By Alex Erdman for Fathom | Many consider Mongolia to be one of Earth's last frontiers, a destination so far and remote that only the most experienced of travelers can get there. Alex Erdman of bespoke travel consultancy Local Foreigner thinks that, with a little guidance, it's an obtainable travel dream destination.
THE SCENE
For intrepid travelers, there may be no greater thrill than having the chance to explore a destination seemingly untouched by tourism. Mongolia is an explorer's dream, with natural wonders like the Gobi Desert and annual festivals such as Naadam. Due to its remote location, Mongolia sits low on many Westerners' travel wish lists. Tourism has grown at a slow but steady pace.
On a recent visit to the Southern Gobi Naadam Festival in Dalanzadgad, I was one of six tourists out of 10,000 spectators. Experiences like this feel authentic and intimate due to such ratios, and photographers can find endless inspiration in the country's people, landscapes, and religions.
LAY OF THE LAND
Located between China and Russia, Mongolia is roughly the same size as Alaska and is completely landlocked. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is in the country's northeast region along with Lake Hovsgol, which is known for its Taimen fishing. Much of the north exhibits a Slavic influence from neighboring Russia, which occupied the country from 1924 to 1990. The Gobi Desert occupies the southern part of the country. In the west, Kazakh influences can be felt in the region's dress and customs, which you may recognize from their famous Eagle hunters.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
For adventurers with a limited amount of time, a visit to the Southern Gobi Desert is a must and provides the quintessential vision of Mongolia complete with open steppe and gers galore (the Mongolian word for yurt). Aside from photography, my days were filled riding camels on the steppe, adventuring through the sand dunes, visiting dinosaur digs, interacting with local families, and setting up camp for the evening.
We also had the opportunity to visit a local Buddhist temple and hang out with a monk who lived deep in the hills of the Southern Gobi. It was a deeply emotional experience; he told us of the persecution of the Buddhist clergy by Russians during the occupation and how few temples and followers survived. His temple was built entirely by hand and believers carried stones and wood up 1,800 steps to the top of the mountain in order to rebuild their place of worship.
WHAT YOU KNEW ON THE LAST DAY THAT YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN ON THE FIRST
While the endless views across the Gobi are epic, the memories I treasure most from my trip are the people I met. A highlight came when our group made an impromptu trip to a local family's ger the night before the Naadam festival. Driving down a dirt road, our guide asked which home we wanted to stop by — a challenge to prove the hospitality of the general population. We selected one at random, and the car took off in that direction. A couple in their late 20s answered the door, along with their three children, one of which was a five-week-old newborn.
The parents took us in, sat us down, and fed us delicious fried dough (boortsog) while we conversed about life on the steppe. It was real and unscripted unlike so many "home visits" offered through hotels and guiding companies. This family expected nothing from us but gave us everything. It was a beautiful insight into Mongolian culture and a cherished memory that will stay with me forever.
