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A very special way to discover the lifestyle and traditions of the Mongols is to homestay few days with nomadic families. Mongolian nomads live in ger, a round felt-covered dwelling, which has been used by Central Asian nomads for centuries. The word ger is literally translated as home in Mongolian, while its Turkish term “yurt” means homeland. Indeed, the ger provides shelter in a landscape that is both beautiful and harsh. Without visiting this ancient accommodation and meeting families living there, one would never truly get an honest taste of the nomadic lifestyle that Mongolians still treasure to this day. About three- quarters of the country's population are estimated to be living as nomadic herders. These people are renowned for their wonderful hospitality towards visitors, because of their tradition of helping one another and isolation from the outside world. And we present to you 8 things you can experience while staying with Mongolian nomads.

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If you are planning to travel to Mongolia, horseback riding can be a startling experience to feel the deep connection of Mongolian nomads and their horses. For centuries, horses have been worshiped and respected by the steppe nomads. Having as many horses as people in a modern world proves how nomadic lifestyle is still revolving in Mongolia. They are used for transportation, herding, hunting, and horse racing. All children in the countryside learn to ride at the age of 4 and become jockeys by age of 7. Even today most Mongolians know how to ride a horse, whether they live in the city or in the countryside. Therefore, riding a horse in Mongolia is a great opportunity to feel the spirit of this nation.

Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness to interact with the world of spirits. The term "shamanism" was first applied by Western anthropologists as outside observers of the ancient religion of the Turks and Mongols, and those of the neighboring Tungstic- and Samoyedic-speaking people. Fundamental belief of shamanism is that the universe is alive: all living beings have a conscious soul animating them – humans, animals, birds, insects, reptiles, plants, etc. A shaman is someone who has access to the world of spirits, enters into a trance state during a ritual, practices divination and healing with the help of spirits.

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The Altai Mountains, one of the most secluded areas in the world, covers a vast area of over 16,000 kilometers, forming an impregnable barrier against globalization with its permanently snow-covered peaks that rise above 4,500m. This land of undiscovered beauty and wilderness is home to the Kazakhs, who have been preserving the ancient tradition of falconry to these days. Although falconry is still popular in many countries, including the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, hunting with golden eagles is exclusively a Kazakh practice.

Snow leopard, the king of the north and central Asia's high mountains, is often referred to as the ghost of the mountains. Even if the leopard is sleeping on a rock slope right in front of you, you may not notice it is there until you step on it.

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