Mongolia
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Visit the Nadaam Festival to try out horse riding, archery and wrestling
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Experience life in a traditional ger (yurt)
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See the Przewalski's Horse, an endangered sub-species of the wild horse, now reintroduced into Mongolia
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Travel by train to Russia or through to China
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Go on a yak or camel trek
Paul Craven joined Steppes Travel in 1994 and has visited Mongolia numerous times. Most recently he travelled with his son when they experienced a yak trek, staying in yurts as they travelled, as well as visiting a nature reserve where they saw Eagles & Argali sheep (Collared lynx and wolf can also be seen here). A highlight of the holiday for Pauls son was riding across the vast Steppeland on a Mongolian horse. To read more about Pauls Mongolian adventures with his son, read his blog.
A sense of humour is essential when travelling to Mongolia as many arrangements don't always go exactly according to plan! With Pauls extensive knowledge and contacts in the country he can offer honest and expert advice and help plan a fascinating trip to this remote country.
Mongolia is a wild and lonely country of flat, seemingly endless steppes, bordered to the south by the Gobi desert and to the north by low mountains. Bitterly cold in winter, any travel to Mongolia is essentially limited to a short window of opportunity between May and September.
Freed from its Soviet chains, Buddhism is slowly reasserting itself, as is the traditional nomadic lifestyle. As the distances are huge and the infrastructure outside the towns and cities non-existent, it makes it the one country in the world where travelling as a group does make economic sense. Everything has to be transported, including staff, food and accommodation, making it expensive to travel as an individual. Explore the mountains on a Mongolian Altai Trek when you can take in the hightlights of the Altai Mountains, offering a remote experience, rarely encountered on a modern holiday.
Every year, in the first week of July, Mongolia celebrates the Nadaam festival. This three day event is held in every town and city across the country and nomads from miles around congregate to trade, renew old acquaintances and watch the proceedings. Essentially, it is a competition comprising of the three manly sports - archery, wrestling and horse riding - although the horse riding involves children as young as six riding flat out, bareback, over a course of several miles. It is a spectacular occasion, a photographers paradise and understandably very popular with visitors. It is essential to book early to secure a hotel room and avoid missing out on your Mongolian holiday.
Journey Ideas For Mongolia
Karakorum, Hustai National Park, Arburd Sands & Gobi
15 days in this remote country. 
Naadam Festival, Karakorum & Gobi
Camp in a traditional ger and experience the amazing Naadam festival.
View more Journey Ideas for Mongolia
Alternative Suggestions
Gobi Desert
Lying in the southern region of the country.
Naadam Festival
Held every summer between 11 - 13 July in Ulaanbaatar.