When is the best time to travel Mongolia?
The best time to visit Mongolia depends entirely on the activities you want to do and view in the country! There is no correct or incorrect time to visit Mongolia; it is a magical place that can be enjoyed at any time of year. The best months to visit Mongolia will depend on what you’re interested in doing. Are you looking to see the Naadam Festival? Would you like to participate in the hunting ceremony for eagles during the Golden Eagle Festival? Or perhaps you’d like to see the stunning Gobi Desert when it’s in full bloom at its ideal time of year?
Regardless, we will help you make a good choice for the best time to travel to Mongolia! Here is a compact travel guide to Mongolia showing you what makes this one of the most exotic destinations around and that you will take with you more than just adventure.
Weather in Mongolia
Mongolia is sometimes referred to as the “Land of the Blue Sky”: throughout the year, almost 250 days are sunny. The weather of Mongolia is characterized as being dry, clear (meaning you will not see any rain), and cold due to its distance from the ocean’s moderating influence. The continental climate of Mongolia is the result of Mongolia’s position and creates significant extremes in temperature and precipitation. In fact, you can experience four distinct seasons in one day, and even in July, snow may fall in the mountains!
Mongolia’s Climate Overview
Mongolia experiences an extreme continental climate, characterized by long, bitterly cold winters and short but warm summers. The country is one of the coldest in Asia, with temperatures often dropping to –30°C (–22°F) or lower during the winter months, especially in the northern and central regions. In contrast, summer brings warm and pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures rising to +30°C (86°F) in many areas, particularly in the Gobi Desert.
The reason for such dramatic seasonal differences lies in Mongolia’s geography. It is a vast, landlocked country with no access to the sea, which means there are no ocean currents to moderate the temperature. In addition, its high elevation—averaging around 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level—and expansive open landscapes contribute to rapid heating in summer and severe cooling in winter.
This sharp contrast between seasons not only shapes Mongolia’s landscapes but also defines the travel experience. While summer opens the doors to outdoor adventures like horseback riding, hiking, and camping in the steppe, winter transforms the country into a frozen wonderland, offering unique cultural experiences and festivals on ice.
Best time to visit Mongolia:
| Season | Month | Avg Temperature (Day/Night) | Tips & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec – Feb | -22°C / -30°C (Dec), -20°C / -26°C (Jan), -14°C / -20°C (Feb) | Extreme cold; prepare heavy jackets, thermal wear, hats, gloves. |
| Spring | Mar – May | -8°C / +5°C (Mar), +4°C / +14°C (Apr), +12°C / +22°C (May) | Windy and dusty; bring sunglasses, masks, light jackets. |
| Summer | Jun – Aug | +16°C / +26°C (Jun), +22°C / +32°C (Jul), +20°C / +28°C (Aug) | Best season to travel; pack summer clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and rain gear. |
| Autumn | Sep – Oct | +15°C / +25°C (Sep), -5°C / +10°C (Oct) | Mild weather and stunning fall colors; prepare warm layers. |
Monthly Weather Overview:
| Month | Avg Temp (Day/Night) | Warmest | Coldest | Rainfall (days) | Snowfall (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -16°C / -26°C | -11°C | -30°C | 0 | 2–4 |
| February | -11°C / -24°C | -10°C | -26°C | 0 | 1–2 |
| March | -4°C / -14°C | +4°C | -24°C | 0 | 1 |
| April | +8°C / -4°C | +12°C | -9°C | 0 | 0 |
| May | +15°C / +4°C | +18°C | +1°C | 1 | 0 |
| June | +22°C / +6°C | +26°C | +8°C | 2–3 | 0 |
| July | +25°C / +12°C | +32°C | +11°C | 4–6 | 0 |
| August | +21°C / +10°C | +30°C | +8°C | 4–6 | 0 |
| September | +16°C / +4°C | +25°C | +1°C | 2–3 | 0 |
| October | +8°C / -6°C | +14°C | -12°C | 0 | 1–2 |
| November | -11°C / -15°C | +4°C | -22°C | 0 | 2–4 |
| December | -13°C / -22°C | -10°C | -26°C | 0 | 3–6 |
What is the ideal season to travel in Mongolia?
The best time to visit Mongolia is from May until July when Mongolia has its most important holiday NAADAM in July, and thus you get to see the most of what Mongolia has to offer with respect to both culture and natural beauty during this period of time. The weather during the summer in Mongolia varies from region to region; however, in general, it is quite warm. While there may be rain in some regions of Mongolia during this time, the nights become colder, most notably outside of the Gobi Desert.
When is the best time to travel Mongolian Gobi desert?
September and October are exceptional months for visiting the Gobi desert. Other locations such as September provide a great opportunity for people to visit these areas while October will still be warm. Although it may be plenty cool at all hours of the night; temperatures during the day remain comfortable at most times.
During September and October many festivals and other cultural activities occur that provide visitors with unique experiences of culture and the beauty of the land, including Danshig Festival, many local Horse Festivals, Yak Festival, as well as many challenging National and International Marathons held throughout the Gobi desert in the south and Taiga and Khövsgöl(Northeast Mongolia and the northern coast of Lake Khövsgöl in Northern Mongolia) in the north.
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.Â
The Best Time to explore Mongolian winter adventure
Traveling to Mongolia is quite possible for individuals who enjoy cold weather between December and February (Lunar New Year). Mongolia has its own unique beauty during the cold winter months, and winter tourism is rapidly growing over the last several years. In addition to winter tourism, there are several annual events that are held in Mongolia during the winter months, including two large festivals: “Winter Festival” in Ulaanbaatar, and the “Ice Festival” held at Hovsgol Lake. In addition to these festivals, there are several other things to see and do during your stay in Mongolia during the winter months, including dog sledding, skating, skiing, and more.
The best time to help and volunteer nomads of Mongolia
While traveling in Mongolia, one of the most exciting experiences is visiting the nomadic people. In particular, visiting nomadic herders during the Spring (February, March & April) months is much more than just visiting. You can volunteer to help the herders with anything they need assistance with at this time; you will also witness first-hand how they birth and take care of baby animals. Additionally, this is a great opportunity to experience their culture while they are celebrating “Tsagaan Sar” (Traditional Lunar New Year). The Kazakh people also have a spring festival called “Nauryz” in Bayan-Ulgii, located in western Mongolia. Other than their culture, the natural beauty of Mongolia during springtime contains many breathtaking sights, including the flowering of early spring flowers and the migration of beautiful birds as they return for the warmer weather.
Every month of the year brings ample opportunity for unique experiences in Mongolia – which means when you choose to go there will depend greatly on what appeals most to you as a traveler (i.e., whether you are interested in learning about Mongolian nomadic culture, attending festivals and events, going hiking, experiencing horseback riding/driving through the countryside on camels and yaks, getting your fill of warm sunshine or pumpkin color-like dawn, etc.). You may want to experience the joy of being free while riding horseback across the vast steppe or visiting with herders during the cold winter months of December through February (Mongolian winter is between the months of December to March).
FAQ
Is summer the best time to visit Mongolia?
For most visitors, summer (June-August) is viewed as being at its prime. This time of year a visitor can expect warm weather and lush green landscapes as well as many of the annual cultural festivals like the Naadam Festival in July. In addition to enjoying these cultural experiences, summer is also an excellent time for outdoor recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking, camping and touring the Gobi Desert and Contiguous Lakes of Khuvsgul. One caveat is that during the peak tourist season a) many areas will be very busy with tourists, b} most hotel rooms and flight tickets will be sold at higher rates.
How cold does Mongolia get in winter?
The winter months (November through February) in Mongolia tend to be cold and harsh, with average temperatures ranging from approximately -20C° to -40C° (-4F° to -40F°) in the Northern region of Mongolia and Central Mongolia. This season also provides several unique opportunities, including attending the ‘Ice Festival’ held at Lake Khuvsgul, experiencing the traditional winter nomadic lifestyle of Mongolians, and enjoying the breathtaking beauty of Mongolia’s winter landscape when blanketed in snow. If you choose to visit Mongolia during this time period, you should bring heavy winter clothing, thermal layers, gloves, hats, and waterproof boots.
Can I visit Mongolia in March or April?
Traveling to Mongolia in March/April is feasible however, visitors should be prepared for colder weather, high winds, and possible dust storms in the steppe and desert regions of Mongolia. March/April is considered a slower period with fewer visitors resulting in lower travel costs. This makes it an excellent choice for budget-minded tourists or for those wanting a more tranquil travel experience. In addition, after a long winter, Nomadic herders will also have welcomed the birth of their newborn livestock. This is a cultural opportunity that you should not miss.
When is Naadam Festival held?
Every year in July, Mongolia holds the Naadam Festival, with Ulaanbaatar hosting the majority of the events. Considered Mongolia’s most esteemed cultural festival, the event highlights the “Three Manly Games” – wrestling, horse racing, and archery – as well as parades, traditional music and dance, and local handicrafts, all combined to create an unforgettable experience for those with a love of culture and travel.
What is the cheapest month to visit Mongolia?
The times of year that tend to have lower prices for travel to Mongolia are generally considered to be Spring (March – May) and Autumn (September – October), or “off season.” During these months, hotels may have lower rates and flights within Mongolia will typically be less expensive. Additionally, many tourist attractions will not be as crowded during this time as they are during the summer months. Although the weather might be a little less stable compared to the summer months, traveling during the off-peak seasons can be a more affordable, peaceful experience, which is great for those travelers on a budget.