28 Apr
Blog, Mongolian travel news, travel to Mongolia, Uncategorized

Top 6 reasons traveling to Mongolian Gobi

  1. Travel by two-humped Bactrian camel

The two-humped Bactrian camel is an endemic of the Central Asian steppe and Mongolia. The Bactrian camel is much rarer than the dromedary, counted between 1.5 and 2 million, and most of the domesticated. About 950 Bactrian camels still live in the wild in central Asia, essentially in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

For everyone who travels to the Gobi Desert, camelback riding will be the major experience of any trip. Compared to horses, camel riding is more gentle and fun. Do you think that you need to go to a park or farm with a ride camel? Nope. It is much easy in the Gobi, Just find a nomad family who has camels and ask them for a ride. Then please do not forget to pay for the service.

  1. Gobi: Dinosaurs Graveyard, You might be stepping on dinosaur fossil!

The southern half of Mongolia is considered one of the world’s greatest sources of fossils, Gobi Desert affords a treasured collection of various dinosaur species. Fossils or skeletons from at least 40 different genera of dinosaurs have been found in the country, including raptors, lumbering plant eaters, and massive carnivores. The most famous skeleton and fossils from the Gobi include the “Two fighting dinosaurs (Velociraptor and Protoceratops)”, “Crowded infant dinosaurs – Protoceratops”, “Oviraptorosaurian laying its eggs”, “Giant carnivorous Tarbosaur and its baby” and “Egg fossils of many different dinosaur species, and an embryo in the egg.” In 100 years of dinosaur research, more than 80 genera of dinosaurs out of over 400 dinosaur genera known to science have been found in Mongolia’s the Gobi including spots Flaming cliffs, Nemegt, Khermentsav, Tsar Tsav, and Tugrugiin Shiree.

  1. A lot of sand, a lot of fun

The Hongor Els Sand Dunes, Mongolia’s largest area of dunes, stretch for 180 kilometers. The highest peak of the dune towers 250 feet and is bordered by the Hongoriin River at its northern edge. There is an oasis in this region, which is rich in vegetation and water source for both local nomads and wildlife. The local nomads call their imposing dunes ”singing dunes” due to the sound made by the wind when it moves the sand.

Many people assumed that in Khongor dune-like that the sand is packed hard in order to keep it together. It is totally inexact, on the climb travelers will be sinking in the sand the entire way. But not like a sink-in up to hips as in the Indiana Jones movie. However, it will be a challenging adventure with the mellow sands of Mongolian Gobi.

  1. An ultimate place for wildlife watching

One of the main flyways of migratory birds passes through Mongolia’s Gobi. In the Gobi region, 246 species of birds including endangered Altai’s snowcock, Lammergeier, Wall Creeper, Mongolian Ground Jay, Houbara Bustard, and Pallas Sand Grouses have been recorded. It is much easier to watch many species of birds in Gobi’s small ponds, springs, and natural and planted trees and bushes than watching in other northern regions of Mongolia. Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (MN46), Borzongiin Gobi (MN47), and Galbiin Gobi (MN48) were recorded as prominent regions for Mongolian bird conservation. Besides birds, a number of rare mammal species including argali sheep, ibex, snow leopard, lynx, wild ass, gazelles, saiga, wild Bactrian camel, and Gobi bear are habited in mountains an oasis in the Gobi.

  1. Gaze dazzling stars

Gazing stars in the Gobi desert will be an extraordinary experience for astronomy lovers.  In the glorious open space without light pollution, it is able to see many stars such as the North Pole, Morning star, Plough, Pleiades, and Milky Way at an angle of 180 degrees horizon with the regular eye.

  1. Drive across terrains of the vast steppe

4WD vehicles or motorbikes are the best way to travel from one remote site to the other across the vast territory of the Gobi desert. In Mongolia’s Gobi, you may not encounter a community or electricity lines, or any other signs of modern infrastructure development after traveling for hundreds of kilometers outside of the capital city.  Rent a vehicle and spend a week cruising around the Gobi, it will be one of the highlights of lifetime adventures in Mongolia.

 

Altai Tavan Bogd
15 Dec
Uncategorized

Best reasons to travel in western Mongolia

  1. To capture great images

Western Mongolia is the ideal destination for photographers. Mystical images of Kazakh people and hunters with golden eagles will make you want to start your journey to the most remote places in the majestic Mountains of Altai. Aside from portraits or lifestyle photos, photographers may shoot images of stunning landscapes and natural settings of the region. To capture the most fascinating images that could elevate your photography career, just pack your gear and head west to the Altai of Mongolia.

  1. To meet hunters with golden eagles

Kazakhs living in Western Mongolia continue to hunt using eagles today. They use eagles to hunt foxes, wolves, and hares during the cold winter months when it is easier to see the gold-furred foxes against the snow.

Hunting with golden eagles is one of the most ancient traditions passed down from generation to generation by Kazakh people. Today, hunting with golden eagles is a sport and a special aspect of Kazakh culture. Every year many Kazakh hunters gather with their specially-trained eagles and challenge them in different ways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. To trek among the mountains

One of the most attractive and unusual types of the tour here in western Mongolia is trekking. In the remote but beautiful swath of untouched wilderness, travelers can feel an authentic nomadic life & tradition during this epic journey. With Bactrian camels and powerful horses to carry our luggage and team staff, we camp by alpine lakes, hike to glaciers, explore ancient burial mounds and petroglyphs that are haunting testaments to Mongolia’s shamanic traditions, and experience a pristine mountain world where nomads still hunt with golden eagles.

  1. To conquer the summits of the Great Altai Mountains

The highest peak in Mongolia – Mt. Tavan Bogd (Huiten Uul Mountain) – towers 4,374 meters above sea level, overlooking the borders of Mongolia, China, and Russia. Year-round snow and glaciers on the peaks of Mt. Tavan Bogd make the mountain magnificent and require endurance and a high level of physical capability from mountaineers. The Altai Mountain range comprises dozens of snow-capped peaks of above 4,000 meters, including Mt. Nairamdal at 4082m and Mt. Malchin at 4050m, Tsambagarav at 4195m, Deglii Tsagaan at 3978m, and Mt. Munkhkhairkhan at 4204m. There are summits for both professional and amateur climbers.

  1. Horse trekking in Altai Tavan Bogd

Western Mongolia is one of the wondrous places yet to be polluted and trapped in modern technology. Nature and culture coexist in the valleys of the majestic Altai Mountains, so it’s only fitting that the best way to truly encounter western Mongolia is on the back of a hearty Mongolian horse – completely natural and native.

  1. Off-road driving among rocky canyons

When traveling between wonderful sites scattered across the vast territory of Mongolia, especially rugged terrain routes in the Altai Mountains, SUVs, and 4x4s are definitely the best available transportation means. I suggest you try self-driving off-road tours among gorges between the spire and lofty mountain of Altai.  Mild breezes and sounds of fresh spring will add comfort and pleasantness to your adventure.

  1. Archeological or petroglyph expeditions

Many archeological findings, including rock paintings, deer stones, ancient graves, and rock cemeteries, make western Mongolia an exotic destination for archeologists and those interested in ancient monuments. The largest collection of petroglyphs at a place called Tsagaan Salaa and features more than 100,000 images dating back 10,000 years. An open-air rock art gallery extending more than 20 kilometers along the rocky slopes of the White Water River was registered as a piece of World Heritage by UNESCO and shows a wide range of wild and domesticated animals and human activities.  Beside large sites, burial graves along the route and stone men monuments from the Bronze Age near your camping sites will connect you with ancient history.

  1. To meet throat singers in Chandmani Soum

To understand the secret of Mongolian throat singing (over tune signing) follow the route to Chandmani soum of Khovd province where everyone from 8-year-old kids to 80-year-old seniors performs this amazing art.

A method of singing multiple notes simultaneously, hoomei produces sounds that defy description; whether spirits of nature, the songs evoke something otherworldly and powerful.  Mesmerizingly beautiful, these harmonious tunes help you understand the connection between humans and nature.

  1. Witness a rich habitant full of wildlife

The unique nature contrast of the great lakes and mountainous areas creates spectacular scenery and a habitat for a wide range of animals and plants. Wolves, foxes, snow leopards, lynxes, mountain weasels, steppe polecats, wild boars, musk deer, elk, roe deer, ibex, argali mountain sheep, Mongolian and black-tailed gazelle from the rich wildlife of the Uvs Lake area. Many rare and endangered species of birds including the Eurasian spoonbill, black stork, swan goose, and white-tailed eagle are found here.

  1. Botanical expedition

The Great Lakes Basin bordering the high Altai Mountains represents a unique ecosystem, containing some of the last remaining vast reed beds in central Asia. The sharp contrast of high mountains, the steppe, and the semi-arid desert-steppe bordering the diverse wetlands creates a highly distinct landscape.

The vegetation of the basin is sparse and mainly characterized by semi-shrubs and shrubs. So far, 554 species of 62 families have been recorded from the Great Lakes Basin. 18 plant species that occur within Mongolia are recorded only in the basin, 13 that are endemic to the basin, and 22 that are listed in the Mongolian Red Data Book (an endangered species list) including Saussurea dorogostaiskii palib, Cynomorium soongaricum and Allium Altaicum pall.