Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Satisfy Your Adventurous Spirit With Mongolian Tours

By Rebekah Alford


If you have an adventurous spirit, you may want to think about visiting a country that has increasing appeal for like-minded travelers. Mongolia is becoming a top destination for those with a taste for something different. If this sounds like the type of destination for you, there are many different Mongolian tours that you may want to consider.

With the lowest population density in the world, Mongolia guarantees you a time far from the madding crowd. You can enjoy all the country's treasures without bumping into another person around every corner. To make it even better, the country has a whole lot to offer, including lakes, mountains, the Gobi Desert, fascinating nomadic cultures and a rich historical tradition.

The most popular types of tour in Mongolia are those focusing on adventure, wildlife or culture. They often combine these different elements. You can book an existing tour or ask your tour operator to design an itinerary just for you.

Lovers of adventure and the great outdoors can enjoy anything from overland jeep or motorcycle tours to fly-fishing. The Gobi Steppe and grasslands in the east offer good hiking if this is what you like more. Here you will most probably be able to see one of the largest populations of gazelle in the world.

Another option is to go to the mountains too. The mountain rivers offer good kayaking and whitewater rafting trips. You can also consider camping, hiking, mountain-biking or climbing the Altai Tavan Bogd. These are also known as the Five Holy Peaks of Altai.

Other attractions include lakes and of course the Gobi Desert. Probably the best known lake in Mongolia is the Uvs Nuur Lake, which is one of three world heritage sites in the country. The Gobi Desert makes up most of the southern part of the country. It is a paradise for those with an interest in paleontology with its dinosaur eggs and fossils. If you prefer your animals still alive, however, you can spot Bactrian camels here too. These rare camels have two humps instead of just one.

Another kind of animal that is very popular among tourists to Mongolia is the horse. The takhi is a very rare species of wild horse found in the country, but domesticated horses abound too. Many of the country's nomadic people are horsemen and horses form a very important part of their daily life. A trek on horseback will not only be a way for you to see the countryside, but also to get a glimpse into these people's culture. If you're feeling brave, you can try some airag, which is fermented mare's milk.

The horsemen are not the only nomadic herders who live in Mongolia. You can also visit camel herders or even reindeer herders. However, because these different peoples are struggling to preserve their culture, you need to be a responsible and culturally-sensitive tourist.

If you prefer a different type of culture, you may choose to do a tour that includes the many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries in the country. In addition, Ulaanbaatar, the country's capital, boasts many monasteries, temples and the Bodh Khan's Winter Palace. Its museums are also great for finding out more about this country of Genghis Khan. Now all you need to do is decide which of these Mongolian tours you want to do.




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