Mongolia Trip Report - in search of the end of the world!

Inspired by numerous documentary films, I wanted to find out in August 2012 in his own body as for now truly a day in a nomadic life looks like. The long journey through Istanbul and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) Turkish Airlines was very tiring and the first impressions of the capital Ulaanbaatar (UB) a little confused, but the mix between the former Eastern Bloc and Asian flair is of course historically logical. To truly in advance to make a more impression of life in Mongolia, I recommend the book Mongolia: A Year in a Mongolian Village

Since there are outside of Ulaanbaatar as well as no public transport, this or unable to start the interesting places I have chosen as a basis the Khongor Guest House its home page Gerde not work.

Mongolei Tours

Pre-book on international tours is much more expensive than booking directly in Mongolia.

Although the distances are not soooo great, the travel times are very long due to the non-existent road network and there is rather little time for sightseeing. This is as I said mainly for the desert regions in Mongolia. In the budget I have chosen Tours you will be housed in yurts (Gers, Normadenzelte) and the driver or guide is also the chef. Sometimes it is also held to "Restaurants" and eat there, due to the limited choice of restaurants I can not imagine that the food is much better with more expensive Tours me ......

Ulaanbaatar - the Hauptstadt

As in recent years, many nomads have sold their herd to bring happiness in the big city to try, there is traffic chaos, one needs to have time for 1-2 hours to arrive at the center.

It is recommended to visit the two temples which were verschon from the invasion of the Russians.

Khövsgöl Nuur

My first tour took me to Khövsgöl lake, a nature reserve that borders Russia to the north.

The house consists of one room, which serves as a kitchen, living room and bedroom. The toilet is outside. Just like the nomad tents one has here an oven at the same time serves as a heating and cooking. The decor is sparse, but progressive for Mongolian conditions.

The family on the one hand depends on tourism and on the other hand, for the yaks, their milk and their meat. The woman takes care of the household, the food, the kids and milking the animals.

During the day, various acquaintances come to a tea, so to exchange news are, the nomads are always dependent on others for the hospitality due to the large distances between the villages.

Although the Mongols not like other Asians have an eye shaped character and not constantly grinning me this family has certainly because I was traveling alone was added very open.

Curiously, that of course I ride after 8 hours, had overthrown in the lake for swimming due to the lack of a shower, but the family's rather odd place, as they always fill only the water for washing in a bowl, but never quite there have bathed.

Of course, but are too short to really understand a culture for 3 days. In addition, there are very large differences between summer and winter months. It's really hard to imagine how the Mongols the cold period can spend locked up in their homes.

Horses are probably the most famous and oldest means of transportation. The horses are held throughout the year at temperatures of 30 degrees in the summer and as low as -40 degrees in the winter outdoors and can put behind them what they have proven in the times of Genghis Khan, despite their small stature long distances.

During this tour we also did stop a group of reindeer nomads (Tsaatan) something come in the summer in the south, probably more likely to give tourists their homegrown Yakwollesocken to sell as for other reasons.

The conscious Gobi

Advance before: This tour is exhausting even for diehard backpackers and adventurers !! In extreme Temeraturen for 5 days almost every day to drive up to 40 degrees 10 hours without air conditioning through the desert and about to have a problem every 2 hours by car is really no picnic. And then in the evening to come to the nomad camp surrounded without fließenedes water (= personal care only about Freuchttücher) and gerbils and hedgehogs to sleep and does not contribute to recovery in 😉

Is this because all that worth the bother? The best read on and judge for yourself. Here is the itinerary:

Day 1: Drive to Erdenedalei, Baga gazrzn chuluu
Tag 2: Bayanzag, Flaming Cliffs
Tag 3: Khongor Sanddüne
Tag 4: Ongiin Khiid
Tag 5: Kharhorin Erdenezuu Kloster
Day 6: Drive back to Ulaanbaatar

The sixth largest desert in the world, the Gobi desert is a desert and only a very small part consists of sand dunes. Dinosaur fossils have been found in the most remote areas and are on display at the Natural History Museum in Ulaanbaatar.

The vastness of the landscape and the blue sky with clouds in the game are impressive.

Highlight of any Gobi trips are probably the sand dunes of Khongor not combined with the camels held there.

Without a doubt, a very nice surprise was the little-known tourist village Ongiin Khiid, not only because the first shower was available after 4 days here for me. For one, the romantic river landscape with its green hills is a welcome contrast to the barren desert landscape and on the other hand, the mood is in the temple ruins especially in the evening very spiritual.

Most of these tours end the grand finale in Erdene Zuu Khiid, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, which in its heyday up to 100 temples and 300 yurts included and in which up to 1000 monks lived.

From my perspective as a Gobi tour is relatively inexpensive to see very many of the most interesting corners of Mongolia really is the best opportunity.

Amarbayansgalant Khiid

This monastery in northern Mongolia is one of the most important three of the country and I had the luck to be present exactly in August to Betfest Gongoriin Bombani Hural.

Although no trip will turn out to Mongolia on my trip around the world, I would describe Mongolia as one of the most fascinating countries I have visited. It was very interesting how progressive think the young people there and what they show ambition to learn at, especially the women. While the men most often mainly the alcohol, usually expire from boredom during the long winter months vodka, keeping the family takes over the woman.

More information about Mongolia can be found here: http://mongoliatourism.gov.mn