Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Consider Mongolian Tours For The Adventure Of A Lifetime

By Serena Price


Few things are as disappointing to the intrepid traveler than to arrive at their destination and then to encounter thousands of other tourists there. This is especially annoying if you want to experience the great outdoors. With Mongolian tours, you can escape the crowds and have the perfect adventure off the beaten tourist track.

Mongolia is located in Central Asia. It is landlocked and bordered by China and Russia. Not only is it a big country but it is also the most sparsely populated in the world. With mountains, steppes and desert, as well as a rich history and culture, it offers a variety of travel experiences without the crowds.

The capital of Mongolia is Ulan Bator. Here you'll find sights such as the Gandan and Choijin Lama Buddhist monasteries, the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan and several fascinating museums. The area surrounding Ulan Bator offers great hiking, biking and skiing opportunities and if you visit in July, don't miss the Naadam Festival with its horse racing, wrestling and archery events.

The whole of Mongolia is a paradise for active travelers. Opportunities for hiking and trekking abound throughout the country. The Five Holy Peaks of Altai are a mountaineering mecca and the mountainous regions of the west also offer mountain-biking and whitewater rafting. The country's rivers and lakes are also great for tamer activities like canoeing and kayaking.

With so much unspoiled natural beauty, Mongolia is a fantastic ecotourism destination too. Go fishing or, for something different, try eagle-hunting but preferably shoot your prey with a camera only. See the wild horses of Khustain Nuruu National Park, visit the World Heritage Site of Uvs Nuur Lake, try to spot Bactrian camels in the Gobi Desert or release your inner paleontologist by visiting sites where you'll find fossils and dinosaur eggs. Many travel operators offer specialty tours through Mongolia's countryside.

Mongolia's people have traditionally been nomads and in the rural areas, this is still the way of life for many people. The Darhad Valley is home to reindeer herders and you'll also find camel herders especially in the southern region around the Gobi Desert. One animal that has become synonymous with the nomads of Mongolia is the horse and exploring the country on horseback is the ultimate Mongolian experience. You may even want to try airag, a drink made of fermented mare's milk.

Horseback or camel tours are great ways to explore the Mongolian countryside. If you prefer less traditional modes of transport, you may try Jeep safaris. The rural roads are quite bad so you'd need an off-road vehicle most of the time but motorcycles will work well too. For long journeys, taking the train or the bus might be our best option.

The best time to visit Mongolia depends on what you want to do. The warmest months are between May and August and are perfect for outdoor activities. September and October are still warm during the day but are quieter than the summer months. A growing number of people schedule their Mongolian tours for the cold winter months when they can participate in winter sports and focus on cultural experiences.




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