The ideal times for a trip to Mongolia

Renowned for its endless steppe landscapes, captivating nomadic culture, vibrant modern capital, and remarkably varied scenery, Mongolia offers a lot to experience. Before deciding on your destination, it's essential to consider when to go—your timing will significantly influence your journey.

When evaluating key factors such as weather conditions, major calendar events, and the balance between peak season crowds and low-season deals, choosing the best time to visit can be quite challenging—that’s where we come in to assist you!

Ultimately, the optimal time to explore Mongolia depends on you, the traveler, and your personal interests. Are you aiming to experience bucket-list cultural events like the globally celebrated Naadam festival or the intriguing golden eagle hunting festivals? Perhaps you're an outdoor lover, eager to horseback trek or bike across Mongolia's vast landscapes in ideal weather? Or are you drawn to winter sports and Mongolia’s distinctive winter festivals?

Considering the temperature extremes in Mongolia—ranging from a scorching 45°C (113°F) to a frigid -40°C (-40°F)—the climate plays a crucial role in determining the best months for your visit. However, the truth is that any time is a great time to explore Mongolia, with each season offering its own unique and unforgettable experiences. If you're looking for suggestions, here are some of our top recommendations for when to visit.

From June to August, enjoy delightful weather along with the Naadam Festival

Summer is peak season for a reason. This is when the weather shines, clearly justifying Mongolia's nickname, “the Land of Blue Skies.” June, July, and August are the warmest months, making it the perfect time to explore the countryside. With clear skies overhead, you can experience nomadic hospitality while traversing the grassy steppe by horse, foot, bike, or 4WD, ending your days in cozy ger (yurt) camps.

June is an especially great month to visit, just before the main tourist season kicks in. You'll be able to enjoy the stunning landscapes with fewer crowds and get a glimpse of Naadam through various smaller festivals. However, the highlight is mid-July, when visitors from all over the globe converge for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage–recognized Naadam Festival, a vibrant three-day showcase of traditional Mongolian sports.

These festivities showcase uniquely local interpretations of horseracing, wrestling, and archery—traditions that have thrived for centuries in Mongolia—set against a backdrop of joyful celebrations. However, this is also when the crowds surge, so make sure to secure your accommodations and transportation several months in advance.

Also taking place in July is the Altai Nomad Festival in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, featuring traditional Kazakh equestrian games like kokbar, which is a tug-of-war using a goat carcass. August brings lovely weather, but the atmosphere calms as the peak season draws to a close. During this time, you can enjoy the more relaxed Danshig Naadam festival, which blends traditional sports with religious rites and cultural celebrations.

Visit between April and May or September and October for eagle hunting, budget-friendly travel, and fewer crowds

We love traveling during the shoulder season, not only for the opportunity to explore Mongolia from a less touristy perspective but also for a more leisurely pace and lower costs. While the weather can be unpredictable (prepare for four seasons in one hour), in a country known for its 250 sunny days a year, you’ll still enjoy plenty of clear skies.

In April and May, Mongolia starts to thaw from its winter chill, with vibrant spring wildflowers blooming and transforming the landscapes into lush greenery. Many ger camps open for the season, allowing you to experience Mongolia’s remote and tranquil wilderness before the tourist rush for Naadam.

Late May is an ideal time to explore the Gobi Desert, as storms and fierce sand winds ease. You'll also sidestep the desert's infamous frigid nights and sweltering days. By September, warmer weather begins to arrive, but by October, winter is definitely on its way.

This is the perfect time to visit if you're interested in experiencing one of Mongolia’s stunning eagle festivals. Taking place on the first weekend of October, the Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii is a must-see event, showcasing thrilling displays of falconry by skilled Kazakh eagle hunters as they demonstrate their prized birds in various competitions, from fashion shows to hunting challenges.

In late September, the more intimate Altai Kazakh Eagle Festival takes place, a two-day event that combines exciting eagle hunting demonstrations with horse and camel racing.

From November to March, enjoy winter festivals, snow sports, and biting cold

November marks the onset of seriously cold weather! But don't let that deter you; instead, bundle up and embrace it. There are numerous highlights to enjoy, including cultural festivals and snow activities, with winter often bringing lower prices for flights and accommodations, though not huge discounts.

February is especially favorable for traditional winter festivities, featuring both the Khatgal Ice Festival and Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival, which showcase unique sports like ice ankle-bone shooting (a captivating skill game using animal bones), ice archery, and horse sledding competitions, along with popular winter activities such as ice skating, ice fishing, and dog sledding.

Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year, also falls in February, providing a chance to celebrate with local families during the festivities. Additionally, the Bulgan Camel Festival, the largest event in the Gobi, attracts crowds to Ömnögovi for camel polo, camel races, camel shearing, and other activities featuring these valued animals.

From November to March, it's prime time to participate in snow sports, including downhill skiing at Ulaanbaatar’s Sky Resort. Dog sledding tours are easily organized, and you can also enjoy long-distance skating on Khövsgöl Nuur lake.

A word of caution, though: December and January can bring not only freezing temperatures to Ulaanbaatar but also severe pollution. If you’re looking to avoid particularly harsh conditions, we recommend steering clear of January, unless you're exceptionally resilient.