Photos from Mongolia, a travel destination that's surprisingly affordable too!

Mongolia is one of the least-popular international getaways for Indians, despite being home to some wonderful places and experiences. It's perhaps a choice so offbeat that it does not come to a regular traveller's mind easily. If we have your attention, it's also worth noting that Mongolia is a surprisingly affordable country to visit for Indian travellers, with a week's trip costing under INR 1 lakh.

If you plan a trip yourself rather than buying a tour package, the cost goes down further!

Add to it the lure that Mongolia is also the great love for those who live overland tourism, for it's a rugged yet very inviting land. Here, photos of Mongolia that will show you why it's one of our favourite offbeat and budget getaway from India.

Mongolian Gobi Desert is a unique topographical feature and is a sight to behold. With the place as scantily populated as this, you have all the wilderness to soak in. Camel safaries on the golden sand here is a much-loved experience. This is also a popular destination for overland tourism, and one can take a caravan on rent.

This national park lies in Western Mongolia and would remind you of India's Ladakh and Spiti; of course, there is no swarm of tourists here. It borders China and Russia, and is also home to the massive
Tavan Bogd mountains. It is also home to the two lakes, Khoton and Khurgan, home to some rare fish and bird species.

The people of Mongolia are a delight to mingle with. While they may come across as aloof, one just need to have an icebreaker and be respectful with them. In the hinterlands, travellers easily come across the nomadic communities that live in tune with nature. In the photo is a Mongolian nomadic child, happily posing with his reindeer.

It is one of the three largest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia and its sheer setting in the wilderness can take one's breath away. It was built during from 1727 to 1736 and is located in the beautiful Iven Valley. The area around the monastery is also a nomadic land, and houses natural sacred sites.
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Mongolia is also home to the Kazakh community, many of them practicing eagle hunting, a spectacle unlike any other in the world. It is a tradition that's passed down generations and is also a very popular traditional sport. The eagle hunters are traditionally called as Kazakh burkitshi. Of course, they also attract photographers from all over the world.

If you are somebody who likes travelling for culture, traditions and some spirituality too, the monks of Mongolia would be happy to meet you. You would run into them in one or the other Buddhist monastery.

This valley is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for representing the development of nomadic pastoral traditions. It lies in Central Mongolia, some 320 km from the capital city, along both the banks of River Orkhon. Explore the valley to get closer to the nomadic way of life and pastoralism here.