BEST TIME TO VISIT MONGOLIA

September 8, 2023

If you’re planning a trip to Mongolia, one of the most important decisions to make is when to go. The thing is, there are a lot of factors to consider: the weather, your desired activities, what festivals are taking place, and seasonal considerations.

Luckily, the following guide goes over everything you need to think about when choosing when to visit Mongolia so that you can make an informed decision.

⏳ My top Mongolia travel recommendations include:

✈️ Airport Transfer: Book that here

🏨 Hotel: Puma Imperial Hotel (in Ulaanbaatar)

🗺️ Tours: Viator

🎒 Multi-Day Tour Operator: WHOA – use code JESSIEONAJOURNEY for $100 off!

📍Recommended Excursions:
🐎 Genghis Khan Statue with Terelj National Park & Aryabal Temple
🇲🇳 4-Day Essencence on Mongolia Tour
🛍️ Full-Day Tour of Ulaanbaatar with Museum & Black Market
🥾 Bogd Khan National Park Hiking Day Trip

🥘 Cooking Class: Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs

🏥 Travel Insurance: SafetyWing

📞 Staying Connected: Airalo eSIM

🐎 Genghis Khan Statue with Terelj National Park & Aryabal Temple
🥘 Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs
🇲🇳 4-Day Essencence on Mongolia Tour
🛍️ Full-Day Tour of Ulaanbaatar with Museum & Black Market
🥾 Bogd Khan National Park Hiking Day Trip

👉 Click here for a full list of Mongolia tours.

Table of Contents

FREE MONGOLIA TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES

But first, before we dive into our guide on the best time of year to visit Mongolia, I invite you to grab access to Jessie’s free Ultimate Travel Planning Kit — which includes 40+ travel resources — from printables to quizzes to itineraries — all meant to help you explore the world beyond the guidebook!

10 Day California Road Trip Itinerary — Click here for free access to the Ultimate Travel Planning Kit!

Some highlights of the kit include:

Free “Where Should You Travel Next?” personality quiz
Pre-plotted Google Maps for 45+ destinations
Travel budget calculators to help you save money
Printable travel journal with writing prompts
Packing lists for different types of trips
And more!

Once you’ve grabbed your copy, keep reading to determine the best season to visit Mongolia based on your itinerary goals.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT MONGOLIA

Mongolia is one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever visited. First of all, it’s hardly touched by tourism – with only about 66,900 tourists per year. This means you can still have a very authentic experience that isn’t watered down to appeal to the masses.

While there are places you go and see a lot, Mongolia is a place you will go and experience a lot – including many that will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before!

If interested, you can learn more about my Mongolia itinerary here. It highlights some of the best places to visit in Mongolia, like the Gobi Desert, the Altai Mountains, and Hustai National Park.

traveler watching sunset in the Gobi Desert during summer in Mongolia — Watching sunset in the Gobi Desert. Photo via Jessie Festa (Jessie on a Journey)

BEST TIME TO VISIT MONGOLIA

Now let’s analyze the best time to visit Mongolia based on the season.

VISITING MONGOLIA DURING PEAK SEASON

The best time to visit Mongolia could vary depending on your preferred activities and preferences. Mongolia has several distinct seasons, each offering a unique experience.

However, the peak tourist season in Mongolia is from late June to early September, aligning with the short but splendid summer. During this period, temperatures hover between 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F), allowing comfortable conditions for outdoor adventures like trekking, horseback riding, and camping – all excellent experiences that Mongolia is best known for.

During the summer, Mongolia’s expansive grasslands also burst with life, adorned with vibrant wildflowers and thriving wildlife, making it a photographer’s dream!

Of the summer months, July and August are particularly popular as the best time to visit Mongolia because the Naadam Festival takes place, an emblematic event showcasing Mongolian sports and cultural events.

Note that due to the country’s continental climate evenings can still be cool, so pack layers.

plan your trip to Mongolia around the Danshig Naadam Festival — The Danshig Naadam Festival is definitely worth the travel! Image source: Bernd Thaller for Pxhere

VISITING MONGOLIA DURING SHOULD SEASON

The shoulder seasons of spring (April and May) and early fall (September) are also good months to visit, though Mongolia’s weather can be more unpredictable during this time.

Spring brings renewal, with lush landscapes and temperatures gradually climbing.

On the other hand, fall tinges the surroundings with golden hues, while the clear skies make it an excellent time for photography.

Mongolian winters (October to March) are harsh and require extra preparation, with temperatures plummeting well below freezing. Many tourist facilities may also be closed during this time. However, the vast white landscape and the subzero temperatures make for an exciting adventure in itself!

WORST TIME TO VISIT MONGOLIA

While this is subjective, many agree that the worst time to visit Mongolia is during the harsh winter months from October to March.

Temperatures plummet to extreme lows, often reaching -40°C (-40°F) or even lower in some areas. The country becomes a frozen expanse with heavy snowfall, making travel challenging and many regions inaccessible.

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