Mongolia – Heading West
As one of the world’s least densely populated country, Mongolia is a country of vast open spaces, nomads and mutton. At the countries center, along the Trans Mongolian railway lies the coldest capital city in the world, the rather bland Ulan Bator. Venturing out of the city is where you discover Mongolia’s rugged beauty and great hospitality. To the south lies Asia’s largest desert, the Gobi, which is constantly growing further into the north of China. Heading into Western Mongolia gives an immense sense of isolation. Here you find Kazakh nomads who fled Kazakhstan because of the “Russification” since 1920, and set up permanent residence in the Bayan-Ulgii province. To see the best of the country it’s suggested to tour the country using your own vehicle (or a guide), however attempting to master your own way around on public transport can be an experience in itself.
View of the Gobi desert from the Trans Mongolian Railway enroute to Ulan Bator
Military procession in Sukhbaatar Square, Ulan Bator
Mock fighting in Sukhbaatar square, Ulan Bator
Munks at Gandantegchinlen, Ulan Bator
Women waits at her packed up stall in the black market, Ulan Bator
Terelj National Park, outside Ulan Bator
Sunset over Terelj National Park, outside Ulan Bator
Terelj National Park, outside of Ulan Bator
Terelj National Park, outside of Ulan Bator
Food stop on the 36hr bus journey from Ulan Bator to Khovd
Confusing situation with police enroute to Olgii in the far west
Remote landscapes of the Bayan-Ölgii Province
Eagle soaring in the far west of Mongolia
Driver stops in the middle of a field to swap some of his fuel for alcohol
Arriving in the far west of Mongolia, Olgii
Playing pool at the black market in Ölgii, Mongolia
Riding along the river towards Tsengel, Bayan-Ölgii
Khurgan Nuur/lake in Bayan-Ölgii
Mardan lights up some cow dung to cook freshly caught fish from the Khurgan Nuur
Horse waits patiently near the Khurgan Nuur
Milking goats by the Khurgan Nuur
Khurgan Nuur (lake) in Bayan-Ölgii
Kids pose while a cooked goat is cooled off in the Khurgan Nuur
Curious kids observing me eat by the Khurgan Nuur
Kids playing around by the Khurgan Nuur
Kid plays with rocks by the Khurgan Nuur
Kazak Mongolian men stroll along the Khurgan Nuur
A family inside their ger, camped around the Khurgan Nuur
Drinking from the Khurgan Nuur
Horse love along the Khurgan Nuur
Kazak-Mongol man on his horse by the Khurgan Nuur
Head from a cooked goat, Khurgan Nuur
Sunset enjoyed by five kids and one baby wolf, Khurgan Nuur
Dog howls alongside the Khurgan Nuur
Kids and goats fool around near Khurgan Nuur
Kazak-Mongol women cooking by the Khurgan Nuur
Captured Abroad 
Just came back from an 18 day hiking trip in Western Mongolia and loved your photos. Thanks for sharing.
yep, very nice photos…thanks..