The four cardinal points of Mongolia are as contrasting in their extremes as temperatures are throughout the year. Getting to each region is adventurous travel on its own, so focus on one area and get ready for the adventure (or take the route more traveled and opt to fly).

The Gobi Desert is unlike any other, with moving red sands, camel herders, and endless dunes. This is a prime location for off-roading through sandscapes, riding two-humped Bactrian camels, and staying with a Mongolian family in their ger (yurt). In the summer months, temperatures in the Gobi Desert can reach 40 degrees Celsius and shade is sparse. August and September are the best times to visit, as the weather is cooling down, but isn’t too cold yet.

As you move east from Ulaanbaatar, there are the sacred mountains of Khenti (the rumoured birthplace of Chinggis Khaan) and endless prairies, grass rolling in the wind. For those who want to stay in a ger and ride horses in what is probably the most “Mongol” landscape, opt for the iconic steppes of the east.

If these areas of Mongolia aren’t sparse enough for you, head west and experience the most-scenic and least-traveled portion of the country. Here, there are rare animals (snow leopards!), isolated ethnic communities, and snowcapped mountains that offer more than just spectacular hikes. The local Kazakh people will always have a cup of warm, salty milk tea ready for guests, and will be more than happy to show off their skills in the Golden Eagle festival that is held in this region every year. Traditional games, costumes, and rituals make this a guaranteed-fun event.

For those with extra days in their travel itineraries, check out Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongolian empire. It is located in the south of Mongolia, and is a great peek into the traditions of the Mongolian people and how their lifestyle has evolved over the last 1000 years.