Tips for Traveling to Mongolia with Kids

Mongolia is a truly unique destination. Families willing to venture beyond the ordinary can experience nomadic cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and a variety of exciting activities with their children.

From horseback and camel rides to cultural museums and numerous national parks, Mongolia offers countless opportunities for unforgettable family memories. However, be aware that long journeys on dirt roads, limited modern sanitation in rural areas, and a meat-heavy diet may pose challenges for younger travelers.

While Mongolian families frequently travel with their children in their own vehicles, foreign tourists should be prepared for potential difficulties when journeying with kids in this developing tourism landscape.

With some planning and foresight, you can easily tackle any challenges. This guide provides insights on exploring Mongolia with children, highlighting the best indoor and outdoor activities, top travel spots, and essential considerations.

Is Mongolia suitable for children?

Absolutely, provided you're in the right location, at the right time, and have thoroughly prepared your travel plans. Your children can enjoy thrilling activities that are truly unique to this part of the world, though traveling with kids in Mongolia can present challenges.

Facilities catering to families with children are primarily found at airports, large shopping centers, and upscale restaurants, with very few public playgrounds available throughout the country.

What are the top places in Mongolia for children?

Visiting the capital, Ulaanbaatar, offers you and your kids a variety of Mongolian experiences, including horse riding in the surrounding grasslands, exploring captivating cultural, historical, and sensory museums, and tasting traditional Mongolian dishes.

For a relaxing getaway surrounded by unspoiled nature and fresh air, consider flying to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park or the tranquil Khövsgöl Nuur lake. Here, you can swim in crystal-clear waters, ride horses, meet nomadic families, and savor authentic Mongolian food in a stunning natural environment. A train journey to Selenge Province also provides a comfortable way to take in Mongolia’s breathtaking agricultural scenery.

Top activities in Mongolia for families with babies and toddlers

For a comfortable journey with babies and toddlers, it's advisable to focus on larger, more accessible tourist spots in Mongolia.

Unwind by the stunning Khövsgöl Nuur lake

Khövsgöl Nuur is a popular tourist spot, featuring excellent amenities for travelers, making it an ideal location for families with babies, toddlers, and expectant mothers. The lake is bordered by forests and boasts crystal-clear waters, perfect for relaxation and fresh air. Although the water is chilly, locals believe a quick dip boosts children's immunity and wards off winter colds. Even without swimming, kids will delight in splashing their hands and feet in the lake.

Numerous local nomadic herders inhabit the lakeshore, allowing for easy arrangements for horse riding and affordable milk and dairy purchases. You'll find a range of accommodations, from cozy ger camps to upscale resorts. Since Mongolian cuisine heavily features meat, consider opting for a more tourist-oriented resort with diverse menu options, including special meals for babies.

Discover the museums and parks of Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar (UB) offers the most family-friendly environment in Mongolia for babies and toddlers, featuring numerous restaurants with child-friendly menus and more green spaces than elsewhere in the country. The National Garden Park has free admission, and rides at the National Amusement Park are budget-friendly, making both ideal spots for your kids to enjoy.

Playgrounds within the larger apartment complexes in the city are spacious, safe, clean, and often open to non-residents. About 7km from the city center, Bogd Khan Mountain is another excellent destination for young children to play, breathe fresh air, and see wildlife like squirrels, hares, and Mongolian antelopes.

Top activities for younger children

Visiting nature parks and rural areas in Mongolia allows children to explore and connect with the outdoors. However, many roads are in disrepair, and finding modern sanitary facilities or restaurants with child-friendly options can be challenging in the countryside. For families with younger kids, it's advisable to stay near Ulaanbaatar.

Scale a massive sand dune

Located just 280km from Ulaanbaatar, about a three-hour drive, the colossal sand dunes known as Elsen-Tasarkhai (or Mongol Els) provide a fantastic playground for children. They can climb and slide down the dunes or enjoy a camel ride in this picturesque setting that remains relatively undiscovered.

Enjoy a scenic train ride for comfortable views

Traveling on Mongolia's railways offers a fascinating glimpse into the Soviet era, providing an enjoyable experience for both kids and adults, and a more comfortable alternative to car travel. Although the journeys may be slow, you have the freedom to walk around while enjoying picturesque views of the countryside.

For breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and farmland, consider the nine-hour train ride from Ulaanbaatar to Sükhbaatar in Selenge Province. Alternatively, if you’re looking to ride camels across expansive steppe and rugged badlands, take the train from Ulaanbaatar to Dornogovi Province in eastern Gobi. A visit to the impressive Khamaryn Khiid Monastery, nestled in the sands near Sainshand, adds a refreshing highlight to your journey.

Experience adventure in a national park

With its breathtaking alpine landscapes, Terelj-Gorkhi National Park is a fantastic destination for families. It offers a natural playground for hiking, rafting, and horse or camel riding. Families can also visit a nomadic family and stay overnight in a traditional ger—all just 55km northeast of the capital.

Located about 90km west of Ulaanbaatar, Khustain National Park is easily accessible via a paved road, making it perfect for a day trip or overnight stay. Kids can have fun searching for takhi (Mongolian wild horses), red deer, birds of prey, marmots (in summer), and other wildlife throughout the seasons.

Top activities for tweens and teens

Venturing a bit beyond the major cities can lead to enriching and adventurous experiences for tweens and teens, but longer excursions might leave them fatigued and uncomfortable, so keep your plans manageable.

Discover ancient Mongolia at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum

To immerse children in Mongolia's history and culture, don't miss the Chinggis Khaan National Museum in Ulaanbaatar. The exhibits offer a deep dive into the nation’s heritage, but be aware that there are no English labels, so hiring an English-speaking guide is advisable.

Experience Mongolia's renowned eagle hunters

Located 1636km from Ulaanbaatar, Bayan-Ölgii Province is famed for its legendary Kazakh eagle hunters and stunning natural scenery. While the journey by car or bus takes around 26 hours, flying to the provincial capital, Ölgii, in just 1½ hours is a more convenient option for families.

A visit to the mountainous regions of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, reachable from Ölgii via 4WD, offers a chance to engage with the distinct culture of the Kazakh people. Ölgii city has many coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and shops to ensure a comfortable stay before your adventure.

Experience life with a nomadic family

One of the most fascinating and adventurous experiences for kids in Mongolia is staying with a nomadic family to learn about their distinctive lifestyle. Herder families rise early, milk their livestock, tend to their sheep, maintain their yards, prepare meals, and fetch water as part of their daily routine. This age-old way of life offers a glimpse into Mongolia's rich cultural heritage, and children should certainly take part. Homestays with nomadic families can be arranged through tour agencies in Ulaanbaatar.

Travel Planning Tips

Due to Mongolia's extreme climate, summer is the most family-friendly time to visit. Winters can see temperatures plummet to -45°C, and even spring and autumn can be harsh and windy. The warm months of June through August bring minimal rainfall and fewer tourists compared to the July peak, making it an ideal time for family travel.

If you visit in July, you'll have the opportunity to witness the festivities and traditional sports of the Naadam Festival. However, be prepared for a challenging travel experience by road with young children due to frequent traffic jams in cities and on main highways. Additionally, climate change has caused the Mongolian rainy season to encroach into July.

Exercise caution when crossing the busy streets of Ulaanbaatar and carefully guide your children through the traffic. If you're navigating the city, bring a stroller with sun protection, even in cooler weather. Keep in mind that walking with a stroller can be tricky due to uneven sidewalks and limited ramps in many buildings.

Tips for Family Accommodations in Mongolia

Most standard hotels in Mongolia can accommodate families, while luxury hotels offer suite rooms that provide a comfortable option for family groups, ensuring a clean bathroom and dining options on-site. However, not all hotels can supply cribs or extra beds.

When staying with your family in a basic ger camp in the countryside, be aware that amenities like cribs, chairs, and tables for children may be lacking, and toilets will typically be pit latrines located outside. Some upscale ger resorts feature flushing outdoor toilets and hot showers, and several luxury resorts are fully equipped to cater to families.

Dining options for families traveling in Mongolia

Traditional Mongolian cuisine primarily features meat and flour, with dishes like khorkhog (Mongolian barbecue), buuz (large dumplings), and khuushuur (fried meat pastries). However, consuming these in excess may lead to digestive issues for children. When you encounter a market or large grocery store, it's wise to purchase fruits and vegetables to balance their diet.

In Ulaanbaatar, you’ll find numerous restaurants offering familiar international dishes, but options are scarce in the countryside. For family dining, it's advisable to choose higher-end restaurants, where you can expect a diverse menu, good hygiene standards, child seats, family VIP rooms, and clean restrooms.

Dining al fresco is a common practice, and locals frequently enjoy picnics on the lush lawns of public parks in Ulaanbaatar. In summer, fresh milk and dairy products are plentiful; we suggest purchasing them directly from rural herders at reasonable prices. Some markets offer aaruul (dried curd) blended with flour—this might not appeal to every child, so it's wise to sample it first before deciding.

Before venturing outside Ulaanbaatar, stock up on all necessities in the capital, as essential items for families, like children's medications, diapers, and baby formula, can be scarce or overpriced elsewhere.

Tips for family transportation

While public transport is not particularly comfortable or kid-friendly, taking the train offers a straightforward way to reach destinations north and south of the capital. Buses operate from Ulaanbaatar to every soum (subdistrict) in Mongolia, but long journeys can quickly lead to boredom and discomfort for children. For a more relaxed experience, consider renting a car or 4WD with a driver, ideally through a fully insured and reputable agency rather than an individual.

In the capital, you can travel anywhere in Ulaanbaatar by bus for just 500 MNT, although navigating with kids can be challenging due to heavy traffic. It's advisable to avoid congested areas or opt to walk when feasible. Taxis provide a slightly easier alternative, but be cautious as some private drivers may overcharge. Always confirm the fare before getting in, or use a mobile app like UBcab to book a ride.