We tried to travel to the Orkhon waterfall that first summer I visited Mongolia. It seemed a short distance from Karakorum and we asked about swapping out the customary visit to the Erdene Zuu Monastery for a day trip to the waterfall. However, our guide and driver were quick to say that this was not a possibility as the road to the waterfall was, in their words, “a very bad road.”
Buddhism and monasteries are one of main attractions for many while traveling to Mongolia, and average tourists visit at least 2 monasteries when traveling in Mongolia. Most popular monasteries include Erdenezuu Monastery in Karakorum, Amarbayasgalant Monastery in the northern Mongolia, Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar and Tuvkhun Khiid in Orkhon Valley area. As you most likely will visit handful monasteries while on your Mongolian tour, it is useful to know few things that you should keep in mind while visiting.
Mongolia reopened to foreign travelers from 10 countries as of June 1, including those from the U.S., Turkey, UAE, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, India, Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brazil. Here, we've outlined flight schedules for June — including the entry requirements for foreign travelers.
2018 has been a truly remarkable year for everyone at Selena Travel. It has been a year of reminiscing, remembering, learning and most importantly cherishing our 20 years of journey with all its challenges, fails and successes. It was with a vision to create a company and a brand that will represent the real Mongolian experiences and beauty in international tourism industry, Mr. Batbold, the founder of Selena Travel group, has established the company back in March of 1998, with a single desktop computer in a rented studio. Just like many startup companies at the time, Mr. Batbold was playing all the roles in the company by himself, from sales manager, marketing manager to tour guide.
Dinosaur fossils. Traditional Mongolian houses. Incredible landscapes. Welcome to the Gobi Desert. If ever you find yourself in Mongolia and on the prowl for adventure and a one of a kind experience, then look no further than the Gobi Desert. It’s about 1.2 million square kilometers of dusty terrain, extending from Mongolia into northern China. This famous attraction comes equipped with history, outdoor activities, and plenty more for every type of traveler in every season, and it’s easily accessible from Mongolia’s capital city and main tourist hub, Ulaanbaatar. The top things to do in the Gobi Desert are quite numerous, so let’s get started and take a look at our absolute top 5 favourites!
The Gobi Desert is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Mongolia. The two best times to visit Mongolia is the summer, where you can really experience the Mongolian Desert.
The vast dunes spreading out around you will put you in awe. Seeing the life that can survive in the harsh environment is exciting, and there are a number of natural features to visit. There are also fossils and tours where you can see where dinosaur eggs were first found!
The best way to experience all of this is in a traditional Mongolian yurt, or ger. These cute, round little structures have been used by nomads for centuries. They typically have a stove in the middle and a couple cozy beds inside. You can look up at the sky through a window in the top while you’re cozy in bed.
They rarely have a bathroom inside, though, so late-night bathroom trips will require you to leave your cozy ger.
Choosing a ger camp can be difficult though. Each year there are more to choose from in the Gobi region. Here are three of the top choices for staying in a ger camp in the Gobi Desert.
If you are planning a trip to Mongolia, you must be looking forward to having adventures in the Gobi Desert, exploring ancient history at the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex, and observing traditional Mongolian customs, like eagle hunting. But, while you are traveling in this delightful country bordered by China and Russia, do not skimp out on your meals! Food can be just as much of a cultural experience as going to a museum or taking an adventure tour in the countryside. It gives you a taste of ethnic cuisine and allows you the opportunity to interact with the local community. Knowing what food you need to try in Mongolia is tough if you’ve never visited the country, so, we have done all the taste testing for you. Below is a list of the food you need to try in Mongolia!
A little wilder, greener, and more densely forested than the usual treks around Central Mongolia; the Northern provinces are a great destination. You can see eagles bigger than your pet dog, pristine lakes and even stay in a teepee. Many of these destinations are not too far away from Ulaanbaatar, making them a little easier to plan for your travels to Mongolia.
Dos “Ovoo” When you go to the countryside, you would see a little heap of rocks sometimes decorated with a blue or yellow “khadag” or a piece of cloth. Usually located on top of the mountain, these are called “ovoo”. Most of the time, you don’t have to stop at every one of them, but when you do, or when you climb a mountain and get to the “ovoo” you should carry three rocks with you and round the ovoo for three times, throwing a rock for each of your round. The “ovoo”s have several purposes- to pay respect for the local deities, to mark geographical locations etc. The coolest story of them all is that during the war time, each one of the soldiers would put a rock on their departure from their home town and get it back when they come back from the war. The remaining rocks would be memorial for the soldiers who have lost their lives during the war. It may not be true, but it’s something that Mongolians believe and respect, so it would be rude to get a rock from the ovoo, or disrespect it in any way.
Karakorum was the capital of the Mongolian Empire at its height.
From this city, Chinggis Khan’s son Ogedei Khan ruled one of the largest empires the world has ever known.
Today, you can visit this historic site and see where history was made.
11 20, 2011
