My grandparents were Mongolian nomads—here’s the 5-day itinerary I recommend for first-time visitors

Explore ancient petroglyphs, ride horseback across the steppe, meet nomadic families, and end your trip with contemporary Mongolian art.

As someone with deep knowledge of Mongolia, I am often asked whether five days is enough time to explore the country. My answer usually begins with a reminder that Mongolia is the world’s 18th largest country, stretching roughly 1,500 miles from east to west and nearly 800 miles from north to south. To fully appreciate its diverse landscapes and living traditions, I typically recommend spending at least two weeks.

For travelers with only five or six days, however, my advice is simple: get out into the countryside. There, you’ll encounter the world’s last horse-based nomadic culture and experience the vast, open landscapes that no single photograph can truly capture. As a Mongolian who grew up with nomadic grandparents, I’ve found that even a short journey can offer a meaningful introduction to the country’s landscapes, traditions, and way of life. This itinerary is designed for travelers seeking authentic cultural encounters, spectacular scenery, and a deeper connection to Mongolia.

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and spend the day exploring Mongolia’s vibrant capital on foot. Begin at Chinggis Khaan Square, the symbolic heart of the city, before visiting the impressive Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia. Home to more than 10,000 artifacts, the museum traces more than 2,000 years of Mongolian history, from the Xiongnu Empire to the modern era. For deeper context, I recommend reading Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford before your trip. In the evening, attend a traditional performing arts show featuring throat singing, long-song singing, folk dance, and the haunting melodies of the morin khuur (the horsehead fiddle), Mongolia’s traditional bowed string instrument. End the day with dinner at a traditional Mongolian restaurant and an overnight stay at the centrally located Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2: The Gobi Desert

Take a morning flight south to the Gobi Desert, then travel by 4WD across sweeping plains to Three Camel Lodge, one of Mongolia’s most celebrated wilderness retreats. After settling in, hike to the nearby Havtsgait Valley, where Bronze Age petroglyphs offer a glimpse into the lives of people who inhabited this landscape thousands of years ago. Back at the lodge, learn how Mongolia’s iconic gers (yurts) are constructed before heading out for a horseback ride across the open steppe.

Be sure to leave time to simply absorb the Gobi’s remarkable sense of space and silence. Sit outside your ger and watch daily life unfold as herds of horses, goats, and sheep gather at a nearby well. In a world of constant noise and movement, the Gobi offers a rare opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Day 3: Dinosaurs of the Gobi

Begin the day with an introduction to Mongolian archery, a tradition that has shaped life on the steppe for centuries. Once used for hunting and warfare, archery remains one of the three celebrated sports of the Naadam Festival, alongside wrestling and long-distance horse racing. Learn about the Mongolian composite bow and the distinctive thumb-release technique still practiced across Central Asia. Later, spend time with the lodge’s resident artist and discover the art of traditional felt-making.

In the afternoon, watch a documentary about the American Museum of Natural History’s expeditions to Mongolia in the 1920s before visiting the Flaming Cliffs, one of the world’s most significant paleontological sites. It was here, in 1923, that explorer Roy Chapman Andrews and his team discovered the first known dinosaur eggs. Arrive in the late afternoon and hike among the red sandstone formations before settling in to watch the sunset. As the cliffs glow in brilliant shades of red and orange, it’s easy to understand how they earned their evocative name.

Day 4: Bactrian Camels

Start the day with a drive to Moltsog Els, one of the Gobi Desert’s few major dune fields. Covering roughly 55 square miles, the sand dunes formed over thousands of years as winds carried sand along the base of the Yamaat mountains. Explore the dunes on a Bactrian camel and visit a local nomadic family to learn more about life in the Gobi and the traditions that continue to shape the region.

In the afternoon, fly back to Ulaanbaatar and check in to the Ayan Zalaat Hotel & Spa. Spend the remainder of the day unwinding at the hotel’s spa and wellness facilities before a farewell dinner at one of the property’s four restaurants.

Final Day: Contemporary Mongolia

Book an afternoon or evening departure so you have time to spend your final morning exploring another side of Mongolia at Red Ger Art Gallery, one of Ulaanbaatar’s leading contemporary art spaces. Mongolia’s contemporary art scene is vibrant and evolving, with artists blending traditional themes, materials, and techniques with contemporary perspectives.

Undraa Buyannemekh is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in trips to Mongolia. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Buyannemekh by contacting [email protected].

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure