Mongolia

It is extraordinary how Mongolia cultures, habitations and landscapes have ridden out the vicissitudes of centuries. Upon treading this vast plateau of steppe and cold desert, the sense of sheer space and isolation soon reveals why. Those who tread these distant lands do so to immerse themselves in the beauty of its pristine environment and to allow themselves to ease into a gentler rhythm amidst the ger dwellings of the gentle inhabitants. Implausible then, that this nation could have engendered the 13th century, all-conquering Mongol hordes; yet, hours spent thrilling to the passionate, fervently contested ‘manly sports’ on show at the Naadam Festival, soon reveal the fervent zeal of this proud people.