Top Activities in Mongolia
Mongolia offers travelers a rare chance to connect with nature, history, and nomadic life in a way few places on earth can match. Whether you’re an adventurer, cultural explorer, or nature lover, here are the must-do activities:
🐴 1. Horseback Riding on the Steppe
Ride across vast grasslands like a modern-day nomad
Popular in Orkhon Valley, Khuvsgul, and Terelj
Multi-day treks with local guides offer a deep cultural experience
🏕️ 2. Stay in a Traditional Ger (Yurt)
Live with nomadic families or in eco-friendly ger camps
Help with herding, milking animals, and preparing traditional foods
Experience the quiet beauty of the countryside and star-filled skies
🏜️ 3. Camel Trekking in the Gobi Desert
Ride two-humped Bactrian camels over golden dunes
Explore Khongoryn Els, Flaming Cliffs, and desert oases
Stay with camel-herding families in the southern provinces
🎯 4. Attend the Naadam Festival (July 11–13)
Witness Mongolia’s national celebration of wrestling, horse racing, and archery
Main events in Ulaanbaatar or smaller, more authentic local Naadams
Enjoy traditional music, dance, and food
🏕️ 5. Camping & Trekking in National Parks
Explore Mongolia’s wild and scenic parks like:
Gorkhi-Terelj (near UB)
Altai Tavan Bogd (in the west)
Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (central Mongolia)
Hike to mountain peaks, volcanic craters, and glacial lakes
🦅 6. Meet Kazakh Eagle Hunters
Travel to western Mongolia (Bayan-Ölgii) to meet Kazakh nomads who hunt with golden eagles
Golden Eagle Festival (October) features competitions and cultural displays
❄️ 7. Experience Mongolia’s Winter Festivals
Ice Festival (Khuvsgul Lake) – horse sleds, reindeer races, ice sculptures
Camel Festival (South Gobi) – celebrate the unique culture of camel herders
Incredible winter landscapes and warm nomadic hospitality
🛕 8. Visit Ancient Monasteries and Sacred Sites
Discover Mongolia’s spiritual heritage:
Erdene Zuu Monastery (Karakorum)
Tövkhön Khiid (mountaintop retreat)
Gandan Monastery (Ulaanbaatar)
Participate in Buddhist rituals and learn about Mongolian Buddhism
🚙 9. Off-Road Expeditions Across the Country
Mongolia is made for overland travel by 4×4
Journey through deserts, mountains, rivers, and remote valleys
Great for self-drive tours or guided expeditions
📸 10. Photography & Wildlife Watching
Capture breathtaking scenery: open steppe, sand dunes, and pristine lakes
Wildlife includes: wild horses (takhi), marmots, yaks, and eagles
Spot rare species in parks like Khustai Nuruu and Altai Mountains
⭐ Bonus Activities
🎣 Fishing in crystal-clear rivers (taimen and trout)
🎼 Attend a throat singing or morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) concert
🛍️ Shop for handmade cashmere, felt art, and leather goods
🍶 Try fermented mare’s milk (airag) or Mongolian BBQ (khorkhog)
🧭 Final Tip:
The best way to experience Mongolia is to slow down, connect with local people, and embrace the wild beauty of the land. Every activity becomes an adventure when you’re this far off the beaten path.
