Asia + Middle East

Mongolia

It is impossible not to be mesmerised by the endless steppe and majestic mountains of Mongolia's pristine rural regions. Vast swathes of this nomadic land remain blissfully in the 12th century and are a playground for the true adventurer. 

Explore the plains of the Gobi Desert and delve into nomadic life and experience the remarkable hospitality of herders living much the same as they have done since the days of the great Chinggis Khan. On a trip to this exciting land, you can discover the flaming cliffs of Bayanzag, where over 100 dinosaur skeletons have been unearthed. Further south lies Khongoryn Els, home to some of the world’s largest sand dunes. This area is inhabited by traditional camel herders and is a great place to learn about desert culture and ride the magnificent Bactrian Camel.

The most luxurious place to lay your head is a private Ger, set up in any one of the numerous ethereal scenic locations throughout the country. This gives you the flexibility to explore the more remote corners of the country in comfort, and comes complete with memory foam mattresses, en suite bathrooms and handmade natural Mongolian bath products for the ultimate glamping experience. 

While it is undoubtedly Mongolia’s rural charms that are the main draw for visitors, its idiosyncratic capital city, Ulaanbaatar, should not be overlooked. While the centre's lights are just as bright as any other Asian metropolis, dig a little deeper and you'll find a city of juxtapositions: masterful graffiti which tells of Mongolian history and heritage alongside tiny Buddhist temples, and young Mongols dressed to the nines in the latest fashions waiting at traffic lights alongside a nomad in traditional boots.