Hurry up! Mass tourism is coming! Mongolia, a country three times the size of France, is not any longer off the beaten track. There is a brandnew airport in Ulan Bator, and visa regulations are changing: many nationalities do not need a visa anymore (in 2025 it will be 61 nations).
Best time to travel is June to August, nice temperatures between 18 degrees Celsius ((64,4 °F) t0 28 degrees C (82 °F).
If you are interested in lower prices and less tourists choose May.
Here are the five best festivities in Mongolia:
*Naadam, Mongolia`s number one event, dance, culture, music in the capital: 11. – 15. July 2024. In 2024, Naadam commemorates the 103rd anniversary of the Mongolian Revolution, the 818th anniversary of the Mongol Empire and the 2,233rd anniversary of the Hunnu Empire.
*Mongolia Gobi Desert Festival. All about camels. There are 460.000 camels in Mongolia. Expect a huge camel parade, camel polo, camel races,… Takes place at Bulgan town near Danlangzad in the South Gobi. It does not come the easy way, it takes a 580 km drive on paved roads from Ulan Bator, plus 100 km on gravel roads. When: 1. – 5. February 2025. Mind: Preebooking through a tour operated recommended. Ger-camps do not open in winter, so you need to stay in the fully booked hotels in Danlangzad city.
*Golden Eagle Festival. Biggest gathering of eagle hunters (trainers), parades, competitions, great attraction for visitors. Takes two days, two opportunities. The event in October is bigger. When: 17. and 18.th September 2024, 5., 6. Oct. 2024; 17. and 18. Sept. 2025, 4. and 5. Oct. 2025. Location: 1600 km from Ulan Bator away in the Altai mountains in a town called Ulgii. Flights available, early booking of hotelrooms and tour operator recommended.
*Tsagaan Sar. The Mongolian version of Lunar New Year. When: Usually on the first new moon day in January or February. Biggest family event in Mongolia. Last for three days.
*Reindeer Festival. Reindeer farmers from the Taiga gather at the worlds freshested water lake, lake Khuvsgul. When: annually 6/7h of July.
A selection of ger-camps.
*Three Camel Lodge in the South Gobi. Luxury, even spa, uninterrupted views across the steppe, a bit overpriced, very popular among luxury-travellers. 480 kilometers (300 miles) from the capital. 40 deluxe gers, Wifi 3G, DCMA. Horse riding, camel carts, folkore show, bikes.2 nights 2.600 US $ (subject of change).
*Secret of Ongi. If you like bigger camps. A bit touristy, but nice location. Near the Ongi monastery along the Ongi River in Saikhan Ovoo soum. Nice restaurant. No deluxe gers, 30 standard ones. Horse riding.
*Munkh Tenger Ger Camp. Located in the Karkorum. Near the old capital and ideal for touring the Orhkon valley. 35 standard gers, 10 deluxe with private bathroom, Wifi 3 GSM. Horse riding, archery. Rate: 60 standard US $, 85 US $ deluxe (subject of change).
*Gobi Erdene Ger Camp. Located near the Khongor sand dunes, the largest and most impressive white sand dunes in Sevrei soum. 4 wooden houses, 4 ger with bathroom, GSM network. Horse riding, folklore shows.
