IN BETWEEN THE MONGOLIAN WILDERNESS

Images from the Eternal Landscapes Mongolia team and our guests. Taken throughout our Mongolia tours. This is the Mongolia you will also experience with us.

THE NINE NINE’S OF MONGOLIA’S WINTER

From the winter solstice onwards, Mongolian’s mark the progression of winter with the Nine Nines – nine series of nine days that each describe a phase of winter and that measure the intensity of the cold during those phases. Here are some images from our Mongolia winter tour experiences. Click on the images below for the story behind the photo.
  • Mongolia experiences four very distinct seasons. Each has its positives and challenges. Winter is one of the most challenging for Mongolia's herders. But, one of the most rewarding as a visitor.
  • As the sun dips ever lower during the shorter days of winter, the landscapes of Mongolia seem to stretch further than ever. Such as the immensity of the Altai Nuruu Mountains seen here that stretch across western Mongolia
  • Families add one or two additional layers of felt to their ger in winter. With the central stove and this additional felt, it makes the nucleus of the ger a very warm and comfortable environment to be in
  • The Orkhon River is Mongolia's longest at 1,124 kilometres. As with all of Mongolia's fresh water lakes and rivers, it freezes in the winter. This was taken in the region that has become known as the Orkhon River Valley - the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ovorkhangai Aimag.
  • The edge of Ulaanbaatar in winter seen from an ovoo (a sacred stone shrine). Yes, it is cold but look at that sky! There's a reason why Mongolia is called the 'Land of the Blue Sky' you know!
  • No matter the outside temperature, herders must continue their daily tasks of looking after their livestock. That includes the children when they are at home - there is a short school holiday in January and then a longer one for the Mongolian Lunar New Year - Tsagaan Sar
  • Winter in Mongolia is most definitely out of season. But, local communities organise annual winter events in celebration of local community, networking and collaboration to ensure a better future for the specific region. Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, held it’s third ‘ UB Winter Festival’ on February 6th. Why the 6th? It was a favourable day in the Mongolian Lunar Calendar. Organised by the Ulaanbaatar City Tourism Department, the festival featured both traditional Mongolian & international sports as well as modern and traditional arts. Mongolian archers competed in the ice archery competition and their were dog sledge races, paragliding and speed ice skating demonstrations. What was so great was that there were few other tourists in evidence, and it was mainly a Mongolian celebration with local families from throughout the city coming to join in. We look forward to welcoming you at this spectacular time of year. Just pack thermals!
  • An impromptu EL international ice shagai competition. Khovd River, Ulaankhuus., Bayan Ulgii Province, Western Mongolia. One Australian, two Mongolians and a Kazakh eagle hunter. * Shagai is the traditional Mongolian game of ankle bone shooting. Don’t dismiss it. It is far more interesting than the name leads you to believe and makes a great spectator sport. This photo was taken by our guest Viv McWaters this March on one of our Mongolia winter tours.
  • For those that brave the winter weather in Mongolia, the rewards are without limit. With no other tourists in evidence, it is easy to feel that you have the country to yourself. This is the time that people come together, that challenges are faced as one, that unique experiences become everyday occurrences. This is the time that the legendary Mongolian hospitality comes into its own. Although the winters are harsh, they are also extraordinarily beautiful. This is a wonderful time of year to visit for anybody interested in photography – the low afternoon winter light is perfect for capturing the Land of the Eternal Blue Skies. Not only does Mongolia produces a stunning natural show but there are festivals to enjoy and experience. Although it’s ‘out of season’ local communities organize annual events in celebration of local community, networking and collaboration to ensure a better future for the specific region and its herding community. These are in addition to the traditional cultural festivals. This image was taken by our guest Massimo Rumi in the Altai Mountains at the home of one of the Kazakh families we work with. We look forward to welcoming you at this spectacular time of year. Just pack thermals!
  • A majority of tour companies that operate in Mongolia close for the winter and early spring months. We don’t. For those travelling looking to travel out of season or on the Trans Siberian we offer short trips focusing on the ‘real’ Mongolia. One of the destinations we include is Gorkhi-Terelj where the main focus of your experience is staying with Naraa and Bujee – a modern herding family that move twice a year. Yes, Gorkhi-Terelj is well developed for tourism and is a key location for international visitors. But, as this photo taken by our guest Yi-Hsin who travelled with us this February and March shows, sometimes it’s not necessarily where you visit but the way in which you visit. Look at the Eternal Landscapes website for more information on our Mongolia short trips.
  • Winter community events at the Nogoon Nuur Community Project in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. Once a quarry. Then a waste dump. Now a thriving space for families and children of the ger districts. The vision of Mongolian philanthropist Ulzii.
  • This is Turuu. With his beloved Furgon van (do you like the 'eternal landscapes' painted on the side of his van? I don't think I need to write anything else about the image. I'll just let the photo do the talking.
  • How was your weekend? This was ours. Horse trekking in the middle Gobi alongside Mongolian herders. Average temperature? Minus 15.
  • We have worked with Bashakhan for many years now. As with all of the Kazakh families we work with, we have personally built up a relationship with him (we use no agents or tour operators - we work directly with all the families as this leads to a more personal insight for you as our guest) and his local knowledge is what makes our visits to the region so special.

We Would Love To Hear From You!

Call: +976 88011476     Mail: tuya@eternal-landscapes.co.uk

 
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