Where to Go in Mongolia: West, East, North, South & Central Mongolia

The popular regions for travellers are Central Mongolia, West Mongolia & South Mongolia. Depending on the time you have in Mongolia you can split your time across.

PS: If you want to book a custom tour in Mongolia? Talk to us!

Central Mongolia – History, Grasslands, and Classic Nomad Life

This is the cultural heart of Mongolia. Ideal to explore the local culture. Easy to access from Ulaanbaatar. Good starting point to your travel as you move westwards.

Key Places to Visit in Central Mongolia

• Orkhon Valley

• Karakorum

• Erdene Zuu Monastery

Major Activities & Attractions in Central Mongolia

• Visit the ruins of Karakorum, Genghis Khan’s capital.

• Walk inside Erdene Zuu, Mongolia’s oldest monastery.

• Go horseback riding in Gorkhi Terelj National Park

• Watch wild horses in open steppe.

• Stay with nomadic families.

• Learn how gers are built.

• Milk yaks and horses with locals.

• Ride horses across endless grasslands.

• Visit Orkhon Waterfall.

• See grazing scenes unchanged for centuries

👉 Plan your visit to Mongolia. We'll plan your itinerary based on the time you have. Talk to us to book your Mongolia Tour

Western Mongolia – Eagle Hunter Tribe, Trekking, Horseback Riding, Mountains

This is the place to experience nomadic way of life untouched by centuries. Ideal for those seeking authentic Mongolian experience away from the tourist crowds. Great for active travel as well - this region offers trekking, horseback riding.

Key Places to Visit in West Mongolia

• Eagle Hunter Village

• Altai Mountains

• Bayan-Ölgii

Major Activities & Attractions in West Mongolia

• Meet Kazakh eagle hunters.

• Participate in real eagle hunting

• Eagle Festival. Attend eagle hunting demonstrations.

• Trek in the Altai Mountains.

• Camp near glaciers and alpine rivers.

• Visit petroglyph sites.

• Kazakh culture.

• Stay in felt gers with mountain views

• Winter Migration of Herds

• Winter activities such as sledging

👉 Plan your visit to West Mongolia. See our West Mongolia Tours. Talk to us to book your Mongolia Tour

Southern Mongolia – The Gobi Desert Experience

One of Mongolia’s most famous region.

Key Places in South Mongolia

• Gobi Desert

• Khongoryn Els

• Bayanzag

• Yolyn Am

Major Activities & Attractions in South Mongolia

• Climb massive sand dunes at Khongoryn Els.

• Ride Bactrian camels.

• Hear dunes “sing” in the wind.

• Explore Flaming Cliffs. Dinosaur fossils site.

• Walk through Yolyn Am ice canyon.

• Spot ibex and vultures.

• Sleep in desert gers under stars.

• Wide landscapes. Big skies.

👉 Plan your visit to Gobi Desert in South Mongolia. See our Gobi Desert Tours. Talk to us to book your Mongolia Tour

Northern Mongolia – Lakes, Forests, and Reindeer People

This is Mongolia’s Siberian side. Ideal for nature lovers and slow travel.

Key Places to Visit in Northern Mongolia

• Lake Khövsgöl

• Darkhad Valley

• Taiga of Mongolia

Major Activities & Attractions in Northern Mongolia

• Camp by Lake Khövsgöl. Clear water. Alpine air.

• Go cross-country motorbiking in the open lands. (

• Kayak or boat on one of Asia’s cleanest lakes.

• Horse ride along forested trails.

• Visit Tsaatan reindeer herder camps.

• Stay in remote wooden gers.

• Hike in taiga forests near the Russian border.

• Spot yaks, reindeer, and wild horses.

• Experience shamanic traditions.

• Enjoy quiet nights. No light pollution.

• Ideal for summer travel. Short season.

👉 North Mongolia is loved by bikers to start their cross country expedition. See our Motorcycle Tour across Mongolia tour. Talk to us to book your Mongolia Tour.

Eastern Mongolia – Endless Steppe and Nomadic Solitude

This is Mongolia without crowds. Tourism infrastructure isn't developed here.

Key Places in East Mongolia

• Dornod Province

• Eastern Mongolian Steppe

Major Activities & Attractions in East Mongolia

• Watch massive horse herds.

• Stay days without seeing roads.

• Stargaze every night.

• Birdwatching in wetlands.