- With an area of 1,300,000 square kilometers, the Gobi Desert is the 5th largest desert in the world. It is located in the far south of Mongolia.
2. Historically, the Gobi Desert stands out for having been part of the Mongol Empire and for the location of several important cities along the Silk Road.
3. Riding a camel allows visitors to experience the vastness of the desert and get closer to its unique ecosystem. The camels used for riding in the Gobi are Bactrian camels, with two humps.
4. Exploring the famous Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag is a must. This region is where significant fossil discoveries have been made. It was named by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who visited in the 1920s. The area is most famous for producing the first discovery of dinosaur eggs.
5. In the easternmost area, you can find the giant Khongor sand dunes in Gurvan Saikhan National Park. These towering shifting sand mountains are the highest in the world, reaching around 100 meters high and covering a total of 965 square kilometers at the foot of the Altai Mountains.
6. The Gobi is one of the best places in the world for stargazing due to the extremely low levels of light pollution. Watching a sunrise here will leave you speechless. Between its natural beauty and the kindness of the nomadic peoples of this corner of the world, the experience will make traveling here worth every moment.
7. Another fascinating area to visit is Yolyn Am Valley, also known as the Valley of the Bearded Vulture (it is also referred to as the Valley of the Vulture or the Valley of the Eagles).
8. The Nemegt Basin, known as the Valley of the Dragons, is one of the areas with the highest concentration of fossils in the world. A true treasure trove for paleontologists, who recover hundreds of Cretaceous fossils from its soil that are of great importance for understanding how these great dinosaurs lived and evolved.
9. Vegetation in the Gobi is scarce and grows only in regions that receive the limited rainfall. Desert grass covers the lower slopes of numerous mountains, while shrub-like plants such as yellow bean capers grow along their bases. Other vegetation found throughout the Gobi includes feather grass and saxaul.
10. The animals that inhabit the Gobi remain in the more hospitable regions. These include Bactrian camels, kulan, gazelles, antelopes, polecats, and marmots. In addition, the Gobi is the only place in the world where you can find the Mazaalai, the only bear species that lives in a desert. Sadly, only about fifty remain today, as they are on the brink of extinction.
11. Mongolia is a unique destination. Nothing you have seen before will resonate the same in this country of lush valleys, vast blue lakes, sand dunes, remote villages with nomadic traditions, mountains, snow, and alpine forests.
12. Mongolia is also renowned for being the source of invaluable paleontological discoveries. The first scientifically confirmed dinosaur eggs were found in Mongolia during the 1923 expedition of the American Museum of Natural History, led by Roy Chapman Andrews.
13. Mongolia is where the endless steppe alternates with the vast and inhospitable landscapes of the Gobi Desert, snow-covered mountains reflected in crystal-clear lakes. It is a land of yaks and wild horses, stupas (ancient burial mounds), Buddhist temples, mysterious ruins, and legendary hospitality.
14. Mongolian culture is known for its unique customs, such as the tradition of offering guests a cup of milk tea. Mongols also uphold a strong tradition of hospitality, often welcoming guests into their homes and offering food and drink.
15. Unique festivals and ancient traditions.
Mongolian festivals are another reason to visit this country. The most famous is Naadam, celebrated in July, where one can witness the “three manly games of the Mongols”: wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Beyond the sporting competitions, it is also a celebration of Mongolian culture and identity.
Another highlight is the Golden Eagle Festival held in October, in the far west of Mongolia, where Kazakh eagle hunters demonstrate their falconry skills, a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Moments That Stay with You
Mongolia is one of the most undiscovered countries in the world in terms of tourism. However, it offers stunning landscapes for those who enjoy adventure and nomadic cultures. Mongolia is the perfect destination for adventure and nature travel. The hospitality of the Mongolian people is a fundamental part of their culture and is manifested in the generosity and warmth they extend to visitors, especially in rural areas.
Hospitality is part of everyday life on the Mongolian steppe. Mongols are known for their warmth and willingness to share their resources—such as food, drink, and shelter—with strangers who arrive at their homes, traditionally “Gers.” It is these small moments that make Mongolia stay with you forever.
Enjoy an Organized Trip Through Mongolia
Now that you know what to see and do in Mongolia, it’s time for the most important part: to experience it. If you prefer not to worry about details such as transfers, tickets, or routes, we invite you to discover our options for organized trips through Mongolia in the Regular Group Departures of Samar Magic Tours, with complete itineraries that combine the very best the country has to offer.
