Enjoyable Places to Visit in Mongolia With Children

Mongolia is a great place to visit with your children, especially if they are adventurous and natural born explorers. The journey to one-of-a-kind and breathtaking places is part of the fun—and your kids are likely to forget the lack of western luxuries with the unique and enjoyable experiences they will encounter in the beautiful Mongolian wilderness. In Mongolia, you can let your kids run around in the fields, mingle with nomadic tribes, experience riding the short yet tough horses native to the country, and experience the unique culture. Be sure to arrange a visit to Mongolia with help from a specialist tour agency like Goyo Travel. That way, you can be sure that the itinerary can be arranged with your children in mind. Here are some of the enjoyable places to visit in Mongolia if you are going there with your children:

·       Central Mongolia – Have experience a cultural overland journey and adventure across the Khangai Hills and Orkhon Valley. From Ulaanbaatar, you can head west to Khustai National Park and see the Przewalski horses. The journey includes Elsen Tasarkhai where you can see the dunes, and Khogno Khaan Mountain where you can enjoy hiking. After that, you and your kids can unwind at Tsenkher hot springs before going on a horse trek to your host nomad family where you can enjoy a homestay. The nomadic heartland of the country hosts an annual Horse Festival, too.

·       Lake Khovsgul National Park – Located in the North of the country, the national park is home to a large freshwater lake. Explore the park on horseback or by boat, and on foot when you hike through alpine trails.

·       Gobi Desert – Take your kids to the Gobi Desert enjoy activities like climbing the Khongor sand dunes, camel rides across dunes, and a trip to Bayanzag, which is known for its archaeological finds including dinosaur bones.

Wonderful Taste of Western Mongolia Adventurous Tour

Mongolia is one of the top choices of tourist destinations located in Central Asia. The scenic beauty and a rich culture are just two of the reasons why thousands of tourists visit this beautiful country every year.

There is a plenty of interesting tourist spots spread across the country but Western Mongolia is the favoured destination of adventure lovers. There are many options for exhilarating Mongolia trekking, camping trips, and horse riding expeditions here. Potanii Glacier and Tavanbogd National Park are two of the most popular destinations.

Here are a few of the things you will be able to experience when you visit Western Mongolia.

Glacier-wrapped Mountains: The glacier-wrapped mountains in western Mongolia are a must-visit for everyone visiting the country. This region offers a wild landscape with an average altitude of 4000 metres that you can explore by trekking on foot or on horseback. There is no better way to explore Western Mongolia than trekking it and exploring it slowly. There are options to set up a tent and enjoy camping in the wilderness. By trekking to the Khuiten Uul Base Camp in the Tavan Bogd National Park, you can enjoy great views of the 12km long Potanii Glacier along with the mountain range. The best part is that you can walk on the glacier as well.

Shimmering Salt Lakes: The shimmering salt lakes are going to be a vision to behold when you make a visit to Western Mongolia. Some of the most pristine lakes in the world are located here and it must be a part of your itinerary. Dayan, Khoton and Khurgan Lakes, a part of the Tavan Bogd National park, are easily accessible. Khurgan Lake, surrounded by glacial moraines, has some of the most breathtaking views you are ever likely to see.

Hardy Culture of Nomads: Tourists who love to understand the culture of a country would love to experience life among the Mongolian nomads. Many travel companies offer Mongolia tours where you can experience the way nomads live and also interact with them. It would be really interesting to see their lifestyle in this remote part of the world contrasting the frantic pace of life in the modern cities.

Lake Khuvsgul – One of the Most Beautiful Holiday Trips in Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the top tourist destinations in Asia. Its untouched scenic beauty and rich culture offer something truly unique. No matter which part of the country you wish to explore, you will find pristine lakes, exciting rugged terrain, glacier-clad mountain ranges, and the nomadic population every step of the way.

One of the top holiday destinations in Mongolia is Lake Khuvsgul, also known as Khövsgöl Nuur. It is a freshwater lake, the largest in Mongolia and second-largest by volume and area in the world. This beautiful lake is surrounded by several mountain ranges and its scenic beauty is difficult to describe in mere words. You have to see it to believe it. Since the area receives snowfall, the lake looks indescribably beautiful in December when the mountain peaks are covered in stark white snow.

An adventurous Lake Khövsgöl trek will give you the opportunity to explore the spectacular beauty of the lush countryside. You can also visit the reindeer herding families or do some fishing in the fresh water lake. During your holidays in Mongolia, you will be able to spot many migratory birds from Siberia.

Some of the tours in and around the Khuvsgul Lake area take you to other popular tourist attractions nearby and elsewhere in Mongolia. You might want to visit Uran Togoo Uul and Tulga natural monument and crater, Amarbayasgalant monastery, the hot springs of Tsenkher, and the Gobi desert among others.

The nomadic culture of Mongolia is also something that you must experience by meeting the nomads and living life their way for at least a couple of days. They live a different life than the fast paced life in the modern cities. Music lovers would appreciate listening to Khoomi singing, a unique style of throat singing practiced in Mongolia.

Trekking is one of the best ways to explore the hidden treasures in the land of Genghis Khan. You can also go for horse–treks. Some of them last for several days. If you enjoy camping, the tour operators will be able to make the provisions for you while you are on the Mongolia tour of your life.

Tours to Mongolia: Experience the Rich Culture of Buddhism

Buddhism in Mongolia derives much of its characteristics from Tibetan Buddhism, which arrived in the region in two waves. The first one was during the time of Genghis Khan and later, his grandson Kublai Khan. The second wave occurred in the 16th century when the Dalai Lama school came to Mongolia in the latter part of the century. Both of these had been preceded much earlier in history during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, monarch of the pre-historic Maurya Empire three centuries before Christ.

Mongolia has a rich culture of Buddhism. Ruins of ancient cities and Buddhist temples are still found in the Mongolian countryside. The ruins of remote monasteries located on the towering mountains and evidence of the rich culture of Buddhism can also be witnessed in the Buddhist temples in Mongolia. They are often located on mountainsides.

The local music also reflects a deep love and pride that Mongolians have for their country. Khoomi singing, as the unique style of Mongolian throat singing, is famous all over the world. Khoomi singers produce harmonic tones that can mirror the sounds of waterfalls or the gentle rustle of the wind blowing sand over the steppes. The most recognisable is the deep chanting chorus of the Buddhist monks. It can be quite mysterious and mesmerising at the same time.

Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol empire in the middle of the 13th century. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Erdene Zuu monastery of Saskyapa is one of the earliest in the country and houses 108 stupas. The boundary of the temple complex is unique with carved stone turtles along the periphery. The Saskyapa School, located in the Ovorkhangai province of Karakorum tries to maintain equilibrium between erudition and meditation. After lying ruins for many years, the monastery was reconstructed at the end of the last century and is now maintained by the democratic government of Mongolia.

Enjoy Mongolia Tours with a Travel Agent to Make Your Trip Remarkable

Mongolia is one of the best places to visit for a wilderness experience. It can certainly change the way you look at life, nature, and culture. That said, Mongolia is not a country that you can easily explore on your own. The unreliable public transport system and language barrier can make it very difficult to get around without a guide. You’ll get more bang for your buck by working with a travel agency that can take care of everything on your itinerary—from the schedule to hiring a horse to your accommodation. Some of the best travel agents can create an itinerary that fits your interest, your time frame, and your budget. Here are some advantages of having a travel agent guide you through your Mongolian holiday:

• Make the most of your time – The best Mongolian travel agencies can offer expert advice on maximising your holiday. They can also suggest alternatives. If the activity you want might not be ideal for the current weather, for example, they can work out something else so you don’t waste a day.

• Special touches – The Mongolian wilderness can be harsh when you are on your own. A travel agency will make the experience a little more luxurious with thoughtful touches like snacks for an especially long trek, fresh fruit, a hearty breakfast and hot fresh coffee on a cold morning.

• Save money - Yes, you can save money when you book with a travel agent who can negotiate with local providers on your behalf. You can’t bargain well in a foreign country, especially if you don’t speak the language.

The best type of travel agency is one that has years of experience in Mongolian tourism. Their guides grew up in the country—they speak both English and the local language, they are respectful of the culture, and also knows the nook and corner of the city and the countryside. With a good travel guide you need not worry about anything. All you have to do is come to Mongolia with an open mind and a ready heart for exploration.

Know More about Mongolia Horse Riding Trips Offered By Mongolian Travel Agencies

Mongolia is a dream destination for serious riders, with its endless horizons and wild landscapes. The safest and most efficient way to enjoy the country’s riding trails is to join a comprehensive Mongolia horse trek tour. You will get to explore spectacular scenery, hidden trails, and wilderness terrain. There are all kinds of Mongolia horse riding trips short, long, full-on riding, and combination of horse riding and overland journeys.

Note that most Mongolia horse riding trips are expeditionary by nature and therefore don’t include vehicle support. The travel agency will provide one ‘pack horse’ for carrying provisions and equipment per two riders.

Interestingly, Mongolian horses are relatively short (about 13 hands high) and have disproportionately large heads, but are very strong. A good travel agency will we source your horse and wrangler from reliable local herdsmen. Each horse is carefully inspected in terms of stamina, speed, size, and temperament.

Eating and Sleeping During a Mongolia Horse Trek

Your travel agency should provide you high-quality rest mats and tents as well as access to a dining tent. Three high-quality dishes will be served daily, prepared by the cook who accompanies the trip. Western tastes are catered for, so you can expect a hearty breakfast of porridge, pancakes, bread and jam, bacon, tea, coffee, and juice. Lunch typically means sandwiches, salads, rice dishes and cold noodles, plus chocolate and fruits. Meaty soups and stir-fry dishes are usually served for dinner. Drinking water typically filtered from nearby rivers and fresh water streams will be provided.

Communications and Safety during a Mongolia Horse Riding Trip

Because you will journey to remote destinations during the trek, mobile communication may be compromised. A good Mongolia travel agency can provide emergency satellite phones for safety. The guide will also carry topographic maps for review and reference aside from a GPS handset.

Should there be medical emergencies, evacuation will be provided. The guide also carries fully-equipped first aid kits for smaller medical emergencies that don’t require evacuation.

Reasons To Hire A Mongolia Tour Agent For Safe Mongolia Trekking

Mongolia is a paradise for avid trekkers with its never-ending horizons and wild landscapes. Trekking across the country can introduce you to the diverse and spectacular scenery, letting you discover hidden trails and learn about the land on a more personal level. But planning a trip to go trekking in Mongolia can become overwhelming and time consuming. A Mongolia tour agent can help make the process a little easier. Find a tour agent that specialises in arranging Mongolia trekking adventures to make your trip not only ore convenient but also a lot safer.

•  Mongolia tour agents can organise tailor-made or private trekking trips or group treks, and they can provide select and unique additional travel services within or to Mongolia.

•  Reputable tour agents can arrange trekking holidays that allow you to explore classic routes, remote wilderness terrains, and hidden trails. They can arrange a long, short, or full-on trekking trip in Mongolia combined with other activities like horse riding and nomadic living. This way, you can combine cultural experiences with your trekking trip for a more memorable holiday.

•  Mongolia tour agents use their personal knowledge and experience to help you plan your trekking itinerary. They can give you suggestions on where to go or refer you to their existing trekking packages. One of the leading Mongolia tour agents has ready-made trekking trips to remote areas like Terelj and Khan Khentii, the northernmost Khovsgol province, the western provinces and snow-capped mountains of the Altai, and the nomadic heartland, Arkhangai.

•  Custom, private tours can be arranged if you do not wish to join a ready-made group tour or if you prefer to travel with your own personal group.

•  Your safety, comfort, and enjoyment are important to reputable Mongolia tour agents, so they provide high-quality equipment and guarantee the safest provisions on Mongolia treks. A leading Mongolia tour agent provides high-quality rest mats and tents and a dining tent on most treks. A cook will go with you, so you can be sure to eat clean and hearty meals three times a day.

Different Types of Mongolia Travel Packages Available Online

The most exciting Mongolia travel itineraries are prepared by tour operators who know Mongolia inside out and have an extensive personal knowledge of the country’s best tourist draws. To truly enjoy your holiday, buy an online travel package that allows for some degree of flexibility, taking into consideration individual interests and preferences. The best Mongolia tour groups are small—between 6 to 12 people. Anything bigger and the personal touch is often lost.

Ready to go on that Mongolia holiday? Here are just some of the many itineraries offered online by reputable tour operators:

Culture Tours

See what it’s like to live the Mongolian lifestyle first hand. You may get to stay with both city and rural locals, learn how to cook traditional food, take care of animals, ride, and even put up a ger. You may also be taken to Mongolia’s most popular palaeontology sites, sand dunes, rivers, ancient rock arts, monasteries, and stunning hilltop temples.

Adventure Tours

Are you the outdoorsy type? Why not try dog sledding on Mongolia’s frozen landscapes? You will get your own sled and dog team and cover around 50 kilometres of wilderness terrain every day, sleep with nomadic families, and enjoy Mongolia’s national parks at their rawest. You can also try a nine-day cycling adventure through the famous Khangai Hills as well as the Orkhon Valley, or explore Terelj and Khan-Khentii the old fashioned way—on foot. If you ride horses, you might enjoy an eight-day horse trek through the Lake Hovsgol area’s varied scenery, or ride alongside the best eagle hunters of Western Mongolia while learning about how they train birds. These adventure tours let you live the life of a Kazakh nomad.

Mix of Both

Contact your online Mongolia tour operator if you are interested in an itinerary that mixes culture and adventure. You can choose to skip certain activities in favour of another until you get the perfect blend. 

Enjoy the Novelty of Horse Riding In Mongolia on Your Tour

Apart from the nomadic culture, Mongolia is known for endless horizons and fantastic landscapes waiting to be explored. Horse riding is one of the activities that should be part of your itinerary when you visit Mongolia. An adventure or cultural visit to Mongolia is incomplete with the experience of riding its unique horses, which are known for their shorter stature yet robust and sturdy build. They look like ponies when compared to European horses, but don’t be fooled—they are very strong, with an amazing stamina that places them among the world's best horse breeds.

Mongolia is considered a must-visit place for avid horse riders. There are Mongolia tour operators that can arrange horse treks and horseback riding tours across the mountains, valleys, and steppes. Horse riding provides an alternative and one of a kind way to discover Mongolia, and it can make your trip more memorable and exciting.

The equipment used for Mongolian horse riding is considered special as it is inspired by traditional design and are reflective of the nomadic tradition, and heritage. Nomads are notably excellent riders themselves, and they start riding horse as early as childhood, even before they learn how to walk. They partake in horse racing festivals too, such as the Burentogtoh Horse Festival.

The best Mongolia tour operators can arrange an eight-day horse trek through various landscapes like shorelines, forested hills, open valleys, and inlands. Visits to local nomadic families, soaking in Bulnai's thermal springs, and camping are part of the experience. Day trips to Terelj National Park can include either an hour or two of horse riding. An adventure group tour like the Tsambagarav Trek has an option where you can have seven days of riding in the itinerary. A good Mongolia tour operator can arrange custom horse riding tours, too.

Experience Mongolia Horse Riding Adventures

Mongolia is a paradise for riders, with its endless horizons and vast, wild landscapes that you can explore with your trusty steed. The sparsely populated land with almost no boundaries provides a lot of room for horse riding. You will also have plenty of opportunity to explore hidden trails, remote terrains in the wilderness, and learn about the local culture and the nomadic tradition.

Horse riding in Mongolia is an adventure of a lifetime. Mongolian horses are different from other breeds because of their stocky build, large head, and shorter yet strong legs. Their sizes range from 12 to 14 hands high, but despite being small, they are strong, agile, and have a lot of stamina. With their robust hooves, horseshoes are almost not required.

The horses involved in high-quality Mongolia horse treks were carefully selected by tour providers to make sure that they have the right size, speed, temperament, and stamina for your trip. The wranglers were carefully selected from local nomadic herdsmen, too, so you can be sure of their professionalism and skill and knowledge in animal welfare, horsemanship, riding, and taking care of you, the client.

A horse riding adventure in Mongolia can last for days, and this could be a great time to experience the great outdoors. Choose a horse riding adventure from a reputable Mongolia adventure and tour company that provides high-quality tents and mats. One of the best Mongolia travel agencies can arrange a cook to accompany you during your trip, so you can be sure that you are fed three meals a day.

Mobile communication with a satellite phone must be provided in your horse riding adventure, so you can easily contact the authorities in case of an emergency. The phone will be in the care of your guide. Topographic maps are provided, too, as well as a GPS handset. All of these are provided for a safe and convenient Mongolia horse riding adventure.

Tour Mongolia: A Trip Full of Adventure and Magnificent Culture

If it is culture, history, and nature you are looking for, choose Mongolia as your next destination. While modern travelers often search for sun, vast forests, and extreme adventures during their wanderings, many still long for culture and history—with a side of everything that's beautiful about nature. Mongolia is home to many impressive scenic destinations like the Hulun Buir Grasslands and the Aershan National Forest Park, but it's the ancient temples and the well preserved culture and traditions many people keep raving about and coming back for.

Finding a tour group and service to assist you throughout your tour of the country is the best way to enjoy Mongolia at its fullest. It can be quite hard to navigate through the country without knowledge of the local transport system and more importantly, the Mongolian language. To avoid risks of getting lost in translation, finding a reliable tour group is the most practical way to explore and experience Mongolia.

Culture and history are two of the best draw cards of the country. But Mongolia is more than just its Ming Dynasty temples and prehistoric mountain rock paintings. The Hexigten Global Geopark is a perfect representation of the rich geological landscape of the country, with its awe-inspiring volcanic landforms, glacier landforms, grasslands, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Apart from the Gobi desert, a stretch of stunning sand gorge also stretches in Inner Mongolia, known as the Xiangshawan or the Resonant Sand Gorge. Here, you will hear the sound of your footsteps echo through the vast gorge, thus its name. It is also one of the best places to enjoy activities like camel riding and sand surfing. Even more interestingly, the area is close to Zhaojun's Tomb, and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. 

Holidays In Mongolia-Make It a Wonderful Trip

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we have received over the years. We hope that by answering them here, we can help make your holiday in Mongolia wonderful and stress-free.

Do I really need a guide to explore Mongolia?
Yes. Though Mongolia is rapidly expanding economically and politically, it is still a challenging destination for foreigners. Mobility and access may become difficult for non-Mongolian speakers. Hiring a travel agency helps ensure that your Mongolian holiday is smooth, free from the frustrations caused by language as well as cultural barriers.

When is the best time to go to Mongolia?
We suggest May to September. The peak season is in July, when the Naadam Festival is held. Even though there are some rains in July and August, there is still more than enough sunshine to let you enjoy the trip. If you plan to see the Gobi, June and September are good months, to avoid the heat

Is Mongolia safe for tourists?
Yes, very safe. In fact, the crime rate in Mongolia is one of the lowest in the world—certainly much, much lower compared to the figures in the US and in Europe.

What is the Mongolian accommodation like?
Ulaanbaatar is home to a range of accommodation options including 4 and 5-star hotels. If you are exploring the countryside, you will sleep in tents and in Mongolian Ger camps. These camps typically have separate washing blocks with western-style toilets and shower cubicles. Laundry, shopping, and eating facilities are provided. Book with a reputable travel company to ensure that your camping and ger accommodation is of the highest standard.

Is there electricity in the camps?
Yes. In most camps, you will be able to charge your camera batteries and mobile phone. 

Do I need vaccinations prior to travelling to Mongolia? 
There are standard vaccinations recommended such as Hepatatis A and Tetanus/Diptheria/Typhoid to go on a holiday in Mongolia. Please consult your doctor for the latest information at least 8 weeks before travelling.

What should I bring?
Pack for all weather conditions - a lightweight waterproof jacket, fleece top, comfortable walking boots, a pair of sandals, and a headscarf to protect your face from the winds and the sun. Also bring some insect repellent, lip-salveand basic medicine for diarrhoea, headaches, etc. Of course, don’t forget your camera and binoculars. 

Top 5 Places for Horse Riding in Mongolia

Mongolia has vast and varied terrains where you can enjoy horse riding. What makes horse riding in Mongolia more special? The riding style is different and the horses are shorter compared to European horses, but they have high stamina and are very strong, making them among the best breeds in the world. If you want to experience horse riding in Mongolia, here are the top five places where you can go and arrange a horse trek.

Altai Mountains
Head to the rugged peaks of the Altai Mountains, which include the sacred Holy 5 peaks of Tavanbogd National Park. Ride through stunning Mongolian mountain landscape - see glaciers, petroglyphs, Kazakh culture, eagle hunters, Lake Khoton, Hovd River and other unique highlights of this predominately Kazakh region of Mongolia.

Khovsgol
Mongolia’s northernmost province of Khovsgol contains some of the country’s most inaccessible but stunning scenery and riding trails, as well as being home to the remote ethnic group of reindeer herders – the Tsaatan. The lesser visited eastern shores of Lake Khovsgol also provide a start point to some wild landscapes and stunning routes through unexplored terrain.

The Sacred Rivers
The area between the Sacred Rivers consists of the Tuul river valley, Terelj National Park, Kherlen Valley, and the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve. It's a fantastic and wonderful place for horse riding because of the wide verdant steppes that feature small hills, lined by river valleys, and fringed by majestic mountains. A deep blue sky adds a breathtaking background that makes the scenery and your entire surroundings more enjoyable and beautiful.

Central Mongolia
Explore the Khangai Mountains, Orkhon Vallley and the 8 Lakes region around Naiman Nuur. Head to the hilltop monastery of Tuvkhun Khiid and explore unique natural and cultural highlights. You'll also get to camp in the wilderness, meet nomads, and experience their hospitality, plus visit Karakorum, the ancient capital city of Genghis Khan..

Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve & Khustai National Park
These 2 locations are ideally suited to short trips. Trail horse riding can be arranged in the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, making it an ideal place for beginners to enjoy horse riding in Mongolia. The nature reserve is a two-hour drive from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, so it's great if you're on a holiday for a few days but would like to experience riding a horse in Mongolia. Local horse wranglers will accompany you and an English-speaking guide.Khustai National Park is also an ideal place for horse riding if you are a beginner. The trail rides are scenic and well organised. Khustai National Park is an hour and 30 minutes by car from Ulaanbatar, making it a suitable horse riding destination if you're staying in the capital for a short period. You can also see the Takhi, the world's last wild horse.