Top 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Mongolia

Top 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Mongolia

Last updated: September 4th 2025

From vast steppes to ancient monasteries, Mongolia offers a rare blend of nature, culture, and nomadic tradition. If you’re dreaming of endless horizons and real adventure, here are the top 10 things to do in Mongolia—with practical tips for each.

Quick Trip Tips

• Best seasons: May–Oct (peak: Jul for Naadam; Sept–Oct for crisp skies & Gobi).

• How long: 7–14 days hits Gobi + Central; add West for 12–16 days.

• Payments: We accept secure card/PayPal—see our Secure Payments page.

1) Ride a Horse Across the Mongolian Steppe

Explore the steppe as nomads do—on horseback. Classic routes include the Orkhon Valley and Eight Lakes (Naiman Nuur) foothills. Multi-day treks with a local horseman and guide offer a deep cultural connection.
Quick tips: Best May–Sep • 1–4 days • Beginner-friendly with guide • Wear chaps/long sleeves.

2) Ride a Two-Humped Bactrian Camel in the Gobi Desert

Mongolia’s woolly Bactrian camels are iconic. A sunset trek along Khongoryn Els (Singing Dunes) is pure magic.
Quick tips: Best May–Oct • 1–2 hours or half-day • Pair with dune hike • Bring scarf for sand/wind.

3) Camp Under a Sky Full of Stars

With near-zero light pollution, stargazing is phenomenal—think Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan), and the Gobi.
Quick tips: Best Jun–Sep • Use a red-light headlamp • Pack layers; temps drop at night.

4) Visit the Ancient Capital of Karakorum

Once the heart of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum impresses with its museum, ruins, and Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monastery.
Quick tips: Year-round access • 0.5–1 day • Combine with Orkhon Valley & waterfalls.

5) Hike in Tavan Bogd National Park (Altai Mountains)

Western Mongolia’s Altai Mountains deliver glaciers, alpine lakes, and sacred peaks. Trek to Potanin Glacier, meet Kazakh eagle hunters, and witness Mongolia’s most remote beauty.
Quick tips: Best Jul–Sep • 2–4 days trekking • 4×4 support recommended • Nights are cold—down layers.

6) Attend a Local Naadam Festival

Naadam celebrates the “three manly games”: horse racing, wrestling, archery (women join archery too). A countryside Naadam feels intimate and deeply authentic.
Quick tips: Early–mid July • Book far ahead • Dress modestly for ceremonies.

7) Stay with a Nomadic Family

Experience legendary hospitality: learn to milk yaks, cook buuz dumplings, and help herd animals. It’s a rare, respectful window into nomadic life.
Quick tips: Year-round • 1–2 nights • Bring small gifts (fruits, tea, kid’s notebooks).

8) Discover the Eight Lakes (Naiman Nuur)

A remote volcanic basin ringed by larch forests and meadows—reached by horse or foot. Stunning for trekkers and photographers.
Quick tips: Best Jun–Sep • 1–3 days • No vehicle access—pack light & waterproofs.

9) Explore the Flaming Cliffs & Gobi Dinosaurs

At Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs), the first dinosaur eggs were discovered. The orange-red cliffs glow at sunset, and nearby saxaul forests host rare wildlife.
Quick tips: Year-round; best May–Oct • 1–2 hours • Golden hour for photos.

10) Wander Ulaanbaatar’s Cultural Scene

UB rewards explorers: Gandan Monastery, Choijin Lama Temple Museum, the Zaisan Memorial viewpoint—plus cozy cafés, artisan markets, and live music.
Quick tips: Any season • 1–2 days • Use taxi apps; traffic peaks 8–10am & 5–7pm.

Plan Like a Pro (and Save)

• Group share option: traveling solo? We’ll open your dates so others can join to share costs.

• Comfort & safety: late-model Toyota Land Cruisers, hand-picked ger camps with hot showers, and seasoned English-speaking guides.  Check our Self-Drive Off-road convoy: Mongolia Off-Road 4×4 Tour

• Payments: Book confidently with cards or PayPal—see Secure Payments for Mongolia Tours.

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