A Land
Without Fences
Most come to Mongolia to lose themselves in ethereal landscapes, but many find that it’s the locals that leave the greatest impression.
“These people will get lost, and they’ll never come back.” These were the words of Chinzorig Chuluunbaatar’s friend, a seasoned tourism professional, when he heard about tourists hiring off-road vehicles and driving off into Mongolia’s wilderness.
He had a point. It was the early 2000s, telecommunications were underdeveloped, GPS wasn’t available, and the country’s travel industry was still finding its feet. Mongolia is vast, remote, and one of the world’s least populated countries by density. It’s possible to drive for days without seeing another human being. Chuluunbaatar’s business concept meant no tour guide, no driver, no hotels, and no fixed itinerary. It was an opportunity for visitors to roam free in Mongolia, much like nomads have for thousands of years.
Two decades later, Chuluunbaatar is the director of Drive Mongolia, a leading tour operator that specializes in tailormade self-drive tours. Travelers in search of adventure come from across the world to hire four-by-fours replete with tents, outside heaters, refrigerators, cooking equipment, and power banks. For Chuluunbaatar, this is the best way to explore Mongolia’s great wilderness.
“I’ve been to Europe, Africa, the US, and Latin America. In these places there are always fences, but there’s nothing like that here. When you go to the countryside [in Mongolia], you feel real freedom. It’s where you find peace.
Chinzorig Chuluunbaatar
While Mongolia’s deserts, mountains, and grasslands are iconic, Chuluunbaatar believes that it’s encounters with local people that leave the greatest impression. This is especially true, he says, in parts of the country where the landscapes shape culture. In the Darkhad Valley, meandering rivers descend from tree-cloaked mountains and snake through grass plains and forests. This is where visitors can rub shoulders with the semi-nomadic reindeer herders that roam the foothills. In the Altai Mountains, snow-capped peaks are reflected in azure lakes and hunters employ golden eagles to capture prey during the winter months.
“It’s really hard to find nomadic culture in the world these days. But in Mongolia, that way of life hasn’t changed for thousands of years.
Chinzorig Chuluunbaatar
A Journey Through Mongolia
4WD & Motorcycle Expeditions
Discover the untamed beauty of the steppes’ vast, open plains, journeying through grasslands and rolling hills to experience the nomadic way of life.
Dukha Tribe Seasonal Camps
Ride a reindeer and learn more about the centuries-old traditions and connection with nature of the nomadic reindeer herders, also known as the Tsaatan.
Ride a Camel
Trek through the Gobi Desert on the back of a two-humped Bactrian camel through dramatic scenery and endless sand dunes.
Horseback Archery
Connect with the equestrian heritage of Mongolia and explore the ancient sport of mounted archery still taught to children as young as three years old.
Skiing
Carve your way through snow-covered mountains including Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Sky Resort in Ulaanbaatar, and the Altai Mountains.
Khoton Nuur Lake
Pristine lake in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where crystal-clear waters offer a serene setting for boating, fishing, and connecting with nature.
Bogd Khan Mountain
Discover the ecological wonders in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and hike through its lush forests and alpine meadows.
Bayanzag
Also known as the Flaming Cliffs for its red sandstone formations, the ‘Cemetery of Dinosaurs’ is so named for the fossilized remains found here that paint a vivid picture of Mongolia’s prehistoric past.
Khongor Sand Dunes
Stretching for 100 km, the “Singing Dunes” are so named for the sounds they produce when the wind whistles over their crest. Climb up the dunes to enjoy views of the ever-shifting landscape of the Gobi Desert.
Hiking & Trekking
From UNESCO World Heritage-listed valleys to glacier-capped mountains and vast steppe terrain, Mongolia’s diverse landscape offers hiking and trekking opportunities for various skill levels.
Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain
Designated part of the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, Burkhan Khaldun is considered one of Mongolia’s most sacred mountains and is believed to be both the birthplace, and burial ground, of Genghis Khan.
Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai
This petroglyph collection is a UNESCO World Heritage site and represents one of the best-preserved visual records found in Central and North Asia, displaying human history and culture over 12,000 years.
Stay in a Ger
Experience the traditional way of life with a stay in a Ger, a circular tent designed to remain cool and airy in the summer, yet extremely well insulated during Mongolia’s cold winters.
Kharakorum
Visit Kharakorum for a glimpse at the ancient Mongol Empire's history and explore the ruins of the empire’s former capital that was once an important stop along the former Silk Road.
Erdene Zuu Monastery
Believed to be the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, the ancient temple complex was founded in 1586 and is now part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site.
Elsen Tasarkhai
Known as ‘Little Gobi,’ this 50-mile (80 km) stretch of golden sand dunes is just a 4-hour drive from Ulaanbaatar, making it accessible for visitors short on time who still want to experience the Mongolian desert.
National History Museum of Mongolia
Explore Mongolia's rich history, culture, and heritage at the National Museum, where you can discover ancient artifacts, nomadic traditions, and Genghis Khan's legacy with a captivating journey through time.
Gandan Monastery
This monastery’s full name—Gandantegchinlen—translates as ‘the great place of complete joy.’ With over 100 resident monks, it is considered the center of Buddhism in Mongolia.
Genghis Khan Statue Complex
Climb the inside of this 141-foot-tall (40 m) statue for panoramic views of the Mongolian countryside and visit the attached museum for exhibitions relating to Bronze Age cultures in Mongolia.
Fly-fishing
Head for Mongolia’s remote wilderness to fly-fish with a licensed professional guide in designated rivers to catch taimen, the world’s largest salmonid that can grow up to 4.9 ft (1.5 m) long.
A Force for Good
Encounters with local people make a trip to Mongolia unique, but it’s a two-way relationship and visitors also benefit local people. Tourism generates much-needed jobs, and this became clear during the Covid-19 pandemic. “A lot of people had to find new jobs,” laments Chuluunbaatar, “especially those working in tourism and hospitality.” Statistics support Chuluunbaatar’s observations: a 2021 report published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that Mongolians working in tourism were four times more likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic than those working in other sectors.
Now that visitors are returning to Mongolia, so are the jobs, and the future of tourism is beginning to look bright. Before the pandemic, tourism struggled to provide stable, year-round work. Mongolia experiences fierce winters, which has traditionally restricted the season to just four months, from June to September. Targeted government loans are working to change that. For example, a post-pandemic recovery loan has helped Chuluunbaatar invest in upgrading his fleet of vehicles, making them more comfortable for travel between April and November. The hope is that one day it will be possible to travel in Mongolia throughout the year.
Chinzorig Chuluunbaatar:
How to make friends
in Mongolia
Bring a polaroid camera
Everyone likes photos, especially ones you can instantly print out. The camera will help create special moments that you can capture and then give to people straight away.
Bring a kite
Mongolia is a windy country and kites are cheap and easy to use. They help to quickly create a bond with someone, and you can give it to a new friend before you leave.
Bring crayons and paper
This is one of the best ways that you can immediately connect with local families and children.
Learn how to say hello
as soon as you arrive
In Mongolia, there are many ways to greet each other. Find out from a local how to say hello, which can vary depending on the situation and season, as it will help break the ice when meeting new people.
Take a self-driving tour
It gives you control over your trip and
freedom to explore at your own pace.
Driving Change
Supporting small businesses is one piece of the puzzle, but there is a broader strategic goal to stabilize and develop tourism in Mongolia.
“Mongolia’s tourism sector has undergone rapid transformation in recent years and is now one of the most exciting prospects for economic growth.
Nomin Chinbat
Minister of Culture of Mongolia
With the ‘Years to Visit Mongolia’ campaign, the government is aiming to increase international arrivals from about 644,000 in 2023 to one million by 2025. To this end, immigration restrictions have relaxed, making it easier than ever to visit Mongolia without a tourist visa. In 2023 the number of countries that can visit visa-free increased by 34, including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, and the UK, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport, opened in 2021, was designed for an increased capacity of up to three million passengers a year.
“Increasing tourism through enhancing Mongolia’s international transport links is a key part of the government’s long-term development plan Vision 2050 which aims to transform Mongolians’ living standards and make Mongolia a leading country in its region,” says Minister Nomin. Domestically, tourism infrastructure has experienced huge improvements. Transportation has become more reliable, as MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the flag carrier, has helped bring stability to domestic aviation. The country’s vast road network is also seeing improvements. In 2023 the Asian Development Bank approved a $150 million loan to improve the efficiency and safety of road transport in Mongolia. These efforts coincide with projects aimed at transforming national parks as models for economically inclusive tourism and conservation in protected areas.
The future looks bright for Mongolia’s tourism industry. While travelers are able to immerse themselves in the country’s traditional culture and explore breathtaking natural landscapes, Minister Nomin reminds visitors, “Building new friendships with our welcoming people is just as appealing.” “In 20 years, we haven’t lost anyone,” Chuluunbaatar laughs, remembering what his friend said back in the early 2000s. And while visitors will continue to lose themselves in the country’s ethereal landscapes, with innovative tourism companies like Drive Mongolia, combined with improving tourism infrastructure, they should have no trouble finding their way home again.
It's Time to
Go Mongolia
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