If you've ever dreamed of a land where the horizon stretches on forever, where horses outnumber people, and where hospitality is measured in shared songs and steaming bowls of airag (fermented mare's milk), then Mongolia is your soul’s answer. In June 2024, I embarked on my most rugged adventure yet—a month-long odyssey across the wild heart of Central Asia, from the dunes of the Gobi Desert to the homes of eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains.
Ulaanbaatar: Where Ancient Meets Electric
Our journey began in Ulaanbaatar, a city of contrasts—Buddhist monasteries nestled between Soviet-era towers, and bustling markets selling everything from cashmere to camel milk. We stayed near Sükhbaatar Square, where the pulse of modern Mongolia thrived: traditional throat-singing performances, impromptu ceremonies for visiting dignitaries, and the hum of a nation balancing its nomadic roots with a digital future.
The Gobi Desert: Sandstorms & Camel Rides
Venturing south into the Gobi, we swapped city noise for the silence of endless steppe. Our home? A family ger (yurt) hosted by camel herders, where we slept around a crackling woodstove and feasted on khorkhog—Mongolian barbecue cooked with hot stones. By day, we rode Bactrian camels, witnessed their shaggy coats being sheared, and climbed towering dunes. A surprise sandstorm exfoliation session reminded us: always pack a buff and goggles!
Western Mongolia: Altai Mountains & Base Camp Triumph
The crown jewel of our adventure was hiking to the base camp of the Altai Mountains in western Mongolia, our gear strapped to patient camels. Watching nomads load and unload these ships of the desert—transforming chaos into perfect balance—was like witnessing living engineering art. At lunch, they’d unpack a full picnic (cheeses, vegetables, meats, breads, and beverages) from those same bundles, then repack it all in minutes. Efficiency, Mongolian-style.
We trekked through glacial valleys, followed rivers so clear they mirrored the sky, and reached base camp to find jagged peaks piercing the horizon, eagles circling above, and a silence so profound it felt sacred. This was raw, untouched Mongolia—where few travellers venture. We were honoured to experience it together.
Nomadic Encounters: From Yak Milking to Eagle Holding
Mongolia’s true magic lies in its people. In the north, we milked yaks (a hilariously awkward endeavour) and sipped salty milk tea with herders. In the west, we met eagle hunters, their golden eagles perched regally on leather-clad arms. I held one—its weight and wildness thrilling—while learning how these birds are raised as hunting partners.
At a horse breeder’s ger, young jockeys training for the Naadam Festival raced past us, their laughter echoing across the plains. And then there was the airag. Let’s just say it’s an... acquired taste.
The Ger That United Us in Song
One afternoon, we stumbled upon a family building a new ger. Invited inside, we made traditional dumplings, shared homemade yogurt, and—following tradition—sang blessingsfor their new home. Each of us offered a song in our own language: Mongolian ballads, English nursery rhymes, and my own bilingual (and off-key) rendition of Canada’s national anthem. The homeowner wept. We all hugged. Travel doesn’t get any more human than this.
A Carnivore’s Paradise (Sorry, Vegans)
Mongolian cuisine is unapologetically meaty. Over four weeks, we sampled sheep, goat, horse, camel, yak, and beef. Dairy was just as adventurous—homemade yogurts, fermented mare’s milk, cheese, curds, and dried dairy snacks that could double as hockey pucks.
Why Mongolia Changes You
This is a land where sunsets burn the sky gold over your ger door, where strangers knock and are invited in for tea, a meal, music, or dance. The silence here is so vast, you can hear your own heartbeat. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, airag in your memories, and a hunger to return.
Ready to Ride?
Mongolia isn’t a destination—it’s a way of living. As an adventure travel specialist, I’ve navigated the logistics (Russian vans, ger etiquette, camel-riding dos and don’ts) so you can focus on the freedom of the steppe.
Ready for your own nomadic odyssey? Let’s craft it together—before the world catches on.
📩 Reach out through my Travel Leaders Network profile or visit my website to start planning.
