infrastructure
desert experience, sand dunes & rock formations, flaming cliffs, tribal culture, staying in yurts
Did you know
- Mongolia is often referred to as “the land of the blue sky”, as it has over 260 days of clear, blue sky.
- Genghis Khan is considered the founding father of Mongolia. He came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia and in a span of just 25 years, Genghis Khan’s horsemen conquered an area larger and greater in population than the Romans did in four centuries. Genghis Khan himself was illiterate, however, he introduced the first writing system to Mongolia in the early 13th century. He borrowed this script from the script of the Uyghurs. This script is written vertically from left to right.
- Snow leopards are native to Mongolia, and one-third of the world’s population lives there.
- More than one-quarter of the population live as nomads
- The Gobi Desert is regarded as the world’s biggest dinosaur fossil reserve
- Mongolian people’s guest culture is very strong. They will often greet their guests with a bowl of ‘airag’. This is fermented horse milk. It is considered disrespectful to refuse a cup of this.
- There are 13 times more horses in Mongolia than humans. Sheep outnumber humans 35 to 1.
