Human civilization has come a long way since the early days of our species. Rising out of caves and undeveloped lands, humans have built cities and homes that the early generations could never have imagined.

The widespread growth of globalization has made it harder for historic cultures to be preserved. This is what makes the Dukha people of Mongolia so fascinating and amazing. The nomadic tribe has lived in the same region for centuries. During that time, they developed a special relationship with the wild animals. In fact, this relationship is so amazing it will leave you in awe.

Fortunately for us, photographer Hamid Sardar-Afkhami recently visited this lost tribe and documented what he saw through a series of stunning photographs. Through their unique culture, the Dukha people have developed a unique relationship with neighboring reindeer. They use them as means of transportation over the treacherous terrain they call home.

Mongol, member of a Central Asian ethnographic group of closely related tribal peoples who live mainly on the Mongolian Plateau and share a common language and nomadic tradition. Their homeland is now divided into the independent country of Mongolia (Outer Mongolia) and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Owing to wars and migrations, Mongols are found throughout Central Asia.

With a few exceptions, the Mongol social structure, economy, culture, and language showed very little change over many centuries. They were basically nomadic pastoralists who were superb horsemen and traveled with their flocks of sheep, goats, cattle, and horses over the immense grasslands of the steppes of Central Asia.

Traditional Mongol society was based on the family, the clan, and the tribe, with clan names derived from those of common male ancestors. As clans merged, the tribal name was taken from that of the strongest clan. In the tribe, weaker clans retained their own headmen and livestock but were subordinate to the strongest clan. In periods of tribal unity, khans (Mongol monarchs) assigned commanders to territories from which troops and revenues were gathered. Mongol history alternated between periods of tribal conflict and tribal consolidation.

They’re certainly a dying culture,” says Harvard-trained anthropologist Hamid Sardar-Afkhami. Sardar, who spent years living with the Dukha and documenting their way of life, believes there were once around 200 families living in this remote part of Mongolia. Nowadays, he thinks there are probably only 40 families left with about 1,000 reindeer.

“The number of families has fallen because a lot of them have been synthesized with the mainstream community,” he says. “Many of them have moved to the towns and even to the capital cities.” The biggest threat in Sardar-Afkhami’s view is the defection from the younger Dukha generation, who don’t want to live in the harsh conditions in the taiga (or “snow forest”). “They want to go down and stay in warm cabins in the winter, maybe buy a car and drive,” he says. There’s a big appeal to the modern life. The hardships of the traditional life as a reindeer herder certainly play a factor. “The rise of gold mining in the area, as well as the government’s move to restrict the Tsaatan’s hunting ground, has also hastened the decline.

The government declared the Tsaatans’ hunting ground a part of the national protected parks. It’s now off-limits so they can’t hunt anymore, he says. As compensate, according to Sardar-Afkhami, each family was paid about $150. It’s a bit sad because these are traditional hunters and the reindeer need to move. When you pay them off like that, you’re destroying a part of their culture. To further add to the Dukhas’ woes, the number of the reindeer they’re so dependent on has dwindled dramatically due to diseases and lack of available treatment.

All of these factors have forced some of the Dukha to rely on money from tourism to survive. “Tourism’s a big source of income nowadays,” says Sardar-Afkhami. “They’re making considerable money off tourists.” For some years now, travel companies have been regularly offering options to visit a Dukha community as part of a Mongolian itinerary.

The reindeer, in particular, have proved to be a big hit among visitors who happily pay 5,000 Mongolian Tugrik ($2.50) for a one-off photo opportunity. Judging by the number of buses coming and going, the clan might easily make about $200 a day on average.

This is a lot of money by Mongolian standards, where the average worker earns an estimated $330 a month. But their efforts have also attracted scrutiny from some travelers concerned about the reindeer being used to lure tourists. So much so that some travel companies, such as Melbourne, Australia-based Intrepid Travel, now discourage visiting the tribe.

But getting to their remote habitat requires advanced horse-riding skills, as well as days traveling on a bumpy road by car that many visitors aren’t prepared or equipped to undertake. This has prompted a small group of reindeer herders to come down from their traditional area to set up camp near the popular Lake Khovsgol tourist areas. Led by Enkhatuya, who is also the head shaman, a clan of about a dozen relatives offer tourists a glimpse of the Dukha lifestyle without having to travel deep into the larch forest. Enkhatuya admits that life has been getting tougher for her people. “This is the main reason we come down to Lake Khovsgol every summer,” she explains. “We need to earn enough money so that we can survive the winter.”

“Many travelers are of the opinion that this area isn’t the best environment for the reindeer as they’re native to much colder climates and are brought to Lake Khovsgol so the herders can benefit from tourism,” says Timur Yadamsuren, local guide and country manager for Intrepid Travel in Mongolia. “For these reasons Intrepid Travel doesn’t recommend this activity.”

Enkhatuya dismisses the accusations and says, “As a culture we’ve deep connections with our reindeer. They’re like our family. We would never abuse them as such. I can assure you they aren’t suffering. Despite their decreasing population, she believes Dukha culture will continue to flourish. Our young people are returning to continue our ancestral tradition,” she says. “They’re as close to the tribe and culture as they ever were. They’re continuing to speak our native language.”

In fact, Enkhatuya’s granddaughter has followed in her footsteps and become a shaman herself. Even so, Sardar-Afkhami believes their ancient way of life is on the path to extinction. They’re the last of their kind,” says Sardar. Even if they survive, if they leave the reindeer herding culture that distinguishes them, their culture will die.

The colorful Silver breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) is a species of bird in the broadbill family Eurylaimidae. It is monotypic (the only species) within the genus Serilophus. There are ten currently recognised subspecies, one of which, rubropygius, was formerly treated as a separate species.

It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The species has declined somewhat due to habitat loss, but is not considered to be threatened with extinction.

The silver-breasted broadbill is a medium-sized broadbill, 16 – 17 cm in length and weighing 25 – 35 g. The plumage of the nominate race has a rusty-coloured head with an ash-grey forehead and a broad black supercilium (stripe) over the eye. The breast and belly is white and the rump and upper wing coverts are bright rufous. The flight feathers are striking blue and black and the tail is black. There is a small amount of sexual dimorphism in the plumage, with the female having a narrow silver band across the breast. Young birds resemble adults but with shorter wings and tails, and slightly darker plumage overall. There is also some variation across the different subspecies.

The silver-breasted broadbill occupies a range of forest habitats. It occurs in tropical and semi-tropical forests, as well as semi-deciduous forests and forests dominated by pine, oak and bamboo. It may occur in selectively logged forests and even entered agricultural land and gardens. It occurs at a range of elevations across its range; between 800 – 2000 m in Sumatra but 300 – 700 m in China. 

The silver-breasted broadbill eats invertebrates, primarily insects : grasshoppers, mantises, caterpillars, larvae, small land snails. These insects are taken by flycatching from perch or by gleaning branches and foliage. The silver-breasted broadbill occupies a range of forest habitats. It occurs in tropical and semi-tropical forests, as well as semi-deciduous forests and forests dominated by pine, oak and bamboo. It may occur in selectively logged forests and even entered agricultural land and gardens. It occurs at a range of elevations across its range; between 800–2,000 metres (2,600–6,600 ft) in Sumatra but 300–700 m (980–2,300 ft) in China.

Elephants are generally known for their huge size and an amazingly friendly nature that is not only joyful but also expresses feelings and emotions like that of human beings. They have the ability to express their grief, anger, love, compassion and every other feeling in very specific ways.

Elephants, despite their voluptuous bodies, are essentially cute to look at. They are also pretty intelligent and have a quick sense of perception. They are known for their loyalty and team spirit which helps them cooperate among themselves. Talking about elephants, one cannot forget baby elephants or calves who are the cutest and prettiest of all. These little babies are about three feet tall and are known for their clumsy way of moving and handling their trunks after they are born. Often baby elephants are filmed for their amazing activities which can miraculously brighten up anyone’s bad day. Keep scrolling to see adorable baby elephants that will make you smile.

There are a few pictures that illustrate how beautiful these little fuzzy-headed baby elephants could actually be. The first picture is that of a baby elephant that is probably taking a bath along with its mother in the water. One can notice the little trunk that peeps out of the mother while quietly following the guardian. The picture also shows the clear demarcation made on the animal’s body due to it being submerged in the water.

The second picture is that of two baby elephants walking together by tangling their trunks. This picture clearly depicts the love and affection between the two babies who are presumably either siblings or friends.

The third picture shows a calf playing in the field with little ducklings, his new friends. The picture is sure to melt the hearts of many showing how innocent and heavenly the babies look while playing and enjoying each other’s company.

The fourth picture is of a baby who has apparently tumbled down the trunk of a tree. The picture is taken from behind, showing its cute little tush and small pink feet.

The next picture shows an elated calf, playing and enjoying in the waters. It looks adorable when it tries to shoot out water through its trunk.

The sixth picture is the cutest of all which looks as if the baby is playing hide and seek. The calf has immersed its head and feet in a tub while only the back along with its tush and tail is visible.

The other picture is of a baby trying to drink water through its trunk from a raised water holder. The scene looks amazingly cute and surreal.

The ninth picture is that of a little calf, trying to get up on the back of another baby elephant. Both have small fuzzy hair, big lively eyes, and cute little trunks. If you like this article, please share on Facebook.

The world we live in is a very interesting place. Each place on this Earth has its own unique features. Some features are not just unique but can also seem weird to our human minds. Here are 20+ weirdest places across the world that are a must visit.

This weirdness that you notice while on the road comes in different guises. It can be quirks of culture, or it can be unique attractions; it can be natural, or it can be man-made; in some cases it can be a complete mystery to even those who claim it as their own. Museums can be weird. Buildings can be weird. Entire cities or countries can be weird. And that’s a very, very good thing to discover.

1. Salar De Uyuni – Explore The White Salt Bed: One of the top weirdest places across the world is located in Potosí and Oruro departments, this is the world’s largest salt pan and one of the strange places in the world. And when a thin film of water gathers on the surface it is also the world’s largest natural mirror. The best sight of this space can be observed from the central Incahuasi Island. Salar De Uyuni is the remains of a prehistoric lake that dried off and left behind void space of bright-white salt, rock formations, and cacti-islands. This place harbors large flocks of beautiful pink flamingos that can be seen grazing in the water. The best time to visit this place is in the months of July and October. Location: Bolivia. Best time to visit: July to October. How to reach: Fly or take a train/bus to Uyuni and then take a hired vehicle to the salt flats.

2. Lake Natron – The Scariest Lake: Looking for some weird places in the world? How about this terrifying lake? Animals that die in this African lake are turned into statues, through calcification. The presence of huge volumes of sodium bicarbonate ensures they turn into mummies. And because of the high alkaline collection, the lake looks red in color, especially during summer in Tanzania. This is the reason why this lake is also known as the ‘Petrifying Lake’. In spite of all these conditions, it is grazing ground for the Lesser Flamingos. Fancy a dip? Don’t even think about it. Location: Tanzania. Best time to visit: June to August. How to reach: Fly to Tanzania and book a guided tour of Rift Valley of which the lake is a part.

3. Die Rakotzbrück – The Nature’s Own Ring: The Die Rakotzbrück bridge is another strange places and comes under the weird places in the world. Constructed in the 19th century is famed for its unique construction accuracy, with the bridge and its reflection merging into a complete and perfect stone circle, no matter where you see it from. Spooky! It is in fact one of the weirdest places across the world. This is probably why the bridge is also known as the ‘Devil’s Bridge’. It seems that the makers of the bridge emphasized more on its aesthetics than its utility. Both the ends of the Rakotzbrücke have thin rock spires installed, to make it look like natural basalt columns, which commonly occur in many parts of Germany. Location: Altes Schloß 11, 02953 Gablenz, Germany. Best time to visit: May to September. How to reach: Fly to Dresden and take a train to Gablenz from Dresden Hauptbahnhof. From there you can take a taxi to the Devil’s Bridge.

4. Dive into the blue lake at Jiuzhaigou National Park (China): Get a glimpse of this 1375-metre-long beautiful crystal blue lake in China. Tucked away in among the Min Mountains near the Tibetan Plateau, it’s a far cry from the bustling streets of Beijing! Deservedly, UNESCO turned the place into a World Heritage site in 1992.

5. Walk the Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii: Nothing quite comes closer to the ‘stairway to heaven’ than the Haiku Stairs in Oahu. These majestic stairs had a top secret purpose when they were built in 1942. Constructed by the Haiku Radio Station to transmit radio signals to Navy ships across the Pacific. Today you can walk the 3,922 steps. If you dare? So Friend, what you think once in a life you want to visit this place which is more colorful, beautiful then our dream place please leaves your comment below.

6. Spotted Lake Khiluk – Puddles Of Water: Spotted Lake Khiluk is the most mineralized lake in the world. Another bizarre place that makes it to the weirdest places across the world. The lake is spotted with 365 separate pools arranged in a strange mosaic-like pattern. Each of these spots holds a unique and highly concentrated chemical content and is said to cure different diseases. Definitely one of the nicer strangest places in the world. Location: Northwest of Osoyoos, British Columbia. Best time to visit: April to October. How to reach: Fly to British Columbia and take a bus or train to Osoyoos.

7. Slope Point – Windy Spot: Slope Point is the South Island’s southernmost point is another of the strange places in the world . The forest here is home to trees that are permanently twisted and windblown thanks to the intense Antarctic gusts. Windy much? This is one of the windiest strangest places in the world. The sight is all the more intensified by the rugged cliffs, eroded by the strong winds and time. The place is used for sheep farming, though there are no houses around. Another highlight of this place is the AA signpost that is installed here showing the distance to the Equator (5,140 km) and the South Pole (4,803 km). Location: New Zealand. Best time to visit: December to February. How to reach: Fly to Auckland and take a ferry to South Island.

8. Caño Cristales – The River Of 5 Colors: In the summer months, this Colombian river turns red. Counted as the most weirdest places in the world, the river bed is covered by a unique species of plant, and that is what turns red. Another one of those mysterious places on earth underwater. The river is commonly called the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow”. It has been called the most beautiful water body on Earth. You can make a time lapse here of the water cascading down the rocks. Location: Colombia. Best time to visit. How to reach: Fly to Bogotá or Villavicencio and take an internal flight to La Macarena. From here, book a local tour of the national park which will cover the land transfers to and fro.

9. Jellyfish Lake – See The Creatures: There are 70 marine lakes located in this region. What makes Jellyfish Lake stand apart from the rest is that it contains jellyfish. Too many of them! It was closed for public in 2012 owing to the diminishing population of jellyfish in this lake, one of the weirdest places across the world for sure! Scientists assumed that it was the end of this beautiful lake. But the population of jellyfish grew in recent years and it has once again been opened for the public. Cool, right? Location: Palau. Best time to visit: November to April. How to reach: Take a speedboat from Palau mainland to Eil Malk Island and opt for a snorkeling tour in the Rock Islands to see the jellyfish.

10. The Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki, Japan): A beautiful unknown place near Tokyo is hard to come by, but here’s one! Located northeast of Tokyo within the Kanto Plain is this vast hectare of a variety of flowers in every palette. Definitely a place where flower enthusiast can call paradise.

11. Salar de Uyuni (Salar de Tunupa) in Bolivia: This salt flat that extends to 10,582 square kilometers is considered to be the world’s largest salt flat in the world. Tucked away in Potosi, southwest of Bolivia, this is one of the most beautiful unknown places in the world. Formed as a result of the prehistoric lakes within its surroundings.

12. Snorkel the Aquarium in Rangiroa, French Polynesia: This long stretch of natural coral reef is one of the best snorkelling spots in the world, full of colourful tropical fish. Healthy coral surrounds the aquarium with depths ranging from 1m to 4m. A secret snorkelling spot to avoid the crowds.

13. The Rotorua Hot springs in Rotura, New Zealand: Rotura is known as the world’s most remarkable geothermal wonderland, with shooting geysers and bubbling mud pools. While you indulge in relaxation, don’t forget to learn about the fascinating culture of Maori within your side trips.

14. Wrap up warm in Svalbard, between Norway and the North Pole: Are you ready for a cold adventure? Then hop on for a ride to the Arctic ocean to discover Svalbard, an archipelago between Norway and North Pole. One of the most beautiful untouched places in the world. Svalbard translates to “cold coasts”. Over here you can find a number of nature reserves, bird sanctuaries and some polar bears too!

15. Dare to look down “The Door to Hell” in Derweze, Turkmenistan: This natural gas field known as “The Door to Hell” or “The gateway to hell” is something out of the ordinary. This caverned collapsed in 1971, geologists then set it on fire to avoid the spread of methane gas and since then it just keeps burning continuously. Since then, it has become a unique place to visit. Dare to get near this crater for a good selfie?

16. Blood Falls – Witness The Red Water Flow: Amidst the unending whiteness of the snow, Blood Falls provides a creepy relief. The water is red in color due to the presence of huge amounts of Iron. Definitely makes the list of the strangest places in the world. According to Forbes, the mystery surrounding Blood Falls has been solved. According to the researchers of the University of Alaska, the red coloring is due to “oxidized iron in brine saltwater, the same process that gives the iron a dark red color when it rusts.” Location: Antarctica. Best time to visit: November to March. How to reach: Fly to Taylor Valley and hike to the waterfall with a guide.