Mongolia is where the endless steppe meats inhospitable vast landscapes of Gobi desert, snowcapped mountains reflect in sparkling lakes. It's a land of yaks and wild horses, stupas, Buddhist temples, mysterious ruins and legendary hospitality.

This is the land where domestic animals population exceeds human population . 2.7million of people to 56 million head of sheep, goats, cattle, horses and camels! And a third of the population lives in the capital Ulaanbaatar while the rest herds livestock in Mongolia's extensive pasturelands and leads traditional nomadic life. This is on of the few countries where nomadic life is not tradition but the everyday way of life. However, the centuries-old nomadic lifestyle is coming under pressure from climate change and urbanization.

Mongolia offers the chance to step back in time to and to experience a simpler way of life. It is challenging and thrilling place to visit, and remains one of the last unspoiled travel destinations in the world.

Mongolia, the ancient realm of Chingis Khan, has emerged from the shadow of Communism and is now open to the world.

If you ever dreamt about immersing into vast desert and endless steppes, sample life as a steppe-dwelling nomad and overwhelmed by genuine local hospitality Mongolia is your destination, it waits to be discovered by you!

FACTS
Full name: Mongolia
Population: 2.7 million (UN, 2010)
Capital: Ulan Bator
Area: 1.56 million sq km (603,909 sq miles)
Major language: Mongolian
Major religion: Buddhism
Time: +8hrs (GMT) Ulaanbaatar
Telephone: international code 976

CLIMATE / WEATHER
Mongolia climate is subject to extreme continental climate with scorching summers and long sub arctic blistering winters. Mongolia is one of the highest countries in the world with capital Ulanbaator located as high as 1300m a.s.l It is also extremely landlocked country sandwiched between Russia and China and so far inland that no sea can moderate its climate.

Most of the country is blistering hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter, with January averages dropping as low as −30 °C (−22 °F)

The country is often called the "Land of Blue Skies," and with good reason. There is said to be about 250 sunny days throughout each year.

Mongolia experiences extremes of weather, even in summer, because of the altitude, evenings can be cold and weather conditions can change without warning.

TRADITIONS / CULTURE
Mongolian culture has been heavily influenced by the Mongol nomadic way of life. Other important influences were from Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, from China and since the 20th century from Russia.

The very heart of Mongolian existence is the ger – their link with the past, future and spiritual world. The central pillar – the smoke hole on the top of the tent is directly directed to cosmic axis and represents highway for spirits. The universe is full of invisible spirits. Humans have to develop good relationship with them, win them over and not to offend them. Mongolians believe that that many misfortunes that befell people and their livestock are result of evil actions by the sprits. Obtaining and maintaining good health and fortune depends on the relationship with these invisible creatures. As a result Mongolians are superstitious and have sophisticated custom system which is still practise today and often perplex Western travellers.

When passing ovoos (a cairn, the abode of a spirit) on a journey, they are often circumambulated three times, and some sweets or the like are sacrificed, in order to have a further safe trip. Certain ovoos, especially those on high mountains, are also sacrificed to in order to obtain good weather, ward off misfortune and the like.

In the 17th century, Tibetan Buddhism, or lamaism, became the dominant religion in Mongolia. Traditional Shamanism was, except in some remote regions, suppressed and marginalized. On the other hand, a number of shamanic practices, like ovoo worshiping, were incorporated into lamaist practise.

MONGOLS AND THEIR HORSES
A Mongol saying goes “A Mongol without a horse is like bird without wings” Horses are greatly cherished in Mongolian culture, particularly among the nomads because horses are very useful to people's daily lives and livelihood. Traditional Mongol breed is small – about double the pony and relatively light. Mongolians have traditionally grouped the horses into four categories: horses used to shepard sheep, horses using to round the herd, postal horses – used for military purposes and race horses. The Mongols are particularly proud of their race horses. Unlike Westerners the Mongols don’t give names to their horses, but are able to distinguish them by the colour of their coat

FOOD
The extreme climate and nomadic way of life has affected the traditional diet, so the Mongolian cuisine primarily consists of dairy products, meat, and animal fats. Use of vegetables and spices is limited. Due to geographic proximity and deep historic ties with China and Russia, Mongolian cuisine is also influenced by Chinese and Russian cuisine.

Meat is the basis of the diet, primarily mutton, with goat, horse, camel and yak meat dishes also on offer. Rice, flour, potatoes and onions are other main ingredients while green vegetables are rarely encountered outside the capital.

The national dish is buuz - steamed dumpling filled with mutton. These are eaten in great quantities during the Tsaagan Sar (New Year) festival.

Huushuur - a deep fried mutton pancake - is another popular dish, particularly during the summer Naadam festivities.

The most surprising cooking method is only used on special occasions. Meat (often together with vegetables) gets cooked with the help of stones, which have been preheated in a fire.Horhog consists of chopped goat, potatoes and onions slowly steamed/cooked. Scalding hot rocks are placed inside the container to create the steam and once extracted it is customary to pass the stones from hand to hand.

The most prominent national beverage is airag, fermented mare's milk. The alcohol content is less than that of beer, but can have noticeable effects. Be careful, if you aren't accustomed to drinking sour milk products the first time might give you diarrhoea as your stomach gets accustomed to it. Mongolians are tea drinkers or rather a milk beverage diluted with water and few tea leaves. Russian vodka and Mongolian vodka are widely available.

FESTIVALS
One of the most known and famous festivals Nadaam is the National Holiday of Mongolia and is celebrated on July 11-13. Three main Mongolians “manly sports": wrestling, horse racing, and archery take place every year at the Naadam festival. This ancient festival dates back centuries and it’s thought that originally it has been created as a celebration during weddings and other spiritual gatherings.

The main Nadaam festival takes place in Ulaanbaatar and the whole country watches all competitions very closely on Mongolia's National Television and Radio. Many other smaller Naadam festivals take place in different aimags (provinces) around the country throughout the month of July, and it is at these Naadam festivals that you are able to get a much closer look at the action.

Other famous festivals include Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian New Year) and Maidar Ergekh. The New Year celebration is a complex one and includes long preparation and sophisticated rituals. Tsagaan Sar (the white month), the first month of spring, has been one of the most important celebrations of Mongols for centuries. This is a time of the year when winter passes away and spring comes in.

The Maidar ergekh is Buddhist tradition and its aim is to present the Fifth Buddha (Buddha pf the Future) and to pray for rebirth in Heaven.

HEALTH / SAFETY
While Mongolia is relatively safe, violent muggings and attacks do occur from time to time. Avoid going out alone on foot at night. Instead use the taxis to return to your hotel.

Petty crime is common in Ulaanbaatar, particularly in markets or other crowded public places. Watch out for pickpockets. Keep your passports, money and other valuables well secured.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Mongolia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. No vaccinations are compulsory for Mongolia, but please make sure that your polio, diphtheria and tetanus are up to date. The World Health Organization (WHO; www.who.int) recommends that all travellers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, regardless of their destination. You should start as early as 6 weeks before your trip start date as most vaccines don’t produce immunity until at least two weeks after they’re given.

For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Don’t drink tap water, it is not considered safe. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Bottled water is available in Ulaanbaatar and some provincial centers.

PRACTICALITIES

WHEN TO COME?
Main travel season is mid May – mid October.

Most travellers come in July for famous Nadaam festival, but bear in mind that services are at premium costs not to mention the main tourist’s sites are crowed. June is normally very hot and August cooler. September and October are considered fine months especially for visiting Gobi desert. Early spring might be very unpleasant and is considered by even Mongolians as worst time of the year.

GETTING THERE?
Most travellers arrive to Mongolia via air or rail.

AIR
MIAT (Mongolian international air transport) – Mongolia’s national airline connects Mongolia with Russia, China, Japan, Germany and other countries. Other carriers connecting Mongolia with the world include BA, Air China, Lufthansa, Korean airlines, Aeroflot. Flights are limited in winter time with some extra flights operating in summer season.

RAIL
Mongolia is conveniently located on the Trans Mongolian branch on the famous Trans Siberian railway. Mongolia has good train connection with Russia (Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude) and China (Beijing)

VISAS
UK citizens require visas to entry Mongolia. Standard visa processing takes up to 5 working days. Express visa is usually processed on the same day.

SINGLE ENTRY VISA is issued if your stay in Mongolia is up to 30 days.
DOUBLE ENTRY VISA is issued if you are travelling to Mongolia twice within 3 months from the date of its issuance. Duration of each stay in Mongolia is up to 30 days.
SINGLE TRANSIT VISA is issued if transiting Mongolia by train once within 3 months from the date of its issuance.
DOUBLE TRANSIT VISA is issued if transiting Mongolia by train twice within 3 months from the date of its issuance

Documents required:

1. Valid passport with one full blank page to affix the visa. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure date from Mongolia.
2. Application form completed and printed off: see below.
3. One recent passport size photo.
4. Relevant fee

More information on Mongolian visas and online application forms:  www.consuls.net or read our Mongolian visa application guide.

MONEY / CURRENCY
The Mongolian unit of currency is the tögrög (T), which comes in notes of T20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of T500, 200, 100, 50 and 20.

Mongolia is a cash-based society. You can use credit cards in some hotels, shops and restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, but not all. US Dollar travellers' cheques can be cashed easily and converted to Mongolian Togrogs. Credit cards are accepted by main commercial banks, large hotels and a few shops and restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. ATMs are available in Ulaanbaatar and most aimag capitals. Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

LANGUAGE
The official language of Mongolia is Khalkha Mongolian, and is spoken by majority of the population. A variety of different dialects of Oirat and Buryat are spoken across the country. In the west of the country, Kazakh and Tuvan, both Turkic languages, are also spoken.

Mongols use Cyrillic alphabet, although in the past it was written using the Mongolian script. The traditional alphabet is being slowly reintroduced through schools.

If you know Russian it will be advantage as Russian language is the most frequently spoken foreign language in Mongolia, followed by English, though English has been gradually replacing Russian as the second language

WHAT TO TAKE?
Any travel in Mongolia involves spending considerable time outdoors. Even if travelling in summer be prepared for a sudden change of temperature. Nights can be cold with temperature in steppes dropping as low as 0, so you should be ready for all seasons.

The key to clothing is the layering system. Layers can be added or discarded with temperature fluctuations. The first layer is a form of synthetic underwear that draws moisture away from the skin and dries quickly. This is followed by two or more insulating layers, also preferably of synthetic pile and a windproof outer layer. This system applies not only to the torso but also to extremities.