Why Mongolia Should Be Your Next Adventure Destination

I always get asked why I want to travel to such unique "lesser visited" destinations instead of picking a more popular destination - anywhere in Europe for example. The truth is, as the popular tourist destinations still do excite me, nothing truly beats being out in the vast open space of a profoundly different country and culture. When I first arrived in Mongolia, I was quite literally blown away, I remember sitting in the taxi from the airport in absolute awe starring out of the window, tears welling in my eyes, looking at the vast open landscape thinking "Wow, my nanna Spira would be SO proud of me, I can't believe I'm finally here." (Nanna is grandmother in Maltese) My nanna Spira sadly passed away in March 2024 and I just know she would've been looking down from heaven, smiling at me as she knew how excited I was every time I arrived in a completely new country, especially one that I had spoken about many times before.

Mongolia was so high on my travel list because it is a country that makes you wonder. The nomadic lifestyle and sense of community between the local people, the remoteness and silence as you drive through these ever changing landscapes is something like I'd never experienced before. It felt like an honour to be able to experience Mongolia and to see how different this is from other places I had visited and honestly, I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

When I visited Mongolia, I did the 15 day Wild Mongolia with Intrepid. On this trip, I travelled through Central Mongolia (to put things in perspective of how large the country is, Mongolia is nearly 5x the size of Australia). This was an adventure road trip style tour that had many inclusions, including staying with 2 nomadic families in gers and seeing exactly how they live day to day, ever changing landscapes as we journied throughout the country, hiking and so much more. Mongolia reminded me in ways of my time in Kyrgyzstan, so if you're into adventure travel - this is one for you.

Experience True Nomadic Culture

One of the most unique parts of Mongolia is the nomadic lifestyle. Approximately 40% of the countries population still live like this, which once you experience it for yourself you understand why. During my time in Mongolia, I had the opportunity to stay with two different families. They welcomed the group into their gers and explained their way of life and how they live. I was presented with warm milk and goat curd as a welcome offering from the families. Nomadic people live off the land, they keep livestock such as goats, cows, yaks and sheep and sell them for meat and for their wool (especially cashmere).

The memories of meeting and spending time with the local people is something I will never forget. They are the most hospitable people, who care and show you their way of life. You get a real sense of community amongst the local families that travel together and it is just so fascinating seeing and being apart of their daily life activities in this vast open landscape. The feeling of being completely off grid is something like I, personally had never experienced before...and it felt good.

Explore the Stunning Landscapes

Mongolia is so incredibly diverse for nature, which would appeal to adventure travel lovers. In the Central and East part of Mongolia, you'll find green steppes, rolling hills and large open spaces that go on for kilometres. The valleys are incredible to drive through, you'll see ever changing scenery, ger's in the distance and so much of the nomadic lifestyle as you journey through this area. Bordering Central and North the pristine Khövsgöl Lake can be found, with crystal clear bright blue hues.

In the South you'll find the Gobi Desert, filled with rock faced cliffs, sand dunes and arid planes. The Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia. There are an incredible amount of natural sights you can see here, such as the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, Khongorn Els - the singing dunes and hiking in Yolyn Am.

In the West and North, you'll find alpine scenery, snow capped mountains and glaciers. The Altai Mountains is where you can see the Khazak eagle hunters riding on horse back, this is located in West side of the country. In the North, the Tsaatan community of reindeer herders can be found here in remote Khövsgöl Province.

Adventure Activities You Can Experience

If you’re someone who loves adventure travel, then Mongolia will absolutely deliver. This is a country where the activities aren’t staged or overly touristy. They will deeply connect you to the landscapes and feel authentic.

The most memorable experiences I had during my trip would definetly be all of the hiking I did, particularly one in Khongo Khan. The hike was a 7km round trip to see old ruins of a monastery. The landscapes here were so beautiful, from rocky mountains to lush grasslands. If you are a hiker, there are so many more great hikes you can do whilst visiting Mongolia.

For those who love horseback riding, this is another option you can do. Horses are such an important part of Mongolian culture and daily life and riding through these vast open landscapes gives you a small glimpse into how nomadic people have travelled across the country for centuries.

Further south in the Gobi Desert, camel trekking is another incredible experience you might like to do. Riding a Bactrian camel (camels with 2 humps) through the desert dunes feels like stepping back in time along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.

And of course, there is camping and staying in ger's. Spending nights out in the countryside with zero light pollution from city lights means you get some of the clearest night skies you can imagine. Sitting outside your ger, starring up into the nightsky .at the thousands of stars is something you won't forget, especially if where you come from there is a lot of light pollution.

Disconnect From the Modern World

One of the things I loved most about travelling in Mongolia was just how disconnected you become from the modern world. Once you leave the capital Ulaanbaatar, phone reception quickly disappears and Wi-Fi becomes almost non-existent. At first this might sound daunting especially in a world where we are so used to being constantly connected to everything online, but it actually becomes one of the most refreshing parts of your trip.

Instead of checking notifications, you find yourself fully present in the moment which low and behold is honestly the best part. The long drives across the steppe become opportunities to sit quietly and take in the scenery with a camera in hand, endless green plains, distant mountains and the occasional herd of horses, goats or sheep wandering freely across the landscape.

The nights are especially peaceful. There is no light pollution or noise in the wilderness; the silence feels almost surreal. Sitting outside under a sky filled with stars, listening to the wind moving across the grasslands, you begin to understand why Mongolia feels so different from anywhere else in the world.

For many travellers, this kind of experience is exactly what they are looking for, a chance to slow down and disconnect from everyday life to allow yourself to full immerse and reconnect with nature.

Visit Ulaanbaatar

Before heading out into the countryside, most journeys through Mongolia begin in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

At first glance, the city feels like an interesting mix of old and new, with modern buildings stand alongside remnants of Soviet-era architecture and busy streets are filled with everything from traditional markets to trendy restaurants. There are several museums worth visiting if you want to learn more about Mongolia’s history and culture. The National Museum of Mongolia offers a fascinating overview of the country’s past, from the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan to modern-day Mongolia.

Markets are another great way to experience local life. The Naran Tuul Market is one of the largest markets in the country and sells everything from traditional clothing and horse saddles to handmade souvenirs.

While Ulaanbaatar is certainly worth exploring for a few days, it also acts as the perfect starting point before venturing out into the vast Mongolian countryside. There are a number of day trips you can do from Ulaanbaatar whilst you base yourself here, such as visiting the Genghis Khan equestrian statute and Hustai National Park to see the wild Mongolian horses.

Why Mongolia Is Perfect for Adventure Travellers

For travellers looking for something truly different, Mongolia offers an experience that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s world.

The landscapes are vast and untouched, stretching for kilometres without another building in sight. The culture is deeply rooted in tradition, with nomadic families continuing to live in the same way their ancestors did for generations. The opportunities for outdoor adventure are endless, from horseback riding and hiking to exploring deserts and remote valleys.

What makes Mongolia even more special is the sense of space and solitude you'll find here. Unlike many popular travel destinations, you won’t find large crowds or overdeveloped tourist attractions, instead you’ll find quiet roads, open landscapes and experiences that feel authentic and true to its roots.

Practical Travel Tips for Mongolia

If Mongolia is on your travel list, there are a few things worth knowing before planning your trip. The best time to visit is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warmer and the countryside is at its greenest. Towards the end of June and start of July the green hills are blossoming with a rainbow of wildflowers which is honestly one of the most prettiest sights you can see. During this time, temperatures are comfortable for hiking and exploring, as many nomadic families are actively moving across the steppe with their livestock, which you'll see as you drive through the valleys.

Because Mongolia is such a vast and sparsely populated country getting around independently can be quite challenging. Roads are limited outside of major cities and distances between destinations can be extremely large and timely. For this reason many travellers (including myself) choose to explore Mongolia on a guided tour. There are a number of tour operators who run group trips in Mongolia. The best thing about being on an organised group tour is that the planning route is worked out for you, along with all transport which made navigating the country so much easier, especially visiting remote areas. Majority of the time meals will be included; Mongolia is a 'meat heavy' country, you will consume a lot of protein whilst here. All of the meals included on my trip with Intrepid were quite delicious. Travelling with a guide also provides a deeper understanding of Mongolian culture and history, allowing you to ask questions as you please to learn more about the country you're in, it also helps to have someone who speaks the local language so you can interact with locals more with a translator. This makes your expereince in the country even more meaningful.