Your Travel Guide to Mongolia in 4 Days

“Welcome to Mongolia! ” The big sized guy sitting beside me on board greeted when I boarded  Mongolia Air from Beijing to the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. Mongolians favourite sport is wrestling and I was seated beside this national wrestler. Below will be based on my recap of happenings when I was there in April (considered to be Spring time) for 4 Days/3 nights.

Below are some of the guidelines on the climate in Mongolia

Winter: October to February with temperature dropping to an average of minus 28 °C.

Spring: March to May  (Still cold thou)

Summer: May to September average daily high temperature 18°C. 

Firstly, if you have more time to spare, one should spend more time with the least being 5 days as there is simply so much to experience & see in this beautiful country. One of the major attraction in Mongolia would be the Gobi Desert, well known for its extreme temperatures. However, I had figured out that the best way to take in Mongolia was to experience the Nomads lifestyle and take in Gobi Desert on the Trans Siberian Train. As such, I booked myself on the Trans Siberian train which departs only once a week (every Thursday) from Ulaanbaatar back to Beijing, that explains my short stay in this country. But I will be definitely be back again and here’s why you should go Mongolia…

I had booked my accommodation (hostel), tour programs (stay with the Nomads Families), Transport service from Airport to Hostel, Trans Siberian Train from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing, all with one company: Sunpath Mongolia. Their services are excellent with prompt response via emails and courteous, practically your one stop service for your adventure in Mongolia. They have good tour guides and drivers too coming from my own personal experience.

Day 1: 

Took the night flight from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, trying out the in-flight services on board Mongolia Airline. Thumbs up for their generous amount of food offered on board. The flight duration was 2.5 hours and I knew exactly that I had arrived in the coldest capital in the world, Ulaanbaatar, despite being spring time with a night temperature of minus 6 °C.

Day 2: 

I had signed up for the Khugnu Khaan National Reserve Tour (3 Days/2 Nights). Below is my trusted van ferrying us for the next 3 days. I would say this Russian made van can travel through all type of terrains be it on desert, paved road or mountainous road. We set off at 8am.

And so we started with our journey to discover central Mongolia region. Due to its sheer size and only 3 Million population, along the way one could see vast grassland with snow glittered on the side of the road. With eagles and herd of sheep and horses feeding in the open land, the sight was indeed an attraction itself on the way to Khugnu Khaan National Reserve which took us 6 hours from Ulaanbaatar.

Of course, there were toilet break and lunch stop along the way to warm our stomach. Being my first public toilet experience in Mongolia, my guide was telling me: “Be careful!” With the words of caution ringing in my ears, I opened the toilet door and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was certainly a risky affair to do your business inside. 2 plank of wood coupled with a deep hole of depth measuring 2 meters down.  While doing your business there, one could practically see what others had done previously as well. An experience indeed with the strong winds howling outside, thinking if the whole shelter will be blown off at the same time.

Anyway, it was time for lunch break after 3 hours of drive and we had a feast in one of the tea house along the major “expressway”.

After which, we continued our journey and reached the Nomad family at 3pm who stays in the Semi Gobi Desert in which they rear camels.

The sight of the Ger in the middle of the desert was spectacular. However, with the sand sparkling under the sunlight, a sunglasses is definitely recommended. Don’t get it wrong, it was still cold with the sun out there!

Took the opportunity to explore their Ger, these are not tourist Ger like you see in Inner Mongolia, China or the more touristy site. It is the authentic and actual Ger where the Nomads stay. It was pleasant to learn more of their way of life and the freedom they enjoyed. Nomads shift their home usually every 4 months depending on the season. For instance, during winter, they might choose a site that is near to the mountain so as to stay warmth with the mountains blocking the cold wind.

Do you know? Since Mongolia have abundance of land mass, every citizen born there are given parcel of land which they can choose where to build their homes. Do you also know? Nomads do enjoy modern comfort too in the form of having satellite cable channels, with monthly fee of around USD15 which enables them to watch more than 60 TV Channels… By the way, do you also know the Mongolian men have to serve compulsorily of  1 year army service too?

The Ger was simple with just beds and a wardrobe to store their clothes. In the middle, it is the place where they cook, with chopping board on the bed and water from the nearby wells. The burning of woods and cooking certainly warms up and adds fragrant in the Ger. Such an unforgettable experience that you certainly have to try it yourself! Oh ya, do not walk in the middle of the 2 sticks supporting the Ger as it symbolizes the marriage between the couple.

Some common/basic greetings of Mongolian language that maybe essential to foster closer bonding with the local families:

*Sain-Bain-Auu = Hello

*Bar-You-La= Thank You

The biggest takeaway from my short stay with the Nomad families would be they are content with their way of life. Simplicity is a bliss at time. Love their carefree nature and you should be here to experience the awesome lifestyle…

Before embarking on this trip, I had prepared some small gifts (Books, board games, pens, etc). It need not be expensive stuff, but these are treasured by the Nomads. Giving gifts to my little princess of the family with sparkles of gratefulness in her eyes. They have taught me to be contented with what we have presently in our life. Things that city dwellers may deem useless would be seen as a treasure to others.

Since we are in the desert, a camel ride together with the Nomad to chase the goats home would seem to be an ideal adventure too, a peek into their lives. It’s an hour long ride passing thru the Semi-Gobi desert.

The sky only became dark when it was around 9pm. As darkness falls, the Nomad family that we stay with set out on a journey in the dark to visit their “neighbours” which I reckon it to be quite a distance away.

The owner glad fully given us their bed to sleep in. Not before long, I was already half asleep with the howling winds outside. The lady owner set up the fire late at night by burning goat dung & dry twits to keep us warmth. The lady owner covered me up with 3 layers of blanket. I was feeling hot with the amount of thickness I was wrapped in. But I guess she is right as I woke up midnight shivering with the outside temperature drop to roughly minus 10 °C.

Countryside people are real friendly and helpful in terms of taking care each other property & animals while the owner run his errands. Sleeping in the Ger with the locals, countless of goats and camels is a must do activity in Mongolia.

For once, I peek into the toilet dug out hole and realized the feces was all very dark in colour, mine included as well. Guess its the large amount of lamb meat we consumed. By the way, with limited water, do not expect to luxury activities like bathing. Do not drink so much water before sleep too to avoid going out to the mobile toilet outside the Ger in the night. It will be freezing cold.

Day 3: 

Early in the morning 9am, we bid farewell to the first family after consuming our breakfast in the Ger. The next destination will be the drive to Kharkhorin town to discover the ancient Mongolian capital built by decadents of Chinggis Khaan, located some 80km away from the Semi-Gobi desert.

For your info, along the way, there were some tourist Ger camps. I would not recommend staying in them as it looks too touristy. Food is not that cheap in Mongolia as well, ranging from SGD4-SGD10. However, seeing the generous amount of meat and food served on each portion, it is definitely worth it.

Rice and Noodles are stable food in Mongolia. You gotta try the Dumplings soup with mutton meat inside, simply delicious!

In Kharkhorum City, the attraction was the Erdene-Zuu Monastery, Tibetan style. There used to lived thousands of monks. It was a serenity place with cool fresh crisp air. Hearing the chants of the monks make one feel peaceful indeed.

After which, we continue our journey to the 2nd Nomad family, reaching around 3pm. As usual, along the way, the sight was magnificent with goats, horses crossing the road at time.

Upon reaching the 2nd Nomad family that rears horses, I gave the gifts prepared to the 2 young master in the family. They were so happy with the pencils, notebook and board games. It was heart warming to see the kids enjoying themselves.

Living with the Nomads was pure adventure with me riding on a horse with them to chase the goats home this time.

After which, the owner invited me to hop on his motorcycle to hunt down his lost goat. Truly indeed, he found a lost goat far away from the rest. We rescued it by putting on our laps while riding. Poor goat was so lost that it didn’t know whether to move right or left. One moment right, the next moment left and next thing we knew, it just lie down on the grassland. Now, I truly understand what you mean as a lost sheep/goat.

After which, we had shared Mongolian Beer with the cup passing around among us. And certainly, we need to have the horse meat to accompany with the beer. The horse meat was tough but it taste nice with the beer and the ‘salt bar’. Enjoying myself in the companion with the Nomads.

They were crowding around me when I was penning down my thoughts on my diary. We played Mongolian version of Snake & Ladder with the kids. After which, the next game was playing with the goat’ bones. Simple game make out from the things that they have. Be contented and used what they have to play game.

The kids were strong and fit, as we climbed up the little hill under the windy chill weather.

Day 4

In the morning, we began the goat shearing which they will conduct during Spring. I was fortunate to be part of it.

My little princess with her goats…. And below a picture of us in shadows holding hands in the cold weather…

After our breakfast and lunch, we bid farewell to the family and embark on our 5 hour journey back to City life (Ulaanbaatar).

Ulaanbaatar (Capital of Mongolia) 

Upon reaching the capital, it was around 6pm. There was still some time to walk around in the city before sun set at 8pm… So off I went, just a 10 minutes walk away from the Sunpath Hostel. There were many Korean and other restaurants in the vicinity too, no shortage of food, a perfect location to stay in the city!

If you have limited time like me (4 days only) you might consider this itinerary. Other than that, one thing for sure is to live with the Nomads, they are so hospitable people that you will appreciate and learn so much more. Most people would spent around 7 days in the Gobi Desert in the southern region. No matter what, you got to experience Mongolia surely for once in your lifetime! No regrets visiting Mongolia…

Below is the video summary of the trip in Mongolia.

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