Travelling the Trans-Siberian Railway brought me to Mongolia, a country I hadn’t dreamed I would get to explore.
Rolling mountains criss-cross the countryside with a surprisingly modern capital, Ulaanbatar, that provided us with greens and vegetables that were absent in Russia’s wintery state.
The home of warrior Genghis Khan, his face adorning every vodka bottle and tourist knick-knack, Mongolia is a curious mix of their closest neighbours, Russia and China. Learn how to make dumplings known as Buuz, practice your archery skills and sleep in Nomadic Yurt camps under a blanket of stars.
TIME FRAME?
I was only able to stay for a handful of days as we were on a schedule with the Trans-Siberian Railway. However when I go back I would spend a minimum of a week.
A visit to Mongolia is an experience-based trip – not a “tick-off the museums and palaces” trip. A trip to the Gobi desert will take several days, you need at least two days in the capital and another few days in the yurt camps.
MY BEST ADVICE…
Don’t hesitate to travel to Mongolia, the lack of tourists is a rarity in this world!
When you visit a nomadic yurt tent you are offered some interesting food to try! The mare’s cheese which looked like rat pellets, didn’t taste as delicious as they hope to sound… it was an experience all right!
Make sure you visit the Museum of Natural History in Ulaanbatar with incredible displays and artefacts stretching from the stone age to modern Mongolia. I loved this museum.
MY BEST ADVICE…
Don’t hesitate to travel to Mongolia, the lack of tourists is a rarity in this world!
When you visit a nomadic yurt tent you are offered some interesting food to try! The mare’s cheese which looked like rat pellets, didn’t taste as delicious as they hope to sound… it was an experience all right!
Make sure you visit the Museum of Natural History in Ulaanbatar with incredible displays and artefacts stretching from the stone age to modern Mongolia. I loved this museum.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Mongolia is double of the size of France with only 3 million inhabitants compared to France’s 66 million!
- There are 13 times more horses than humans, and sheep outnumber humans 35 to 1.
- Following his request, Genghis Khan is buried in an unmarked grave.
- Mongolia has over 260 sunny days a year and is often referred to as the ‘land of the blue sky’.
NEED MORE ADVICE? KEEP READING…
So who am I…? Hi! My name is India.
I am a nomadic Australian who has wandered the world full time exploring over 60 countries and 5/7 continents.
After ten years on the road, I have launched my own website – Travelling Notebook – to share the knowledge I have gained on the road and the images I have collected over the years with fellow adventurers. Keep reading…
I am a freelance travel writer, photography and videographer, based in London. If you need specific travel advice or would like to collaborate please send an email my way!
Always say yes to adventure!
x India
