The new airport in Mongolia just opened 50 km away from downtown Ulaanbaatar. It’s predecessor was only 15 km. This brand new airport opened in July of 2021. Urbanization is just beginning and land costs are increasing. The empty valley is being filled by buildings and residentials.

If you imagined Mongolia as a wide open steppe with yurts and a herd of sheep, the airport isolated from Ulaanbaatar should give you proof of your imagination. But after a one and a half hour drive to the metropolitan city with a 1.5 million people expectations may be disappointing.

Yet, back in countryside an hour of driving out of town brings you back to nature and sparsely located gers with herds of domestic animals in pastures.

There are two choices before you, staying in a hotel amidst heavy traffic, city noise and the hustle and bustle of the city or staying in a ger (Mongolian traditional yurt) with nicely decorated with furniture, a camping toilet and shower, away from roads and city noise or tourists camps.

New Milestone Tours arranges authentic cultural community stay tours with soft adventure activities such as Mongolian horseback riding, two-humped camel riding, hiking the Bogd Mountain Peak and local cuisine.

The nomadic community and families are super hospitable and enjoy sharing their culture with visitors.

No fences, no highways, no buildings or industry just open spaces with wide valleys, mountains, freshwater streams and sand dunes are the environment. The only moving objects will be herds of cows, yaks, horses, sheep or goats. They are in the pasture during the day and return in the evening.

Riding a horse with a local family to the next neighbor nomadic community takes 2-3 hours. The other host family demonstrates how to milk a mare and how to make the famous Mongolian drink, airag or kumys in some countries. In the evening when they start singing traditional folk songs it blends in perfectly with the scenic background and people.

You can see and feel nomadic stress free and happy living of the nomadic community as they enjoy the fresh air, beautiful nature and rich nomadic culture.

On hot sunny days the host family rolls up the bottom of the ger felt cover and leaves the door open. Even though its hot outside the ger felt keeps things cool contrary to tent fabrics. The wind through the raised wall provides natural air conditioning. The view through the door is just an open green field and stream. Laying down on the soft mat and looking through the endless valley relaxes the mind and body.

A real Mongolian cultural experience in high end glamping style or authentic rustic style stay either can be done with by skipping the city and just returning to the airport. Why not? Just ask us.