Things to Do in Mongolia

About Mongolia

The wind punches first—no greeting, just a steady shove at 4,000 feet, carrying fermented mare's milk and burning dung from the gers scattered across the hills outside Ulaanbaatar. This isn't postcard wilderness. This is Mongolia's daily grind, where nomads still trail their herds through the seasons and the capital looks like someone's bet that concrete can cling to the planet's edge. You'll crash in UB's Soviet apartment blocks along Peace Avenue. A bowl of tsuivan noodles runs 8,000₮ ($2.30) and the air tastes like a mouthful of coins thanks to coal smoke. Then push south to the Gobi's Khongoryn Els, where dunes sing when the wind angles right—a low growl you feel in your boot soles—and summer nights still dive to -15°C. The deal: $150 per day buys a basic ger with a family who've been hosting wanderers for three generations. The toilet remains a hole in the ground. Sit by the iron stove, sip airag, listen to a herder explain why horses spot ghosts humans miss. That's the moment Mongolia rewires your sense of scale, space, and how small a person can feel.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Mongolia doesn't do trains—she runs on Russian furgons that depart Dragon Center in UB once they're stuffed full, usually around 6 AM sharp. A seat south to the Gobi runs 45,000₮ ($13) and chews up 12 hours on washboard roads that'll rattle fillings loose. Skip the punishment: Hunnu Air's hop to Dalanzadgad costs $180 round-trip and buys back two full days of spine compression. In UB itself, the #11 bus from the airport to Sukhbaatar Square is 500₮ ($0.15)—locals will spot your confusion and point you to the right stop without being asked.

Money: Khan Bank's airport ATM gives the best rates—stock up there, because cash rules Mongolia and ATMs vanish once you leave UB. Hit the Seoul Street branch next. Guesthouses and tour operators demand USD, which still surprises everyone, but you'll need 20,000₮ notes for everything else. Cards work at State Department Store and luxury hotels, yet Modern Nomads wants cash for dinner. Here's the truth: those guys whispering "dollars, dollars" at the bus station offer rates worse than any bank. Don't believe them.

Cultural Respect: Never step on a ger threshold—those boards guard the family's protective spirits. When you're handed snuff bottle, sniff it politely even if tobacco makes you gag; refusing equals rejecting a handshake. The Naadam Festival in July is spectacular but packed—skip the opening ceremony if crowds crush you. Real insider move: bring small gifts (cigarettes work) for nomad families you'll meet on tours; they'll pour fermented mare's milk and tell stories about wrestling champions their grandfather knew.

Food Safety: Airag (fermented mare's milk) tastes like sour beer mixed with yogurt and hits 3% alcohol — drink the first bowl offered or risk offense, but you're allowed to sip slowly. Buuz dumplings from street carts are generally safe if they're steaming hot and locals are queuing. The real challenge is mutton fat overload; your stomach will protest by day three. Pack Imodium, but don't be dramatic about it. At the State Department Store food court, Modern Nomads serves sanitized versions of traditional dishes for 15,000₮ ($4.30) if you need a break from family-cooked meals.

When to Visit

January in Mongolia is no joke — -30°C (-22°F) in Ulaanbaatar, -40°C (-40°F) on the steppe. July hits 25°C (77°F) but the sun won't quit. May and September deliver the goods: 15-20°C (59-68°F) days, cobalt skies, nomads still grazing their herds in summer pastures. Smart money visits then — hotel prices in UB drop 30% during these shoulder months. That decent room costing $80 in July? You'll pay $55 in September. The Naadam Festival (July 11-15) jacks accommodation prices 300%. Worth every tugrik. Wrestling, horse racing, archery — competitions straight from Genghis Khan's empire. Most authentic cultural experience you'll ever witness. October brings the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii. Kazakh hunters show off 4,000-year-old falconry traditions. Nights already drop to 5°C (41°F). Pack warm. Winter delivers brutal beauty. The Ice Festival on Lake Khövsgöl in March features reindeer races, ice sculptures, -30°C gear requirements. Flights cancel. Often. Budget travelers: late May or early June. Ger camps charge 40,000₮ ($11) instead of 60,000₮ ($17). The steppe erupts in wildflowers. Total magic. Families with kids: August works. Milder nights, baby animals everywhere. Peak season means 50% higher tour costs. Still worth it. Solo travelers: October deals. Tour companies slash prices 25% to fill last spots before winter locks down the country.