go through Alex Erdmann Seeking | Mongolia is considered by many to be one of the last frontiers on Earth, a distant and remote destination that only the most experienced travelers can reach. Alex Erdman of Bespoke Travel Consultants local foreigners Think, with a little guidance, it’s an achievable travel dream destination.
on site
For the intrepid traveler, there is nothing more exciting than the chance to explore a destination that seems untouched by tourism.Mongolia is an explorer’s dream, with features like Gobi and annual festivals like Naadam. Due to its remoteness, Mongolia ranks low on many Westerners’ travel wish lists. Tourism has grown slowly but steadily.
on recent visits South Gobi Naadam Festival exist dharam zagad, I was one of six tourists among the 10,000 spectators. Because of the proportions, the experience feels authentic and intimate, and photographers can find endless inspiration in the country’s people, landscape and religion.
terrain
Lying between China and Russia, Mongolia is roughly the size of Alaska and completely landlocked. capital, Ulaanbaatartogether with the northeast region of the country hofsgull see, famous for Taimen fishing. Much of the north came under Slavic influence from neighboring Russia, which occupied the country between 1924 and 1990. The Gobi Desert occupies the southern part of the country. In the west, Kazakh influence can be felt in the dress and customs of the region, which you can recognize from their famous falconers.
if you only do one thing
For adventurers with limited time, SouthGobi is a must-see grassland and yurt Galore (yurt in Mongolian). Aside from photography, my days are filled with camel rides on the grasslands, trekking through sand dunes, visiting dinosaur digs, interacting with local families, and camping at night.
We also had the opportunity to visit a local Buddhist temple and hang out with a monk who lives deep in the mountains of South Gobi. It was a deeply emotional experience. He tells us about the persecution of Buddhist clergy by the Russians during the occupation and how few temples and devotees survived. His temple was built entirely by hand, with devotees carrying stone and wood up the 1,800 steps to the summit to rebuild their place of worship.
What you wish you knew on day one and what you knew on your last day
While the endless vistas on the Gobi are epic, some of my most cherished memories of my travels are the people I meet. The night before the Naadam festival, our group had an impromptu visit to a local family’s yurt, which was a highlight. Driving down a dirt road, our guide asked which home we would like to stop at – a challenge to prove the hospitality of ordinary people. We picked one at random and the car drove off in that direction. The door was answered by a couple in their 20s with their three children, including a five-week-old newborn.
Parents took us in, let us sit down, and fed us delicious fried dough sticks (Burzog) when we talk about life on the steppe. It’s authentic and unscripted, unlike many “home visits” offered through hotels and tour guide companies. This family expected nothing from us but gave us everything. It was a beautiful insight into Mongolian culture and a treasured memory that I will always cherish.
what to do
Mongolia is a versatile destination with everything from culture to outdoor activities. I recommend trying a range of experiences.
1. For those who travel in July or October, Naadam and Golden Eagle Festival are a must. In Naadam, locals compete in three main competitions: archery, wrestling and a 30km horse race.
2. You can experience horse riding all over the country, but I recommend going to the desert or the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar Gun Galuut Nature Reserve. Horse riding with the locals in the morning. In the afternoon, hike to look for the endangered argali.
3. A SouthGobi itinerary should always include a night of camping. While not the most luxurious accommodations, spending the night under the open sky, stargazing and storytelling with friends is one of the most satisfying experiences of my travels. We woke up at dawn to catch a glimpse of the sun rising over the dunes, then enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef.
4. of Yule Valley, and various other sites in the Gobi that are perfect for moderate trekking. It’s one of the few places where you can catch a glimpse of a glacier (even in summer), and it often brings little surprises like petroglyphs and beautiful vistas.
5. Anyone who has been interested in dinosaurs since childhood will appreciate the opportunity to participate in an excavation or visit one of the sites dotted across the desert.Activities range from casual hikes to mountaintops flame cliffThe site where Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the world’s first whole dinosaur egg, and the multi-day dig by the current expedition.
I highly recommend travelers use the operator on the ground to coordinate flights, hotels and experiences. I used Nomadic Expeditions and had a great time.
where to live
Mongolia offers a wide variety of accommodation, from basic yurt camps to the newly built Sofitel in downtown UB. For the adventurous traveler, renting an old Soviet van to cross the Gobi is the first choice. For travelers looking to enjoy some of the world’s creature comforts, Three Camels In the southern Gobi is one of the most fantastic yurt camps in the country. At one point, we stood just 30 minutes from our property next to a 5,000-year-old petroglyph, looking down on a landscape that may have looked exactly the same as the day it was painted.
The Sofitel hotel in central Ulaanbaatar is due to open this year and will be the country’s first true 5-star hotel. until then, Blue Sky Hotel It is the best choice for foreign tourists. For those thinking of heading north to Lake Hofsgol or west, I recommend consulting an operator to help guide you in your choice. Many of the accommodations in these areas are rudimentary, and they often require you to bring your own yurt for larger parties.
how to get there
There are several routes from the US to Mongolia, the most popular of which are via Russia and China.However, most travelers will appreciate a stopover in Beijing and red Hill And not just Aeroflot.
walk around
Mongolia is a vast land, and travelers should be prepared for the amount of driving involved. As in many third world countries, the roads are bumpy and a three-hour drive often feels closer to eight. Mongolia is a developing country with more than a third of its population migrating to Ulaanbaatar and a rapidly growing economy due to the export of natural resources. This development will eventually improve the road, but for now, don’t forget to pack your Dramamine. The best way to travel across the country (except for those extreme adventurers) is to work with a ground operator to handle all of your shipping logistics.
when to go/weather
The best time of year to visit is from June to August as the Naadam Festival is a highlight in July and the weather is warm and mostly dry. Those who want to watch the Golden Eagle Festival should travel in October. Low season runs from October to April. Most yurt camps close when the weather turns cold.
for your bedside table
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern WorldJack Weatherford.
before they diedBy Jimmy Nelson.
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