Things to Do in Mongolia in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Mongolia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
77°F (25°C)
High Temp
68°F (20°C)
Low Temp
2.0 inches (51 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden temperature drops can reach -15°C (5°F) overnight - pack for potential extreme cold even during warm days
⚠ Gobi dust storms reduce visibility to 100m (328 ft) and can last 2-3 days - carry dust masks if traveling south
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + November is shoulder season - you'll have the Gobi's Flaming Cliffs almost to yourself while tour operators still run daily departures
- + Airag (fermented mare's milk) is at its freshest from late summer foaling - November is your last chance before winter storage begins
- + The Naadam stadium in Ulaanbaatar hosts wrestling exhibitions for locals - tourists rarely know to attend these Saturday matches
- + Eagle hunters near Ölgii are training their birds daily before winter hunting season - you'll photograph them without the tourist crowds of September
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% from peak summer while most ger camps remain open until December 1st
Considerations
- − Daylight hours shrink to 9.5 hours by late November - you'll need to start outdoor activities by 8am
- − The first snow typically hits the steppes around November 20th - ger camp operators may close early if it's heavy
- − Domestic flights face 40% cancellation rates during November's notorious dust storms that roll across the Gobi
- − Most nomadic families have already moved their winter camps - you'll see fewer traditional gers on the landscape
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Gobi Desert Photography Expeditions
November's dry air creates the clearest light of the year on the Flaming Cliffs - sunrise hits the red sandstone at 7:30am and turns the entire formation orange. The Bayanzag saxaul forest drops its leaves, creating alien-like silhouettes against pale dunes. With only 10% of summer visitors, you'll have the dinosaur excavation sites to yourself.
Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead through operators with 4WD vehicles - November's sudden temperature swings can freeze radiator fluid overnight. Check the booking widget below for current Gobi tours departing Ulaanbaatar.
Eagle Hunter Photography Workshops
Near Ölgii in western Mongolia, Kazakh eagle hunters train their golden eagles daily before winter hunting begins. November's low sun creates dramatic shadows on the snow-dusted Altai peaks while hunters demonstrate traditional calling techniques in their full fox-fur coats. The birds are at peak condition before the harsh hunting season.
Booking Tip: Arrange through community-based tourism cooperatives rather than individual families - they ensure fair payment distribution. Book 5-7 days ahead as weather determines availability.
Ulaanbaatar Winter Market Food Tours
The covered Narantuul market transforms into a winter pantry during November - vendors sell fresh horse sausage (kazy), airag in plastic jugs, and the season's last wild blueberries from the taiga. The meat section smells of juniper smoke from traditional preservation methods. Temperature-controlled sections keep dairy products fresh as outdoor temperatures fluctuate.
Booking Tip: Join morning tours starting at 9am - vendors are freshest and most willing to offer samples before lunch rush. Look for guides who speak some Kazakh for the blueberry sellers from western provinces.
Khustain National Park Wild Horse Tracking
November is prime time to spot the world's only wild horses - the takhi (Przewalski's horse) gather in larger herds before winter, making them easier to locate against the golden steppe grass. The park's birch forests turn yellow, creating striking contrast with the dun-colored horses. With no leaves on trees, visibility extends for kilometers.
Booking Tip: Book 3-5 days ahead for ranger-guided tours - they know which valleys hold the main herds. Bring binoculars and warm layers; you'll spend 2-3 hours stationary while tracking.
Terelj National Park Ger Craft Workshops
November's first snows drive nomadic families toward winter pastures near Terelj, where they've set up permanent winter gers. Local women demonstrate felt-making using the season's first wool - you'll smell the lanolin as they pound wet fleece into thick felt using techniques unchanged since Genghis Khan's era. The workshops end with traditional dairy product tastings.
Booking Tip: Book 2-3 days ahead - workshops depend on weather and family availability. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet during felt-making; wool grease stains permanently.
Where to Stay in Mongolia in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late November (typically the last weekend)
Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival Opening Ceremony
The city government inaugurates winter activities with ice sculpture competitions at Sükhbaatar Square. Local artists carve Buddhist symbols and traditional motifs into 2-meter blocks while vendors sell hot airag and fried dough. The event runs for three days but opening day features traditional throat singing performances.
Throughout November
State Department Store November Food Fair
Mongolia's largest supermarket dedicates its entire third floor to regional specialties during November. You'll find reindeer cheese from the Tsaatan people, camel wool products from the Gobi, and the first fermented mare's milk of winter. The smell of rendered yak butter fills the air as vendors demonstrate traditional dairy processing.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Mongolia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The State Department Store's basement food court serves the best buuz (steamed dumplings) in Ulaanbaatar - locals queue at the stall furthest from the entrance
November 15th is the unofficial start of winter - ger camp operators who haven't closed by then often offer 50% discounts for late bookings
Download the 'UB Cab' app before arrival - November's dust storms make walking between ger districts miserable and taxis become scarce
Bring small denomination tugrug notes for countryside purchases - nomads rarely have change for 20,000 notes
The Korean restaurant on Seoul Street serves actual Korean food (not Mongolian-Korean fusion) and is where embassy staff eat - useful for homesick travelers
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking ger camps without heating - many close their permanent facilities in November, leaving only summer gers with no stoves
Assuming domestic flights run on schedule - build 2-day buffers into your itinerary for November's notorious weather delays
Wearing jeans - they stay cold and damp for hours after morning dew or light snow, making ger camp stays miserable
Taking photos of people without permission - Mongolians are generally accommodating but November's harsh conditions make some herders less patient with tourists
Book Experiences in Mongolia
Top-rated things to do in Mongolia this November
Explore More Activities in Mongolia
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Mongolia.
See All Mongolia Tours on Viator