Horseback riding is without a doubt, the best way to explore the immense landscape of Mongolia. It certainly allows for the most intense sensation of space. However, if you're not a seasoned rider, driving a car also gives the chance to experience the exceptional feeling of freedom that can be provided only by endless steppes.
Along the way one can admire astounding diversity of the Mongolian landscape. Mountains and volcanoes, deserts, lakes and the rushing rivers through which we were crossing by car - all of these unwinding before our eyes, as we were covering hundreds of kilometers.
Quite often there wasn't even a proper way and going ahead meant simply driving through the steppe, trusting our driver's excellent sense of orientation. During this unique trip, only every few hours did single gers (yurts) flashed in the wideness of the green steppe. This constant movement, together with sleeping in different camps almost every night, gave us a modest substitute of the nomadic way of life.
It also allowed me to try taking some photos of the night sky. Not an easy try though, as it was rather cloudy almost every night and the full moon didn't make it any easier neither.
Occasions to admire Mongolian fauna appeared to be rather numerous too. Unfortunately, in spite of this, I didn't quite manage to capture any of the eagles and other impressive raptors that could be easily perceived in the skies. Nor even one of the many prairie dogs... Instead of this, I definitely spent too much time photographing grazing cattle ;)
It's the last series of pictures from Mongolia, but a short video from the trip should follow up shortly (as soon as I deal with the amount of work awaiting me after the holidays ;) So please stay tuned for more.