Top Destinations in Mongolia: A Local Tour Agency's Guide

Enkhzaya Ganbold
Jul 28, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Mongolia's top destinations are the Gobi Desert with its dunes and Flaming Cliffs, the ancient capital Karakorum in the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley, Lake Khuvsgul (the "Blue Pearl of Mongolia"), Gorkhi-Terelj National Park near Ulaanbaatar, and the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia — with the capital Ulaanbaatar as the gateway to them all.

What are the top destinations in Mongolia?

Mongolia offers a range of breathtaking destinations that capture its rich history, nomadic culture and stunning landscapes. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, serves as the gateway to the country and blends modernity with tradition. The Gobi Desert is famous for its vast sand dunes, the fossil-rich Flaming Cliffs and two-humped Bactrian camels. The ancient capital Karakorum, home to Erdene Zuu Monastery and the ruins of the Mongol Empire's once-grand capital, attracts history enthusiasts — it sits in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Lake Khuvsgul, the "Blue Pearl of Mongolia," is a pristine alpine lake ringed by mountains and taiga forest, ideal for hiking, kayaking and visiting reindeer herders. Together these destinations make Mongolia an exceptional choice for travelers seeking adventure, wide-open nature and living nomadic culture.

Karakorum and the Orkhon Valley

Around Karakorum, about 360 km west of Ulaanbaatar, you can explore the Orkhon Valley and its natural wonders — rivers, waterfalls, forests and herder camps — alongside two historical pearls: the ruins of the ancient Mongol capital and the 16th-century Erdene Zuu Monastery. See our full Central Mongolia tour guide for how to visit.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is one of Mongolia's most visited national parks — only about 70 km from Ulaanbaatar, which makes it the easiest escape into the countryside. Granite rock formations like Turtle Rock, pine-covered mountains, ger camps and horseback trails fill its valleys, and it combines easily with the giant Chinggis Khaan Statue on a day trip.

Terrelj national Park
Get camp in Terelj
Buddhist roller
turtle rock

Ulaanbaatar — the gateway city

Ulaanbaatar (sometimes written Ulan Bator) sits in north-central Mongolia and is where nearly every trip begins — almost all international flights land here. Roughly half of Mongolia's population, about 1.7 million people, lives in the capital.

This ancient country is best known in the Western world as the birthplace of Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khaan), who built the largest contiguous land empire in history in the 13th century. Ulaanbaatar has changed enormously since then, but the countryside remains home to nomadic herders riding horses and living in felt tents called gers. In the city, don't miss Gandan Monastery, the National Museum and the Chinggis Khaan (Sükhbaatar) Square.

Most travellers spend a day or two in Ulaanbaatar before heading out to the natural wonders. Mongolia is the 18th-largest country in the world but has only about 3.5 million inhabitants — the least densely populated nation on earth — so distances are big: pick two or three regions per trip rather than trying to see everything.

Ulaanbaatar city
Camels in Gobi desert
Winter hiking
Altai Tavan Bogd
Forest
Altai Mountains
Horses in the steppe
Khongor sand dunes
Terrelj national park
Free horses

The Gobi Desert and the Altai Mountains

The Gobi Desert, spreading across southern Mongolia, is Asia's largest desert region: highlights include the Khongor sand dunes, the dinosaur-fossil Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag and Yol Valley. Read our Gobi Desert travel guide for routes and ger camps. In the far west, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park has Mongolia's highest peak, Khüiten (4,374 m), glaciers, petroglyphs and the Kazakh eagle hunters — see our guide to Western Mongolia destinations.

When is the best time to visit Mongolia's top destinations?

The main season runs from May to September; summer — including the Naadam Festival on 11–13 July — is the peak. The Gobi is also beautiful in early autumn, and the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ulgii takes place in early October. For seasons, visas and daily costs, see our complete Mongolia travel guide.

How many destinations can you fit in one Mongolia trip?

In 7–8 days you can comfortably combine the Gobi Desert with Central Mongolia (Karakorum and the Orkhon Valley). Add Lake Khuvsgul or the Altai Mountains and you need 12–14 days, since western Mongolia is best reached by domestic flight. Compare itineraries and prices in our Mongolia tours overview.