Disclaimer:<\/strong> This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Want to get to somewhere lesser-known and travel differently? This Mongolia travel guide shows how to go overlanding in the world\u2019s least densely populated country.<\/p>\n Travel to Mongolia means tackling a land of extremes. Both in the landscape, from its vast desert lands and towering dunes to its lush green mountainous national parks, and in its lack of infrastructure, where you become just as frustrated as you are in awe by the country\u2019s areas of extreme isolation.<\/p>\n Visiting Mongolia is to find a canvas of rugged beauty capped by a sky so blue that pollution isn\u2019t even a word that exists here. Passing only wild horses, herds of cattle, an isolated ger in the distance, and the odd truck also on its way to the city, life here is at its purest and most beautiful.<\/p>\n Outside of its unkempt capital, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia exists with limited facilities, but that\u2019s what makes it attractive. On the road, it can take hours of driving before you pass a small ger community, a Mongolian on horseback or another vehicle, and in between blessed with the most stunning views of a country so desolate that you know you\u2019ve reached the real heart of it.<\/p>\n Overlanding through Mongolia, rather than flying or taking the train, is one of the best decisions I have ever made. This guide will show you how to travel Mongolia from China by land, in a vast loop that takes in some of the country\u2019s most treasured hotspots and wilderness hideaways.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n This is How to Travel to Mongolia \u2013 Overlanding the Least Densely Populated Country in the World<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Mongolia travel changes you and makes you appreciate the beautiful patches on the earth\u2019s surface not ruined by extreme modernisation, pollution and overpopulation.<\/p>\n My time in Mongolia meant experiencing everything from bush camping to ger camps, being at one with nature (and not care who sees you squatting in the process) and realising that animals like to roam and Mongolians love to chat \u2013 right outside your Ger from 5 am.<\/p>\n I saw a night sky so clear that I didn\u2019t think you could ever see so many stars. I traversed a land so serene in isolation and culture so welcoming that I hope it never, ever becomes ruined by tourist traps or the tight grips of mass capitalism (currently contained to Ulaanbaatar).<\/p>\n Wild horses in the vast Mongolian landscape<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you want to get off the beaten track, not be on any set grid and take each day as it comes, you will love Mongolia. But this also comes with its frustrations where you need droves of patience and a good chunk of travel time to spare.<\/p>\n There are hardly any roads.<\/strong> Roads are dirt tracks or pre-made grooves in the land pointing the way, and paved highroads are very few and far between.<\/p>\n Mongolia is prone to unpredictable weather conditions. <\/strong>That\u00a0means random onslaughts of rain and the likelihood that you are likely to get bogged at some point. There were countless numbers of times where we had to dig out and push the truck or find locals to come to the rescue \u2013 tractors are a saving grace here.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a vast country that you could get lost in for weeks on end, and when you accept the setbacks, you start to see them as part of the big adventure \u2013 travel at its most raw. Back to basics, getting dirty and struggling with the lack of modern amenities we too often take for granted is part of what travelling in Mongolia is all about.<\/p>\n The Overlanding vehicle used to travel to Mongolia and around.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The summer season between May to September is said to be the best time to go to Mongolia. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures in the Gobi Desert reaching 40\u00b0C. Rainfall is at its highest between June and September, balancing out the heat while keeping the forest and valley lands, in particular, lush and fertile. I travelled to Mongolia in July and experienced a lot of rainfall alongside high temperatures.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mongolia\u2019s winter season is from November to February. While some people like to experience the landscape in this snowy season, temperatures can drop to below minus 20\u00b0C \u2013 a harsh and challenging environment to travel in. You\u2019ll find that not many companies run tours during this time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n While petty crime and pickpocketing are common in the capital, Ulaanbataar, Mongolia is a relatively safe place to travel, and I never encountered any significant problems. It pays to be more streetwise and alert in the city, as you would in any other. As the landing and departure point for tourists, opportunism poses a higher risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the lack of infrastructure and the relative isolation when travelling through the country, the only minor issue we encountered was related to the high levels of alcoholism in the country. We saw drunk drivers on our long drives and an occasion or two when inebriated locals came to our makeshift camp out of curiosity. Even then, it never felt threatening, and we were always within the safety of our group.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n On the whole, we rarely saw other people, and when we did, we were met with kindness, invited into homes and welcomed into common spaces such as markets and small-town social spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n I also travelled alongside a Mongolian guide \u2013 someone who could speak the language when we got stuck, who could walk to a nearby home and explain the need for assistance and who understood the land\u2019s general navigation. Therefore, in Mongolia, it pays to get yourself a local guide, join a small group tour, formulate a small group of your own in Ulaanbataar or be equipped with general wilderness survival skills if going out there entirely on your own.\u00a0<\/p>\n When I was planning my trip to Mongolia, Dragoman<\/a> was the only company offering Mongolia tours that lasted from ten days to two weeks. The 21-day overland journey was the first trip itinerary of its kind they were running here, which included Inner Mongolia. Today the 21-day trip, called Nomads & Wilds of Mongolia, is on a loop from Ulaanbaatar and includes Khovsgol Lake in the north. Although Dragoman suspended operations during the pandemic, they are back in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n Adventure travel experts G Adventures, offer Mongolia tours that all start and end in Ulaanbaatar.\u00a0<\/p>\n A 14-day trip, including all the highlights at an affordable price<\/a> (from \u20ac1999), this Mongolia trip includes a Gobi Desert and Mongolian Grasslands stay, alongside packing in the major historical must-sees and cultural experiences that make Mongolia an unforgettable adventure.\u00a0<\/p>\n This 10-day local living trip<\/a> includes staying with three different families in Gers to experience life as a nomad. Mix historical monuments with cultural moments, exploring pastures, forests, lakes and national parks by foot and horseback while helping your host families prepare traditional dinners and learn the skills of their nomadic trades.\u00a0<\/p>\n Want to experience the Naadam Festival\u2019s horseracing, archery and wrestling tournaments? This mini adventure takes you to it<\/a> and throws you right into the buzz of traditional Mongolian festivities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mongolia is expensive to travel in and around due to the very nature that it is not overly touristic. Due to the lack of infrastructure, a tour with a local guide and appropriate transport can often be necessary to cover more ground.<\/p>\n For those on a budget, day trips can be taken from Ulaanbaatar, or you can try and plan some shorter 3-5 day trips from the city. However, this can often depend on having a minimum amount of people signed up for the trip to run and isn\u2019t always guaranteed.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you are not a national of one of the visa-exempt countries listed below, you will need a Mongolia visa.<\/p>\n It is cheaper to apply directly at a Mongolian Embassy (either at home before you leave or in the country you are travelling in prior). You will need a valid passport, passport photos and supporting trip documents alongside a completed application.\u00a0<\/p>\n Allow one working week for processing. Some Embassies provide a one-day service for an extra charge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n A 30-day tourist visa on arrival is available for tourists coming from European and other countries where there are no Mongolian Embassies present, obtained at Ulanbataar Airport or the Mongolian land borders. I got my visa in London months before my trip.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The following countries are granted visa-free entry to Mongolia.\u00a0<\/p>\n Visa-free entry for 90 days:<\/strong> Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, United States (US). Those from Ukraine require a form of invitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Visa-free entry for 30 days: <\/strong>Canada, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Thailand, Uruguay.\u00a0<\/p>\n Visa-free entry for 21 days: <\/strong>Philippines.<\/p>\n Visa-free entry for 14 days: <\/strong>Hong Kong.<\/p>\n You can find further information on the Embassy of Mongolia website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n I spent 20 days Overlanding in and across the central and western Mongolian plains. We travelled in a big clockwise circle from Ulaanbaatar, through the scorching Gobi Desert to beautiful lakes, forests, canyons and waterfalls, all the while passing vast herds of wild horses, camels, goats, yaks and cows.<\/p>\n Overlanding in Mongolia for Three Weeks:<\/strong><\/p>\n Kilometres travelled:\u00a02492<\/strong><\/p>\n Number of significant times the truck got stuck:\u00a02<\/strong><\/p>\n Number of minor times the truck got stuck:\u00a012<\/strong><\/p>\n Number of incredible driving days:\u00a015<\/strong><\/p>\n We spent a full day in Ulaanbaatar exploring outside of the stark Soviet communist-style architecture and moving past the city\u2019s general dodgy feeling. There\u2019s plenty to see and do here, including a walk through the modern Sukhbaatar (Parliament) Square, the Gandan Monastery, the National History Museum<\/strong> and the shopping paradise of the Black Market<\/strong>. In the evening, check out the singing, dancing and contortion talent at the Cultural Show<\/strong> before hitting a few bars and pubs. There\u2019s so many you won\u2019t know where to start.<\/p>\n Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The golden feet outside the Gandan Monastery Ulaanbaatar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We set off in the truck from Ulaanbaatar to drive to the Baga Gazryn Chuluu rock formations in the Gobi desert. Due to heavy traffic when getting out of the city and general road conditions we got delayed and so decided to set up bush camp for the evening. Be prepared for delays in Mongolia but delight in being the only people in the area. All the space is yours.<\/p>\n We got to Baga Gazryn Chuluu \u2013 rock formations worshipped by locals<\/strong> who make pilgrimages here partly because legend states that Ghengis Khan camped here \u2013 before journeying to the Gobi Desert.<\/p>\n Layers of Baga Gazryn Chuluu rock formations in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A hike to Baga Gazryn Chuluu as part of a Mongolia travel itinerary<\/p>\n<\/div>\n On the way, we got to experience the famous Nadaam Festival<\/strong> when we passed through the local town of Mandal Govi<\/strong>. It was full of wrestling, horse racing, archery and fairground style fun. Nadaam means \u2018games\u2019, and the buzz was all around us as the only Westerners there. It was great to be a part of a traditional Mongolian community celebration, even if the afternoon was marred by a bogging, which resulted in the truck not being released from the soft mud until midnight.<\/p>\n Watching the wrestling at the Nadaam Festival in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Mongolian locals enjoy the Nadaam Festival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The plan was to get to our first ger camp, but after approximately 30 kilometres, we encountered a large ditch of water on the road. It resulted in us having to drain the water by hand and build a road and a dam for most of the afternoon to help us get across. Although this sounds horrendous, it created a great sense of camaraderie and, ultimately, an immense sense of achievement. We got to camp on a high point of the Gobi Desert instead near the town of Tsogoovi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A Ger Camp on a hilltop in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We began our journey without a hitch to the ger Camp called Gobi Discovery, stopping at the town of Dalanzagad<\/strong> on the way. Mongolian towns are typically tiny and compact settlements that are reasonably large but without the ruin of a city like Ulaanbaatar.<\/p>\n Market time in the town of Dalanzagad, Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We hiked in Yolin Am<\/strong>, a beautiful canyon in the Gobi, an ice valley, which hosts a colossal glacier all year round. The hike was spectacular, but, unfortunately for us, little of the iceberg remained, although we had lots of fun playing with what little ice there was regardless.<\/p>\n Hike or horseback in the Yolin Am Valley in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many sandy riverbed crossings eventually led us to our second Ger camp, Khongoryn Els Ger Camp. Here, you only<\/strong> have to open your ger door to be greeted with a\u00a0breathtaking view of the Gobi and the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes<\/strong>, which I later climbed, drank beer on and ran down. That was after a camel ride, of course.<\/p>\n The glorious Gobi Desert Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bumpy mountain roads took us to the spectacular Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs<\/strong>, which are a Mongolian version of the Grand Canyon, but smaller. It\u2019s a significant site that unearthed many dinosaur fossils and eggs, and it is also a stunning backdrop for bush camping.<\/p>\n The blazing ochre colours of Mongolia\u2019s Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Marvel the mars-like landscape of Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs when you travel to Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When the communists invaded Mongolia in the 1930s (known as the Purges), nearly all Monasteries were destroyed. Ongii Monastery<\/strong> was one of them, and we visited the ruins here before driving to Arvaikheer,<\/strong> where heavy rain forced us into a hotel for the night. At times, random bad weather makes bush camping in Mongolia impossible, so it is essential to prepare for a budget recount at any given time.<\/p>\n The site of the Ongii Monastery in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The scattered stone ruins of Ongii Monastery in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We began our journey to the third ger camp but got badly bogged around midday after the truck had to swerve slightly, of course, to miss a drunk driver who came in our path (sadly, a lot of people drink and drive here). It took over five hours to get out, with the help of a small local tractor, and during that time, a few of us who remained to help with the truck (local jeeps rescued a few) lost our minds. It was a hilarious few hours that would have made an excellent documentary, probably how a Lord of the Flies scenario starts.<\/p>\n Tractors help pull the Overlanding truck out of the sticky mud in Mongolia\u2019s rural landscape.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The roads were not rigid and stable enough for the truck to continue, especially with all the hills. After setting up tents and cooking dinner, two small vans came to the rescue to take us on our two-hour journey to the Ger Camp. It was a scary ride in the dark, where we stopped at the driver\u2019s backyard and where a small boy jumped into the hold of the van for the rest of the journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n I highly recommend staying in a ger camp in the beautiful Orkhon Valley<\/strong>. There\u2019s nothing like a pleasant hike through the beautiful forest to reach the Tuvkhon Monastery and see the surrounding area. Pure bliss.<\/p>\n The lush green leading to the soft peaks in the Orkhon Valley Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A rest stop in the scenic Orkhon Valley landscape<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hiking the forest trails of Mongolia\u2019s Orkhon Valley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The rocky plateau that surrounds the To\u0308vkho\u0308n Monastery in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The colourful entrance to the To\u0308vkho\u0308n Monastery<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Orkhon Valley waterfall<\/strong> was the next stop on our five-hour drive to the next ger camp. This camp plays host to the famous hot springs<\/strong> in the region, where we went skinny dipping and enjoyed a few refreshing beers.\u00a0<\/p>\n A Mongolian man sits in a chair peacefully enjoying the backdrop of the Orkhon Valley Waterfalls in Mongolia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fully clothed, of course, we took a short hike through the lush green forest to visit the source of the hot springs. When you come across your first sighting of trees after two weeks of barren land, you begin to appreciate such incredible surroundings.<\/p>\n Visiting a local nomadic family in their ger in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As we had two Mongolian guides with us (invaluable support in a country where very little or no English is spoken or understood), we could visit a Mongolian ger and a local family to learn about nomadic life.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t a tourist set up, but a traditional, local family who lived on an isolated patch of land in the valley. We tried their dairy products (their source of income), including fermented mare\u2019s milk, curd and butter, before learning about ger rules and traditions and asking each other many questions!<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Visiting a Mongolian Ger \u2013 Understanding the Nomadic Culture of Mongolia<\/a><\/p>\n We needed a quick stop in the nearby town of Tsetserleg<\/b> to stock up on food supplies. It was a market day with an electric atmosphere. I get a high from moments when you don\u2019t know where you are and what to do, and where you have to work hard to communicate and negotiate.<\/p>\n We later visited the most important Monastery in the country, Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin<\/strong> \u2013 the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia that had up to 100 temples and 1,000 monks before the purges in 1937. Only three temples remained, alongside several statues and other items.<\/p>\n The exterior walls of the Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Part of the temple complex inside Mongolia\u2019s Erdene Zuu Monastery<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The red, gold and green temple structures at Erdene Zuu Monastery<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A visit to the museum we camped next to \u2013 the Kultigen Monument, housing artefacts from the Turkish empire \u2013 set us on the way to the nearby Ugii Lake,<\/strong> where we would relax all day and camp for one night.<\/p>\n Ugii lake emits a calming atmosphere and invites you to traverse it slowly. While it would take almost a day to walk around, it\u2019s a great place to unwind and reflect. I count this as one of my most favourite spots in all of Mongolia.<\/p>\n Our camping set-up beside Ugii Lake in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We arrived at Hustain National Park<\/strong> in the afternoon to settle into a ger camp. This National Park is known for the rare Przewalski\u2019s horse, <\/strong>unique to Mongolia. When you finally track down a small group, it\u2019s still hard to see their beauty up close as you can\u2019t get that close to them.<\/p>\n Still, we got to meet the \u2018Best Mongolian Folk Band in Mongolia\u2019 <\/strong>called Domog in the evening after a fantastic show where they performed rock-style tunes via the famed throat singing. I guess it is the equivalent of meeting Westlife in Ireland. Seriously.<\/p>\n Meeting Damog, the Best Mongolian Folk Band in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We had to journey back through the crazy, construction-overloaded, traffic-ridden Ulaanbaatar to get to Terelj National Park and the last ger camp of the trip (we were due to bush camp the weather put a stop to that).\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s incredible how a few hours down the road from the capital brings you to some of the country\u2019s most spectacular landscapes.<\/p>\n The road that leads to the heart of Terelj National Park, Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you love walking and hiking, you will love Terelj National Park.<\/strong> Here you can wander for hours, hike to a Monastery and horse ride through the forests and rocky hilltops. Make sure you check out \u2018Turtle Rock\u2019 too. You may think it looks like something else from a certain angle!<\/p>\n One of the layered rock formations in Terelj National Park in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Visiting Turtle Rock in Terelj National Park Mongolia, named for its shape similar to the animal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Nothing beats the end of the wilderness journey than a visit to the giant 40-metre tall silver Ghengis Khan statue<\/strong> just outside of Ulaanbaatar on the banks of the Tuul River. Legend has it that it was at this spot that Ghengis Khan found his golden whip. Anyhow, a bit of a pilgrimage spot for locals, it was fascinating (if not a bit odd and imposing in the same way a colossal silver statue of Hitler in Germany would probably evoke the same feeling).<\/p>\n 40-metre tall silver Ghengis Khan statue just outside of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Back in Ulaanbaatar, I turned my hostel room into an office and distracted myself with a pizza slice, cake and coffee at Wendy\u2019s Bakery \u2013 worth a visit alongside the State Department Store, which is right next to the hostel area. It\u2019s an excellent chance to rest up after adventure through the vast landscapes of Mongolia.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Dragoman overland truck is what we called home, except we didn\u2019t sleep on it overnight. Instead, we went wild camping and every night, checking into a hotel once when the rains were too much to settle a tent comfortably.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Outside<\/strong><\/p>\n The truck\u2019s exterior has lots of compartments \u2013 storage for luggage and tents and a clean water supply, mealtime equipment and food supplies. It\u2019s a travelling transformer, and everyone has to lend a hand setting up and packing down for breakfast, lunch and dinner.<\/p>\n If you have no sense of camaraderie or hate getting dirty, then this isn\u2019t the kind of adventure trip for you. I embraced it and loved every minute of \u2018roughing it\u2019.<\/p>\n Travel in Mongolia was mostly about camping.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Inside<\/strong><\/p>\n Twenty-three seats, a fridge, a safe, a bookshelf, prominent speakers and a place to recharge equipment, this is where we spend hours at a time, or what could end up being an entire day, traversing the landscape. We filled it with our belongings like a messy bedroom and made it cosy.<\/p>\n Inside the Overlanding truck on the journey travelling Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Along the Way<\/strong><\/p>\n The two drivers are the mechanics, the navigators and the troubleshooters. Everything about the truck, from where it goes and how it gets there, hangs on their decision making, alongside our Mongolian guide who knew the land better than anyone else and could speak the language when we needed to call upon locals for help.\u00a0<\/p>\n Overlanding in Mongolia was a real adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although the drivers would jump out to check the road, walking far ahead to determine the best track to take or check waterlogged areas (often by getting in the water) to limit the truck\u2019s chances of getting bogged. We often stopped to help locals whose cars were stuck, knowing that karma would need to be returned one day.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOk, guys, you have to get off. It\u2019s not looking good.\u201d This phrase, accompanied by the engine\u2019s low hum and strain as it finally gave up, became a regular occurrence during the three weeks I spent in Mongolia. Getting dirty in Mongolia is a given, but I never thought on my travels that I would push a truck out of thick, stodgy mud, build a road complete with a dam or wade knee-deep through a river to get to the other side.\u00a0<\/p>\n In Mongolia, aside from the small handful of roads available, you will take the path less travelled, one that hasn\u2019t been used for days or worn in by other vehicles for an easy pass. You could call it bad luck, or you could call it a reality, but travel comes with its challenges and getting stuck in Mongolia is by far the most common. \u00a0While I wasn\u2019t expecting substantial bogging incidents on this trip, I began to embrace them when they did happen. After all, the locals have to face these situations regularly. It became a part of what Mongolia is and what it means to cross her lands.<\/p>\n The drivers of the truck were responsible for assessing each situation when it arose. They were the first to get dirty, walk through the water and determine the outcome. At times it put you on edge, wondering how long you would be stuck somewhere with no one passing by for hours. At other times it merely meant us having to walk a short distance to lighten the truck.<\/p>\n Either way, the result was a massive whoop and roar for our truck, Archie, when he made it through. It felt good, and we then knew the next stage of the journey could begin. These are the times I\u2019ll always remember.<\/p>\n Our group helps find a track in the water for the truck to pass in Mongolia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It had been raining on and off for a few days, mainly in short spurts in the evenings, and we were bumping along the wet dirt tracks just fine. When the truck stopped, and we saw that two pools of water had filled two road tracks, we knew a bogging incident was imminent. The drivers walked, pondered and walked through the water. Could we drive through it without getting stuck?<\/p>\n The usual scenario rested on two possibilities \u2013 drive through it or find hard enough ground around it. Except that this time it was different. We were told: \u201cWe need to empty this road of water and then let the ground dry out so we can cross over it.\u201d<\/p>\n Cue the mad dash to empty our camping gear to find our plastic washing-up bowls and any other form of a plastic container to begin the removal process. The ladies rolled up their shorts to get right in there and scoop out the water as the men started digging to create a road. Everyone built a dam by hand on each side of the tyre track grooves so that the emptied water wouldn\u2019t flow back in.<\/p>\n It was hard work, but we became a team, a great team. The sun was shining that day which meant we only had to wait a couple of hours while the heat dried out our creation. We ate, we played, we sang, and we marvelled at what resourceful people we were. It was a scary moment when Archie made his move to cross our road (our beautifully crafted highway that could be crushed in seconds and need rebuilding), but he made it in one unbeaten run, and our handmade route was left to the land and in nature\u2019s control.<\/p>\n Happening upon grassy, muddy areas is sporadic. You can never tell exactly how hard the ground is beneath it. After bouts of rain, the ground softens, and even though there were times when the truck had to work a little harder, it made it through.<\/p>\n We had just had a fantastic afternoon checking out a local Nadaam festival and were in high spirits, which we needed knowing that we would be driving for the rest of the day. Except we didn\u2019t \u2013 we were soon stuck in thick, sticky mud, and no amount of pushing and revving was going to change it.<\/p>\n Digging out the truck wheels from the deep, wet mud in Mongolia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Our Mongolian guide walked to the nearest ger to get help, and the locals later returned on a motorbike to check out the situation. The whole family came out \u2013 we regularly became a source of fascination or amusement en route through the country. However, they kindly decided to use their big, industrial tractor to help pull the truck out of the mud \u2013 that too got stuck.<\/p>\n With two vehicles out of action and night starting to fall, we decided to set up camp on a drier patch of land nearby, and the drivers worked relentlessly with the locals throughout the evening. We got bogged at 5 pm, and it took until midnight for the truck to be pulled from sludge. It was a day wasted, but another example of how unpredictable travelling here can be.<\/p>\n When the truck stops dead at a deep area of water, you know the situation isn\u2019t going to be resolved quickly. Can a truck this size pass through a river without sinking or getting stuck? Although we enjoyed paddling in the freshwater, we didn\u2019t know whether we could have to completely re-route to get around it and lose more time.<\/p>\n The conclusion was that there was a distinct lack of knowledge about alternative roads around the river, and somehow we would have to find a way to get through it. With a small truck already stuck right in the middle, it was a scary prospect.<\/p>\n The drivers identified the most shallow and hard ground area in the water to pass, although we couldn\u2019t be on the truck, unfortunately. You can imagine the chaos \u2013 a group of locals trying to rescue their vehicle and 20 non-locals trying to navigate through the water, knee-deep and screeching, scared of falling in.<\/p>\n My heart skipped a beat watching our truck splash through the water and wondering whether it would stop dead in its tracks and slowly swim in a sea of mud, taking all our belongings with it. But Archie made it, and this time, he got the biggest cheer. And a giant sigh of relief.<\/p>\n Typical river crossings in Mongolia and helping out locals who were also stuck<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With unpredictable weather conditions, a challenging landscape to navigate and a trip mostly comprised of wild camping, packing for Mongolia requires some planning. In short, you need to factor in the following:<\/p>\n For a more extensive overview, read my full Mongolia Packing List<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/A-house-and-ger-rural-life-in-Mongolia-Orkhon-Valley.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/A-house-and-ger-rural-life-in-Mongolia-Orkhon-Valley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy Travel to Mongolia\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Visit the Least Densely Populated Country in the World<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Wild](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Wild-horses-in-Mongolia-landscape.jpg\"\/)
![\"Wild](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Wild-horses-in-Mongolia-landscape.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOff the Beaten Track Adventure<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dragoman-truck-overland-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dragoman-truck-overland-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen is the Best Time to Go to Mongolia?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Is it Safe to Travel to Mongolia Safe?<\/span><\/h2>\n
It Pays to Know a Local<\/span><\/h3>\n
Mongolia Tours<\/span><\/h2>\n
Classic Nomadic Mongolia<\/span><\/h3>\n
Local Living Mongolia<\/span><\/h3>\n
Experience the Naadam Festival in Mongolia<\/span><\/h3>\n
Is Mongolia Expensive to Travel?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Do you need a Visa for Mongolia?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Mongolia Visa on Arrival<\/span><\/h3>\n
Visa-free access to Mongolia<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where to Go in Mongolia \u2013 Itinerary<\/span><\/h2>\n
Day 1: Visiting Ulaanbaatar<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Entrance-Gandan-Monastery-Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Entrance-Gandan-Monastery-Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Gold-statue-feet-Gandan-Monastery-Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Gold-statue-feet-Gandan-Monastery-Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 2: Getting from Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi desert<\/span><\/h3>\n
Day 3: Visit the Baga Gazryn Chuluu Rock Formations<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Layers](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Baga-Gazryn-Chuluu-Mongolia-rock-formations.jpg\"\/)
![\"Layers](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Baga-Gazryn-Chuluu-Mongolia-rock-formations.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visit-Baga-Gazryn-Chuluu-rock-formations-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visit-Baga-Gazryn-Chuluu-rock-formations-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Nadaam-Festival-Wrestling-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Nadaam-Festival-Wrestling-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Mongolians](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Locals-wrestling-Nadaam-Festival-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Mongolians](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Locals-wrestling-Nadaam-Festival-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 4: Sleep at a Ger Camp in the Gobi Desert<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Gobi-Desert-ger-camp-mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Gobi-Desert-ger-camp-mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 5: Dalanzagad to Gobi Discovery Ger Camp<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dalanzagad-town-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dalanzagad-town-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 6: Hiking in Yolin Am \u2013 Mongolia\u2019s Ice Valley<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Horseback-Yolin-Am-Mongolia-valley.jpg\"\/)
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Horseback-Yolin-Am-Mongolia-valley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 7: A Trip to the Gobi Desert Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Gobi-Desert-Khongoryn-Els-Sand-Dunes-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Gobi-Desert-Khongoryn-Els-Sand-Dunes-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 8: Visiting the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Bayanzag-Flaming-Cliffs-Mongolia-travel.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Bayanzag-Flaming-Cliffs-Mongolia-travel.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visiting-Bayanzag-Flaming-Cliffs-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visiting-Bayanzag-Flaming-Cliffs-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 9: Seeing Ongii Monastery and Driving to Arvaikhee<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visiting-Ongii-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visiting-Ongii-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ruins-Ongii-Monastery-Mongolia-travel.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ruins-Ongii-Monastery-Mongolia-travel.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 10: Stuck in Mongolia<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Tractors](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Stuck-in-the-mud-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Tractors](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Stuck-in-the-mud-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 11: Hiking in Orkhon Valley<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Orkhon-Valley-Mongolia-nature.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Orkhon-Valley-Mongolia-nature.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Camping-in-Orkhon-Valley-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Camping-in-Orkhon-Valley-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Hiking-in-Orkhon-Valley.jpg\"\/)
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Hiking-in-Orkhon-Valley.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Hike-To\u0308vkho\u0308n-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Hike-To\u0308vkho\u0308n-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Entrance-To\u0308vkho\u0308n-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Entrance-To\u0308vkho\u0308n-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 12: Seeing the Orkhon Valley Waterfalls<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Orkhon-Valley-Waterfalls-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Orkhon-Valley-Waterfalls-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 13: Visiting a Mongolian Family in a Ger<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Tourist-group-visits-Mongolian-Ger.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Tourist-group-visits-Mongolian-Ger.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 14: Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Layers](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visit-Erdene-Zuu-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Layers](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visit-Erdene-Zuu-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Inside-Erdene-Zuu-Monastery-Mongolia-travel.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Inside-Erdene-Zuu-Monastery-Mongolia-travel.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Temple-Erdene-Zuu-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Temple-Erdene-Zuu-Monastery-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 15: Camping at Ugii Lake<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Camping-in-Mongolia-Ugii-Lake.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 16: Visiting Hustain National Park and Seeing Przewalski\u2019s Horses<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Meeting-Damog-Best-Mongolian-Folk-Band-in-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Meeting-Damog-Best-Mongolian-Folk-Band-in-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 17: Driving to Ulaanbaatar and Visiting Terelj National Park<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visiting-Terelj-National-Park-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Visiting-Terelj-National-Park-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 18: Hiking Terelj National Park and Seeing Turtle Rock<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Turtle-Rock-Terelj-National-Park-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Turtle-Rock-Terelj-National-Park-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Terelj-National-Park-Turtle-Rock-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Terelj-National-Park-Turtle-Rock-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 19: A Trip to the Ghengis Khan statue on the Tuul River<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Genghis-Khan-Equestrian-Statue-Mongolia.jpg\"\/)
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Genghis-Khan-Equestrian-Statue-Mongolia.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDay 20: Back to Ulaanbaatar<\/span><\/h3>\n
How to Overland in Mongolia<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Travel-to-Mongolia-overland-truck.jpg\"\/)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Travel-to-Mongolia-overland-truck.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Overlanding-travel-Mongolia-bus.jpg\"\/)
![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Overlanding-travel-Mongolia-bus.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Overlanding-in-Mongolia-nature.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Overlanding-in-Mongolia-nature.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Realities of Rural Travel in Mongolia<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Overlanding-Mongolia-driving.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Overlanding-Mongolia-driving.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBuilding a Road in Mongolia<\/span><\/h3>\n
Getting Stuck in the Mud<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Teo](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mongolia-overlanding-mud-roads.jpg\"\/)
![\"Teo](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mongolia-overlanding-mud-roads.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Unexpected River Crossing<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mongolia-nature-flooding.jpg\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mongolia-nature-flooding.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat to Pack for Mongolia<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Planning Mongolia Travel? Pin It!<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Mongolians](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Travel-Mongolia-Pinterest-200x300.jpg\"\/)
![\"Mongolians](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Travel-Mongolia-Pinterest-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Waterfalls,](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Pinterest-Mongolia-Travel-200x300.jpg\"\/)
![\"Waterfalls,](\"https:\/\/www.bordersofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Pinterest-Mongolia-Travel-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n