Mongolia

I visited Mongolia in the summer of 2025, traveling all the way to the remote Altai Mountains in western Mongolia. During the trip, I climbed the country’s tallest mountain, spent several days hiking alone through the mountains, and stayed with a nomadic family for a few days.

Mongolia is a country that left a huge impression on me.

It is often considered the emptiest country in the world, with an incredibly low population density. Flying over Mongolia really puts that into perspective. For hours, all you see are rolling hills, dry steppe, and distant mountains stretching endlessly toward the horizon. There are very few forests in this part of the country - mostly just open grasslands as far as the eye can see.

This photo was taken near the ger of the nomadic family I stayed with. A ger is the traditional Mongolian yurt, and their entire way of life revolves around the animals they keep. Throughout the summer, they depend heavily on livestock for food and survival. Much of their diet comes from animal products, while basic vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions are imported from Russia because very little can be grown locally in the harsh climate.

As a foreigner, the landscape initially felt harsh and exposed. There are almost no trees, very little shelter, and none of the luxuries I’ve become used to in daily life. But spending time there was also incredibly grounding.

Living with this family reminded me how little people actually need to be happy. Life revolved around nature, animals, and family. Multiple generations lived together, constantly interacting, helping one another, and depending on each other in daily life.

I think this photo captures western Mongolia perfectly - endless open steppe, the Altai Mountains rising in the distance, and horses roaming freely across the landscape.