This landlocked nation is vast, remote, and pretty much untouched by tourism. If you love the great outdoors, ancient cultures and really getting off the beaten track, Mongolia is the place for you. Spend the night in a traditional Ger tent, hike through dramatic mountain ranges and awe-inspiring deserts, visit tell-tale temples and experience true nomadic living. Get ready to discover somewhere really out of the ordinary…
Travel to Mongolia
Mongolia is known for overland travel and forms part of famous rail routes such as the Trans Mongolian. Many will therefore enter the country overland. Alternatively, if travelling by air your likely entry point with be the capital Ulaanbaatar with a connecting flight from locations such as Frankfurt, Moscow and Beijing. Most nationalities will require a tourist visa to visit Mongolia, so make sure you check what documentation you need ahead of time.
When is the best time of year to visit Mongolia?
Given its central continental location, temperatures in Mongolia are extreme. From December to February temperatures drop to the low minuses. Spring and autumn are prone to changeable weather and hover between freezing and around 9 degrees Celsius. June to August sees warmer temperatures reaching the mid twenties with the odd storm. The famous Nadaam festivals usually take place in July – an amazing time to visit but be sure to book transport and accommodation in advance.
Mongolia Highlights
Trans-Mongolian Journeys
Without a doubt one of the greatest railway journeys on the planet, crossing countries, time zones and continents! Down vodka with the locals on the trains and jump into icy lakes, horse-ride across the wide open steppe and spend cosy nights in traditional gers.
Ulaanbaatar
For all the serenity of the majority of Mongolia, the capital Ulaanbaatar is a huge contrast. This chaotic, booming city couldn’t be more different to the peacefulness of the plains. As the economic centre of the country, this city is a strange hive of modernity colliding with the ancient and traditional. Be sure to visit Gandan Khiid and Choijin Lama Temple and the National Museum of Mongolia.
The Gobi Desert
This is a place to get away from it all. The vast expanses of sand dunes are awe-inspiring and give the feeling of being alone in the world. As the scenery changes you’ll encounter incredible canyons and never ending plains – dramatic and other-worldly. Camel riding through the desert gives a sense of travelling back in time, as does staying at a traditional Ger camp, a truly memorable experience.
Kharkhorin
Once the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, Kharkhorin is today known for its fascinating Erdene Zuu Khiid, the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. There are numerous Ger camps in the area, great for experiencing local living. The town is a good base to explore the surrounding area – the beautiful lakes of Naiman Nuur, the foothills of the Khangai Mountains and the Orkhon Valley.
Trans-Mongolian Journeys & Mongolia Adventure Tours
The vast expanses of Mongolia mean that independent travel is difficult. Most visitors join an overland adventure tour, allowing easier access to the remote locations across the country as well as the expert knowledge of local guides. Check out a few of our favourite tours below and get in touch with our Travel Experts for more.