Trekking in Mongolia

The trip of a lifetime! I took my son on a two week trip to Mongolia. I had worked with Mongolians for several years and had promised to visit their country. I researched travel companies and settled on Western Mongolia Tours. It was a great choice. Gabiden Bolatbek was our guide as well as the owner of the tour company. He and his team were so gracious, personable and knowledgeable. I felt well cared for, comfortable and safe throughout my trip. Everything was taken care of! Gabiden was especially kind with my sixteen year old son who had not travelled outside of the United States. He took the time to explain our excursions and made changes respecting my son's requests. We had the most amazing experiences- staying with an Eagle Hunter's family, horseback riding with an eagle, riding camels, visiting monasteries. I could write all day there was so much to see and do. Gabiden found unusual things for us to do!! We attended a horse race which was amazing. 12km race featuring young teen jockeys. It was a great way to really experience Mongolian life. We also got to see a festival in Ulgii where students were displaying projects that they had completed in school. I am an educator and really got great pleasure out of interacting with the students. It was amazing! In Ullan Baatar we experienced Mother and Children's Day in the square and had lunch with many big families in a nearby restaurant. I cried, it was so beautiful to see how families are celebrated in Mongolia. We also stayed in a Ger Camp where we got to eat with the owner and have Mongolian barbecue. We were showed how to prepare the lamb with rocks and I intend to try this at home. My son, who had not wanted to stay in a ger, ended up loving gers at the end of the trip. The most amazing thing was driving across the terrain. No roads, no road signs- and yet we always arrived where we were supposed to. I loved the Russian van! Perfect for the area. Gabiden and his father (our driver) always kept the vehicle running which was fascinating. We saw so many animals! Gazelle, camels, sheep, goats, eagles, etc. I highly recommend Western Mongolia Tours and Gabiden Bolatbek. He will work with you to make your tour special and his team is outstanding! I could write all day about our amazing trip; it was that good! I will always love Mongolia.

First off, great experience, the best service in a very difficult place to get service. I didn’t go on a tour but stayed with an eagle hunter and his family. This is the only way to truly experience the Kazakh life. Not easy, no frills but an experience that can’t be duplicated. The eagle hunter was the best, we got game every day which to be honest is unusual. If we got nothing, my experience would have been complete simply watching and riding with the greatest horseman in the world. Be prepared, this is not a trail ride! If you know the story of the huntress, that’s the family I stayed with! Wonderful people, hospitable to a fault, always focused on family. Go before you can’t! Joe