If you haven’t read the preious episode yet, click here first.
Mongolia travel season is coming up soon,
so I figured it’s time to get back to writing these.
Let me set the scene one more time before we dive in:
Our route was Terelj → Khövsgöl Lake — and honestly?
The thing I remember most is the car.
Bumping. Rattling. Endless roads.
(Would I recommend it? Depends on the person. For me personally — probably not again.)
But the memories? Those I’d keep.
1. Mongolia Ger Night — The Cat That Crashed Our Party
After the hot spring, we were back in the ger having a few drinks.
Then a cat walked in.
Just… wandered right in like it owned the place.
Apparently it was cold outside, so it decided to stay the night.
We let it.
The ger was heated by burning wood — warm enough that I was sweating through my sleep.
A cat purring next to you in a cozy ger in the middle of Mongolia.
Not what I expected. Loved every second of it. 🐱
2. Mongolia Chuluut Canyon — Half Asleep, Still Impressive
Early morning. Back in the car.
We stopped along the way to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake at a place called Chuluut Canyon.
I’d been sleeping in the car, so I stumbled out half-conscious.
Didn’t feel much in the moment, honestly.
But once my eyes adjusted —
Lava once flowed through here.
Now it’s a river. And a canyon.
That’s… kind of insane when you think about it.
Woke me up better than coffee. 😅
3. Mongolia Khorgo Volcano — 2,210m and Worth Every Step
Next stop: Khorgo Volcano.
Elevation: 2,210m. Crater diameter: 200m. Crater depth: 100m.
Our trusty Starex van made it most of the way up.
The last stretch we walked — and honestly, getting out of the car felt amazing.
Legs. Fresh air. Movement.
The crater looks smaller in photos.
It is not small.
A few days before our visit, there’d been an accident near the edge — so our guide told us to keep our distance.
I have a fear of heights anyway, so I stayed well back, took a few photos, and called it done.
No regrets. (Still alive. That’s a win.)
4. Mongolia Khorkhog Night — When Everyone Gave Up on Mutton
Arrived at the guesthouse near Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake.
Room condition? Honestly hotel-level.
Except for the one tick we found.
We checked everything. Set up mosquito nets. Prepared for war.
Outside the guesthouse: three Mongolian Bankhar dogs.
Massive. Fluffy. Built like small bears.
The locals raise them tough.
But Korean tourists?
We were absolutely baby-talking them and scratching their ears — and they loved every second of it. Refused to leave. 🐾
Dinner that night was khorkhog — traditional Mongolian mutton stew, made from scratch by our guide.
The effort was genuinely touching.
The taste was… well.
By day 5, this was roughly our 9th mutton meal.
Everyone at the table silently made the same decision.
Out came the kimchi. The braised beef. The gochujang. The instant noodles.
Every emergency Korean food supply, deployed simultaneously.
First proper spicy food in days.
I almost cried. 🌶️
5. Mongolia Fermented Mare’s Milk — The Incident
After dinner, campfire by Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake.
Someone produced a bottle of airag — fermented mare’s milk, picked up at a Mongolian CU convenience store.
How do I describe the taste?
…It tasted like vomit.
I’m sorry. There’s no polite way to say it.
One of our group members drank some, got food poisoning, and was out for the next day.
I woke up the next morning feeling terrible too.
Breakfast: managed one egg.
Lunch: mutton fried rice + khuushuur.
Left everything on the plate.
Please. No more mutton. I’m begging.