Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park is located in Tariat soum of Arkhangai province. Khorgo is an extinct volcano that lies on the east shore of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. The volcano erupted 8000 years ago and changed its surroundings once and for all. Today the area is covered by basalt rocks, siberian pine and larch forest. The Khorgo Crater can be found at the northern side of the Khorgo volcano. With 200m radius and 80m depth, the Khorgo Crater provides a rare view of an extinct volcano. The area is perfect for hiking.

As for Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, it was created when the Khorgo volcano erupted and the lake covers 61 square km. This freshwater lake has over 20 species of fish including pike, lenok, perch, common carp and sturgeon. There is a small island in the middle of the lake and migrating birds nest over there specially brant geese. The lake is great for fishing and bird watching.

Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park was established in 1965 to protect only the Khorgo volcano, but in 1995, the Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake was included in the protected area. In this remote location, you will have a chance to unwind and enjoy the attractive wildlife.

The Darkhad valley is a large valley in northwestern Khovsgol province, Mongolia. It is situated between the Ulaan Taiga and Khoridol Saridag ranges at an altitude of about 1600 m, about 160 km long and 40 km wide. The Khoridol Saridag mountains are a 90 km-long mountain range between Khovsgol Lake and the Darkhad valley. The highest peak is Delgerkhaan Uul (3093m). The view from the valley mountains are unique.

The Darkhad valley is divided between the Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhumbe, and Tsagaannuur sums. Inhabitants are mainly Darkhad (whom the valley”s name derives from), and also some Tsaatan. The area is 4270 km². It was transferred from the People”s the Republic of Tagna Tuva to the Mongolian People”s Republic in 1925 as a Soviet concession to the Mongolians, who had wanted to incorporate the territory of Tagna Uriankhai into their country.
The valley is rich in lakes and rivers, the biggest of which is Dood Tsagaan Lake “lower white lake” and Shishged River, respectively. The area is famous for its natural beauty, but relatively remote and inaccessible even by Mongolian standards.

Taiga is a mountain range located in Bayanzurkh soum and Ulaan-Uul soum of Khuvsgul province. Once covered in a continental ice sheet over two million years ago, Ulaan Taiga now is a beautiful land formation under a lush forest blanket with an exciting eco-system. The scenery of this untouched area is truly a sight to behold. Trees such as larch and Siberian pine dominate the forest, which is home to rare animals including argali sheep, Siberian ibex, brown bear, leopard, moose, reindeer, elk, mink, Altai snowcock, osprey and white-tailed eagle. Ulaan Taiga has a huge source of freshwater in form of rivers and small lakes. And because of that, the area has become a state-protected nature reserve.

The most scenic destination of Northern Mongolia, Khuvsgul Lake (Khovsgol Nuur, also spelled ‘Hovsgol’) is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia by volume and second-largest by area holding 2% of the world’s freshwater. Located near the Russian border, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains, it is nicknamed “Younger sister of the Sister Lakes (Lake Khuvsgul and Lake Baikal)”. The area of Khuvsgul Lake, raised well above sea level, is 2760ms. Its length is 136 km and width 36.5 km, and up to 260 m deep.
Khuvsgul is a land of thick forests, rushing rivers, sparkling lakes and rugged mountains. This stunning area was set aside as Lake Khuvsgul National Park (2500 hectares). In recent years, this spectacular landscape of water and mountains that is sacred to so many has become the destination of more and more travellers, from all around Mongolia and beyond. Heading through the endless pine trees and into the open valleys dotted with the white gers and grazing herds, you’ll be wondering if you haven’t set foot back in 19th century Montana.

The highlight of the area is the ethnic reindeers’ herders called Tsaatan. These ethnic groups of Turkic origin related to the Tuvans are the most exotic and mystical people with small numbers, inhabit in the amazing beautiful taigas. Tsaatan people worship “the Eternal Blue Sky and Mother Earth” and retained an ancient, unusual culture based on shamanistic rituals and forest-based reindeer-herding. Shamanism, rather than Buddhism, is the religion of choice in these parts.

By Mongolian standards, Khuvsgul Lake is touristy, but this ensures good facilities, and once you get a day’s travel from the main town you’ll likely have the place all to yourself.
If you love fishing (a fishing permit is required), then you’ll get excited about Khuvsgul. The lake is full of fish, such as lenok, salmon and sturgeon, and the area is home to argali sheep, ibex, bear, sable, moose and a few near-sighted wolverines. It also has more than 200 species of bird, including the Baikal teal, bar-headed goose, black stork and Altai snowcock.
This is a place in Mongolia where one can get a sense of total unspoiled wilderness. The area is a paradise for outdoor travellers and there is plenty of room for activities like hiking, birding, fishing, horseback travel and kayaking.

Nomadism, the way of life of Mongolians for centuries, and we are known as the world’s last surviving nomadic culture throughout the world.

Mongolia has 3 million people and around 40% of Mongols are real traditional nomads who live in remoted yet beautiful landscapes, moving from pasture to pasture at least 4 times a year, in great partnership with their livestock and with nature.

Most of the travellers who explored Mongolia tells that “travelling through Mongolia is an eye-opening experience”. Yes, it’s true for many of us. Regarding geography, Mongolia has a diverse vast open landscape of 4 distinctive natural zones including the Gobi desert, the great plain steppes, snow-capped sumptuous mountain areas, and a mysterious yet beautiful dense forest zone.

Each of the nomadic families owns 5 species of animals including cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and camels [2 humped Bactrian’s camel] as their livestock, and has approximately 400 – 1000 livestock. Their everyday life is relevant for their livestock animals, rounding their animals to fertile pasture land, breeding baby animals, producing dairy products, producing raw products of cashmere, wool, and more…

Mongolian nomadic families live in a “ger”, a traditional portable dwelling suitable for their vagrancy lifestyle in many ways including its simplicity for dismantling, ease to build, environment friendliness, stability and safety and more…

Nomadic lifestyle varies in Mongolia depending on which part of Mongolia they live in. We would like to offer you to witness the life of Eagle trainers for hunting who residue in the western part of Mongolia, and Tsaatan tribe of reindeer herders who live in the northern part of Mongolia, and camel breeders who residue in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. Each of these families or ethnicities would show you different stories and different vibes.

You may have heard about sheepherders or cattle herders. But there is another fascinating culture of animal herding… A reindeer herding culture….

Reindeer herders or the Tsaatan, also known as Dukha people, is a small minority tribe residing in the Taiga region in northernmost Mongolia. They, the Tsaatan people live in the far northern region of Mongolia which is closer to the border with Russia, and they have strong Shamanist beliefs. There are approximately 450 reindeer herders [known as Dukha people or Tsaatan people] who live in Mongolia.

Reindeer herding has been part of the Tsaatan way of life for thousands of years and continues to be a principal custom within their community. The word “Tsaatan” is a Mongolian word that means ‘’people who have reindeer’’ so you can see how intertwined the practice of reindeer herding and the Tsaatan people are.
The Tsaatan migrate with the seasons, moving between the same Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring camps every year. Their reindeer provide milk and a source of transport and a special relationship seems to exist between them. Indeed, they are practically members of the family and as such are rarely used for meat. Unlike traditional Mongolian nomads, the Tsaatan live in orts, or teepees, not gers. These are much easier to transport, the wooden poles and beds being left behind at each camp and just the canvas and basic furnishings being packed onto their reindeer.

The Tsaatan continue to live a very traditional life, with hints of modernity creeping in. Much of their food is sourced from the land – wild rhubarb, berries, fish. Fresh bread is baked every morning in a pot on the central stove, reindeer milk tea is boiled daily. Tsaatan children go to school every September, in (relatively) nearby Tsagaannuur village from the age of 6, and return home for the long summer break in late May. Tsaatan marries out with their community, and the number of families has increased greatly over the last decade, from 16 families in 2006 to nearly 60 today throughout East and West Taiga.

Visiting the Tsaatan Reindeer Herders:

A journey into the Taiga is an incredible experience in itself, but staying with a Tsaatan family, deep in the heart of it, is truly special. Living in remote camps, reachable only on horseback for the majority of the year, a trip to stay with northern Mongolia’s reindeer herders takes planning and preparation.

The nearest airport to get there is in the town of Murun. To get to Tsagaan Nuur village [which is a village where the Tsaatan community belongs], you will have a 12-hour journey with few places to stop along the way, so stock up on food and, if you’re doing the driving yourself, extra fuel. And before you set out, be sure to get the required permit to visit the Tsagaan Nuur. Once you reach your destination, be less of a tourist and more of a traveller. You’re going to be interacting directly within their community for the duration of your stay, and there is no five-star hotel. Keep all of that in mind, at the end of the day, as long as you’re well mannered and mindful of the local traditions and culture, you’ll have an incredible time visiting the Tsaatan reindeer herders.
If you want to visit the Tsaatan reindeer herders with the added benefit of logistics taken care of and a local guide, check out the amazing once-in-a-lifetime tours with Way To Nomads.

Choosing the right time in terms of weather and climate would be the key step to enjoying your travel to the fullest.

Mongolia, the world’s second-largest landlocked country, has a continental climate with 4 seasons from extreme cold whitish winter to warm sunny summer. Yet Mongolia is a vast country and the weather can be quite different in the south and the north of Mongolia. Even though the summer months are the most favoured time to visit. The best time to visit Mongolia is from June through September with warm sunny days and has plenty of cultural events and adventurous festivals. Here are some tips to help you find the most suitable season for you to visit Mongolia.

Summer in Mongolia:

The peak travel season in Mongolia is in the summer months of June, July, and August, and for a good reason. Travel across Mongolia with relative ease to enjoy a wide-spanning array of activities. Unleash your inner nomad at the pasture of the Mongolian nomads in June, and then head to the Naadam Festival, the national celebration all over the country. Which is a huge reason for travelling to Mongolia. There are countless sites to visit and explore in the summer for nature lovers, with many activities to partake in and enjoy. For adventure seekers, there are plenty of things to do including horse riding, camelback riding, fishing, hiking, biking, photographing, bird watching, and wildlife observing.

Temperature: 

• The temperature ranges from 20°C to 25°C, Gobi temperatures this month can rise up to 35°C
• Dry throughout the central and southern regions
• The mountains and northern areas can be cold in August

Highlights in summer:

• Mongolian Naadam Festival
• Deeltei Mongol Naadam – A Mongolian Dress Festival
• Local Naadam Festivals in the countryside
• Yak festival
• Reindeer festival

Things to do in summer:

• Horseback riding
• Stargazing
• Stay in a ger /nomadic dwelling/ with a nomadic family
• Camel /two-humped Bactrian camel/ trekking
• Reindeer riding
• Rafting
• Birdwatching
• Wildlife observing
• Takhi, the wild horse observing
• Tame a horse
• Attend a nomadic wedding ceremony
• Wildlife photographing

Autumn:

Nature is at its best in autumn featuring colourful landscapes and temperate weather and the beginning of Autumn is still a high season. The cool weather brings respite to the Gobi and the varying colours in the forests in the north are beautiful. October is again cool and sees the occasional or rare snow bustle up north but is still fine for travel, especially in the Gobi desert. From September to early November are good months to explore the nomadic life and nomad homestays. The cooler weather will make your nomad homestay pleasant with a bit of fire if required. You can do much exploration, learn from them, and volunteer during their busy time for the winter preparation

Temperature:

• The temperature ranges from +10°C to +15°C in a daytime in September
• Sunny days throughout the country with pleasant weather and stunning colours especially in the north and west.
• The temperature in October is -4°C to +12°C daytime and -8°C to +5°C at night. The seasonal accommodation ger camps close October 5 through 1 May allowing you to experience authentic Mongolia and interact with the locals.

 Highlights in autumn:

• Golden Eagle Festival
• Harvest Festival
• Nomadic migrations to the autumn or winter pasture lands.
• Sealing Foals Celebration, a nomadic traditional custom

Things to do in autumn:

• Horseback riding
• Hiking
• Stargazing
• Get acquainted with falconry tradition, and birding tradition
• Attend a Foal sealing celebration
• Attend a nomadic wedding ceremony
• Help nomadic families to migrate to their seasonal pasture land
• Attend Golden Eagle Festival
• Wildlife photographing
• Wildlife observing

Winter:

January is the coldest, and December is the second cold month in Mongolia. But no worries. There is more chance the land will be covered with snow and beautiful. The snow-covered land makes more warm feeling than the snowless area. And it is true because of the sunlight reflection on the snow. Mongolia is beautiful in winter with its glittering landscapes, fresh air, frozen rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. We suggest you not to travel to too remote areas in winter in order to prevent lack of emergency in case snow piles in snowstorm close the road or phone reception range etc. December and January are completely offseason. Nothing is touristic. In winter, we do not promise you comfortable king-size beds, WC, and shower at most accommodations in the countryside. Though, you certainly have in-depth cultural experiences of nomadic life while staying with nomad families and discover yourself among unique lifestyle, harsh climate, and winter scenery. Even though, the tourist accommodation ger camps work in the national parks near Ulaanbaatar. Of course, the tour price is lower than in summer. We are experts in winter travel with well-developed, activities and authentic experiences packed with winter tours. The comfort and enjoyment of our clients have always been our priority. Our staff and hosts will make sure you will stay warm and enjoy your tour wherever you go. Do you need some warm clothes? You can borrow our traditional clothes deel free. Deel has always been the most suitable cloth for Mongolian weather.

Temperature:

• The temperature in the winter months are very low and ranges between -15°C to -37°C
• The weather is dry and bitterly cold
• The sky is clear blue, and the surrounding area is totally snow covered

Highlights:

• Tsagaan Sar – The Mongolian Lunar New Year Celebration
• Khuvsgul Ice Festival
• A Thousand Camel Festival

Spring:

Spring is the time for the nomads to welcome newborn baby animals. We recommend you to come in spring for a stay with nomads if you are a curious traveller if you like adventures and are interested in culture at the same time as enjoying scenic places, attractions, and the vastness of Mongolia. Mongolian spring is windy, sometimes stormy, particularly in the Gobi desert. Spring is the low tourist season. As well as, the weather fluctuates more. There will not be many tourists. The seasonal accommodation ger camps close October 5 through 1 May allowing you to experience authentic Mongolia and interact with the locals. As well as, the tour price is low compared to summer. You can check our low season and winter tours.

Temperature: The temperature in February ranges from -15°C to -3°C daytime. The temperature in March is -8°C to +15°C daytime and -15°C to +5°C at night.

Kharkhorin City Museum

Kharkhorin museum is small, but highly impressive – probably the country’s best museum outside Ulaanbaatar. Everything is beautifully designed and well displayed.

The exhibits include dozens of artifacts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries that were recovered from the immediate area, plus others that were found from archaeological sites in other parts of the provinces, including prehistoric stone tools. You’ll see pottery, bronzes, coins, religious statues, and stone inscriptions. There’s also a half-excavated kiln sunk into the museum floor.

Perhaps most interesting is the scale model of the ancient Karakorum, which aims to represent the city as it may have looked in the 1250s, and is based on descriptions written by the missionary William of Rubruck. Don’t miss the doco detailing the excavation of the 6th-century tomb of Shoroon Bumbagar, which is located 220km from Kharkhorin.

Erdenezuu Monastery

In the 1580s, by the order of Dalai Lama first temple of Erdenezuu monastery was built on the ruin of the Mongolian ancient capital the Karakorum.  By the 1792s, there were 62 temples, over 500 buildings nearby. The monastery was registered in “Heritage of Mongolia” by UNESCO. Today:

Dalai Lama temple exposes 13 “nagtan” images of Mahakala, six images of 12 Dalai Lama’s emanations, and copper image of Under Gegeen Zanabazar, the first leader of Mongolian Buddhism.

Tsamba temple devoted to the deity Tsamba has three rooms. Four Lamas used to occupy each room to recite certain sutras.

West Zuu Temple was built by wish of Abtai Sain Khan, his son Ereehei Mergen’s queen Suntaihu and Holoch Darhan noyon’s mother. Three Buddhas in the center of the temple are Kasyapa, Shakyamuni, Maitreya.

Middle Zuu Temple was built by Abtai Sain Khan on the 15th of mid-month of the summer of fiery male dog year in old Takhai place.

East Zuu Temple was built at the request of Tusheet Khan Gombodorj and his queen Khandjamts. There are three statues and Janraiseg, Buddha Shakyamuni, Je Zonkhapa.

Orkhon River Waterfall

The waterfall falls from 24 m lava cliffs when the Ulaan River confluences the Orkhon River. Therefore, the waterfall is called differently such as Ulaantsutgalan or Orkhon Waterfall, or Orkhonii Khurkheree. The Ulaantsutgalan waterfall is one of the picturesque sights in the historically significant Orkhon River Valley, which requires bumpy driving through the lava-covered scenic valley full of nomads and their animals.
The waterfall locates 495 km from Ulaanbaatar, 135 km from Kharkhorin, and 30 km from the nearest town Bat-Ulziit of Uvurkhangai province.

Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Lakes

The Khuisiin Naiman Nuur or Eight Lakes were formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and are a part of the 11500 hectares Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve. These scenic lakes are accessible on horseback or hiking from the northern side. The Eight Lakes are called Shireet, Mukhar, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Duruu, Khuis, and Onon located 500 m to 3 km to each other.
The area is extremely beautiful surrounded by coniferous tree-covered mountains and the forest clearings have multitudes of wildflowers, is a famous horse-riding destination in central Mongolia.

Tuvkhun Monastery

Tovkhon is one of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Mongolia and a famous Pilgrimage center, which was built on the 2312 m rocky top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain hidden deep in the Khangai Mountain. The monastery was first named Dubkhen meaning “creation temple” and later turned to Tovkhon.
The monastery is accessible both from the eastern slope and western slope of the mountain. A return hiking takes 2.5 hours through scenic trails of coniferous tree-covered mountains, plus some sightseeing time. A sturdy 4WD can drive the steep road up about 20 min or you could hire a horse. Though, hiking to the monastery is the best and the safest way.

Elsen Tasarkhai – Khugnu Tarna Natural Reserve

Elsen Tasarkhai is a part of the Mongol Els sand dunes, that continues 80 km long 5 km wide across Burd, Bulgan, and Gurvanbulag soum of Uvurkhangai province. It is located 280 km west of Ulaanbaatar and 80 km east of Karakorum – the ancient Mongolian capital. The area is surrounded by sand dunes, hills covered with rare bushes, and a small forest near a river. Together this presents a unique combination of Mongolian mountains, forests, and Gobi-type landscape in one location. Local people call these sand dunes Duut mankhan (Singing sand).

Khuvsgul Lake

Khuvsgul Lake is known as Dark Blue Pearl among beautiful mountains.

Lake Khuvsgul is Mongolia’s largest and deepest lake. Located in the northernmost province, it is the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in Russia. 96 rivers and streams flow out of Khuvsgul, among them the Egiin River, which then joins the Selenge along its eventual path to Lake Baikal.

Lake Khuvsgul is 136 km long, water beneath 100 meters & 36 km wide, 262 meters deep and is located at an altitude of 1645 m above sea level.

Taiga Fauna and Flora, Tsaatan, practising reindeer breeding are the main attractions for tourists. Lake Khuvsgul is the important migration route for birds from Siberia, thus facilitating marvellous opportunities for bird watching.

Khoridol Saridag Mountain Range

The Khoridol Saridag Mountains are a protected area in the north of Mongolia, home to remote communities, plentiful wildlife encounters, and swathes of pristine wilderness. With some of the most exciting and beautiful mountain trekking trails in Mongolia, groups travelling to the remote Khoridol Saridag Mountain Range are unlikely to encounter any other people, offering a stark contrast to the busy capital, Ulaanbaatar.  Students visiting this area can assist in projects with rural communities, trek through the forests, summit Uran Dosh Uul (2,702 meters), and follow the rivers of the Darkhad Valley.

Arsai Waterfall

The highest waterfall in Mongolia is located on the Arsai River, Khuvsgul province. Apart from the fact that the largest one, 24 meters high waterfall lies in Orkhon Valley, the length of Arsai waterfall is about 70 meters high. Khuvsgul province and Khuvsgul Lake have so many natural treasures.

Uran Extinct Volcano

This extinct volcano lies near the road and stretches from Bulgan town to Moron, the administrative city of Khuvsgul province for 80 kilometres northwest of Bulgan town through the territory of Kutag- Undur Soum. The reserve occupies a territory of 8 square kilometres with an elevation of 1,686 meters above sea level.

It has been protected since 1965, and today enjoys the statue of ” Natural Monument “. On the top of the extinct volcano is a crater, 500 to 600 meters wide and 50 meters deep, filled with a small “crater lake” about 20 meters in diameter. There are green woods in the centre of Crater Lake.

It is a really fascinating mountain. Red deer, Argali, Wild boar, Siberian Ibex, Ruddy Shelduck, and duck are found in this area.

Ulaan Taiga Forest

Ulaan Taiga (Mongolian: Улаан Тайга, lit. “red taiga”) is a mountain range in north-western Khövsgöl, Mongolia, between the Darkhad Valley and Mongolia’s border with Tuva, Russia. The range covers parts of the Ulaan-Uul, Tsagaannuur and Bayanzürkh sums. Notable peaks include Mt. Lam Taiga (2619m) and Mt. Belchir (3351m). The Shishged River and the Delgermörön have their sources in this area. A part of the area along the border with Tuva has been put under natural protection.

Darkhad Depression

The beautiful, mountainous Darkhad Valley, watered by countless rivers and containing 300 lakes, is located in the Far North of Mongolia next to the border with Tuva in Siberia and a four-day drive along a dirt track from the capital Ulaanbaatar. It is home to the Darkhad minority people who, like 5% of Mongolians, like in felt tents called ger and, in the very Far North, the Dukha or Tsaatan reindeer herders who live in conical tents similar to the North American teepee. The area is home to some of the most powerful shamans in Mongolia.

Amarbaysgalant Monastery

The Amarbayasgalant Monastery is located 360 km north of Ulaanbaatar is one of the favourite destinations for visitors. It can be reached by jeep or by a combination of local train and motor vehicle rides.

Built-in 1727-1736, the Monastery was the second most important in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin. The Monastery was established in 1727-1736 dedicated to Mongolian Religious First Bogd Gegeen. There were 27 kinds of big and small temples.

According to Mongolian History in the 17th -19th-century, Amarbayasgalant was a Mongolian greatest pilgrimage Buddhist Center. There were about one thousand lamas living chanted, studied in this Monastery. According to history, Amarbayasgalant was sacked during the repressions of in1930-1940.

In 1996 it was nominated by UNESCO as a Heritage Site. After 65 years monks organized the “Tsam” Religious dance first time in Amarbayasgalant Monastery in 2002.

Saikhany Khutul

Saikhanii Khutul is the most attractive destination of not only Selenge aimag, but also Mongolia, where you can observe Orkhon and Selenge river basins from the top of the mountains. Orkhon and Selenge rivers flow into Lake Baikal and are considered the biggest rivers of Mongolia.

View into Saikhanii Khutul might be brighter in the summer. However, one who visits there could not forget that spectacular view for a lifetime whether it is summer or spring.

Border guards furnished Saikhanii Khutul with stairs, tables, and chairs to rest, little bridges as well as stone monuments.

Mongolia is geographically characterized by the great diversity of 5 distinctive zones including mountain forests, the alpine steppe, flat grassland, and in the far south the semi-desert and the Gobi.

The text above tells you an idea – it’s a great and cheap way to get diverse photos of nature, wildlife, and culture.

Let us introduce you to places where the photographers shot world-class photos including Batzaya’s “Mongolian Stallion” on the Telegraph UK, Timothy Allen’s “Incredible Country” on The Telegraph, and more.

Let’s begin the list below:

1. Ulaagchin Lake – A Beautiful lake surrounded by sand dunes

Ulaagchnii Khar Lake has been protected as a Strictly Protected Area since 2010. Ulaagchnii Khar lake is located in the northeast of Erdenemandal soum in the western plateau of Khangai Mountain Range. This lake is a freshwater lake and one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. We can see amazing sand dunes in the southern and northern parts of the lake. The lake is 23.9m long and 3.5m wide on average. The depth of the lake is 47m in the west 23-30m in the east and the deepest point is 57m near the Gatsaa.

2. Khermen Tsav – A stunning canyon in the Gobi desert

Khermen Tsav is a mesmerizing reddish canyon in the Mongolian Gobi desert, in the southern part of Mongolia. It stretches some 15 to 20 km, and it was formed millions of years ago under the ocean that once covered the area.  The now desolate area of today offers some of the most amazing views in Mongolia.

3. Khoton Lake and Khurgan Lake

When you travel to the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, you will find this dazzling beauty. The two connected lakes, home to several species of fishes, some of them are only in the western Mongolian basin, surrounded by magnificent snow-capped peaks and ancient historical remains.

4. Darkhad depression and the Khoridol Saridag Mountains

The Darkhad valley is a large valley in northwestern Khuvsgul province, Mongolia. It is situated between the Ulaan
Taiga and Khoridol Saridag ranges at an altitude of about 1600 m, about 160 km long, and 40 km wide. The view from the valley and mountains are unique. The area is 4270 km². It was transferred from the People”s Republic of Tagna Tuva to the Mongolian People’s Republic in 1925 as a Soviet concession to the Mongolians, who had wanted to incorporate the territory of Tagna Uriankhai into their country. The valley is rich in lakes and rivers, the biggest of which is Dood Tsagaan Lake “lower white
lake” and Shishged River, respectively. The area is famous for its natural beauty.

5. Altai 5 Bogd National Park

Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is an impressive natural reserve and is famous for its 5 highest peaks and largest Potanin glacier, lying on more than 4,000m above sea level, the highest and westernmost region of Mongolia.

The park has not only natural wonders but also it has cultural and historical wonders including thousands of ancient rock carvings, listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site, mysterious stone men and burial mounds, and uncommon nomadic cultures of Kazakh and Tuva people.

Mongolia, the country with the lowest population density in the world, gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “the middle of nowhere”. And therein lies the country’s appeal. Rivers, lakes mountains, and the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert are just some of Mongolia’s breathtaking landscapes.

Mongolian Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, and the area is often imagined as a lifeless desert-like in many other parts of the world. In reality, most part of the Gobi Desert is a land of steppes, sands, mountains, rich with wildlife and also, it is a home of two-humped camels.

 So here’s the 5 reasons why you must travel the Mongolian Gobi Desert and why it must be on your bucket list if you’re planning to visit Mongolia.

1. The last surviving nomadic hospitality.

The stay and visit at nomadic family will be your favorite part of your travel in the Gobi Desert, involving the nomad’s daily activities will give you a very good idea of what life in the Mongolian Gobi is like. Nomads always lack visitors. Therefore, always welcome visitors pleasantly and give them food and lodging if they need it.

2. The Gobi Desert holds a very important historical place.

The Gobi Desert holds historical importance as it played an important role in history as part of the great Mongol Empire, serving as the location of several important cities along the Silk Road. The Gobi Desert region first became known in Europe through Marco Polo in the 13th Century who described this vast land vividly.

3. The Gobi Desert is home of the largest dinosaur fossils in the world.

The Gobi holds the most important archaeological place where the first discovered that Dinosaurs laid eggs. The Gobi, which hid the dinosaur footprints until this time, came to the world’s attention this way.

4. The Gobi Desert has uniqueyet beautiful inhabitants.

Ancient sub-species of the brown bear and only desert-dwelling bear species Mazaalai lives in the Mongolian Gobi. With less than thirty living individuals, the Gobi bear is on the brink of extinction. Other than Mazaalai, the Bactrian camel, Khulan (Equus hemionus), and snow leopard are native in the Gobi,

5. Spectacular Gobi landscape will amaze you.

The Gobi Desert is home to the Khongor sand dune. At over 12km wide, 180km long, and a height of 80 meters, this is one of the world’s biggest and most beautiful sand dunes. And there is a national park named Gobi Gurvan Saikhan, which is a hidden gem in the middle of the Gobi desert with many rare migratory birds and more mammals between sumptuous steep hills.