Best Time to Travel to Mongolia

When is the best time to travel Mongolia? 

The best time to travel Mongolia depends on what YOU want to see and do! There really is no right or wrong answer and Mongolia is a mystical country to visit at any time of year! The best time of year to go to Mongolia will depend on what you are hoping to do. Looking to eyewitness Naadam Festival in Mongolia? On the hunt for the ancient eagle hunting tradition at Golden Eagle Festival? Hoping to capture the beauty of Mongolian Gobi Desert at its best? 

Of course, we’ll help you make the right decision – here’s quick Mongolia travel guide to exploring this incredibly exotic destination in the world which will leave you much more than just adventure. 

Weather in Mongolia 

Mongolia is known as the "Land of Blue Sky": there are about 250 sunny days throughout the year. The weather in Mongolia can be characterized as dry, cold, and sunny. Because the country is so far from the regulating influence of any oceans. Mongolia has a continental climate and it brings great extremes in weather. It is possible to see 4 seasons in one day, even in July it snows in the mountains.

What is the ideal season to travel in Mongolia?

The ideal season to travel in Mongolia starts from May and hits its highest peak in July, during the Naadam holiday- highlight festival of Mongolia, and in July and August, the weather is most favorable for traveling. This is the best time if you like the culture and the beauty of nature. 
The weather during the summer varies from aimag to aimag, but it is generally hot. Outside of the Gobi desert, this time of the year is marked with rains in some areas, and it becomes quite chilly at night.

Cultural performance at Naadam Festival- read more about the festival - Outstanding photos of Naadam Festival 

Horse racing competition -One of Three Mainly Games of Mongols 

Mongolian summer life in the countryside 

When is the best time to travel Mongolian Gobi desert?

Autumn, especially, in September and October, is the best period to travel in the Gobi desert. For other regions; September is also a very good time to visit, and October is not too late to travel to Mongolia. It is still warm during the days but a bit chilly during the nights. 
There are a few attractive and authentic events held in autumn. Such as Danshig Religious festival, local horse festivals, Yak festivals and challenging national and international marathons in Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia, at Taiga and Khovsgol lake in northern Mongolia. 

Read more about Mongolian Gobi Desert- Awe-Inspiring Images Of The Gobi That Will Leave You Mesmerized

The best time to travel Mongolian Altai Mountains in western Mongolia 

Incredible offers of October in Mongolia gives you the chance to explore its hidden gems in Western Mongolia. Globally renown –Golden Eagle festival is organized at the beginning of October, annually, in Bayan-Ulgii province. 

Read more about Golden Eagle Festival – Exciting 2 days at Golden Eagle Festival and How to take great photos at Golden Eagle Festival?

Kazakh nomad family in Altai Mountain regions in Western Mongolia

The Best Time to explore Mongolian winter adventure

For visitors who are not afraid of cold, traveling to Mongolia from November till the Lunar New Year is still an option. Mongolian winter has its own beautiful scenery. Winter tourism is developing in Mongolia in the last few years. There are some enjoyable events held in winter such as “Winter Festival” and “Ice Festival” in Hovsgol Lake, “Camel Festival” in Gobi desert area.  Mongolia offers other daily activities to do in winter:  dog sledding, ice skating, and skiing etc...

Read more about Winter Horse Festival- Mongolia Winter Horse Festival Tour – Equine Photography Workshops

Read more about Ice festival - Journey to the Ice Festival on Khovsgol Lake in Northern Mongolia

Tsaatan people- Reindeer herders winter life 

The best time to help and volunteer nomads of Mongolia 

The most exciting experience while traveling in Mongolia is visiting the nomads. But in spring (February, March, and April), more than just visiting, helping and volunteering herders life when they are needed help and it is the best time to see that how Mongolian nomads receive baby animals and care for them. This is a chance to experience their culture during "Tsagaan Sar" (traditional Lunar New Year) celebration. Kazakh's holiday-  “Nauryz - Spring Festival” is held in Bayan –Ulgii aimag in western Mongolia. More than cultural things, Mongolian spring nature changes, and beauties are worthy to explore, such as early spring flowers and spring migration of beautiful birds. 

Mongolia has something special to offer every month of the year. As such, when to travel Mongolia will depend entirely on your personal interests: be it more at discovering unique nomadic life, attending cultural events and festivals, hiking, riding adventure of camel and horse or even yak and reindeer, a healthy dose of sunshine or a glimmer of autumnal gold, feeling taste of freedom on endless steppe and exploring winter life of herders.