Mongolia

The vast landlocked country of Mongolia is inextricably linked with the horse – both culturally and through the eyes of many a tourist. The country is best explored by horseback, with the nation offering enormous expanses of wild nature, including steppe, desert, mountain ranges and forests, which provide some of the best horse trekking terrain on earth.

The animals also play a crucial role in the lives of the many of the nation’s nomadic communities right up to the modern day, who use it as their daily mode of transport. They’re a symbol of the nation and synonymous with Mongolia’s legendary founder Genghis Khan, who rode into battle to conquer large parts of the northern hemisphere – creating the Mongol Empire, which stretched from Eastern Europe to the shores of the Pacific and as far south as the Arabian Sea and South-East Asia.

The country, sandwiched between Russia and China, retains many vibrant nomadic cultures, who still preserve their traditions and ancient celebrations today – including the eagle festival, traditional wrestling, Naadam Festival, among much more. Visiting these communities and celebrations is often a highlight for visitors, along with taking in the rich history that the country has to offer, retaining many relics from its swash-buckling past as an empire and through the ages.

Along with these traditions, the country also offers a modern face in the shape of its burgeoning capital city Ulaanbaatar, but it’s the remote wild nature in Mongolia and its unique culture that really captures the imagination.