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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.

  • Ulaanbaatar

    Ulaanbaatar

    ...
  • Khogno Khan National Park

    Khogno Khan National Park

    ...
  • Orkhon River Valley

    Orkhon River Valley

    ...
  • Uran Togoo

    Uran Togoo

    ...
  • Khovsgol Nuur National Park

    Khovsgol Nuur National Park

    ...
  • Ulgii

    Ulgii

    ...
  • Khovd

    Khovd

    ...
  • Amarbayasgalant

    Amarbayasgalant

    ...
  • Khatgal

    Khatgal

    ...
  • Khutag Undur

    Khutag Undur

    ...
  • Murun

    ...
  • Bulgan

    Bulgan

    ...
  • Altai Mountains

    Altai Mountains

    ...
  • Deluun

    ...
  • Erdenedalai

    ...
  • Suman Gol

    Suman Gol

    ...
  • Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park

    Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park

    ...
  • Telmen Nuur

    Telmen Nuur

    ...
  • Khar Nuur

    Khar Nuur

    ...
  • Khyargas Nuur

    Khyargas Nuur

    ...
  • Shazgai Nuur

    Shazgai Nuur

    ...
  • Baga Gazriin Chuluu

    Baga Gazriin Chuluu

    ...
  • Dalanzadgad

    ...
  • Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park

    Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park

    ...
  • Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes

    Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes

    ...
  • Flaming Cliffs

    Flaming Cliffs

    ...
  • Khangai Mountains

    Khangai Mountains

    ...
  • Jargalant

    Jargalant

    ...
  • Khustain Nuruu National Park

    Khustain Nuruu National Park

    ...
  • Mandalgovi

    ...
  • Ulaan Tsutgalan

    Ulaan Tsutgalan

    ...
  • Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

    Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

    ...
  • Ikh Gazriin Chuluu

    ...
  • Gorkhi Terelj National Park

    Gorkhi Terelj National Park

    ...
  • Khentii

    Khentii

    ...
  • Baldan Bereeven Khiid

    ...
  • Dadal

    ...
  • Ondorkhan (Chinggis)

    ...
  • Uliastai

    ...
  • Altai Tavan Bogd

    Altai Tavan Bogd

    ...
  • Khermen Tsav

    Khermen Tsav

    ...
  • Kharkhorin

    Kharkhorin

    ...
  • Naiman Nuur

    ...
  • Bayan Gobi

    ...

Mongolia Tours

Ulaanbaatar, Khogno Khan National Park, Orkhon River Valley

Tsagaan Sar Insight

Experience Mongolia’s Lunar New Year Festival

7 daysFrom $840
Ulaanbaatar, Uran Togoo, Khovsgol Nuur National Park

Khovsgol Ice Festival

Experience Mongolia's Ice Festival by sleigh

12 daysFrom $1,370
Ulaanbaatar, Ulgii, Khovd

Altai and Eagles With Nauryz

Experience the Nauryz Festival

11 daysFrom $1,795
Ulgii, Khovd, Altai Mountains (and 1 more)

Altai Wilderness Trails

Trek from Tsengel Khairkhan to the Altai Tavan Bogd Lakes and Khurgan Nuur

15 daysFrom £1,853
Ulgii, Altai Mountains, Suman Gol (and 5 more)

Western Explorer

Explore Mongolia's highest mountains, alpine lakes and sand dunes

22 daysFrom £2,153
Khogno Khan National Park, Uran Togoo, Khovsgol Nuur National Park (and 9 more)

Untamed Mongolia

Explore the Gobi Desert

23 daysFrom £1,994

Mongolia Travel Companies

Mongolia

Eternal Landscapes

Guided adventure tours to Mongolia

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