Stargazing
What it's like
With barely a light for a hundred kilometres, the sky over the Gobi turns from blue to black and then fills edge to edge with stars. The Milky Way rises over the dunes, bright enough to cast a faint glow on the sand.
Low population, dry air and high altitude make much of Mongolia exceptionally dark. Away from Ulaanbaatar and the provincial centres, light pollution is minimal, and the Gobi and the Altai are especially clear.
The best viewing comes on moonless nights; check the lunar calendar when choosing dates. Late summer and autumn bring long, dark evenings and the Milky Way's bright core, while winter nights are clearest but bitterly cold.
Our guides can point out constellations and share Mongolian star stories, and on photography trips we schedule nights for astrophotography. Bring a warm layer even in summer, as desert nights cool quickly.
Adventures with this
More experiences
Staying with Nomad Families
Sleep in a family ger, help with the herds and share the rhythm of a working nomadic camp.
Horse Riding
Ride sturdy Mongolian horses across open steppe, river valleys and forested hills with local horsemen.
Camel Trekking
Travel the Gobi on the back of a two-humped Bactrian camel, guided by the herders who raise them.
Eagle Hunting Traditions
Meet the Kazakh burkitshi of Bayan-Ölgii, who raise and train golden eagles to hunt in winter.
The Naadam Games
Wrestling, horse racing and archery: the three manly games at the heart of Mongolia's summer festival.
Throat Singing and the Morin Khuur
Hear khöömei, the overtone singing of the steppe, and the morin khuur horsehead fiddle, both UNESCO-listed traditions.
Ready when you are
Tell us your dates and dreams. One specialist plans everything and replies within two working days.