2 Weeks in Mongolia

What You Should Know Before Going On A Mongolia Tour

Where is Mongolia? 

Mongolia is landlocked between Russia and China. Mongolia is a vast country with a landscape that includes mountains, huge grasslands, a desolate desert, lakes, and forests. Wildly untouched by modern times, Mongolia is one of the best places to get up close and personal with nature. 

Safety Tips for Traveling in Mongolia

While Mongolia has one of the lowest crime rates (likely because it is one of the lowest populated countries in the world) petty crime does happen. Pickpocketing and occasional purse slashing have been reported in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Taking extra precautions when in busy areas or if you are visiting during a festival are recommended. 

Outside of Ulaanbaatar most of Mongolia is rugged with few paved roads and infrastructure. Finding tour guides outside the city is difficult and you may face possible scams. This is why traveling to Mongolia on a tour is one of the best and safest ways to see the country. 

Mongolia has a high population of domestic and stray dogs. While some dogs may laze around all day, others may be prone to chasing cars or horses. It’s best to stay away from the dogs as to not be injured or be bitten. 

While health issues have popped up in Mongolia here or there, you should still get any necessary vaccinations or boosters before leaving. 

The weather in Mongolia can be very windy and sunny. Make sure to hydrate while you are there to avoid dehydration, especially out in the Gobi Desert. 

Best Time to Visit Mongolia

• Year round (but winter is very cold!)
• Follow the festivals

Mongolia lives up to its nickname, “The Land of the Blue Sky.” Mongolia sees the sun anywhere between 230 to 260 days a year. This means you’re left with multiple times of the year to visit this Asian country. 

Picking the best time of year can depend on the weather and what festival you want to experience. Each season is characterized by different festivals and weather changes. 

June through August, the weather is warm and enjoyable to be out in the steppe. This is also the time of Mongolia’s most famous festival the Naadam Festival. The autumn months see a change in color and cooler temperatures along with the Golden Eagle Festival. Autumn is also the best time to visit the Gobi Desert as temperatures are cool. 

The winters in Mongolia can be harsh and very cold. However, there is plenty of snow for outdoor activities and dog sledding. You can also experience the country’s largest festival, Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year). 

The spring brings warmer and rainy weather but boasts the most festivals to experience like the 1000 Camel Festival. Spring is also when you can visit local nomadic tribes and see the recently born camels, dogs, and horses that are a part of everyday life for the nomadic herders. 

Who Will Enjoy Traveling to Mongolia? 

• Adventure travelers
• Off the beaten path travelers
• Horseback riders
• Photographers

Travelers who are looking to experience a country that is off-the-beaten-path will fall in love with Mongolia. Mongolia is generally not known for luxury travel as many of the best experiences are staying in homestays in the steppe, camping on the edge of mountains, or four-wheeling on the rocky roads. 

Adventure travelers will enjoy the diverse activities you can do in each of Mongolia’s climates. You can go horseback riding in the mountains, fly fishing in the rivers, and camel rides in the Gobi Desert. 

Photographers will truly love panoramic views you’ll be able to find in Mongolia. Many parts of Mongolia are treeless which means you can see for miles and catch stunning pictures of this untouched country. 

Packing Tips for Mongolia

What to bring to Mongolia depends on what you will be doing. If you are camping in the steppe or trekking in the mountains you may need different things. The key thing to remember is to bring layers.  

Even during the summer, Mongolia can be cool. Make sure to pack jackets, scarves, fleece shirts, pants, shorts, and waterproof shoes are essential. Also make sure to pack windbreakers, lip balm, and sunscreen when visiting. Since the Gobi Desert and the steppe are treeless, the wind can be very strong and you can get windburn. Mongolia also sees a large amount of sun during the year which means you don’t want to get sunburned during your hikes or camel rides. 

There is a small number of paved roads outside of Ulaanbaatar. You will often be riding in four-wheelers, on horses, or in off-roading vehicles. For those who get motion sickness easily, pack some motion sickness pills our patches for your adventures. 

Bringing along a small backpack or day back is a must when visiting Mongolia. These packs make it easier to get out and explore on day trips or when you are horseback riding instead of carrying a large backpack or small purse. 

Nearby Countries 

If you are visiting Mongolia, you may want to consider visiting some nearby countries on your trip. There are some tour operators that combine Mongolia with nearby stops in Russia and China. 

You can also extend your trip by visiting one of the hotspots for recent travelers, Central Asia. Like Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan sat on the Silk Road and were influenced by trade from East to West. 

You can also head farther into East Asia and visit South Korea. Beijing is one of the closest Chinese cities to Mongolia and would be an amazing, colorful end to your trip before flying back home. 

Another possible option is taking the Trans-Siberian Railway. This famous railway crosses Mongolia and you can hop on going either direction towards Russia or China. 

Common Tour Routes of Mongolia

Mongolian tours typically begin and end in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Depending on what theme of the tour you are going on will dictate where you go. For major highlights of the country, you likely make a big circle going through the steppe and the Gobi Desert with stops in some of the country’s colorful monasteries. 

Adventure tours of Mongolia take you out into nature for multiple days. These tours range anywhere from 8-16 days. 

Visiting Mongolia on the Trans-Siberian Railway typically begins in Moscow or Beijing. Trans-Siberian Railway tours are at least 15 days and much of your time is spent on the train getting from place to place. The stops on this railway are legendary and worth the cramped legs from the long ride.