The East
The East
Few visitors head east, which is part of the appeal. The Khentii mountains roll out in forest and meadow, rivers run clear, and every valley seems tied to Temüjin's early years. Further on, grassland runs unbroken to the horizon, some of the largest intact steppe left on Earth.
Forested Khentii mountains and wide eastern grasslands, the landscape that shaped the young Temüjin and the Mongol Empire.
Places to know
Highlights
- 01Riding through Khentii forest and meadow
- 02Places tied to Chinggis Khaan's early life
- 03Swimming in clear eastern rivers
- 04Big skies over the eastern grasslands
- 05Very few other travellers
Best months
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June, recommended
- July, recommended
- August, recommended
- September, recommended
- October
- November
- December
Getting there
There are no regular flights; Binder is around eight to ten hours by road from Ulaanbaatar and Dadal a little further, with long stretches of unpaved track.
Things to do here
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.
The Naadam Games
Wrestling, horse racing and archery: the three manly games at the heart of Mongolia's summer festival.
Stargazing
Some of the darkest skies in Asia, with the Milky Way rising over the Gobi and the steppe.
4x4 Overland Journeys
Cross the country by UAZ furgon or Land Cruiser on tracks that link valleys, deserts and mountains.
Cooking with Herders
Make buuz and khuushuur, taste airag and learn the dairy traditions of the steppe with herding families.
The East, your way
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