Monglia

Capital: Ulaanbaatar

Population: 3.3 million

Area: 1,564,116 km²

Official Languages: Mongolian

Currency: Togrog

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Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia is vast and sparsely populated. It is the least densely populated country in the world and roughly 30% of the population are nomadic. The best of Mongolia is out in the steppe, the vast grasslands that cover most of the country. Head into the wilderness on horseback or 4×4 for spectacular big sky scenery and impromptu meetings with local nomads. From the Altai Mountains to the Gobi Desert, meeting a Kazakh eagle hunter to an overnight Ger-stay, this country has a whole host of options for those looking to get off the beaten track.

Getting to Mongolia

Most people will arrive by air in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, with direct flights from cities in Asia and Europe. For those that relish long bureaucratic border crossings, there is the option to travel overland by train or road from Russia or China. We travelled by car as part of the Mongol Rally, arriving at the western border post of Tashanta-Tsagaannuur, from Russia. Check hours and days of operation before you drive to the border. The entry points can be very remote, and some have irregular opening hours. For example, Tashanta-Tsagaannuur was not open on Sundays when we travelled to Mongolia.

Road quality varies from perfect new asphalt to dusty dirt tracks.

Getting around Mongolia

Distances in Mongolia are vast, and infrastructure differs significantly across the country. The road quality varies from perfect new asphalt to multiple ribbons of dirt track converging and diverging at random. As a result, it took us five days to drive from the western border to Ulaanbaatar, in the centre of the country. The easiest way to get around Mongolia and see some of the main attractions as a tourist is to join an overland tour. Otherwise, hiring a 4×4 with a driver would be a great way to get out on your own if you have the funds to cover it. There is a national bus network in Mongolia, and we passed many of these buses out on the steppe. It didn’t look the most comfortable, but it would be a very authentic overland experience.

Where to Stay in Mongolia

Outside Ulaanbaatar, accommodation options are minimal. But don’t let that stop you; that is one of Mongolia’s big draws. Get out of the city and camp out under the stars. Whether it’s in your own tent, like us, part of an overland tour, or in a ger-stay. Gers are the traditional nomad tents of Mongolia, and a visit here is not complete without at least one night in one of these. If you’re travelling independently, you can camp anywhere out on the steppe. Otherwise, join a tour for rustic ger-stay accommodation and nights under the stars.

What to do in Mongolia

Mongolia is vast, so unless you have an excessive amount of time, and money, on your hands, it makes sense to choose one or two areas to explore. Getting out of the city into the vast, rolling steppe is a must. Here it’s all about exploring the wilderness, be it on horseback, by 4×4, or trekking with Bactrian camels in the Gobi desert. Spot wildlife, including gazelles and reindeer, spend time with nomad families as part of an overnight ger-stay or just enjoy the incredible nightly ceiling of stars. Mongolia’s wilderness will not disappoint.

Exploring sand dunes astride two of Mongolia’s ubiquitous Bactrian camels.

What to see in Mongolia

In Mongolia, nomadic culture is alive and well. See it for yourself at the annual Naadam festival, featuring traditional sports such as wrestling, horse racing and archery. If mountains are your thing, get out into the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park for snow-capped peaks and sparkling blue lakes. This western region also sees Kazakh eagle hunters at work and wildlife such as the Argali sheep and Ibex. Lake Khövsgöl is a sub-Siberian lake in the country’s north, with pristine (but cold) waters.

Mongolia, however, isn’t about big-ticket sights. It’s about the vast horizons and the engaging people, the vivid starry nights and impromptu meetings with locals. Go with an open mind and a sense of adventure, and you’ll find spectacular sights and experiences around every bend of the barely visible road.

Entry Requirements Papua New Guinea

When we visited Mongolia in 2017, we both required a visa before travel. Rules often change, though, so check well before you travel.