Mongolia
Mongolia: The Land of Genghis Khan
Program No. 22965RJ
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Mongolia: The Land of Genghis Khan
Mongolia: The Land of Genghis Khan
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Participant Reviews
Based on 16 Reviews
SHOWING
This is a 5 star trip. Out of the 21 RoadScholar programs I have been on this one ranks in the upper 3. It was great to get to experience this country as it is now before it is overrun with tourists. I feel like we got to see the authentic Mongolia from the big city to the nomad’s way of life on the steppes and desert. A highlight for me was seeing all the animals ranging throughout the countryside along with riding horseback and on camels. The demonstrations and activities we participated in made the trip memorable. Our guide, Ching was so knowledgeable, kind, and a perfect leader knowing immediately what was needed in any situation which arose. Our group really made this a perfect trip, also. We were all ready and willing to participate in whatever was in store for us next be it rain, snow, hail, hiking to look where dinosaur eggs were found, to riding camels and horses, to sleeping in gers most nights. If you are adventurous and enjoy unspoiled wide open spaces this is a trip for you.
— Review left July 14, 2026
Our trip to Mongolia exceed our expectations and was an incredible experience. The culture, the wildlife and experience driving from Ulaanbaatar to the South Gobi was amazing. We experienced cold weather and snow in Ulaanbaatar then beautiful sunny weather in the Gobi followed by thunderstorms and hail in the South Gobi. Definitely got to experience much more than expected. The food was also a pleasant surprise - vegetables and a variety of meat, not just mutton. Our Group Leader Ching was one of the best we have experienced. He always looked out for the group and made sure everyone was taken care of.
— Review left July 10, 2026
What a fantastic trip! I was blown away by the varied and wide open landscape and herds of grazing cows, goats, sheep, horses and camels. I appreciated that the tour included not only museums and historical sites but also views into Mongolian economy and thoughts for the country's future and the future of nomadic life.
Our guide, Ching, was knowledgeable about Mongolian history, politics and economy. He made sure the trip ran without a hitch in spite of strange weather (snow, rain, hail) and a couple of unexpected events. On top of being a great guide, Ching was warm and personable.
Our drivers were beyond excellent, not only driving expertly on washboard roads for hours but doing jobs that didn't include driving (participating in a ger demo, clearing a herd of goats from under the vans after a storm).
Accommodations weren't fancy but this wasn't that kind of trip. They were clean and comfortable and I was quite satisfied with the quality.
Would I do this trip again? Definitely yes!
— Review left July 4, 2026
Educational and great fun. It was varied and well coordinated. Ching our leader was fantastic. Tseteg the assistant leader was always helpful. And the drivers were all capable in a variety of challenging driving situations and were and pleasant.
As a vegetarian, I did experience some challenges with the food offerings, mainly in the capital city in regards to getting enough protein So bring along some source of protein and grab a few boilded eggs from the breakfast bar at the hotel. Outside the capital we were served tofu on several occasions, cheese pizza, as well as eggs and dairy products
One tip for ladies, a PEEshooter or FUD is very usful if you don't want to make repeated treks to the communal bathroom at night. The bathrooms and showers were clean with plenty of hot water.
We experienced a variety of weather: snow and very cold in mid June (bring long underwear or a substitute), hot days, rain, and an amazing hail/rain storm and flash flood in the desert. The roads get very dry and dusty so bring a dust mask. The seats in the vehicles were quite comfortable, so no extra cushion is needed, even with all the washboarded bumpy roads. The gers were not buggy, except for an occasinal spider or beetle.
One last important thing: please leave your politics at home, (including snide remarks about the other party). It does nothing to improve the trip experience and only causes unnecessary friction.
— Review left July 2, 2026
Take this trip for a wonderful immersion in an unforgettable place and people. Highlights include mountains, plains and deserts; vast herds of camels, horses, goats and sheep; learning about Mongol warriors and khans; meeting Buddhist monks and nomadic herders; blue skies, wide horizons, rainbows and snow flurries; thousands of years of history, a vibrant present and a promising future.
— Review left July 1, 2026
What an amazing adventure! Such a rich history, but I will always treasure meeting the Mongolian people, especially getting a taste of nomad life. And life in the ger camps - such an experience, as well as the very bumpy rides on the steppes of Mongolia and the Gobi desert on dirt "roads". One of the most unusual trips that I will probably ever take.
— Review left September 2, 2025
The trip to Mongolia was wonderful and left me wanting to exploring more of the country which I think is a sign of its success. Our tour leader was terrific and our group was a fascinating mix of people.
— Review left August 19, 2025
Thank you, Od, for 2 amazing weeks of learning in your welcoming country of Mongolia.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I highly recommend this program to anyone who might choose to consider an adventure outside of one’s comfort zone.
— Review left August 14, 2025
Before my departure I was asked by many why go to Mongolia, of all places? Because Mongolia is an amazing place of immense historical significance and a culture and people who are not known, or little known, by many Westerners, including yours truly. The experience was enlightening and memorable and left me wanting to know so much more. Doing "homework" from this trip will allow me to relive it over and over again.
— Review left August 29, 2024
Don’t think of this as a trip, think of it as an adventure - ride a camel, meander on a yak, hike up sand dunes, hike down a canyon, visit a 16th century Buddhist monastery, listen to throat singing, spot the Przewalski wild horses at Hustai National Park, cross the vast Gobi desert in a 4 wheel drive vehicle on unpaved roads, see how mares are milked, drive through limitless arid regions surrounded by flaming cliffs where dinosaurs roamed, sleep in a ger camp, help build a ger, find out how nomad families live and survive in today’s world, and visit the 131-foot stainless-steel-clad statue of Genghis Khan astride his horse. All of this and more await your visit to Mongolia with Road Scholar. This was an extraordinary trip, simply be ready for the adventure!
— Review left August 5, 2024
If you are interested in the land of Genghis Khan, go NOW, before it is gone.
— Review left August 3, 2024
I like traveling in out of the way places, countries where tourism is not fully developed. This trip provided that.
In the U.S. we look for "dark sky sanctuaries." No need in Mongolia! This trip includes 8 nights on the steppes (and several in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, and in the desert with endless skies and quiet. It was magic. We rode in 4WD vehicles for hours on trackless roads never knowing what would appear next. Quiet time followed by sightings of yaks, wild horses, camels, cows, sheep, goats -- maybe lying in the road, maybe racing across the plains. Oh no, a deep ravine!
Every day there was a revelation, whether a centuries-old Temple complex, Neolithic gravesites, the world's largest Buddha, camel sculptures on the edge of a ravine on the actual Silk Route, a sandstorm in the dunes, Mongolian throat singers, and of course visits with nomads. Sign up for this one!
— Review left July 19, 2024
A great way to introduce yourself to a little-known part of the world. Fascinating look at people and way of life in a very harsh environment.
— Review left July 15, 2024
Visiting Mongolia is not for sissies. But it is most definitely for those who want to see a magnificient country, meet wonderful, welcoming people people, and see a world that differs in more ways than I can count from our comfortable exhistence in the USA. It took me four years trying to get there, and I am so glad OI did.
— Review left July 15, 2024
Mongolia was a breath taking excursion for me-and our guides-Shinee Turbat from Mongolia and Allah from Bankan,Russia-absolutely made sure we were informed and enjoyed every detail and minute of this extraordinary trip. Our outstanding trip through the Gobi Desert was highlighted by the drivers of the 4-wheel vans-Jack,Baaska,Enee, and Bataa! They spotted animals,birds landscapes-and enabled us to see the desert in beautiful sunlight and moonlight. Every day was so special and not a wasted moment. I am delighted to have had this wonderful experience and memories with these awesome individuals.
— Review left October 9, 2019
In our top three. After doing twenty-something RS trips all over the world, this "Mongolia--Land of Genghis Khan" leaped into our top three, for the beauty, fun travel, uniqueness. R&J, Philadelphia.
— Review left July 14, 2019