As Soviet rule ended, homosexual acts in Mongolia were made legal in 2002. A lack of homosexual tradition and visibility of gay culture does not mean that gay tours to Mongolia are a bad idea.
With topography ranging from mountains to deserts, Mongolia is the least densely populated country and is home to famous wild horses and pristine lakes. Once under the grips of the Soviet Union and led by Genghis Khan, Mongolia’s distinct history and culture make it one of the ultimate “off the beaten path” destinations.
The gay scene may be unheard of, but the country can still be a popular destination for gay travelers and couples.
As you consider a trip to Mongolia, you will want to start your adventure in the capital of Ulaanbaatar. There is an international airport or you can take the train directly from Beijing for a unique overland experience. As Mongolia’s capital and largest city it is the perfect starting point for countrywide excursions.
Guesthouses are the best place to stay as they offer cheap accommodation (roughly twenty U. S. Dollars per night) and also act as travel agencies that can help you to draw up an itinerary.
From there, the options are plentiful. For shorter stays, consider a local home stay near Terelj National Park, just two hours from the capital and an easy ride to the Gobi Desert. You might also want to think about a trip to Genghis Khan’s ancient capital or adding a week to head north for spectacular lake, mountain and river excursions.
Longer stays of a month or longer are ideal for a big loop of the country to include the aforementioned destinations all in one trip.
Ulaanbaatar itself offers tourist sites to visitors. It maintains a vibrant culture and delicious yet cheap restaurants, including Mongol Shabu, which offers traditional menus. You can also visit the Natural History Museum or catch a performance by the esteemed Mongolian National Symphony Orchestra at The Culture Show.
While Mongolia may be an incredible, off the beaten path for gay vacations, homosexuality is not necessarily received well. There are few religious barriers to it; however, a general lack of gay context leaves a general sense of naivete on the subject.
While visiting the country independently and sorting out an itinerary on your own offers flexibility, there are also travel groups catering to LGBT travelers that provide structured trips.
These agencies typically excursions that cater to the interests of culture lovers and active outdoors travelers by visiting places such as local traditional festivals, the ancient capital city and museums, as well as the desert, camel farms and horseback riding destinations.
These groups typically incorporate some LGBT excursions to community groups and whatever gay adventure travel may exist. With a wide range of activities, their itineraries make up for a lack of a gay scene by offering something for everybody.
The author of this about Mongolia commentary is Howie Holben. Howie caretakes Spirit Journeys, a gay vacations firm. Spirit Journeys makes available spiritual and gay travel.
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