Would you like to experience the nomadic spirit at least once in your life? And your destination is Mongolia. In the heart of Asia, between the Gobi Desert in the south and Siberia in the north, nomadic tribes still remain. Karakoram, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, has a landscape full of lakes and volcanoes, and offers a glimpse into one of the world’s few remaining nomadic lifestyles.
Mongolia has a deep-rooted nomadic history. There are records of this lifestyle being practiced as early as the Bronze Age. From the Huns to the great Genghis Khan, he unified all tribes in the 13th century to create a nomadic nation, conquering territory from Europe to the Pacific Ocean and creating the largest continuous empire known.
“There are many countries that still retain a nomadic lifestyle. We must take into account that humans have only been settled for the last 5,000 years of the world’s history. Around 3,000 BC, when the first cities arose, is when nomadism began to be abandoned. In addition to Mongolia, the preeminent nomadic country, there are other places where nomadic communities still exist, primarily in Africa. Tuareg tribe They are one of the major tribes. And we also have them in the Amazon, Arabia and the Middle East, where the Bedouins live,” explains architect Álvaro Planchuello, one of El Paz Viajes’ experts.
Indeed, he will accompany a group of adventurers on a 13-day journey through Mongolia on August 15, 2026. trip Mongolia’s natural and cultural treasures We offer to get acquainted with the nomadic life of this country and its most authentic enclaves – the capital Ulaanbaatar and the ancient Karakorum. Lake Khuvsgul is surrounded by mountains and deep greenery. Impressive steppe landscapes, learn first-hand about the life of nomadic families… Without a doubt, this country is a dream for travelers.
Where to find Mongolian nomads: Popular locations
Although Mongolia is three times the size of Spain, it has a population of only 3.5 million people, most of whom live in the main cities. Approximately 1 million people live in Ulaanbaatar, dispersed among the remaining cities such as Morun, Darkhan, and Erdenet. “This means that it is completely wild and uninhabited territory with 4 million livestock, especially horses, yaks and camels. That’s a huge number for wild animals. Nomads are people who manage livestock and take them to pasture. They travel in camps called yurt camps in Mongolia. gel. That means that there is a nomadic spirit almost throughout the country,” emphasizes Álvaro Planchuello.
The main tribes known in Mongolia today include: Tsartanan inhabitant of the north, known as the “Reindeer Men,” of whom there are about 200 left. On the other hand, in the west, Kazakh peoplea hunter who travels with eagles. The EL PAÍS Viajes route covers the central grasslands and other places where nomadic life still occurs.
The first stop on this trip is the Ersen Tasarkay dunes in Kegno Khan National Park. The park covers approximately 47,000 hectares and includes some 80 kilometers of spectacular sand dunes to the south. The national park’s mountains are considered sacred and this small desert is known as the “Little Gobi”. The Tarna River provides the necessary water for cattle grazing and the frequent nomadic tribes.
The next stop to see nomadic Mongolia is Karakoram, the former capital of the great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. It was home to the country’s first Buddhist monastery, called Erdene Zu, built in 1586 and then destroyed in the 1937 purges. Today, little of its grandeur remains, with only the city walls and three important temples remaining. Also preserved is the statue of Boubon Kad, an 18th-century phallic symbol created by the monastery’s monks to humiliate young monks who did not follow the rules. And Turtle Rock in Karakoram.
The third stop on the tour takes you to Zenkel Hot Springs, a sulfur spring that rises at 1,860 meters above sea level at a temperature of 85 degrees. Many people come for traditional treatment. From the hot springs, head north over several mountain ranges to Terkhin Tsagaan Lake National Park. This is a rugged, now inactive volcanic region, home to one of Mongolia’s most attractive lakes, famous for its rich avifauna, and protected under the Ramsar Convention. “On the way, we will stop at Zayin Free Kyid, an ancient Buddhist monastery and now a local museum of Arkhangai province. Along the route, we will also stop at the Chuluut River Gorge and the huge Tayhar Rock, which is associated with local mythological beliefs,” says Alvaro Planchuello, who organized the trip in Milli.
Zuunur Salt Lake is another place where Mongolian nomadic families usually settle. It is a truly primitive landscape surrounded by green mountains and forests. Did you know that this lake is the second deepest lake in Central Asia and contains 1% of the world’s freshwater resources? It is also 134 kilometers long and 39 kilometers wide.
Finally, Lake Khuvsgul is also an essential stop to follow in the footsteps of the nomads. It is the second largest lake in the country and is home to over 200 species. In front of the lake where the shepherds live Tsartanconcludes this wonderful journey.
*If you would like to learn more about this trip or other similar trips, please visit our website. countryside trip.
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