Vast and historical land of Chinggis Khaan is located in plateau of Central Asia. You may ask yourself that why you should travel to Mongolia and the reason of it could be based on your images of huge vast steppe and horses in your mind. But there are so much more and you would be surprised on your arrival. Mongolia is a country blessed with a varied and stunning countryside, from rugged mountain ranges and sweeping steppes to ancient freshwater lakes and fossil-strewn desert. The land of untouched nature, unique nomadic culture and people are waiting to be explored by you.
Welcome to another world to discover with us.
Top 10 reasons to travel to Mongolia
1. Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain
In Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, snow capped mountains, glacial valleys, forests and beautiful lakes and rivers create a majestic setting. In the north of the park, Khuiten peak (4374m, the highest point of Mongolia) of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains and the Potuninii Glacier (23km²) draw alpine enthusiasts from around the world. This park extends over 630.000 hectares of land, including Altai, Sagsai, Ulaanhus and Tsengel soums. There are about 35 glaciers in the Altai Tavan Bogd including Potaninii Glacier. Throughout the park fishing, hiking canoeing, camping and horseback and camel riding are possible. In addition to recreational activities, the park is rich in archeological sites including petro glyphs, Turkic men stone and burial mounds.
2. Golden eagle festival
Kazakhs have a tradition of hunting on horseback with trained steppe eagles. A well- trained eagle flies back to his masters saddle when other horses approach. The festival is held in early October the Eagle Hunting Festival, a colorful and picturesque event attracting the best hunters and birds, and an important celebration for the local community. The festival begins with eagle hunters parade and each hunter displaying the hunting outfits and elaborate, beautifully adorned accessories. Later, the hunting eagles are evaluated for their skills. This event represents the very essence of the culture of nomadic Kazakhs and if you like to have once-in-life experience.
3. Khovsgol lake
Khuvgul Lake, freshest and deepest lake in Central Asia, is positioned in a North South direction with an oval shape. Its length is 133.4 km from north to south while widest is 39.5 km from west to east. This lake has a volume of 380 km3 and it is second in Asia and 14th largest in the world. Khuvsgul Lake contains 93.6 % of total surface fresh water of Mongolia and 1% of world fresh water. Khuvsgul Lake is surrounded by beautiful high mountains of the Khoridol Saridag and Bayan Mountain Ranges, along the west shore. Many mountain rivers flow into this lake including 17 rivers flowing during the whole year. Flat-topped mountains with sloping mountainsides, covered by forests, lie on the east shore of the lake and those mountains are sources of 29 rivers flowing into Khuvsgul Lake.
4. Ice festival on Khovsgol lake
Ice festival is already one of the biggest and attractive festivals in Mongolia and held first week of each March. The residents of the Khuvsgul Lake area gather for the festival, which is organized by the Governor's Office of Khuvsgul, the Office of Khatgal, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Mongolia. Besides Mongolians, foreign tourists also travel to see and enjoy the festival. The event involves international skating marathon and horse sleigh races, displays of ice sculptures, shaman ceremonies and visits by reindeer herders who make their way south to the festival from their northern taiga. Many traditional games are played on the sidelines, and this is an ideal venue for visitors to join in the fun and games with local people.
5. Gobi Desert
Mongolian Gobi is still not arid desert: mountains, green land, sand dunes and blue sky makes a land paradise. Gobi contains the last remaining wild Bactrian camels, asiatec wild ass and small population of Gobi bears. Gobi desert is attracted by visitors with its amazing sights such as canyon named Yoliin Am, Flaming Cliffs/Bayanzag and Khermentsav which are home of paleontological findings and beautiful sand dunes. Walking on steppe, once was home of dinosaurs, visiting to camel breeding families, camel riding and more adventures waiting you.
6. Thousand camel festival
Camel festival is organized by local camel breeders and local non-governmental organization under the mission of protect and preserve Bactrian camel in the South Gobi province every year. The festival include camel racing, camel polo and other camel related cultural competitions. Join with us for the festival and experience camel breeders’ tradition and culture.
7. Naadam Festival
Naadam is the most widely watched festival among Mongols, and is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another. Naadam festival is lifetime experience of the colorful summer festival events and the biggest festival of the year for Mongolians. It is held all over the country and the main competitive events of wrestling, archery, horse racing and ankle bone shooting are held in Ulaanbaatar between 11-13 July, annually. It is the best time to experience of nomadic people.
8. Authentic nomadic life
Today around a million nomads live in huge steppe land of Mongolia and nomads’ life changed very little since old days. Mongolia remains the last refuge of the pastoral nomadism, preserving and continuing the traditional cultural heritage of the many nomadic nations that once flourished on the present day territory of Mongolia. Living with nomads is truly lifetime experience.
9. Homeland of Chinggis Khaan
Chinggis khan, the greatest warrior and ruler established the largest Empire which humanity has even seen. He was recognized worldwide as the “Man of the second millennium”.
On the top of hill in Deluun Boldog there is Chinggis Khan Statue was erected in 1962 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of his birth in 1162 at present Dadal soum, Khentii province. This place is believed to be the birthplace of Chinggis khan. Situated in the middle of Gurvan Nuur area its life size figure carved on a white stone in the shape of number of mountains peaks with old Mongol script running down one side of the stone, alongside the figure of Chinggis khan.
10. Legendary Orkhon valley
Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape encompasses an extensive area of pastureland on both banks of the Orkhon River and includes numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century. The site also includes Kharkhorum, the 13th- and 14th-century capital of Chingis Khan’s vast Empire. Beautiful river valley Orkhon is often referred to as the cradle of Mongolian civilization. Kharkhorin or ancient capital city of Mongolia was existed for 130 years in this valley and other states and empires were existed during long time here. Thus, the valley is considered “Center of world genium”. Also, valley was registered UNESCO because of its historical link with Emperors of Mongolian Empire.
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