Mongolia: an outdoor lover’s playground

Mongolia is one of the world’s last great adventure destinations. Located in Central Asia between China and Russian Siberia, it’s vast, remote and unique, with more horses than people and home to one of the last-remaining nomadic cultures. Its wide, open spaces and stunning natural scenery offer a true wilderness and an opportunity for adventure, to connect with nature and experience an extraordinary civilization. In this guide, we run through the best outdoor activities in Mongolia for you to enjoy. Across desert sands and lofty mountains, here is how you can make the most of this country’s breath-taking natural landscape and dive deep into long-held traditions.

The Mongolian people have a strong connection with animals and the land, and around half live a pastoral existence. Your daytime adventure might include horse riding, kayaking, or trekking through wild, inspiring scenery with the chance to see rare animals like the snow leopard, ibex and Bactrian camel in their natural habitats. At the end of the day, you can sleep in a traditional ger or yurt, experience warm Mongolian hospitality, and dine on dumplings and boodog, a traditional Mongolian barbecue.

Outdoor activities in Mongolia: from desert to mountains

For travelers in search of true wilderness and nature, Mongolia is a dream destination, offering extreme and diverse terrain. Huge swathes of the country is covered by exposed, rugged grassland, also known as steppe, inhabited by nomadic families living in traditional circular tents, who graze their cattle and horses. The Mongolian steppe might sound stark, but visit in the warm summer months and you’ll discover a lush landscape carpeted with wildflowers under intense blue skies.

In the south of the country, the legendary Gobi Desert offers an exotic landscape that captivates travelers, photographers, and even paleontologists who come to study an area rich in dinosaur fossils. The Mongolian Gobi is famous for its iconic sand dune formations, wildlife, birds and camel-herding nomads. For a true wilderness experience, go camel trekking and spend the night at a desert camp for spectacular views of the Milky Way under Mongolia’s dark skies. The Gobi’s biggest event is the Bulgan Camel Festival, when crowds flock to Ömnögovi for camel polo, camel races, camel shearing and celebrations.

In complete contrast to the southern deserts, huge areas of the north are covered in dense larch and pine forests, with pristine lakes such as Lake Khovsgol, perfect for kayaking, fishing, and simply enjoying the serene beauty. In the central region, visit the beautiful Orkhon Valley and the spectacular 27m Orkhon Waterfall, and go white-water rafting down the Orkhon River – the longest in Mongolia, weaving its way through canyons and valleys.

The Altai Mountains in the west represent the rooftop of Mongolia, where challenging terrain rewards adventurous hikers with sensational views and glimpses of local wildlife. The area is a destination for nature and wildlife watchers and photographers, and home to the Kazakh ethnic tribes, famous for hunting with eagles. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs, where thousands of ancient rock carvings dating up to 4,000 years are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More highlights: from the Flaming Cliffs to majestic sand dunes

The first dinosaur fossil eggs were found at the fiery red Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, also known as the Grand Canyon of Mongolia and equally famous for its dramatic color changes and beautiful sunrises. It’s one of the country’s most popular attractions for a reason, and people often visit on a tour from towering dunes at Khongoryn Els. These dunes are also known as the singing dunes because of the sound they make when the sand is moved by the wind; you can ride a two-humped Bactrian camel as the sun sets over the rippling sand.

In Mongolia, almost everywhere is off the beaten path, but as tourism gradually makes inroads, some lesser-known gems will inspire you and tempt the truly adventurous. One of these is the Burkhan Khaldun mountain in the Khan Khentii protected area, which Mongolians believe was the birthplace of Genghis Khan, and is where his burial tomb still lies untouched. The mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national monument in Mongolia, and visitors need special permission to visit.

Tucked away in the heart of the steppe, on a rocky and woody mountainside, the Aglag Buteel Monastery is one of the most underrated and unique Buddhist sites in Mongolia. It’s a place of spiritual beauty in the midst of Mongolia’s breathtaking landscapes, with intricately-carved wooden pillars and door frames depicting deities and mythical creatures. Up on the second floor you’ll find a museum of strange things, including animal skins and skulls.

In winter, Mongolia is cold but incredibly beautiful, and you’ll have a chance to experience some of the most unusual trips and activities. Jump in a 4×4 to drive across frozen Lake Khuvsgul, attend a shaman festival for rituals and fire ceremonies, or meet the reindeer herders of the Tsaatan Tribe and ride reindeer alongside the locals. If that’s not challenging enough, why not eat, sleep and live like a Mongol warrior as you learn to ride Mongolia’s semi-wild horses and master the technical skills of traditional Mongolian mounted archery.

Best outdoor activities in Mongolia

Experience nomadic life on horseback

For a truly immersive experience, a tour across the steppe on horseback is an unforgettable adventure. Mongolia is a land of horsemen, where children are practically born in the saddle, and seeing the country on horseback is a perfect way to get a unique insight into the nomadic lifestyle and culture. Spend a few hours or a few days completely off-grid, building a genuine connection with your Mongolian horse and with the surrounding landscape.

Take an exciting motorcycle tour

Swap four legs for two wheels on the ultimate off-road adventure by motorbike. On a bike you can get to more inaccessible places and quicker. Ride through some of the country’s largest and most spectacular sand dunes in the Gobi Desert, see the beautiful granite rocks of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, visit the Ongi Monastery and the astonishing Tsagaan Suvarga (or White Stupa), a 400m-long white limestone rock formation. Take in the breathtaking grasslands around Lake Khuvsgul, ride the foothills of the Sayan Mountains, and relax in hot springs at the end of a long day’s ride.

Go mountain biking or trekking

Bikers and hikers alike will be excited by Mongolia’s intrepid trails through ancient pine forests, across wide-open steppe, into expansive mountain scenery and otherworldly desert landscapes. Visit Buddhist monasteries and picnic in lush valleys. In summer, you might be tempted to wild camp as you go, or stay with local families and learn how they live. Back in the capital Ulaanbaatar, every culinary adventurer should take a cooking class and eat their way through some Mongolian specialties.

Learn about eagle hunting, an ancient tribal practice

Imagine a fur-clad hunter on horseback, galloping at full speed with a golden eagle on his arm and the rugged Altai Mountains in the background. Eagle hunting is one of Mongolia’s most ancient traditions, dating from the time of Ghengis Khan in the 12th century. Golden eagles are acquired when they are young and trained from just a few months old. Today, nomadic families still train their birds and develop strong bonds with them, but eagle hunting is mostly done for sport and tourism. You can visit one of the country’s three eagle festivals in March, September and October – the Altai Golden Eagle Festival in Olgii city, in particular, is unmissable.

How to plan an active vacation: Mongolia travel and accessibility tips

The unique aspects of Mongolia’s terrain and culture mean that things may not be organized as efficiently as countries in the west, and planning your travel logistics is key to a successful and rewarding trip. Most visitors arrive in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, a great place to get your bearings and a fascinating city to explore. If you haven’t done so already, you can arrange transportation and tours here, buy a local SIM card, and ensure you have enough local currency (Mongolian tugrik) as, even in the city, cards are not accepted everywhere.

Touring Mongolia means deciding how to travel around. You may want to rent a car, but bear in mind that with limited paved roads, you will need to be very comfortable with off-road travel; renting a 4×4 vehicle with the services of an experienced driver is a common and practical option. Trains are another option for certain routes, such as Ulaanbaatar to Erdenet or Sukhbaatar, and buses are available but are not always reliable – check and buy your ticket the day before for the most up-to-date information.

Electrical sockets work with both American and European plugs, but electricity is not always reliable or regularly available once you leave Ulaanbaatar, so be prepared. Bring travel adapters, power banks, extra charging cables, and a solar-powered charger if you have one.

People from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe can travel to Mongolia without a visa for up to 30 days.

The best time to visit Mongolia

Mongolia is a land of extreme temperatures, with summer highs reaching 113 degrees Fahrenheit and bitter winters plummeting to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and you should choose your activities and when to travel based around the weather. June, July and August are the best months and July is popular (and busy) for a reason – this time of year holds festivals like Naadam, a traditional three-day event celebrating horse racing, wrestling and archery. If you come prepared for the cold then winter has a lot to offer, with Christmas markets in December and Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, in January or February – a special occasion which you may be lucky enough to celebrate with local families.

Make it happen

Start planning your next adventure today, and seek out wonderful outdoor activities in Mongolia: get in touch with one of our local experts, who will help you craft an unforgettable trip.