Mongolia Travel Guide 🇲🇳

Mongolia Travel Guide 🇲🇳

Trek&Tally
Venture into Mongolia’s vast wilderness, where the rugged beauty of endless steppes, towering mountains, and ancient traditions await. Explore the nomadic way of life, ride horseback across expansive plains, and marvel at the Gobi Desert’s dunes. From the bustling capital of Ulaanbaatar to remote monasteries and untouched landscapes, Mongolia offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity. This guide will help you discover Mongolia’s top sights, cultural highlights, and tips for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Asia’s last great frontier! For more Mongolia travel destinations, check out the Trek&Tally YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUFmZCZcdvM
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Top Attractions

Gobi Desert
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Discover one of the world’s largest deserts, with its stunning sand dunes, rugged mountains, and unique wildlife. Visit the iconic Khongoryn Els dunes and Flaming Cliffs, famous for dinosaur fossils.
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Orkhon Valley Natural and Historical Reserve
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A UNESCO World Heritage site, this valley is the heart of Mongolia's nomadic culture. Explore ancient ruins, waterfalls, and the picturesque landscape while learning about Mongolia's rich history.
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Khovsgol
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Known as the "Blue Pearl of Mongolia," Khövsgöl Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it's a great spot for hiking, boating, and horseback riding.
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Gorkhi Terelj National Park
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Just a short drive from Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park is known for its dramatic rock formations, pristine rivers, and stunning landscapes. Don’t miss Turtle Rock and the Aryabal Monastery.
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Ulaanbaatar
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Mongolia’s capital blends ancient and modern culture. Visit the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, and the Sukhbaatar Square for a taste of history, art, and local life.
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Naadam Center
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Visit in July to witness the Naadam Festival, Mongolia's biggest event, showcasing traditional sports like wrestling, horse racing, and archery. It's a vibrant celebration of Mongolian culture.
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Hustai National Park
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Home to the wild Przewalski’s horse, Hustai National Park offers a chance to see these rare horses in their natural habitat. The park is also great for spotting other wildlife like gazelles and birds.
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Erdene Zuu Monastery
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Located in the ancient city of Kharkhorin, this 16th-century Buddhist monastery is one of the oldest in Mongolia. Explore its beautiful architecture and historical significance.
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Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex
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The Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex is an iconic landmark in Mongolia, featuring a massive 40-meter tall statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, making it the largest equestrian statue in the world. Located about an hour's drive from Ulaanbaatar, the complex offers a museum, exhibition halls, and panoramic views from the top of the statue. Visitors can explore the history of the Mongol Empire, walk through the statue’s interior, and even climb to the horse's head for a stunning view of the surrounding steppes. It’s a must-visit attraction that celebrates Mongolia's rich heritage and its legendary leader.
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Flaming Cliffs
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Famous for the discovery of dinosaur fossils, the Flaming Cliffs in the Gobi Desert are known for their vibrant red sandstone formations that glow at sunset.
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Where to Stay?

Luxury Accomodations

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
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The most luxurious hotel in Ulaanbaatar, offering world-class amenities, elegant rooms, fine dining, and a prime location in the city’s business district. Ideal for travelers looking for a lavish stay.
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The Blue Sky Hotel and Tower
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A sleek, modern skyscraper hotel offering panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar. It features spacious rooms, multiple dining options, and is popular with luxury travelers looking for the best the city has to offer.
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Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace Ulaanbaatar
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A 5-star luxury hotel that blends modern amenities with Mongolian charm. Located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, it offers spacious rooms, a wellness center, fine dining, and exceptional service. The hotel is perfect for both leisure and business travelers seeking comfort and convenience in the capital.
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Gobi Nomad Lodge
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A luxury ecolodge offering a unique experience in the Gobi Desert. Guests stay in well-appointed gers (traditional yurts) that blend comfort with traditional Mongolian design. The lodge offers camel trekking, guided desert tours, and breathtaking views of the Gobi’s natural beauty.
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Moderate Accomodations

Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar, an IHG Hotel
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A modern, well-equipped hotel offering comfortable rooms, a gym, and a restaurant. Ideal for travelers looking for mid-range accommodations with reliable services in the city center.
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Munkh Tenger Ger Camp
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A traditional Mongolian ger camp offering a comfortable stay with modern facilities. Located near the historic Orkhon Valley, it’s a great option for travelers wanting a mix of culture and comfort.
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Bishrelt Hotel
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A boutique hotel with stylish, modern rooms and a central location in Ulaanbaatar. It offers mid-range pricing with a focus on service, making it a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers.
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The Corporate Hotel
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A well-rated mid-range hotel offering stylish accommodations with modern conveniences. Located in the city center, it features a pool, spa, and multiple dining options, making it a great choice for those seeking a comfortable stay at reasonable rates.
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Budget Accomodations

ZAYA 2 HOSTEL
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A highly rated budget hostel in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, offering clean, cozy rooms with shared and private options. It’s known for its friendly staff and convenient location near key attractions.
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Golden Gobi
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A family-run guesthouse offering affordable accommodations with a welcoming atmosphere. Great for budget travelers who want an authentic Mongolian experience and helpful guidance for tours.
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Top Tours& Guesthouse Mongolia
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A budget-friendly guesthouse that offers both dormitory and private rooms. It’s popular among backpackers for its affordability, cleanliness, and the option to organize tours through the guesthouse.
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Sunpath Mongolia Hostel
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Adventures

Long after the reign of Genghis Khan, nomadism remains a way of life in modern Mongolia. But with so much to see and do here, it’s only natural that people would want to move about and explore. This adventure taps into the nomadic lifestyle embraced by almost 40% of the local population, travelling through ruggedly beautiful gorges and sandstone mountains in search of golden eagles, desert gazelles, and the Mongolian horse. And when you’re not moving, you’ll experience local customs up close, exploring rural villages and sleeping in traditional ger tents.

Mongolia’s sublime beauty reveals itself in endless expanses of steppe and sky and an age-old nomadic culture that joins the people with the land. Journey through this remote, seldom-travelled region of Asia, from sprawling Ulaanbaatar to green, grassy plains where wild horses roam. Discover the country’s surviving Buddhist heritage on visits to historic temples and monasteries; walk across the rocks and sands of the sweeping Gobi, which conceal troves of dinosaur fossils; and get a taste of traditional Mongolian life.

See the highlights of the Naadam Festival on this action-packed four-day experience. Alongside your CEO, catch the opening ceremonies and eye-catching performances, the climax of the storied horse race, archery and wrestling events, and the closing ceremonies and winner announcements. You'll also visit the Chinggis Khan statue, Terelj National Park, and have lunch at a ger camp.

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Where to Eat?

Modern Nomads
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A popular restaurant offering a contemporary twist on traditional Mongolian cuisine. Dishes include buuz (steamed dumplings) and khorhog (barbecue), along with a variety of international options. The warm ambiance and modern decor make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
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The Bull Hot Pot Restaurant
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Renowned for its high-quality steak and grilled meats, The Bull offers a cozy atmosphere with a mix of Mongolian and Western dishes. It’s particularly popular for its selection of craft beers and delicious desserts.
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Hazara Indian Restaurant
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Hazara Indian Restaurant is a delightful culinary gem in Ulaanbaatar, known for bringing the vibrant flavors of India to the heart of Mongolia. The restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, adorned with traditional Indian decor that enhances the dining experience. Hazara specializes in a wide range of authentic Indian dishes, including aromatic curries, fragrant biryanis, and freshly baked naan, all prepared with high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods. The menu caters to various dietary preferences, offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
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Loving Hut - Цагаан хаалга/Tsagaan khaalga
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A part of a global chain of vegan restaurants, Loving Hut offers a variety of delicious plant-based dishes. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the menu includes Asian and Western-inspired options, making it a perfect choice for vegans and those looking to enjoy healthy meals.
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Veranda
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Veranda Restaurant offers a unique dining experience that combines modern aesthetics with a cozy atmosphere, making it a popular choice for both locals and visitors in Ulaanbaatar. Nestled in a charming location, the restaurant features a stylish interior with large windows that invite natural light and provide a scenic view of the surroundings. Veranda specializes in a diverse menu that showcases a blend of international and Mongolian cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
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Trek&Tally
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