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Mongolia is Waiting! Are You Ready?

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Nestled between Russia and China, the cultural pearl known as Mongolia beckons you. If you are looking for an escape into the extraordinary and a vacation like no other then you need to heed the call. Finish up whatever it is you’re doing – watching television, reading the paper, researching NY Natural Gas Prices – and get ready to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Our guide will help you prepare for the most challenging but, ultimately, rewarding vacation you ever had.

When planning a trip to Mongolia, it is important to pack the essentials and given the location of this country, you are going to want to make sure you pack warm clothing. You will also want to invest in some good walking shoes as you tour the many bazaars and traverse some of the uneven, stone streets. Another important thing to remember, in Mongolia, is the virtue of patience. Many people in this culture operate on their own time and the jet setting ways of a westerner will not only come across as rude but yield quite the opposite effect. And while there are jeeps you can rent at decent enough prices, the typical mode of travel (besides walking) is by horse or camel.

And keep in mind that while a vacation to Mongolia is certainly a journey into the extraordinary, it is also a challenge – both spiritually and physically. Learning to overcome yourself and master your mind is part of enjoying the experience and, really, understanding what it is to live in Mongolia.

A Botanist’s Treasury At Lake Hovsgol

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Lake Hovskol is called the Dark Blue Pearl of Mongolia, and contains 70 of the nation-s fresh water. The lake is the 14th largest freshwater lake in the world. 44 different water plants grow within it, and the surrounding area is host to 750 species of plant life. 60 of those species have important medical uses. Although bio-diversity is limited because of the climate, 10-20 of the species here are found now where else in the world.

Because of the high latitude and altitude, the trees on the slopes around Lake Hovskol are predominantly Siberian larches (Larix sibirica), but Siberian pine, scotch pine, and birch can also be found. Larch trees are particularly adapted to grow in permafrost, so the environment suits them well. Wildflowers are also common in the area. Edelweiss is abundant, along with entian, fireweed, purple thyme, and blue pasque.

All is not perfect in this paradise. Overgrazing on the steppes has removed much of the grass covering the permafrost, which has led to an increase in soil temperatures. This in turn has led to evaporation of much of the moisture held in the soil. Many plants, in particular the larch trees, depend on this moisture, so there may be extensive long term consequences.

Explore the Gobi Desert by Camel

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The southern Mongolia is spanned by a large portion of the Gobi desert. As all deserts go, it is home to mounds and mounds of sand. However, unlike many deserts, the Gobi often sees cold temperatures and snow on the peaks surrounding the valleys. People who visit Mongolia are often times drawn to the inter-country desert for its incredible beauty and the natives have made use of this by organizing tours. Many of these tours are by camel, the most eloquent and unique way to see the Gobi desert. These animals are perfectly adapted for desert an desert-like conditions having high heat durability, long distance endurance and a reduced need for water. They are trained by the natives to be friendly and accommodating forms of transport through the Gobi desert. Due to their large size, they can carry a person of just about any size as well as the person-s belongings. They take a slow pace through the sandy dunes and give the visitor a chance to observe the fascinating land-scape, stop if needed and also to take pictures. As camels travel in groups, an entire family (a camel per person) can make their way across the desert. The camels make an affordable transportation through the desert that is essentially impossible to walk through on foot.

When Traveling Mongolia: What To Expect

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you are traveling to Mongolia there are a few things you should know before leaving home. A new law passed in July of 2010 requires all foreign visitors to carry their passports at all times. Travelers must show identification upon entering and exiting the country. The Mongolian government is working to end all occurrences of child abductions by requiring adults traveling with children to provide documentation of a relationship to the child.

Mongolian Food

The traditional Mongolian diet consists of mainly protein from meat and dairy. Yogurt and cheese made from sheep-s milk, root vegetables, dumplings and fried noodles are the mainstays of the local people. Restaurants in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar serve Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French and Italian cuisines as well as traditional Mongolian food.

Transportation

Many roads in Mongolia are not paved and driving conditions are often hazardous. Alternate forms of transportation include buses, taxicabs and rental cars.

Places to Stay

Hotels, Ger camps and tent-style camping are available throughout most places in Mongolia. Gers are felt-covered wooden framed buildings similar in construction to yurts, which is the traditional Mongolian home.

Safety

Mongolia has a low occurrence of violent crime. Keep your valuables safe from pickpockets by locking them up in your hotel or put in a safe place.

Witness the Annual Naadam Festival in Mongolia

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Are you interested in jaunting to Mongolia? If yes, then ignore procrastinating because immeasurable fun is waiting for you. There are a lot of exciting attractions in Mongolia, but the one attraction that is the most captivating is the Naadam Festival. This traditional festival is known as “Eriin Gurvan Naadam” amongst the locals. It features the perfect atmosphere for games to be played throughout the day — wrestling, archery and horse racing. These games of the Naadam Festival are part of the Mongolia celebrations.

The Naadam Festival will kickoff with a terrific introduction ceremony, which features a lot of unique athletes, dancers, musicians and horse riders. Once the incredible introductions take place, that is when the heart of the competitions begins. Whether, visiting Mongolia alone or traveling as a family, watching the Mongolian men and women show their skills in the various games will surely be truly amazing.

Without any questions or doubts, the Naadam Festival is the most upbeat celebration that takes place in Mongolia. If interested in witnessing an event that is beyond extraordinary, then this festival most certainly will not disappoint. The activities held throughout this festival will exude the perfect settings for creating many lifetime memories.