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Although there is not much of a gay scene throughout Mongolia, its beautiful landscapes and unique culture make it a distinctive travel destination for gay trips. Homosexual acts were declared legal in 2002, but naivet about homosexuality still persists and gay travel to Mongolia is a good idea for your next vacation.
Once led by Genghis Khan, Mongolia is situated between powerhouses Russia and China with Ulaanbaatar serving as a unique capital city. Known as a nation of nomadic people, the country is the least densely populated place and open to visitors looking to explore the lakes, mountains, Gobi desert and bands of wild horses.
The gay scene may be unheard of, but the country can still be a great gay destination for gay travelers and couples.
With an international airport and train station welcoming overland travel from China, the capital city of Ulaanbaatar serves as the best starting point for your Mongolia adventures. With low priced guesthouses doubling as travel coordinators, it is the best place to settle in and plan for your visit to the country.
While staying in Ulaanbaatar, you can expect to pay roughly twenty dollars per night (for double rooms) if staying in a guesthouse.
Both shorter and longer stays are possible and enjoyable within Mongolia. If you have only one to two weeks, consider heading to the ancient capital city of Kharakorum or going north for visits to the mountains and beautiful lakes. If learning about Mongolian culture interests you, think about participating in a family home stay where you will see everyday life in the country. You can do this near to the Terelj National Park where outdoor activities abound and the Gobi Desert is a mere two hours away.
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.
Aside from outdoor and wildlife excursions, city life is also worth exploring. Ulaanbaatar is home to good and inexpensive restaurants like Mongol Shabu, where you can eat well for under five dollars. You can also check out the world renowned Mongolian National Symphony Orchestra at The Culture Show or visit the Natural History Museum.
Homosexuality is not typically received well in Mongolia, but not necessarily as a result of religion or conservative values. Instead, there seems to be lack of information and gay context that prevents openness about homosexuality. Nevertheless, it is not considered unsafe or unfriendly towards gay travelers and can still provide an excellent vacation.
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 gay 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.
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