17 essential insights for traveling to Mongolia

Mongolia, characterized by vast steppes, expansive blue skies, and nomadic herders, is an ideal destination for adventure and cultural exploration. While unforgettable experiences are guaranteed, navigating the world’s least densely populated country presents its own challenges, making it wise to enhance your knowledge of Mongolia before your trip.

During my adventures in Mongolia, I’ve camped in wild conditions during a lightning storm, struggled with fermented horse milk, faced breakdowns on epic drives, had my pocket picked, accidentally crashed a Kazakh wedding, been thrown off two horses, and—perhaps my biggest mistake—attempted to cross part of the Gobi Desert in a Toyota Prius. (Spoiler: I got stuck!).

Experience is a great teacher, so here are some tips to help you avoid common pitfalls on your journey. Regardless of how you choose to explore this captivating country, remember that Mongolians are known for their warmth and are always willing to assist strangers—if things go awry, someone will help guide you back on track.

1. Plan your tour well in advance of your trip

Mongolia’s travel season is brief, lasting from late May to late August, meaning that the best drivers, guides, and vehicles get reserved quickly. Previously, travelers could arrive in Ulaanbaatar during summer and find available tours by inquiring at guesthouses, but with the Trans-Mongolian Railway suspended, fewer visitors are coming through. It’s best to secure your tours ahead of time.

2. Avoid overloading your Mongolia itinerary

A frequent error is attempting to cover too much ground in Mongolia in a single trip, which can turn your journey into a tiring, bumpy driving adventure. Instead, concentrate on a specific region of the country or plan for at least two nights in each location to take in and appreciate the stunning and tranquil Mongolian landscapes.

3. Purchase domestic travel tickets through local Mongolian agencies

Domestic flight and train schedules can frequently change at the last minute. By booking through a local travel agency in Mongolia, they can assist you if your flight gets canceled or delayed. If you miss a connection or are running late, a reliable tour operator may even manage to hold the plane for you for an hour.

4. If you intend to drive yourself, steer clear of July and August

The summer travel period from July to August coincides with when the grassy paths of the steppe become saturated, significantly increasing the chances of getting stuck. If you plan to drive yourself, it's advisable to visit during the shoulder seasons of June or September for better ground conditions. In peak summer, stick to the paved roads radiating from the capital or hire a vehicle with a local driver familiar with the driving conditions.

5. Download podcasts and audiobooks for those lengthy road journeys

Mongolia is three times larger than France, and the majority of roads are rough tracks, resulting in low average speeds even in a modern 4WD. Prepare to spend hours bouncing across vast, monotonous landscapes – stunning yet a bit repetitive. This terrain calls for a great soundtrack; load your audio player with enjoyable music, audiobooks, or podcasts to make the journey more pleasant.

6. Pack sanitary supplies and medications

While you can find most health essentials in the capital, personal sanitary supplies and medications become much harder to come by once you're on the steppe. Ensure you have ample space in your pack and bring everything you need.

7. Elevate your mutton dishes with condiments

While Ulaanbaatar boasts a lively dining scene, your meals in the wilderness will largely consist of mutton dumplings (buuz), fried mutton pancakes (khuushuur), mutton with pasta (tsuivan), or simply boiled mutton (makh). On lengthy trips, this can become monotonous, so don't forget to bring along a bottle of sriracha, horseradish, gochujang, piri-piri sauce, or any other condiment you enjoy to enhance your meals.

8. Always boil or purify water from natural sources

Although rural Mongolia appears pristine, even seemingly clear water can harbor microbes and contaminants. Boiling water for at least one minute can eliminate most harmful microorganisms, or you can use water purification tablets or a portable filtration system to conserve energy.

9. Bring camping gear to save costs (especially if heading west)

In Mongolia’s top tourist spots, you can find fixed ger (yurt) camps for overnight stays, but in the more remote western regions like Bayan-Ölgii province, it's wise to bring your own tent and camping gear, as ger camps are scarce. Ulaanbaatar has plenty of shops where you can buy outdoor equipment if you didn't bring your own.

10. Bring gifts when visiting nomadic families

When staying with local families in Mongolia, it’s customary to bring a gift for your hosts. Common choices include food, sweets, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages. Souvenirs or photos from your home country are also excellent ways to promote cultural exchange.

11. Hike up a hill to find mobile reception

In recent years, mobile phone coverage in Mongolia has significantly improved, with fewer dead zones. However, some remote areas may still lack service. If you're in the countryside without a signal, simply climbing the nearest hill will often restore your connection.

12. Think carefully before mounting that horse

One of the most frequent mishaps for tourists in Mongolia is falling off a horse. If you're eager to ride, ensure your travel insurance covers horseback riding, and consider getting some practice before your trip. Exercise extra caution in remote areas like the Gobi, where horses may be more jumpy due to the mixing of different herds for the tourist season.

13. Respect ger (yurt) customs

When staying in Mongolia's iconic accommodation, there are certain customs to follow. Inside a ger, it's courteous to wait until you are seated and have been served tea before starting a conversation with your hosts. Additionally, it's considered rude to toss trash into the central stove; instead, place it in front, and your host will take care of it.

14. Stay alert while exploring central Ulaanbaatar

Though Mongolia is generally safe for travelers, there have been instances of theft in Ulaanbaatar. In 2012, I experienced my wallet being picked from my back pocket outside the Ulaanbaatar Department Store – a classic rookie error! Also, exercise caution when crossing streets; Ulaanbaatar's roads are congested, and pedestrians don't have priority over vehicles.

15. Opt for official taxis after dark

In Ulaanbaatar, you can find two types of taxis: official and unofficial, with the latter being regular cars that look for fares. While unlicensed taxis are typically safe during the day, it's advisable to use official ones at night. Two reliable taxi apps are UBCab and ABA taxi Mongolia, both featuring registered drivers.

16. Utilize what3words for locating places and attractions

Mongolia has embraced the widely-used what3words navigation system, which assigns unique three-word combinations to locations. This simplifies finding sites and attractions in a country with few labeled roads and landmarks. The latest edition of the Dinogo Planet Mongolia guidebook includes what3words locations alongside each point of interest.

17. Invest in a GPS tracker device

A vehicle GPS tracker serves as an essential safety tool when exploring the vast Mongolian wilderness. If you’re driving with a tracker, any tour company or support office in Ulaanbaatar can easily pinpoint your location if you get lost or face vehicle issues.