Top 10 Things to Do in Mongolia
Top 10 Things to Do and Places to Visit in Mongolia
Mongolia is a vast and enchanting country known for its raw natural beauty, ancient traditions, and untouched wilderness. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, cultural explorer, or wildlife lover, Mongolia offers unforgettable experiences at every turn. Below are the top 10 must-see attractions and activities to include in your Mongolia itinerary.
Top 10
1. Experience the Naadam Festival
The Naadam Festival is Mongolia’s most famous and vibrant national celebration, held annually from July 11–13 across the country, with the largest festivities taking place in Ulaanbaatar. Often called the “Three Manly Sports,” Naadam showcases Mongolian wrestling, archery, and horse racing—all rooted in centuries of nomadic warrior culture.
Don’t miss the opening ceremony at the National Stadium, a colorful display of music, dance, and traditional dress.
Local Naadam festivals in the countryside offer a more intimate, authentic feel.
2. Visit a Nomadic Family
Mongolia’s nomadic culture remains one of the world’s last truly living traditions. Pastoral herders still move seasonally with their livestock, living in gers (yurts) and embracing a lifestyle unchanged for centuries.
Stay with a nomadic family to learn about daily life, dairy production, herding, and Mongolian hospitality.
Share a meal, help milk a cow, or ride a horse with the family—it’s an experience like no other.
3. Stay in a Traditional Ger (Yurt)
Sleeping in a ger is an iconic part of any trip to Mongolia. These round, felt-covered dwellings are cozy, wind-resistant, and rich in tradition. Many ger camps throughout the countryside offer comfortable stays with breathtaking views.
Most tourist ger camps include wood stoves, beds, and local cuisine.
Perfect for stargazing under Mongolia’s famously clear skies.
4. Visit Gandan Monastery (Gandantegchinlen Khiid)
Located in Ulaanbaatar, Gandan Monastery is Mongolia’s largest and most active Buddhist monastery. It is a spiritual center that survived decades of communist repression and has since been restored.
The main attraction is the 26.5-meter-high golden statue of Migjid Janraisig (Avalokiteśvara), symbolizing compassion.
Visitors can observe monks chanting and experience traditional Buddhist rituals.
5. Camel Riding in the Gobi Desert
Explore the vast Gobi Desert on the back of a two-humped Bactrian camel—a gentle, hardy species uniquely adapted to the arid climate.
Ride across sand dunes like the Khongoryn Els, and visit sites like Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) and Yolyn Am Canyon.
Bactrian camels are far more comfortable to ride than their single-humped cousins found in other regions.
6. Horse Riding at Khuvsgul Lake
Often called the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” Lake Khuvsgul is a pristine alpine lake located in the northern province. Horseback riding along its shores is a breathtaking way to explore the surrounding mountains, taiga forests, and wildflower meadows.
Local Tsaatan reindeer herders can be visited in nearby regions.
Excellent for eco-tourism, boating, and meditation retreats.
7. Attend the Golden Eagle Festival
Held every October in Bayan-Ölgii Province, the Golden Eagle Festival is one of Mongolia’s most awe-inspiring cultural events. Kazakh eagle hunters demonstrate their ancient art of falconry, competing in tests of speed, accuracy, and skill.
A rare chance to witness traditional Kazakh dress, music, food, and horseback games.
Meet eagle hunters and even hold a golden eagle on your arm.
8. Celebrate Tsagaan Sar – Mongolian Lunar New Year
Tsagaan Sar, or “White Moon,” is Mongolia’s Lunar New Year and one of the most cherished holidays, usually celebrated in February. It symbolizes renewal, peace, and prosperity.
Families gather to pay respect to elders, wear traditional clothing, and enjoy festive meals like buuz (steamed dumplings) and airag (fermented mare’s milk).
Tourists can participate through cultural programs or homestays.
9. Trekking in Khan Khentii National Park
Located northeast of Ulaanbaatar, Khan Khentii National Park is a remote, sacred wilderness believed to be the birthplace and resting place of Genghis Khan. The park is perfect for multi-day treks, offering stunning landscapes of mountains, rivers, and endless green valleys.
Ideal for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife photography, and visiting nomadic families along the way.
Less crowded and more pristine than other trekking regions.
10. Fly Fishing for Hucho Taimen
Mongolia is one of the world’s top destinations for fly fishing, particularly for the elusive Hucho taimen, the largest species of salmonid in the world.
Taimen can grow over 1.5 meters long and are catch-and-release only.
Remote rivers such as the Delger Murun, Onon, and Eg Rivers offer premium fishing experiences.
- Only a few special permits are granted each year, ensuring sustainable eco-tourism.
✅ Final Tip: Combine Your Adventure
Amicus Travel Mongolia offers expertly crafted, customized itineraries that seamlessly combine these unforgettable experiences into multi-day or multi-week tours. Whether you’re drawn to the epic history of Genghis Khan, the thrill of adventure in the vast steppes and deserts, or the peaceful beauty of Mongolia’s untouched wilderness—your journey can be tailored just for you.
Mongolia has it all—rich culture, stunning landscapes, warm nomadic hospitality, and endless space to explore. Let Amicus Travel Mongolia be your trusted guide to this extraordinary land, waiting for you to discover it.
