1. EXPLORE THE RED DESERT

The Tengger Desert also known as the Red Desert covers parts of Northern and Northeastern China and Southern Mongolia. The desert borders the Mountains and the grasslands of Mongolia on the north. The Tengger has a historic significance, as being part of the great Mongol Empire and as the location of several important cities along the famous Silk Road.

2. STAY IN A YURT

Experience traditional Mongolian nomadic culture and stay in a yurt, which is basically a type of portable, round tent covered with skins or felt, sorry vegan is not a huge thing in Mongolia ! The structure comprises an assembly of pieces of wood or bamboo for walls, a door frame, poles, rafters, and a crown, acting as a compression ring. A yurt is designed to be dismantled and the parts carried compactly on camels or yaks to be rebuilt on another site. Complete construction takes around 2 hours.

Modern yurts may be permanently built on a wooden platform; they may use modern materials such as steam-bent wooden framing or metal framing, canvas or tarpaulin, etc. Hi vegans !

villa-travel-live-ceiling-cottage-holiday-608809-pxhere.com.jpg

3. CAMEL RIDE

A 1 hour camel ride was included as part of the tour, additional hours can be purchased at a cost of £30 ph

We were excited to ride the Mongolian two-humped camel, as we had only ridden the one hump kind before.

We did not know in advance, but we would not recommend the camel rides full stop. Animal lovers beware! As the camels are not ridden single and bridled for tourists, as we experienced in other parts of the world like Egypt where we rode camels.

Mongolian camels are pierced through the nose, which is traditional for camel trains, however some of the camels when walking the steep dunes and when turning cried out in pain at their noses being yanked frequently, which pulled at the groups hart strings and we informed the driver that most tourists would appreciate a harness and rope camel chain. As a result, the camel ride was not so much a source of enjoyment rather than a regrettable mode of transport.

4. GO SAND SURFING

Sand surfing was loads of fun for everyone! Prepare to get Sandy. You will also get plenty of exercise walking up and down the steep sand dunes !

5. VISIT A MONGOLIAN MONK VILLAGE

We visited the monk village, but it was like a ghost town as all the monks were in a private area praying. They don’t allow cameras to preserve the artwork and because of religious beliefs.

We didn’t buy any buy any souvenirs, but there were plenty if you want to.

6. TAKE SOME ARCHERY LESSONS

We tried our hand at archery the expert locals laughed at our pathetic attempts and to be honest even the Mongolian children were much better than us.