Mongolia

Navigate the very same landscapes and ancient routes that were taken by the mighty Emperor Genghis Khan and his conquering armies. Traverse the endless expanse of grassy steppes that have been home to nomadic herding communities for generations. Mongolia offers a tapestry of rugged locales: From the snowy mountain peaks of the Altai Mountains, pristine woodlands and the gilded swathe of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia’s raw beauty is humbling and awe inspiring, offering a profound sense of space and solitude. Not for nothing is Mongolia often referred to as “The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky”.  Although sparsely populated, Mongolia has plenty to offer. Trekking, wildlife viewing in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, soaking up local culture through its monasteries, experiencing the traditional music and dance; and attending festivals like the Naadam Festival. Mongolia’s largest and most important national holiday, Naadam is celebrated annually in Ulaanbaatar and other parts of the country in mid-July. Vibrant celebrations of Mongolian culture, history, and traditions, the festival’s main attraction are the “three manly games” : Horse racing, wrestling, and archery.

Ulaanbaatar, the cosmopolitan capital city of Mongolia with its jazz bars, nightclubs and restaurants juxtaposes with camping in a traditional yurt under vast starlit night skies or horse riding across the open plains. 

Mongolia is best visited during the shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October) to avoid the peak summer crowds that arrive in July and August.