Covering nearly as much space as all the countries in central and western Europe combined, the wild and pristine Asian nation of Mongolia is characterized by rolling, empty landscapes. The list of things to do in Mongolia centers on culture, wildlife, and nature. Golden eagle festivals and the Naadam Festival draw photographers from around the planet; Flaming Cliffs and singing dunes summon travelers to the Gobi Desert; and wild horses, nomadic herders, and traditional shamans still roam steppes scattered with circular ger tents.
Most travelers avoid Mongolia in winter, when the mercury can drop to a bracing -40°F (-40°C). Summer (June through August) is the sweet spot for most of the country, but September-October is a better option for the Gobi Desert: it’s cooler than the scorching summer but less windy than spring. The Naadam Festival begins in the second week of July, while western Mongolia hosts several different eagle festivals in September and October.
One of the world’s great train journeys, the Trans-Mongolian railway links Russia and China via the capital of Ulaanbaatar, and Mongolia has a few internal rail connections too. Elsewhere, this vast and sparsely populated country is distinctly short on asphalt, which means most overland journeys will be at least partially off-road—most travelers will want to leave navigating the signpost-free grasslands and desert to a local expert. Besides domestic flights, more colorful transport options include horseback trekking and camel safaris.
A stay in a ger—the circular felt-lined tent that foreigners often call a yurt—is a rite of passage on any Mongolia trip, but it’s important to follow the correct etiquette. Never step on or lean over the threshold. Always sit on the left-hand side, which is for guests. Whether it’s vodka, salt milk tea, murky stew, or airag (fermented mare’s milk), refusing offered hospitality is rude: if you don’t drink alcohol, pretend to taste then hand the container back.
