Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked and sparsely populated country situated on the vast steppes sandwiched between China and Russia. Firmly off the well-trodden tourist trail, opportunities for genuine adventure and cultural discovery abound.

Although the country is best known as the birthplace of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan and seat of the infamous Mongol Empire, contemporary Mongolia is a fascinating and varied country in its own right. The capital city of Ulaanbaatar is a city of 1.4 million and, while retaining a frontier vibe, the city is hurtling into the 21st century buoyed by booming mineral exports to a resource-hungry China.

But with a third of the population concentrated in Ulaanbaatar, most of the country is covered by seemingly endless plains of grasslands, with mountains to the north and west and the famed Gobi Desert to the south.

"Gobi" means semi-desert, which explains why just 5% of the area is classic 'sandy' landscape, the rest consisting of brush land, grassy valleys and rock formations. The region is far from lifeless and is home to nomadic communities, as well as a variety of wildlife.

The Altai Mountains stretch into Mongolia with Altai Tavan Bogd National Park known for its five peaks and its UNESCO World Heritage recognised rock carvings. The region features lakes, rivers and glaciers with some excellent hiking and trekking. Snow leopards – among a slew of other wildlife – can be found here, although they are a rare sight.

Ulaanbaatar, located on the Tuul River, has historical highlights including the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Bogd Khaan Palace Museum of Mongolia and the impressively huge Genghis Khan Statue, as well as being a stop on the classic Trans-Siberian Railway route.

As well as the Altai Mountains and Gobi Desert, there are a number of national parks across the country, such as Gorkhi-Terelj and Hustai National Park, which offer horse and camel riding, hiking, rafting and wildlife spotting. Deer, wolves, Siberian ibex and the Gobi bear roam the national parks of Mongolia with opportunities to spot large bird species.