{"id":22868,"date":"2019-06-21T16:53:40","date_gmt":"2019-06-21T15:53:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=22868"},"modified":"2019-06-21T16:53:42","modified_gmt":"2019-06-21T15:53:42","slug":"your-perfect-mongolia-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/your-perfect-mongolia-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Perfect Mongolia Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vast, overwhelming, and utterly magnificent, Mongolia is an adventurer’s dream. Dinosaur fossils dot the landscape and nomadic herders roam the steppe as they have for centuries. Unfathomable expanses of nothingness give way to snow-capped mountains, electric-blue lakes, shifting desert, and imposing sand dunes. Some areas are so remote, you could drive for days without seeing a single sign of civilisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a destination that\u2019s truly off the beaten path, a place that\u2019s still largely untouched by mass tourism and packed with barely-seen natural wonders, few other countries can rival Mongolia. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Travel to: <\/em>Mongolia <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Where to go in Mongolia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Home to some of the country\u2019s most spellbinding landscapes and must-see highlights, Central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert are the perfect regions to explore as a first-time visitor \u2014 especially if you\u2019re planning to spend a week or two in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Mongolia, specifically Lake Kh\u00f6vsg\u00f6l, is another popular destination, so you may want to consider adding this region to your Mongolia itinerary if you have more time to spare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Mongolia sees far fewer visitors due to its remote locale and distance from Ulaanbaatar; however, it is home to some of the country\u2019s most spectacular scenery, including the Altai Mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The east is the most remote and least-visited area in Mongolia, and venturing to this region is a challenge for even the most intrepid travellers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A ger camp near the famous Genghis Khan Statue Complex in Tsonjin Boldog | \u00a9 Patrick Schneider\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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See Also: <\/em>12 of the Most Remote Destinations Around the World<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Getting around Mongolia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Independent travel is tough in Mongolia. Key attractions are staggeringly far apart, infrastructure is still relatively underdeveloped, and roads can be treacherous. The limited public transport system only connects the major centres, and, thanks to those aforementioned risky roads, car rentals aren\u2019t advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the typical backpacker style of travel won\u2019t fly here, your best bet is to choose one of the following options: hire a driver and organise your travel through a local ground operator, or join a group tour<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights of Central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Ulaanbaatar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of where you\u2019re arriving from, Ulaanbaatar \u2014 the country\u2019s sprawling, industrialised capital \u2014 will be the starting point for your Mongolian adventure. The city has been expanding rapidly in recent years: cranes and construction sites dominate the cityscape, and more than half of the country\u2019s 3 million residents call the chaotic capital home. Set aside some time to explore the National Museum of Mongolia and the 19th-century palace of Bogd Khaan before venturing into the Mongolian countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Ulaanbaatar | \u00a9 Tsolmon Naidandorj\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Yol Valley<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Characterised by jagged cliffs, narrow canyons, and thick corridors of ice, the scenery in Yol Valley stands as a stark contrast to the Gobi\u2019s colossal sand dunes and immense expanses of empty desert. It\u2019s a great spot for moderate hikes (keep your eyes peeled for ibex, yaks, and bearded vultures), and it\u2019s also one of the few places where you can catch a glimpse of glaciers \u2014 even during the summer months.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Bayanzag (the Flaming Cliffs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most visitors stop at Bayanzag (or the Flaming Cliffs, as it\u2019s known to English-speakers) to see the fiery red rock formations, but there\u2019s another reason this iconic Gobi site is a must-see highlight on Mongolia\u2019s tourist route: Bayanzag is one of the most famous palaeontological sites in the world. It was at this site that Roy Chapman Andrews and his team of scientists discovered the world\u2019s first-ever nest of dinosaur eggs in the 1920s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These desert cliffs glow with an ethereal red-orange light at sunset, but you can enjoy the raw beauty of the place any time of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stretching over 100 kilometres and standing up to 300 metres high, Khongoryn Els are some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Climbing to the top of the dunes is a challenge: the ascent takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and it\u2019s an exhausting uphill battle all the way to the summit. You\u2019ll be rewarded with sensational views from the peak, though, so be sure to add this experience to your list of Mongolia must-dos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Khongoryn Els, the largest sand dunes in Mongolia | \u00a9 Sarah Lachise\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Karakorum and Orkhon Valley<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two significant historical gems can be found in this area of the country: Mongolia\u2019s oldest Buddhist monastery (Erdene Zuu Khiid) and the ruins of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. West of Karakorum, you can explore Orkhon Valley\u2019s many natural wonders, marvel at the stunning 20-metre high Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall, and pay a visit to nearby T\u00f6vkh\u00f6n Khiid, a secluded hilltop monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is one of the country\u2019s premier destinations for a range of adventure activities, from hiking to trekking, rock climbing and horse riding. Explore the park\u2019s pine-covered mountains by horseback or ATV, or traverse its sprawling valleys and craggy hilltops by foot. Plenty of ger camps are available if you want to spend a few nights here, and one of Mongolia\u2019s most iconic landmarks, the gargantuan Genghis Khan Statue Complex, is situated nearby on the outskirts of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is one of the country’s best destinations for hiking | \u00a9 Tuguldur Baatar\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Top experiences in Mongolia<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n