Three weeks exploring Mongolia

We are now back in Ulanbataar having spent the last three weeks exploring Mongolia/ First down to the Gobi desert. Very hot, and vast. An interesting place that contradicts expectations. Mostly scrub and rocks with only small areas of sand dunes. Despite the lack of roads the surface is mostly firm so travelling was mostly easy but corrugations were a problem in places.

We then headed north to the central mountainous area. On our way we transited the steppe and had a view of the image for which Mongolia is most famous. On the way we saw all the sights one might expect of Mongholia, nomadic ger communities, endless rolling vistas, huge herds of horses and mixed flocks of sheep and goats, oh and of course yaks.

We then continued our expedition further north to the lake district not too far from the Russian border. The contrast to the Gobi, just a few days driving south was impressive. The temperature had dropped by more than 20 degrees and we woke to discover that it had snowed over night.

This is truely a country f contrasts with so much to see, not in tourist sense but for a traveller there is a lot to enjoy. This is probably one of the least developed countries on tghe planet. The people still live a lifestyle that would be recognisable to those who lived here two hundred years ago.

In the street one still sees people wearing traditional costumes and not just for the tourist although for those who want it there is the opportunity to play the tourist and dress the part!