Mongolian travel experiences that will change your life
Whatever time of the year you choose to visit, Mongolia is a land of opportunity. It’s a country where you can truly go off the beaten path and be heavily rewarded for it.
In Mongolia, you can immerse yourself in unspoilt nature, experience culture at its most authentic and unleash your inner adventurer with a range of exciting activities. These are just some of the reasons why a trip to Mongolia should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
If you’re busy organising a trip to Mongolia, you’ll want to fill your itinerary with the following travel experiences – trust us, they’ll change your life!
Live with nomads
Experience a lifestyle far away from your hectic regime back home by staying with a nomadic family during your Mongolia trip. A homestay experience with a nomadic family will give you all you need to get back to basics.
As well as staying in a traditional ger, you’ll get to experience a way of life that has remained unchanged for many centuries. You can even join the family during a migration for the ultimate nomadic experience.
You’ll quickly become a part of the family and will help out with all manner of daily tasks, from looking after livestock to making those delicious Mongolian delicacies you’ve read so much about. Here Roamscapes reveals more about what to expect from your time with a Mongolian nomadic family:
“Pastoral nomads in Mongolia live a lifestyle not unlike that of livestock farmers: early to bed, early to rise, and a whole day tending to the herds of cows and yaks and horses. In addition to cooking and caring for the kids, Mongolian women are responsible for tasks like sewing clothes (including heavy winter coats), milking (two to five times a day), and making dairy products out of all that milk (butter, cheese, airag fermented horse milk, and yoghurt).”
Go eagle hunting
Eagle hunting is an ancient art that’s been relied on by nomadic communities for many, many years. Experience local customs and traditions at their most exciting by observing the noble eagle at work for yourself.
In addition to appreciating the power of the eagle, the strong bond between an eagle and its master is fascinating. You’ll find the best eagle hunters, the Kazakhs, in the Altai Mountains.
Ride horses
Horse riding is such an important part of Mongolian life, with children as young as 5 years old able to ride horses skilfully. Venture out on a horse trek across the open steppe or watch a Mongolian horse racing event – the Naadam Festival boasts the best horse racing in the Mongolian calendar – and gain a fantastic insight into the country’s passion for horsemanship.
If camels are more your thing, Mongolia offers the best of the best in that department too. Camel riding and racing are popular here, with some parts of the Gobi Desert (including Khongoryn Els or the ‘Singing Dunes’) only able to be explored by camel.
Look to the skies
Take advantage of Mongolia’s sparsely populated status by looking up to the night skies. The lack of built-up areas makes many parts of Mongolia perfect for a spot of stargazing. The Gobi Desert, in particular, is a great place to see a never-ending canopy of stars.
Travel the Trans-Mongolian
See Mongolia by rail by booking your trip on the Trans-Mongolian. It may be the Trans-Siberian smaller and less famous cousin, but the Trans-Mongolian railway offers an eye-opening and unforgettable rail experience like no other. Book your Trans-Mongolian trip today with us.