The Gobi's sand dunes 'sing' as wind blows across them

The Gobi Desert carries a particular mystique for Western travelers.

Often thought of as an inhospitable wasteland, the Gobi is surprisingly varied, with canyon lands, sand dunes and enough grass to support scattered herds of horse, camel and goat.

Amateur historians should not miss Khentii province, the legendary childhood homeland of Ghengis Khan.

It was from here that the 13th century warlord set off to conquer the Asian landmass, largely succeeding.

His birthplace is located in the town of Dadal, a small hamlet of log cabins located near the Russian border. Sitting idyllically on the edge of forest, with rivers and crystal-clear lakes nearby, Dadal makes for an excellent rest after a long drive across the steppes.

Pinched between Russia, Kazakhstan, China and the rest of Mongolia, the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is a world unto itself.

The mountainous park is dotted with gorgeous lakes, alpine meadows and glaciated peaks.

The region, known as Bayan Ölgii, is rich in history; you can't go far before stumbling upon rock art, ancient carved pillars and burial mounds laid out in mysterious concentric circles.

Hire a kayak and explore Lake Khövsgöl

Centered on glorious Lake Khövsgöl, this is the prettiest national park in the country.

Hire a kayak or a horse from a nearby ger camp and explore the wooded shores of the 2,700-sq-km lake. Otherwise, lace up your hiking boots and climb the peaks above the lake.

Just 80km from the capital Ulaanbaatar, Terelj is an ideal getaway if your time in Mongolia is limited.

Terelj's alpine scenery and rushing rivers are complimented by some unusual rock formations. The most famous of these is the 'turtle rock' which from one angle really looks like a turtle with its head poking up.

The park is just about perfect for camping but if you want a little more luxury check into one of the many ger camps that serve meals and run activities like horse riding and rafting.