The best time to visit Mongolia

We don’t recommend travelling to Mongolia during January.

We don’t recommend travelling to Mongolia during February.

The best time to visit Mongolia for those who enjoy the cold is March. This is when the country begins to emerge from its harsh winter, with events such as the Khovsgol Ice Festival in the north and the Bulgan Camel Festival in the Gobi Desert.

The northern regions can still experience temperatures as low as -15°C, however, so packing appropriately with lots of warm layers is essential. The desert sees slightly warmer temperatures of up to around 5°C, accompanied by strong winds which often whip up dust storms.

The springtime winds prevail into April, with average maximum temperatures of 8°C across the central steppe. Wildflowers begin to bloom, colouring a landscape that turns progressively greener as the month passes.

This is the time to see the nomadic herding families moving their homes and livestock from winter to summer pastures, a traditional practice refined over centuries to align with the rhythms of the land, weather and livestock needs.

As summer approaches, rainfall increases to around 16mm, with temperatures rising to a maximum average of 17°C in central Mongolia. Consider booking a private driver to take you on a tour of the most iconic landmarks around the capital Ulaanbaatar, such as the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex or the Khurel Togoot Observatory.

As the springtime winds subside, May is ideal for exploring the Gobi Desert before the scorching summer heat sets in. The area is renowned for its bird life at this time, including both native and migratory species.

June heralds the start of the best time of year to visit Mongolia for enjoying longer and sunnier days during your stay. Ahead of the main event in July, smaller Naadam festivals are held throughout the country, making the most of this comfortable weather.

As the Gobi Desert reaches highs of 35°C, you’d be wise to focus your travels on the cooler steppe and mountainous regions. Head to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park for a trekking tour of the peaks and lakes, possible both on foot or on horseback.

Visitors flock to Mongolia in July to experience the world-renowned Naadam festival, a vibrant three-day event featuring traditional games such as horse racing, wrestling and archery. Capital city Ulaanbaatar hosts the main festival, with smaller regional celebrations also taking place (such as at Lake Khovsgol in the north).

This is the hottest month of the year in Mongolia, with temperatures soaring to around 40°C in the Gobi Desert, 30°C in the steppe and 25°C in the mountainous regions. July is also one of the wetter months, seeing an average of 69mm of rainfall in Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding areas.

As summertime draws to a close, August is the best time to visit Mongolia before the unpredictable autumn weather arrives. The country has three major mountain ranges providing great trekking opportunities at this time: Altai to the west, Khangai to the north and Khentii to the east.

For accessing more remote locations, consider chartering a private plane or helicopter. This not only eliminates long car journeys but also offers breathtaking aerial views as you fly over each distinct region of the country: from cityscapes and sweeping steppes to golden deserts and rugged mountains.

By September peak tourist season is over and Mongolia starts to quieten down, with the forests of the north turning golden as autumn sets in. Early in the month is the perfect time to explore the Taiga region, staying alongside the famous Tsaatan reindeer herders and learning about their centuries-old traditional way of life.

From September onwards Mongolian weather becomes very unpredictable, with temperatures varying significantly between day and night. A cool and crisp climate prevails across the Taiga, steppe and mountainous regions, with the desert seeing average highs of 25°C.

October is the best time of year to visit Mongolia to see the dazzling falconry of the nomadic Kazakh hunters. The Golden Eagle Festival is held annually by the Mongolian Eagle Hunters’ Association, drawing many travellers to a magnificent opening parade followed by competitions in archery, agility, racing and more.

This is also a great month for exploring the Gobi Desert, thanks to the cooler temperatures, softer light and fewer visitors around. For a trek with historic and scientific significance, head to the Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur egg fossils were first discovered in 1923.

We don’t recommend travelling to Mongolia during November.

We don’t recommend travelling to Mongolia during December.