Mongolia in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Mongolia

-5°C (23°F) High Temp

-25°C (-13°F) Low Temp

5 mm (0.2 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Crystal-clear winter skies offer unparalleled stargazing opportunities - November has 20+ clear nights with minimal light pollution across 95% of the country
Frozen landscapes create spectacular ice formations on rivers and lakes, making it prime season for ice fishing and winter photography
Rock-bottom accommodation prices - guesthouses and gers cost 40-60% less than summer rates, with many offering winter heating packages
Authentic nomadic winter culture experience - herders move livestock to winter shelters, offering genuine insight into traditional survival techniques

Considerations

Extreme cold makes outdoor activities challenging - temperatures drop to -25°C (-13°F) requiring specialized gear and limiting daily exposure to 2-3 hours
Many tourist ger camps close completely, reducing accommodation options by 70% outside Ulaanbaatar
Domestic flights frequently canceled due to weather - expect 20-30% cancellation rate for regional routes to Bayan-Olgii and Khovd

Best Activities in November

Winter Eagle Festival Training Sessions

November is preparation season for the famous Golden Eagle Festival. Kazakh hunters in Bayan-Olgii province train their eagles for winter hunting, offering intimate glimpses of this ancient practice without tourist crowds. Temperatures of -20°C (-4°F) at 2,000m (6,562 ft) altitude create perfect conditions for eagle bonding.

Booking Tip: Book through Bayan-Olgii based operators 3-4 weeks ahead. Expect costs of $150-250/day including warm clothing rental and eagle handler fees. Requires 4WD transport and winter camping gear. See current tour options in booking section below.

Khovsgol Ice Festival Preparations

Lake Khovsgol begins freezing in November, creating 30-50cm (12-20 inch) thick ice perfect for early winter activities. Local communities prepare ice sculptures and traditional winter games. The lake's 136 km (85 mile) shoreline offers endless frozen landscapes for photography and cultural immersion.

Booking Tip: Winter ger camps near Khatgal charge $80-120/night with heating. Book ice fishing equipment rental locally for $25-40/day. Transportation requires winter-equipped vehicles costing $100-150/day. See current accommodation options in booking section below.

Gobi Desert Winter Camel Trekking

November transforms the Gobi into a winter wonderland with occasional snow dusting red sand dunes. Temperatures range from -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F), making it comfortable for 4-6 hour camel rides. Two-humped Bactrian camels grow thick winter coats, creating postcard-perfect scenes.

Booking Tip: South Gobi operators offer 2-3 day winter packages for $180-280/person. Includes felt-lined gers with heating and winter gear. Book through Dalanzadgad based companies 2-3 weeks ahead. See current desert tour options in booking section below.

Ulaanbaatar Winter Cultural Immersion

November marks the start of Mongolia's cultural season with traditional music performances, felt-making workshops, and winter solstice preparations. Indoor activities become essential as outdoor temperatures drop. The State Yerevan and Cultural Palace offer heating and authentic performances.

Booking Tip: Traditional craft workshops cost $30-60/day including materials. Opera tickets range $10-25 for November performances. Book accommodations in central districts for walking access to heated venues. See current cultural tour options in booking section below.

Terelj Winter Landscape Photography

Terelj National Park's granite rock formations create dramatic contrast against November snow. The park's 2,900 km² (1,120 square miles) offer endless compositions with frozen streams and snow-laden trees. Clear winter air provides exceptional visibility for landscape photography.

Booking Tip: Winter photo tours cost $120-180/day including transport and guide. Specialized winter camping gear rental adds $40-60/day. Book photography guides familiar with winter conditions and wildlife patterns. See current photography tour options in booking section below.

November Events & Festivals

Mid November

Traditional Winter Preparation Ceremonies

Herder families across Mongolia perform ancient rituals to prepare livestock and families for harsh winter months. These private ceremonies involve offerings to sky gods and blessing of winter shelters. Witnessing these provides deep cultural insight unavailable during tourist seasons.

Late November

Ulaanbaatar Winter Arts Festival

Local artists showcase winter-themed traditional and contemporary works across the capital's heated galleries and cultural centers. Features felt art, winter landscape paintings, and traditional music celebrating Mongolia's harsh season survival culture.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Extreme cold weather boots rated to -30°C (-22°F) - essential for walking on ice and snow during 2-3 hour outdoor excursions

Layering system with merino wool base layer, fleece mid-layer, and windproof outer shell - temperatures swing 20°C (36°F) between day and night

Insulated water bottle - regular bottles freeze solid within 30 minutes at -25°C (-13°F)

High SPF lip balm and face protection - UV reflects off snow creating intense exposure even with low UV index of 2

Emergency hand and foot warmers - essential backup when spending more than 1 hour outdoors

Waterproof camera protection - condensation forms rapidly when moving between -25°C (-13°F) outside and heated indoor spaces

Cash in small denominations - many rural areas operate cash-only and ATMs may freeze in extreme cold

Portable phone charger - batteries drain 3x faster in extreme cold temperatures

Thick wool socks and sock liners - prevents frostbite during long outdoor activities

Balaclava or face mask - protects exposed skin from windchill that can reach -35°C (-31°F)

Insider Knowledge

Mongolians start preparing winter meat supplies in November - join families for traditional meat preservation techniques and taste authentic winter foods like borts (dried meat)

Hotel heating systems often malfunction during first cold snaps - book accommodations with backup heating sources or recent renovation records

Domestic flights operate early morning schedules (6-9am) to avoid afternoon weather build-up - book first flights of the day for 70% better on-time performance

November is peak season for cashmere production - visit herder families to purchase directly from source at 40-50% lower prices than Ulaanbaatar markets

Avoid These Mistakes

Bringing cotton clothing instead of wool or synthetic materials - cotton retains moisture and becomes dangerous in sub-zero temperatures

Booking accommodations without confirmed heating systems - many tourist gers shut down heating to save costs during low season

Planning full-day outdoor activities - November daylight lasts only 9 hours (8am-5pm) and safe outdoor exposure is limited to 2-3 hours