Things to Do in Mongolia

About Mongolia

Mongolia isn't seen so much as felt — a cold gust of air that smells of dried dung and juniper smoke the moment you step off the plane at Chinggis Khaan International, a sky so vast and star-crowded it makes you feel small in the best way. This is a country of negative space: the Gobi Desert where the wind sculpts dunes into silent, golden waves, the steppe outside Ulaanbaatar that rolls toward Russia without a fence in sight, and the alpine silence of Khövsgöl Nuur, a lake so clear and deep the locals call it ‘Mother Sea’. Ulaanbaatar itself, the capital, is a jarring, fascinating collision — Soviet-era apartment blocks loom over the gilded eaves of Gandan Monastery, where the morning chant of monks competes with the honk of Russian jeeps. You can hire a horse and guide for a three-day trek into Terelj National Park for about 120,000 MNT per day (around $35), sleeping in a ger camp where the mutton stew tastes of woodsmoke and the Milky Way is your nightlight. But the freedom comes with friction: roads are often just tire tracks in the grass, Wi-Fi vanishes an hour outside the capital, and the winter cold can drop to -40°C/F, a brutal but breathtaking season when the land turns to a white desert. You come here not to see things, but to feel the weight of your own insignificance under an endless blue sky — and to understand why a nation of nomads still measures wealth in horses, not houses.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Getting around Mongolia requires a shift from ‘point-to-point’ to ‘point-to-vast-expanse’ thinking. In Ulaanbaatar, the bus system is cheap (500 MNT, about $0.15) but chaotic; your best bet is to use the UBCab app, which functions like Uber and cuts out the haggling. For travel beyond the capital, you have two real choices: domestic flights on Hunnu Air or Aero Mongolia (a one-way to Ölgii in the west runs about 350,000 MNT / $102), or hiring a driver with a Russian 4x4 van (a ‘UAZ’). The latter is the real Mongolian experience — expect to pay 80,000-120,000 MNT ($23-$35) per day, including the driver/guide. The insider move: book through a reputable local tour operator in UB, even if you’re traveling independently. They vet the drivers, provide a translated itinerary, and can be a lifeline if your van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, which happens to be most of Mongolia.

Money: The Mongolian tögrög (MNT) is a cash-first, plastic-second currency everywhere outside upscale UB hotels. ATMs are plentiful in the capital but become mythical creatures in the countryside. Withdraw more cash than you think you’ll need before any trip beyond city limits. A decent dinner in a UB restaurant runs 15,000-25,000 MNT ($4-$7), while a bottle of water from a roadside stall might be 1,500 MNT ($0.44). Credit cards are accepted in larger stores, but the widespread scam is dynamic currency conversion — always choose to pay in tögrög, not your home currency, to avoid a hidden 3-5% fee. Tipping isn’t deeply ingrained, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for excellent service in restaurants and for guides is appreciated. For market haggling, start at about half the asking price and meet in the middle with a smile.

Cultural Respect: Mongolian culture is built on hospitality and subtle codes. When entering a ger (the traditional felt dwelling), step over the threshold, not on it, and move clockwise inside. The most important rule: never touch another person’s head, not even a child’s, as the head is considered sacred. When offered a bowl of airag (fermented mare’s milk) — which you will be, with a sharp, fizzy, slightly sour taste — accept it with your right hand, your left hand supporting your right elbow as a sign of respect. A small sip is fine; it’s the gesture that matters. When passing an ovoo (a sacred cairn of stones and prayer flags on a mountain pass), circle it three times clockwise and add a stone of your own for safe journey. Photography is generally fine, but always ask before taking pictures of people, especially herders and monks. A simple nod and a gesture to your camera is enough.

Food Safety: Mongolian cuisine is meat, dairy, and flour, often all in one steaming bowl. The national dish, khorkhog, is mutton cooked with hot stones inside a sealed pot — it’s incredibly tender and safe, as the cooking method is thorough. Street food in UB, like buuz (steamed dumplings) from the Central Market food hall, is generally safe if it’s hot and busy. The bigger challenge for Western stomachs is the heavy reliance on dairy: fermented mare’s milk (airag), dried curds (aaruul), and salty milk tea. Introduce these gradually. The golden rule for water: in cities, bottled is easy; in the countryside, assume all surface water needs boiling or purification tablets. An insider trick: carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use it religiously before eating with your hands, which is how most traditional meals are enjoyed. The gut-adjusting probiotic? Many locals swear by a daily shot of vodka, but a packet of rehydration salts in your daypack is the wiser traveler’s choice.

When to Visit

Choosing your month in Mongolia is less about the weather you prefer and more about the version of the country you want to experience. The short, glorious summer (June to August) is the default window for a reason: days are warm (20-25°C / 68-77°F), the steppe is green, and the Naadam Festival in mid-July erupts with wrestling, archery, and horse racing. This is also peak season, where ger camp prices can jump 50% and the limited flights book out months ahead. September is the local secret: the crowds thin, the air turns crisp, the golden larch trees in Terelj glow, and hotel rates begin their slide. Winter (December-February) is for the intrepid: temperatures plunge to -25°C to -40°C (-13°F to -40°F), but the sky is a crystal-clear blue, the tourist sites are empty, and you can dog-sled on frozen Khövsgöl Lake or visit the Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii. Spring (April-May) is the challenging shoulder season — the infamous ‘dzud’ snow melts, turning roads to rivers of mud, and the wind whips dust across the plains. For most first-timers, late June or early September hits the sweet spot: manageable weather, relatively passable roads, and a Mongolia that feels vast and open, not crowded.